All welcome at fourth annual Fusion Beats showcase of music, dance and performance art Nov. 24

Nov. 3, 2026
For Immediate Release

BRANTFORD – A dynamic lineup of local talent will light up the stage at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Fusion Beats 2026, presented by Wilfrid Laurier University’s Hub for Community Solutions, Laurier International Student Support, the City of Brantford and the Downtown Brantford BIA, promises an electrifying evening of music, dance and performance art. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Art, culture and community engagement are key priorities in the City of Brantford’s Inclusive City Strategy,” said Pamela Pacheco, manager of strategic initiatives at the City of Brantford. “Fusion Beats is an opportunity for local performers to shine while celebrating the diversity that makes our city so vibrant.”

Now in its fourth year, the event features an eclectic lineup of artists, from jazz saxophone quartets to a Central Asian folk dancer.

“Fusion Beats brings together performers from diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic traditions,” said Christina Han, director of the Laurier Hub for Community Solutions. “We are excited to welcome new and returning artists who are ready to showcase their talent and contribute to an unforgettable evening of music, dance and community celebration.”

Among the performers making their Fusion Beats debut is Bennett Honeyford, a Laurier student studying Game Design and Development at the Brantford campus. An accomplished fiddler, Honeyford has performed at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition and was the first non-American invited to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s youth showcase. At Fusion Beats, he will perform a set of bluegrass songs.

“Bluegrass is a fusion style that draws from a wide range of musical traditions, so ‘Fusion Beats’ felt like a perfect fit,” said Honeyford. “I’m looking forward to being part of that cultural exchange and connecting with other performers and audiences through music.”

Headlining the event is the Sonic Uke Ensemble, a southern Ontario-based musical collective renowned for lively arrangements featuring intricate ukulele skills and rich vocal harmonies. Among its members is vocalist Abby Goodrum, a retired Laurier faculty member and founder of the university’s User Experience Design program.

Fusion Beats 2026 takes place Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, 88 Dalhousie St. in Brantford. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Those who register for a free ticket in advance will be eligible to win prizes, including ticket giveaways to upcoming shows at the Sanderson Centre.