It’s like a little boy’s dream.
When Squamish performance director William Wallace takes the stage as part of the upcoming 'Crash! Bang! Boom!' show at O’Siyam Pavilion on Saturday, it will be the culmination of a childhood vision—performing alongside Indigenous drummers and other musicians from all over the world.
“I’ve been to many different powwows and events like that, and in general, when you see Indigenous people perform, you want to participate, but it’s not appropriate unless you’re invited,” Wallace said.
“Now we get to take the stage together. It’s going to be amazing.”
Put on by the Sound Mill Art Society, this cross-cultural world drumming event will be a featured part of the Squamish Arts Festival. It starts at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 and will encompass three distinct cultural traditions—while also giving audience members a chance to participate as part of a public workshop.
“It’s kind of like a game of Simon Says,” Wallace said.
Crash! Bang! Boom! will kick off with a performance and workshop by Squamish’s own singing and dancing group, Welhtima Kexwusem, showcasing the heartbeat of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) through the drumming techniques, regalia and dance of their medicine song traditions.
Following the workshop segment, the West African drumming traditions of Kunda will explode onstage, incorporating traditional African rhythms and instruments and blending them with contemporary compositions, led by master drummer Kocassale Dioubate.
Next, the famous Uzume Taiko drummers will thrill the audience with a stunning and theatrical performance fusing old and new Japanese drumming art.
All four performances will then come together for an epic ‘drum jam.’
“You have to bring it yourself,” said Wallace.
“Some people might complain there’s no culture in Squamish, but we’re bringing this all together and it’s going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before in this town.”
See all the day's Squamish Arts events on the organization's website.
