Upcoming events
FLEET October Activation
With a focus on culture in action, justice in motion, Alegria Soy is committed to cultivating a thriving neighborhood where resident-led solutions lead to lasting change.
During the month Alegria Soy will host a series of pop-up exhibitions, workshops, performances, and conversations that highlight migrant dignity, cultural identity, and community dialogue through art, photography, poetry and dance.
One-Night Showcase: Edmond's Dreams on Photos
Join us for a one-night exhibition of the photos from Edmond’s Dreams on Photos
Register for this event here
Poetry Around the Table
Join Alegria Soy and Marlo Browne for Poetry Around the World on October 19th!
Marlo Browne is an award winning Barbadian poet, spoken word artist, host, film-maker and self-published author of 5 poetry books, currently residing in Langley City. He won two Gold Book Awards from Literary Titan in May and September 2025 for his fourth and fifth books respectively.
Marlo is a very versatile poet and has been featured and performed at many events from galas to open mics at restaurants across BC. His first, second and 4th books, published in 2019, 2021 and 2023 respectively, all received 5 star reviews on Amazon. All of his books can be found on Amazon as well as several bookstores across BC including the Creative Bookworm in Langley, Wildfire Books in New Westminster, the UEL marketplace at the Loft on Granville Island and Windowseat Books on Nanaimo, just to name a few. His second and fourth books can also be found in Surrey Libraries.
Marlo has also been featured twice for the ‘Authors Among Us’ program at the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library and recently at the Guildford Branch for Surrey Libraries. He also did a reading at the Stathcona branch for the Vancouver Public Library. As a curator, Marlo was the curator for poets at the Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival as well as one of the curators for the inaugural Da Luv James Book Festival. Prior to that, he won the second iteration of the Da Luv Jones Poetry slam and is still the 2024 champion.
As a film-maker, Marlo’s first short film placed second in the short film category of the Langley City Film Festival.
As a host, he is one of the co-hosts of Wordsmith- a poetry event whose goal is not only put poetry at the forefront and to give more of a voice, but to create a space where BIPOC artists can perform more frequently. On top of that, he has collaborated with several non-profit organizations in order to bring awareness to these organizations. His recent collaborations include New Vision Music Society, the JrBAA, Hogan’s Alley, BC Community Alliance, Afiya Care Collective, Umoja Operations, Black Women Connect Vancouver, Raphael House, Foundry Langley and Tri-Cities, just to name a few.
He finished his fifth book in June and his second short film will be done at the end of September 2025.
Register for this event here
Workshop: Edmond's Dreams on Photos
This photography workshop with Burnaby-based artist Yunuen Perez Vertti will explore community dreams through visual storytelling
Originally from Mexico City, filmmaker and digital media artist Yunuen Perez Vertti moved to Vancouver 7 years ago after being based in Houston, Texas, for 15 years. Her international background is well represented in her work as a filmmaker and digital media artist.
She has over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry. She has worked in various roles and projects and produced films for many public, private, and non-profit organizations. She is passionate about using art as a tool for community building. She has used this passion to produce and collaborate in various community-based art events like The Living Room Art in The Heights, both in-person and virtual editions, the Inaugural Heights Art Crawl, and this year Stride Burnaby Arts Festival.
Register for this event here
Edmonds Culture Days: Dance for All + Art Justice Conversation
Las Divinas Afro-Caribbean Dance Group celebrates heritage, defies injustice, and invites communities to move together to a more just and joyful world.
With repertoire inspired by the vibrant rhythms of the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, and Africa. Las Divinas transforms traditional dance forms into narratives of resistance, identity, and liberation. Their performances are more than artistic displays: they are spaces of dialogue, resistance and empowerment.
At its core, Las Divinas exists to transform communities through dance. Their mission is to awaken every participant and audience member to their potential as both the dancers and the audience are agents of social change. Their performances are fuelled by the voices, struggles, and celebrations of the communities they belong to.
Join Las Divinas for a celebration of art and justice for all on October 4th!
Register for this event here
Exhibition Opening: Dignidad Migrante: Invisibles and Disposables
Dignidad Migrante: Invisibles and Disposables
Invisible and Disposable. Temporary Foreign Farm Workers. Life and Rituals After Work is an art exhibition with the participation of Luz Rosas and Carlos Colín. Luz and Carlos are visual artists and volunteers within the Cultural/Artistic Commission at Dignidad Migrante Society.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world come to work in Canada in almost most sectors, specifically construction and farming. Without counting the large number of undocumented workers, according to the Canada Gazette, in 2019, 470,000 work permits were issued to Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW). From these work permits 98,000 were for farm workers. Unfortunately, these foreign workers don’t have the same rights and benefits like Canadian workers within the same sectors, and live under terrible housing and working conditions.
