Toronto is arguably not the centre of the universe, but it is definitely the hub of an exciting new nationwide series of festivals featuring the best rising South Asian–Canadian musical artists. Launched last year in the Big Smoke, desiFEST now has arms in Montreal as well as here in Vancouver, where the festival will shut down Water Street in Gastown from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday (May 3). Groundbreaking DJs, singers, and hip-hop artists, such as Jagua Arneja (above), will share the stage with innovative world-music and Indo-jazz-fusion players during a party that will also serve up dance, food, crafts, and music workshops. Concertgoers can then vote on-line for their favourite artist in the following days, sending the winner to represent Vancouver at Toronto’s festival on May 31. See www.desifest.ca/ for full details.