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.

Once again, expect the Backstage Lounge to be filled to capacity with world grooves, planetary vibes and the most cosmopolitan group of dancers this side of the Urals.

Stay tuned and spread the word.

Cheers,

DJs Marc Fournier and Michael Laycock

ELECTROPICAL
urban sounds with a tropical edge
Saturday, May 19, 2012

at Backstage Lounge
1585 Johnston St, Granville Island

Cover $12 per person
Doors 8pm
Music around 10pm (when the play next door ends)

On the web: http://www.electropical.ca
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/electropical/

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.

So move to the groove on the dance floor, and meet friendly people and great dancers from everywhere!

Cheers,

DJs Michael Laycock and Marc Fournier

ELECTROPICAL
urban sounds with a tropical edge
Saturday, April 21, 2012

at Backstage Lounge
1585 Johnston St, Granville Island

Cover $12 per person
Doors 8pm
Music around 10pm (when the play next door ends)

On the web: http://www.electropical.ca
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/electropical/

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.

(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.

New and classic tracks this month from Peru, Brazil, and Nigeria.

And 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.

So move to the groove on the dance floor, and meet friendly people and great dancers from everywhere!

Cheers, enjoy what’s left of winter, and see you on the 24th!

DJ Michael Laycock

ELECTROPICAL
urban sounds with a tropical edge
Saturday, March 24, 2012

at Backstage Lounge
1585 Johnston St, Granville Island

Cover $12 per person
Doors 8pm
Music around 10pm (when the play next door ends)

On the web: http://www.electropical.ca
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/electropical/

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.

Enjoy, and hasta luego!

Michael

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

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.

So shake off the February blahs, move to the groove on the dance floor, and meet friendly people and great dancers from everywhere!

Cheers, and see you on the 18th!

DJs Michael and Marc

ELECTROPICAL
urban sounds with a tropical edge
Saturday, February 18, 2012

at Backstage Lounge
1585 Johnston St, Granville Island

Cover $12 per person
Doors 8pm
Music around 10pm (when the play next door ends)

On the web: http://www.electropical.ca
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/electropical/