“Invisibles y desechables (Invisibles and Disposables). Temporary Foreign Workers' life and rituals” is an interdisciplinary exhibition by Luz Rosas and Carlos Colín in partnership with Dignidad Migrante Society, that attempt to shed light to the life of the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW), specifically in the farming sector from Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, during their stay in British Columbia. The exhibition is looking to expand the visibility of the workers, while we find new possibilities to collaborate learning about their situations and supporting them in their cause. Invisibles y desechables seek to interact with the community in BC and Canada to show and share worker’s stories, using art as a comportment to expose and make visible such as important essential workers in our communities.
To raise awareness and visibility, the exhibition consists in a series of photographs and art installations. These art projects show the life and experiences of TFW, alongside with informative input that create a balance between visual and pedagogical elements. This artwork is part of the cultural and artistic commission from Dignidad Migrante Society, supporting workers with their needs and exposes their voices to the whole multicultural Canadian communities.
Register for this event here
Car Free Day
Join us in the last days of summer for community, friends, and fun activities at Car Free Day on Sunday, August 31 along Edmonds between Kingsway and Mary Avenue! Alegría Soy Cultural & Community Society will be there with a special stage and unique performers to help celebrate.
This exciting new Burnaby event is part of a nationwide initiative to encourage everyone to leave their cars at home and connect with each other. More information about Car Free Day can be found at burnaby.ca
Our Performers
Giordano has been teaching Latin American social dances for more than 15 years.
His passion for dance and the pursuit of excellence led to professional training at the University of the Arts in Havana, after which he participated in folklore shows for 10 years as a group member and soloist, touring and participating in festivals and competitions in Spain, France, Thailand, Venezuela and Russia.
The Edmond Las Devinas Dance Group is a captivating ensemble that uses the power of dance to advocate for social justice.
With vibrant energy and mesmerizing moves, this talented group will be performing to the spirited beats of Mangulina and Palos, evoking the compelling cultures of the Caribbean and Africa.
Alma Raiz has a deep passion for folk dance and a commitment to cultural education. Dance training lead her to become a professional dancer for seven years at the renowned Fundación Escuela Ritmo Caleño where she performed on important stages both nationally and internationally.
Alma Raiz does community out reach with “Soñar con los Pies”. This initiative works with groups of children, seniors, and pregnant and nursing mothers, to share dance as a tool for well-being, expression, and inter generational connection.
Anahaw Filipino Canadian Performing Arts Society in BC is a cultural dance group dedicated to celebrating and sharing the vibrant traditions of Filipino Culture. Our performances are more than just dance; they are a living narrative, a way to connect with the history, stories, and artistry of Filipino Culture. We strive to preserve these rich traditions through captivating movements, authentic music, and engaging storytelling. We offer performances, workshops, and educational programs, aiming to share our cultural heritage with the wider community and foster a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.
Lili Flamenco is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher. She has been actively performing and teaching Flamenco for the community, cultural and Flamenco festivals, as well as private events and different theatre venues across the lower mainland. The expressive, rhythmical and challenging nature of Flamenco inspires Lili to research, create, perform , and teach it. She takes pride in collaborating with local dance artists and musicians and strives to continuously create new works. She is an expressive dancer, a storyteller and believes that dance is an embodied language that exists to tell stories, teach, and inspire.
Lili Flamenco will be showcasing two dances the first is called Fandangos, a traditional folkloric dance from Spain with some Flamenco influence, danced by Esmie McLaren, Tracy Samoil, and Lili Flamenco.
The second dance is a duo Fusion of a flamenco dance style called Rumba flamenca and an Afro Cuban dance style Called Rumba Columbia danced by Nico Rana and Lili Flamenco.
Nico is a professional dancer with over 20 years of experience. He has trained with the best artists in the world and performed in the most important congresses in Europe, Canada and USA.
Nico is known for his dynamic teaching style and innovative performance. He continues to share his passion with everyone.
Pasión Venezuela Dancing Group was created in 2024 by a group of Venezuelans passionate about and proud of their culture and traditional dances.
The group’s main purpose is to share, through performances at cultural festivals and/or special events, the variety of dance styles and rhythms that Venezuela has to offer.
Preeti Singh is a founder of PTdance Company and a professional dance instructor artist with over 5 years of experience, specializing in after-school programs, event choreography, and fitness dance classes.
She has A high-energy dance group performing across the Lower Mainland since 2023. Each dancer brings unique talent, making our team vibrant, united, and full of spirit. Together, we create powerful performances and unforgettable moments.
