On September 24th, 2022, the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) took over Kelowna’s Cultural District for RAE – The Roving Audience Experience. For the second year in a row, the RCA brought together groups of artists, from painters to dancers and poets to buskers, for free performances at different locations around downtown Kelowna. Every corner of the Cultural District was buzzing with activity, and we were so excited to bring these artists to you! 

“RAE was a great success this year,” says Chelsea Boan, the RCA’s Community Engagement and Events Coordinator. “We reached our goal of showcasing a variety of different cultures, and we believe through vast collaboration from artists that typically would have never shared a stage, we got to see our community come together in a new and innovative way."

The star of our Indigenous Hotspot was Dani Lion, with fashion stylings from Syilx Smokin Braidz. Dani Lion is a Secwepemc First Nations artist with a distinctive style of indigi-pop and EDM.  With her unique sultry urbansoul, pop, and trap style, she embodies the soul of an old jazz singer. Her voice captivated the audience all night long, combining her immense stage presence and confidence for an incredible performance. There is an idea that Indigenous culture can only be perceived in a traditional fashion. Dani Lion showed the community that indigenous music is accessible and something that can be appreciated by everyone.