759 Yates Street - Open 5 p.m. ‘til late!
Before or after film screenings, stop by the Empire Theatres Lounge at Platinum. It’s a hip place to eat, relax, casually discuss the films you’ve seen, and rub shoulders with the Festival’s movers and shakers. The following musicians will be performing at the Lounge throughout the Festival.

Hemant Rao – February 1st and 2nd
www.hemantrao.com
Hemant Rao is a singer/songwriter originally from Montreal, now residing in Vancouver, Canada. Last year, he traveled to NYC and played at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side, as well as the Lion's Den in Greenwich Village. This year, in July, he completed his first US West Coast tour, starting in Seattle and wrapping up in San Francisco. The tour was a great success and he is planning a second tour to cover Washington and Oregon in the near future. Hemant's performances are all about "living the song" and his recordings have been compared to the likes of George Harrison.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra – February 3rd
www.myspace.com/tequilamock
The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra is an acoustic sound explosion that was born in the indie scene of Victoria B.C in September of 2006. The band is comprised of El Mapache (accordion, vocals), Patrick "the future" McGonigle (violin, vocals), Kurt "Food Stamp" Loewen (guitar, vocals), Pão Cortez (djimbe, vocals), and Pete "el lobo" (stand up bass). The band is an eclectic mix of ska, reggae, Latin rhythms, Russian folk songs and hip hop.

Karel Roessingh – February 4th
www.roessong.com
Karel Roessingh has been performing music since 1970, and composing, arranging, and producing since 1985. He has played everywhere, from country pubs to concert halls, and has recorded more than a dozen of his own well-received albums. He has also composed extensively for award-winning films and television programs.

Nick Schols – February 5th
www.nicktheentertainer.com
Born in Amsterdam, Nick and his family moved to Canada in 1975. They arrived in Montreal, settled in Woodstock, Ontario, and lived in Barrie, Ontario for 11 years. Theatre has always been Nick’s first love. He acted and directed in Holland as well as Canada. It was in Barrie that Nick started his own dinner theatre where he directed hits like "Godspell" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Nick came to BC in 1987 and continued his work on the stage. He directed the Victoria Operatic Society in Hello Dolly, performed in The Sound of Music at Chemainus Dinner theatre, and is now starting a career as a singer.

Ian Farish (with Bonnie Davison) – February 6th
www.ianfarish.com
With their acoustic grooves, evocative vocals, and thoughtful lyrics, Ian Farish and Bonnie Davison perform a selection of well-crafted pop originals from Farish's recent CD, Soul Songs.

Randy Waldie (with David Augustine) – February 8th
www.loungerino.com
Randy Waldie brings a roots-blues sensibility to the jazz standards. Quoting from many different styles he infuses a fresh take into the familiar. David Augustine is a Berklee graduate who was a music director for Princess cruises for several years. Together, their particular brand of improvisation is both unusual and exciting.

Miss Emily Brown – February 7th and 9th
www.emilybrownmusic.com
With her Autoharp, music box, guitar, and unmistakable voice, Miss Emily Brown performs minimalist compositions that will make you forget that you have everything you’ve heard before. Miss Brown's equally weighted background in folk and jazz, combined with her enthusiasm for electronic music and improvisation, create a spontaneous and innovative show.