Sonia Medel is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and researcher completing a PhD in Educational Studies. Her work explores Vancouver’s arts and culture scenes through a decolonial, intersectional feminist lens, centering the socio-political power of Latin American dancers.
With over a decade advancing critical approaches to arts, education, and health across the Americas, Sonia draws from her complex lived reality as an Indigenous-descendant Latina, the daughter of a Chilean exile and a Peruvian immigrant. Raised and professionally grounded on the lands of the Coast Salish peoples, rightful stewards of these territories, she expresses deep gratitude to them.
Wasakaka All-Stars is a high-energy Latin music band based in Vancouver, Canada, bringing together top-tier musicians to deliver an electrifying mix of salsa, merengue, and other Caribbean rhythms.
Known for their versatility, the band adapts to different formats, from an intimate six-piece ensemble to a full 12+ musician orchestra.
CUMBALE is a vibrant dance group dedicated to celebrating and sharing the richness of traditional Colombian folklore through dance and music. We bring together passionate dancers to showcase the rhythms, stories, and colourful traditions that make our culture unique.
Our mission is to connect communities, inspire pride in our roots, and create spaces where everyone can experience the joy of Colombian dance. Whether performing on stage or teaching others, we dance with purpose, unity, and heart.
It started as a school talent show of some hiphop dancers who want to explore and highlight the Filipino cultural dance and blend it with their love of hiphop.
RED FILOS aims to address the growing disconnect between Filipino youth and their cultural heritage, particularly those raised in diaspora communities. Many second-generation Filipinos are unaware of the richness of traditional dances like tinikling. Simultaneously, RED FILOS see the need for more inclusive, youth-led cultural spaces where identity, heritage, and creativity intersect. Through our fusion of hiphop and tinikling, we aim to make tradition relevant and empowering.
Marlo Browne is a Barbadian poet, spoken word artist, host, film-maker and self-published author of 4 poetry books, currently residing in Langley City. Marlo is a very versatile poet and has been featured and performed at many events from galas to open mics at restaurants across BC. His books can be found on Amazon as well as several bookstores across BC including the Creative Bookworm, Wildfire Books, the UEL marketplace at the Loft on Granville Island, and Massy Books. His second and fourth books can also be found in Surrey Libraries. As a curator, Marlo was the curator for poets at the Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival as well as one of the curators for the inaugural Da Luv James Book Festival. Prior to that, he won the second iteration of the Da Luv Jones Poetry slam and is still the reigning champion.
Community Conversations
The Edmonds Community safety Committee ( CSAC) is primarily made up of Burnaby citizens concerned about safety in their neighbourhood. These dedicated volunteers meet monthly to discuss safety concerns in the neighbourhood and to liaise with Burnaby’s city staff and police to address some of these issues.
Please stop by the Edmonds Community Safety Advisory Committee and share your safety concerns in your neighbourhood.
Researchers from SFU Faculty of Health Sciences
Be Part of the Conversation!
We are continuing our Community Conversation on Transportation Futures, Air Quality, and Community Resilience for Burnaby.
Researchers from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia, together with the Civic Innovation Lab, TransLink, Evo CarShare, and Mobi BikeShare are exploring how our transportation choices shape cleaner air and stronger, more resilient communities.
Stop by our booth, share your ideas, and help shape the future of transportation across Burnaby neighbourhoods. Your voice matters!
Pin where you were born on the map!
Natalie Wallace has been a member of Alegria Soy Planning/Working committee since 2024. She has a Masters Degree of Public Policy and Administration from Adler University, with a Focus on Social Change Leadership.
Celebrate the amazing diversity of Edmonds by adding your pin.
The Invisibles and Disposables from Dignidad Migrante
Invisibles y desechables (Invisibles and Disposables). Temporary Foreign Workers' life and rituals” is an interdisciplinary exhibition by Luz Rosas and Carlos Colín in partnership with Dignidad Migrante Society, that attempt to shed light to the life of the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW), specifically in the farming sector from Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, during their stay in British Columbia. The exhibition is looking to expand the visibility of the workers, while we find new possibilities to collaborate learning about their situations and supporting them in their cause.
Our Special Guests
Alegria Soy Cultural & Community Society - Map of the World
Marlo Browne (Poet and Author) and Wordsmith
Colombian Canadian Association of BC
Anahaw Filipino Canadian Performing Arts Society of BC
Venezuelan Canadian Society of BC
Mindful Moves
World Party 2025
The 2025 World party was held on July 12th in Edmonds Park. We are so excited for 2026!
