This year will be the second time Charlotte Diamond, Richmond’s own well-known children’s singer, will perform at the Steveston Salmon Festival.
She and her Hug Bug Band brought with them a newly-released album called Diamonds by the Sea, co-produced with Diamond’s son Matt.
The concert will showcase her traditional Diamond favourites, such as I am a Pizza and Four Hugs a Day as well as some new songs including I Have Shoes and I Can Walk.
“It’s very exciting. I have such a strong connection to Steveston, having lived here for 46 years, raised my family here, and having grown up by the Fraser River as a teenager,” said Diamond.
She has prepared a few songs that are special for the Canada Day performance.
“I love performing on Canada Day,” said Diamond.
“I feel that if we’ve got songs that celebrate nature, culture and diversity, we can learn about each other, about understanding each other.”
One of the songs is called May There Always Be Sunshine.
It was written by a little boy and composed by a famous Russian composer, on peace and how people can live peacefully together, according to Diamond.
She will sing the song in multiple languages including English, Russian, French, Spanish and Cantonese.
“The song is very beautiful. ‘May there always be sunshine, may there always be blue skies, may there always be mama,’ and I added papa, ‘may there always be me…’
“It’s a song about taking care of ourselves and others around us,” noted Diamond.
“Another song I will sing is called Leave the World a Little Bit Better.
“It’s about how little things we do every day, the kindness, taking care of our environment, can make a difference”.
Diamond said she is very happy that many families grew up listening to her songs.
She hopes people will walk away from her performance feeling more connected.
“People hug their kids a lot during my performance,” said Diamond.
“Those connections keep us safe, keep us feeling loved and appreciated.
“My songs send out a strong message about family. The family is really really important.”
Issued The Order of Canada by The Governor General last August in Ottawa, Diamond said she will wear the special ribbon during the performance as part of the Canada Day celebration.
Her performance will start at 2 p.m. on the Children’s Festival Stage.
