The performance schedule has just been released for the fourth annual Convergence Festival happening this Friday September 26 from 2-10:30 p.m in the Creekside parking lot (outside The Mateada). It’s a free festival to bring Salt Springers together, so please come on down and enjoy some amazing music.

To whet your appetite, below is the scoop on the exciting slate of Convergence artists, six of which are local, with the headliners coming over from Alberta. In addition, local journalist and music fan David Minkow has put together a Spotify playlist called Convergence Festival 2025 featuring many of this year’s performers, and he will be drawing from that on his Connections radio program on Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. on Salt Spring’s community radio station CHIR-FM (107.9).

9:15 p.m. Reuben and the Bullhorn Singers, a dynamic collaboration between renowned indie-folk outfit Reuben and the Dark and traditional powwow champions The Bullhorn Singers, headline the Convergence Festival. Their collaboration is the result of an impromptu live performance at the 2019 Calgary Stampede where this unlikely union of culture, life experience and sound stopped both the audience and these artists in their tracks. It was the start of a deep friendship and artistic collaboration that has included one of their songs featured in the 2023 trailer for the Martin Scorsese film “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Bullhorn Singers is led by Iskotoah’ka William (Billy) Wadsworth from the Blood Tribe, Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. He and his late brother Blaine formed the group, which has won several powwow championships and features several of their family members. Reuben and the Dark is led by Reuben Bullock and their music has graced stages across the globe, captivating audiences with their raw energy and emotive storytelling. Together, the two groups are creating history in Canada; breaking down cultural boundaries through art to represent the healing power of music. Their song “Powerful” was longlisted for this year’s Polaris Music Prize.

7:50 p.m. Chonka is led of course by Daryl Chonka, a singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has spent the past 25 years touring with, writing with and producing acts from all over the world. A master of warm tones and beautiful rhythms, Daryl’s heart-felt sensibilities always shine through. He is accompanied by a great band, featuring Daniel Howlett on electric guitar, Mary Kastle on keyboards, Sam Mitchell on bass and flute and Matthew Brain on drums.

Chonka, featuring the songwriting of Daryl Chonka, will perform starting at 7:50 p.m. at the free Convergence Festival. Photo by Andy Doyle-Linden

6:25 p.m. Caraluna is a multilingual indie-folk/world band led by singer-songwriter Jesse Edward Thom, whose debut solo album, Snowdragons was named one of the top ten albums of the year by Folk Radio UK. Blending Balkan-inspired trumpets, accordion, and pulsing rhythms with poetic lyricism, Caraluna’s shows move effortlessly from intimate, heart-opening moments to driving, high-energy grooves that turn rooms into dance floors.

At the heart of Caraluna’s music is a spirit of wandering and wonder—a deep, poetic exploration of travel, death, and beauty that connects listeners to a sense of movement and transformation. The project draws inspiration from street music traditions, where music exists as both an offering and an act of shared experience, dissolving the boundary between performer and audience. The project also draws influence from the art of Sacred Clowning, which Jesse has studied under Didier Danthois in Tenerife, Spain.

5:20 p.m. Mary Kastle is a singer-songwriter who weaves together soul, jazz, folk and pop. Whether a groove-infused anthem or an atmospheric ballad, her evocative songs explore the quiet places of the heart and carry a sense of warmth, resilience, and connection. Her band includes some of Salt Spring’s finest: Atom Lazare (drums), Sam Schuette (bass), Simon Millerd (trumpet), and Greg Allen (guitar).

Mary Kastle and her band will be performing at 5:20 p.m. at Convergence. Photo submitted by author

A graduate of Capilano University’s jazz piano program, Mary is reemerging from a family-focused era, to find herself surrounded by a new musical community that shares her passion for soul-stirring, earthy music. Since reconnecting with long-time friend and producer Daryl Chonka, she’s released a 3-song EP called “Inside Stories” and has a full-length album on the way.

4:15 p.m. Dub Alchemists is an exhilarating new local project featuring Jesse Cullen, Sean Hill, Dan Levers, Andy Cakes, and James Wallace. The band plays a mix of old-school hits with new-generation roots rock reggae.

Dub Alchemists hit the stage Friday at 4:15 p.m. Photo by Andy Doyle-Linden.

3:05 p.m. Hilltop Pranksters, featuring Nate Poetker, Adam Kirk, Erinanne Harper, Adam Gold and David Karr, take audiences on a prankster journey of good fun, groovy tunes and positive vibes. Born from sessions in the “Inspiration Chamber” and a genuine connection and love of jamming, this band of pranksters migrated to the hilltop where they could jam privately overlooking the awe-inspiring Gulf islands while anonymously tucked into the mountains. As good cheer abounded, accompanied by many yerba mate cocktails to lubricate their jams, the Hilltop Pranksters emerged with a solid repertoire of their own breed of music, a psychedelic jam band mixed with a good dose of prophecy anthems inviting good vibes.

2 p.m. Jacob Hart and Salome Cullen are two exciting young local performers. Jacob, who is also a producer, recorded a video of his song “Flow Breezy” last year at The Mateada. Salome has become known for his detailed songwriting and authentic stage presence, and has a new album out “Straw Hat Crown.”

Salome Cullen, along with Jacob Hart, open the Convergence Festival at 2 p.m. Photo by Andy Doyle-Linden.