Santi’s Love and Country County Fair 2 (2025)
The World’s Greatest County Fair is back! For all the sweet hearts and lonely hearts out there, three nights to celebrate your loves right.
February 13 to February 15 – At The Russian Hall (600 Campbell Ave)
Santi’s Love and County County Fair is immersive and participatory experience, this Valentine’s themed show includes unique takes on some of your favourite county fair events (I think, I’ve never been to a county fair) including a kissing booth, cupid mail, caricatures, face painting, head shaving, speed dating, a ‘petting zoo’, relationship advice, duels, a carousel, games, competitions, and live music.
DABKE!
Lead by Canadabkeh!
“Dabkeh is a popular art within the cultures of the Levant region. Canadabkeh, majoring in the Palestinian dabkeh, is honored to be one of the leading movements in Canada to represent the culture.
Canadabkeh is well-known for its passionate drum beats and enlightening chants within the diverse culture of Vancouver BC. We always aim to hype events in the lower mainland and bring smiles to audiences that witness our energy.
Our lessons are open to all age ranges and genders. We are humbled to witness the presence of passionate dancers that attend to learn about the dabkeh culture. Step into tradition with our Dabke lessons! Join us to learn the lively, rhythmic steps of this beloved Middle Eastern dance. Celebrate culture, build community, and have fun moving to the beat of heritage.”
The Bands!
THURSDAY – FEBRUARY 13 – Tickets
Joe Abbot and The Flying J’s (“country”, “folk” “Americana” or “roots” idk, danceable music influenced by pop and country from the 50s and 60s) – to build your trust in love back up
FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 14 – Tickets
Sissy and The Western Playboys (Western Swing and Rockabilly with an eclectic flair) – to dance with your loves and feel joy
Vancouver Roots scene veterans Jimmy Roy and Stephen Nikleva bring together the younger generation with this group including talented singer/songwriter/drummer Sissy (Zara Marie), and bassist Joseph Lubinsky-Mast for their version of Western Swing stylings.
WAIT//LESS (big, lumbering, fuck-off machine that’s going to destroy) – to satisfy your true self
SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 15 – Tickets
Batucada Abrace (samba reggae, samba, baião, ciranda, maracatu) – to wake you up from your winter slumber!
Janky Bungag (country) – to bring you home and tuck you in
Nightly performances by Santi and The Hanky Tanks
Some thoughts on what this all means –
We’ve been in country business for a year. Being country is tough, love is tough, our hearts are getting tougher but that’s not really true. If we learned one thing is that every person can be so soft and sweet and we are all just so little. So so little and so helpless. But play and fun can be something, or do something, anything, hopefully, please.
The Fair
It’s been said that to make a magic happen you need a lot of things, and I for one believe it. Because it sure is a lot of work to bend time and space in the hopes that something will happen – but it’s good honest work.
Can’t wait to see all you beautifuls there!
Sponsors
