Electropical returns Sat May 19 with Sacha “Percussionista” Levin

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Michael

Sacha Levin

Queen Victoria turns 193 and Electropical DJ Michael Laycock turns 29 (again) on the May long weekend, so it’s time to celebrate.

Join Michael and DJ Marc Fournier at the Backstage Lounge on Saturday, May 19 as they serve up birthday beats from the five continents.

They’ll dig deep into their ever-expanding collections of African rhythms, Arabian waves, Brazilian beats, Caribbean sounds, and Balkan bangers to keep you moving.

And Sacha “Percussionista” Levin will join the DJ duo on bells and skins. Sacha currently performs, records, and teaches with some of Vancouver’s top musicians. Skilled in African and Latin percussion, she has performed and toured throughout B.C. and the rest of Canada. She last appeared at Electropical in April 2011.

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Video: Electropical with percussionist Nick Apivor, Sat Apr 21, 2012

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Michael

Here’s a slice of life at the April 2012 edition of Electropical at the Backstage Lounge in Vancouver. Huge thanks to special guest percussionist Nick Apivor and all our guests for making it a hot night.

Electropical returns Sat Apr 21 with guest percussionist Nick Apivor

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Michael

Nick Apivor at his previous Electropical appearance in 2008

We’re excited to announce the return of Nick Apivor as our guest percussionist at Electropical on Saturday, April 21 at the Backstage Lounge.

Nick has immersed himself in a variety of Latin musical styles, performing and recording with Juno-nominated Rumba Calzada, Ache Brazil, The World Jive Big Band, John Gilliat Group, and many others. He last accompanied us at the February 2008 Electropical.

With Nick bringing the percussion to life, Marc and I will dig deep into our ever-expanding collections of Brazilian beats, Caribbean sounds, African rhythms, Arabian waves, and Balkan bangers to keep you moving.

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Video: Electropical with Raphael Geronimo and Kobe Louis Charles

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Michael

Here’s a clip from the Sat Mar 24, 2012 edition of Electropical featuring special guests Raphael Geronimo of Rumba Calzada on percussion and Belgian DJ Kobe Louis Charles on the decks. Huge thanks to the performers and everyone in the capacity crowd who helped us blow the roof off the Backstage Lounge!

Raphael Geronimo will be our guest percussionist this Saturday night!

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Marc

Raphael Geronimo

Just announced!

Third generation in a family of professional musicians and dancers, Raphael Geronimo committed himself at age seventeen to serious musical studies under the direction of his father Boying Geronimo, and made his professional debut one year later.
Continuing his training he studied in Cuba at the Laboratorio Internacional de Folklore en la Habana and in New York City at the Harbour Center of Performing Arts. Raphael continues to lead and direct the band, Rumba Calzada.

More info below or on the Electropical Facebook event page for our gig this Saturday, March 24.

Electropical: The “Hello spring!” edition, Saturday, March 24, 2012

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Michael

Say sayonara to winter and salaam to spring at Electropical on Saturday, March 24.

(Due to a St. Patrick’s Day event at the Backstage Lounge, Electropical happens on the fourth Saturday of the month in March only. In April and beyond, we’ll get back to our usual third Saturday of the month residency.)

Join DJ Marc Fournier and me at the Backstage as we serve up seasonal sounds from the five continents to the most open-minded and diverse crowd in the Pacific Northwest.

UPDATE: We’ll give away two tickets to the Soweto Gospel Choir concert on Saturday, April 7 at the QE Theatre.

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Electropical DJ Marc FOURNIER performs live on cajón Wed Feb 29, CBC’s Studio 700, Vancouver

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Marc

Loig Morin

Hey Vancouver friends, tomorrow night is Loig Morin’s concert and I am in the band playing cajón & percussion. French pop, infectious melodies and a charming performer this Loig! Come check him out.

More info here.

DJ Michael Laycock’s
Under-a-palapa mix

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Michael

I’m heading off soon for a little tropical getaway. And as I dream of stretching out under a palapa, sipping a mojito, and just staring at a turtle for a while, this is the soundtrack.

Enjoy, and hasta luego!

Michael

(If you’re on an iOS device, you can download the free Mixcloud app and listen there.)

Under-a-palapa February 2012 mix by Michael Laycock on Mixcloud

Video: A taste of the Carnival edition of Electropical

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Michael

Here’s a taste of the Carnival edition of Electropical on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Navaro Franco and Yoro Noukoussi on percussion, with a special guest dancer. Big thanks to the performers and to all who came out!

Electropical: The Carnival edition, February 18, 2012

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Michael

: Notting Hill Carnival
(Photo: Romazur)

Carnival arrives in many parts of the world on the same weekend as the February Electropical, so we’re tuned in to the spirit of the season.

Join us for the Carnival edition of Electropical on Saturday, February 18 at the Backstage Lounge.

It’s a masquerade party, so bring a mask of your own (whether it’s from Rio, Recife, Trinidad, Port-au-Prince, Santiago, Venice, or the Party Bazaar), or pick one up at the door at no charge.

We’ll dig deep into our ever-expanding collections of Brazilian beats, Caribbean sounds, African rhythms, Arabian waves, and Balkan bangers to keep you moving.

UPDATE: We’ll be joined by special guest percussionist Navaro Franco. Navaro is a founding member of DivaDrum, an all female rhythm & movement quartet. Her drumming experience includes training in Brazilian Batucada and Japanese Taiko drumming.

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