What It Is!

What It Is are four unique voices whose creativity and passion blend into a powerhouse of captivating a cappella soul. Their distinct arrangements are steeped in the soulful sounds of such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James, and Laura Mvula. With rich textures and a heartfelt delivery, their engaging performances will captivate and move you. Coming from diverse musical styles and backgrounds Mimi Beyene, Cass King, Patti Powell, and Carol Wiedemann bring East Van Soul to a whole new level.

Mimi Beyene

Mimi is a singer, teacher, community developer, and a mom known for her passion, energy, and soul.  Originally from Montreal, she has been involved in community music-making for most of her life and values the importance of accessible music-making opportunities for everyone.  Mimi is Executive Director at WISH Drop-In Centre Soiety; a DTES organization that provides resources and a safe haven for  women engaged in street-based, survival sex trade.  She was a popular and vibrant early childhood music teacher at Westside Music Together; is a featured soloist in Brian Tate's City Soul Choir and was also the Vancouver Coordinator of the Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND) and its annual TD Then & Now Black History Month series.  

Cass King

Cass is one of The Wet Spots, Vancouver's sex positive musical comedy duo, who won the 2009 "Best Cabaret" award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia. An international touring artist, Cass has performed at the  Sydney Opera House, in London's West End, and at Toronto's Massey Hall.  Her project SHINE: A Burlesque Musical was produced in Seattle, at the New York Fringe, and in Vancouver where it won an Ovation Award for Outstanding New Musical. Cass is proud to have started Cass King and the Next Right Thing, her first rock band, in her forties. 

Patti Powell

Patti is a born and raised Lower Mainlander. She grew up with a profound stutter, and singing became more and more of a passion and a path, as singing made the stutter disappear. Besides singing with What It Is! and being a soloist with the City Soul Choir, Patti is the founder and director of both The Acapellaboratory Singing Gang and The Choral Conspiracy, 2 community choirs for any and all voices. She loves her bike, the Muppets, dancing, making funny voices and being an Auntie. 

Carol Wiedemann

Carol is a musician, music therapist, and teacher of meditation and energy healing. As a self employed music therapist she has worked with clients from pre-birth to 110yrs old, and with organizations such as the BC Children's Hospital and Vancouver Native Health Society. Imported from the Prairies, Carol's performing career as a solo artist and  in groups has spanned over 20yrs.  She, too, is a soloist with the City Soul Choir,  where she was fortunate to first meet her  What It Is! counterparts.