On the evening of Feb. 21, the local community in Abbotsford gathered for a night of entertainment as Shep Dandelion hosted the recently launched talent show Snippets. Held at the Trinity Western Church, the event showcased performances from Alison May, Franklyn Woods, Shiv, Dandelion, Pigeon, Luke Taylor, Keller James, Tayos, and Morse Code Literature.
Opening the night with her soul-stirring vocals was May, a local pianist and songwriter. As May played her piano, it didn’t feel like watching her performance, but like being part of her story. My absolute favourite song of her set was “A Story (Save Her Soul)” which made me want to grip my chair tight as it quietly echoed the heartbreak I also went through.
For May, music has always given her comfort, inspiring her to perform for over 20 years. She wishes to channel that comfort outwards and remind everyone that they aren’t alone in their journey. Performing at shows like Snippets gives her the pathway to leave a piece of her story with her audience.
“These events help me reintegrate back into social settings. I get to meet new like-minded individuals and express myself artistically, which is difficult to do when you’re living in survival mode,” May shared. “It’s amazing to see so many artists do their thing as well. It’s inspiring and helps me dream of bigger and better things.”
Following her was local tattoo artist and musician Franklyn Woods — an artist in every sense of the word. Woods doesn’t just create art with ink but he also with his voice. Woods brought music, rawness, and a magnetic presence. His performance was a subtle reminder that art, no matter what form, has the same goal: to make others feel seen.
Next up was Indian comedian from Surrey, Sheevum Dooggall, better known by his stage name Shiv. Ironically late to the show, he kicked off by reminding everyone that being late is such an Indian thing. (As an Indian, I agree!) His skit was a blend of jokes, puns, playful cursing of Surrey roads, and desperately finding a couple in the crowd.
Adding more comedy to the night was Keller James. For him, performing stand-up helps him stay true to himself. More than anything, James hopes for his audience to laugh and let loose.
“Things suck in a pretty general and global sense so I hope while at my shows they can get a laugh or at the very least a smile, some kind of distraction.”
Adding spice to the show was drag king Pigeon. Known offstage as Will Jarratt, they stepped into the spotlight like they owned it. (I am a fangirl already!) Their performance was intense, magnetic, and the way they carried themselves didn’t just deliver a performance, they served one. Jarratt said that they confide in Pigeon to express themselves fully and honestly.
“I use my drag to express parts of my inner self that don’t often see the light of day. I am a daycare teacher, so I spend 40 hours a week infused with childlike whimsy, and Pigeon is my opportunity to explore the more sinister and sexy part of my identity.”
Jarratt hopes the audience leaves feeling inspired to embrace their true self and remember that life is too short to filter who they really are. They shared a quote from Austin Butler which echoes a similar sentiment.
“Embarrassment is an underexplored emotion, go out there and make a fool of yourself. Just go for it. Feel the cringe, feel the fear … because everything you want is on the other side of that.”
Next was Tayos, a local band who have been playing since 2019. The band includes Connor James (vocals and rhythm guitar), Bryce Richardson (lead guitar), Raphael Medina (bass) and Mykal Storey (manager and drummer). Their performances showcased seven years of shared experiences and friendship.
James hopes their audience will enjoy it as much as they enjoy playing music.
“We like to have fun and playing music is fun. Being able to listen to music with other people when we’re playing live is an experience like nothing else. [We] hope that they like our songs and take our name away as well … we hope to get them sweating from dancing.”
Looking ahead, Dandelion hopes that Snippets will become a recurring event and never stops moving forward.
“I just want to make something that gains momentum. And I want people when they leave to be excited and be asking me and everyone that performed ‘hey, when’s the next Snippets?’”
