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25 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, July 9, 2015 Musicians, performers add flare to Pan Am fest Exciting, diverse lineup on stage in free shows July 11-19 Jully Black, PAN AM AMBASSADOR and Canadian R&B soul/pop dynamo, Jully Black has been nominated for 4 Juno Awards, and won the Juno for Best R&B Soul/Recording of the Year for her second album "Revival" in 2008. Multi-talented, Black also starred in the theatrical production of Da Kink In My Hair in 2005 in Toronto. Jully will be part of the opening night ceremonies and performing on stage at July 11 at 8:30 p.m. Shawn Desman: A singer, songwriter, dancer and a television personality Shawn Desman can do it all. Desman's accolades include a Platinum album, JUNO and MMVA Awards and he has been recognized at the Canadian Screen Awards and at the Reel World Film Festival. Recently inducted into the Portuguese-Canadian Walk of Fame, Desman's talent, charisma and let's not forget those good looks, have inspired and entertained audiences worldwide. Shawn Desman will be hitting the Globalfest stage on Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. Messenjah: Has been part of the Canadian Roots/Reggae scene since the early 1980s. As a Juno Award winner they have performed at the Canadian National Exhibition, Ontario Place Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens. Messenjah's song "Jam Session" for many years was the intro for KCMU's long running reggae show Positive Vibrations. Messenjah will be on the Markham Globalfest Stage Sunday, July 12 at 8:30 p.m. as part of the South America, Caribbean and Fiesta Mexicana day. Splash'N Boots: 2014/2015 JUNO Award Nominees, Splash'N Boots is a well renowned musical duo. Nick Adams and Taes Leavitt have performed over 2,000 shows world-wide with shows in countries including Canada, Australia and Western Europe. Splash'N Boots have released eighteen music videos (eight of them were picked up by Treehouse TV!). As proud supporters of Sick Kids Hospital, Splash'N Boots aim is to put a smile on every child's face. The duo will be entertaining on Family Day, July 19 at 6 p.m. Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies: The music reflects the Louisiana Zydeco, Cajun and New Orleans traditions of Folk-Jazz, Rock & Roll and Blues Rhythms. Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies have made audiences happy through their engaging live shows worldwide. With performances at the Opera and Vaudeville Houses in the U.S., the Parliament in Canada and with numerous charitable concerts (Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, etc.), the band's ability to tell stories through their music differentiates themselves from other artists. Watch Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies on Friday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m. OUR pan Am ambassador It's almost party time. Starting Saturday, Globalfest will bring music, food, dancing and fun to the street. "It's music mania, it's culture mania, it's family mania, it's community mania," said Jully Black who will be headlining the main stage Saturday night. "Come one, come all, have a good time," From July 11 to 19, Main Street Unionville South will host 95 shows and 600 artists from 41 countries. Black lives in Markham and is looking forward to playing for the home crowd. "It's nice to have my family close by," she said, adding her mom does not always have the opportunity to see her concerts in downtown Toronto. Black is excited to be part of the Pan Am events. "Everybody expects TO2015 to be about Toronto, but Pan Am has spread across so many awesome cities," she said. "When Markham offered, I had to say yes, this is where it is home." She did admit it was a little strange to see her face on one of the promotional billboards in Markham. "I did a double take," she said, adding her success is still surprising. "It will always be a surprise to me," she said. "This is my passion, it's my purpose, I did absolutely nothing to earn this gift of song so I don't want to take it Jully Black headlines Globalfest's opening night July 11. for granted." While the Pan Am and Parapan Am games put a lot of focus on athletes and sport, Globalfest will be highlighting the cultural side of this multinational event. And it gives people in Markham a chance to experience the festivities first hand. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Black. -- Laura Finney STAR POWER: Canadian artist Shawn Desman will light up the Globalfest stage Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. Concert not to be missed. America, Caribbean, and Fiesta Mexicana day and will be performing on Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. Los Moralitos: This Markham trio has grown into their own with a modern electric take on danceable rhythms such as salsa and cumbia to create a funky and electric tropical repertoire. After three years of touring around as Los Moralitos, they have produced their first independent studio album, featuring the single "City of Friends," a song dedicated to the City of Markham and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. Los Moralitos will be dancing as part of the South America, Caribbean, and Fiesta Mexicana day on Sunday, July 12 at 1 p.m. Toronto Concert Orchestra & Music of Hollywood: Illustrious and renowned conductor Kerry Stratton and the Toronto Concert Orchestra will perform a Tribute to Star Wars and other timeless hits from movie classics throughout the decades. With 50 musicians on the Markham Global Fest stage under Kerry Stratton's direction, this performance will wow the audience. Kerry and the Toronto Concert Orchestra will perform as part of the closing show on Family Day, Sunday, July 19 at 8 p.m. three solo albums in 2002, 2008, and 2012 with accolades. He also has a keen eye for talent, and has played the role of producer and mentor for other Canadian artists such as Nelly Furtado and K'Naan. His own musical talent has been described Jarvis Church: Canadian R&B singeras distinctly soulful and his latest work songwriter and producer and is the lead has fittingly been a tribute to Sam Cooke, singer for the R&B-pop group The Philoso- an icon of soul music (2012). Jarvis will pher Kings. Jarvis Church also released be on the Globalfest stage opening night at 7 p.m. Josh Band: JoSH is a Canadian IndoPakistani music group composed of two members, Rup Magon and Qurram Hussain. JoSH is influenced by hip-hop and pop genres and has worked with artists including Nelly Furtado and Apache Indian to presents traditional Bhangra music in a new way to a larger audience. The band's accolades include MTV India and Pakistan awards, a Bollywood Music Award and the coveted Band of the Decade award at Anokhi Vibe. You can hear this unique sound as Markham celebrates South Asian and Indian culture on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:30 p.m. FOR THE KIDS: Musical duo Splash'N Boots perform on Family Day, July 19 at 6 p.m. HE'S GOT SOUL: R&B singer Jarvis Church, lead singer of the Philosopher Kings, performs opening night, July 11, at 7 p.m. Quique Escamilla: Winner of the 2015 Juno Award for World Music Album Kaha: Wi Dance Theatre (KDT): Rec- of the Year and World Solo Artist of the ognized for its fusion of Indigenous and Year at the 2014 Canadian Folk Music contemporary dance, KDT has become one Awards, Quique Escamilla is a "modern of Canada's leading contemporary dance day troubadour" to watch. Quique fuses companies. Founded by Artistic Director Mexican styles of music with rock, reggae, Santee Smith and with collaborations with ska, pop, cumbia, and a variety of other popular artists including Susuriwka (Ainu Latin American rhythms. A seasoned rock star OKI, Japan), Derek Miller (JUNO performer, Escamilla effortlessly connects award-winner) and Tanya Tagaq (Inuit with his audience no matter the venue, throat-singer), KDT captivates audiences crossing barriers to passionately deliver worldwide. KDT will be on stage Satur- songs inspired by various social and politiday, July 18 at 4 p.m. cal issues. Quique is part of the South