The surprise performances to watch for at Gung Haggis Fat Choy™ 2005 will be:

David McIntosh of Battery Opera performing with Max Murphy on Baritone Saxophone.  I performed with this couple at a Bob's Lounge evening back in December.  It was eclectic, it was quirky, it was surprising.  We loved each other immediately.  David has a wonderfully strong voice, and he sings in Mandarin too!  They will teach the audience a Chinese drinking Song, and present their own ode to the haggis.  Battery Opera has a reputation for creating shows where anything can happen.  I am looking forward to it.

Veera devi Khare is an opera soprano that sings classical cross-over, jazz and Indian chants.  She invited me to her show in May, "A Touch of Opera, A Touch of India."  I was so taken with her performance I immediately recommended her to Asian Heritage Month and to CBC Radio.  CBC Radio asked Veera to perform for their production "A Fine Cabaret" to celebrate the radio dramatization of Rohinton Mistry's "A Fine Balance."  She stole the show!  Veera has now been invited to perform for the explorASIAN gala concert to open Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver. 

Harry Aoki, esteemed world musicologist will accompany Veera on his stand up double bass.  Also joining them will be Janine Oye on both piano and clarinet.  Janine is also librarian for the Vancouver Philharmonic.  Harry performs regularly with gypsy and jazz bands and organizes First Friday Forum, a musical and discussive forum for traditional and world music at the Nikkei Centre - first friday of each month.