SURREY, BC — On Saturday, May 16, 2026, BC NDP Surrey MLAs Jagrup Brar, Jessie Sunner, Garry Begg, and Amna Shah attended the 20th annual Naad Arts Centre Festival of Music & Dance, held at the Surrey Arts Centre located at 13750 88 Avenue in Surrey.
Founded in 2006, the Naad Arts Centre was established with the vision of preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich traditions of music, dance, and literature from South Asian classical and cultural heritage. Over the past two decades, the organization has become an important pillar in Surrey’s arts and cultural community, creating opportunities for artists of all ages to showcase their talents while fostering a deeper appreciation for classical art forms among younger generations. Continuing this mission, the organization hosted its milestone 20th Naad Festival of Music & Dance last Saturday, alongside the Naad Youth Festival on May 10 and Rhythmic Remembrance on May 16.
Remarks on behalf of Premier David Eby were delivered by Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions and Anti-Racism Amna Shah. In her remarks, MLA Shah recognized the festival’s longstanding contributions to Surrey’s vibrant arts community and highlighted the organization’s dedication to preserving and uplifting classical artistic traditions. Throughout the evening, audiences experienced a diverse showcase of performances that reflected this commitment, including classical raag presentations, a ballet performance by Azesta Ballet, and a traditional Ghungroo Kathak dance performance.
Earlier in the evening, MLAs Jessie Sunner, Jagrup Brar, Garry Begg, and Amna Shah were seen engaging with community members, local artists, and attendees in the auditorium ahead of the performances, celebrating the important role that arts and culture continue to play in bringing communities together across Surrey.
The evening concluded with an impressive lineup of performances that showcased the incredible talent fostered through the Naad Arts Centre, including captivating musical presentations by the fusion band Indian Standard Time and the five-piece ensemble Singh’s Court, leaving attendees inspired by a night dedicated to cultural expression, artistic excellence, and community connection.
