EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY / EWIMI 5th edition

Name: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY / EWIMI 5th edition
Start: 2025-05-08T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-05-11T03:00:00-04:00
Location: NAC - National Arts Centre

Schedule

Thu, 08 May, 2025 at 07:00 pm to Sun, 11 May, 2025 at 03:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

NAC - National Arts Centre | Ottawa, ON

📢Axé WorldFest presents the 5th annual edition of their much anticipated conference:
Empowering Women in the Music Industry - EWIMI / May 8, 9 & 10 2025
✴️Our proposed activities: A three-day conference for women in the music industry♀️
✴️Our vision: To bring together industry leaders and emerging talent to forge connections and spark new project ideas. Through panels, workshops, artist pitching, mentorship, showcases, networking events, and after-parties, the conference amplifies the voices and experiences of women, gender minorities, and equity-deserving groups💟
🎯The conference takes place in venues around the National Capital, providing cross-cultural platforms for attendees and economic opportunities for cultural workers and local businesses.
🎯All showcases are at the National Arts Centre, our official partner - tickets for the showcases can be bought via NAC or Axé website:
www.axeworldfest.com
All day time activities like: Keynotes, panels, workshops and professional development are free of charge.
Activities will be soon announced.
🚀Showcases below🚀
Opening night - May 8 2025 - Azrieli Studio, NAC
Doors 7:30pm / show 8pm
💫Amanda Rheaume & 💫Mimi O'Bonsawin
🌟Amanda Rheaume (she/her) is a Métis singer-songwriter and activist, celebrated for her rootsy, guitar-driven ballads that expand the boundaries of Heartland Rock. Winner of the 2023 Capital Music Award for Album of the Year and the Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year, Rheaume’s music challenges traditional narratives, offering fresh perspectives on resistance, resilience, and identity.
A proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, she advocates for Indigenous sovereignty through her work with initiatives like the International Indigenous Music Summit and Ishkode Records. With five full-length albums, including the JUNO-nominated Keep a Fire, Rheaume continues to make an impact, blending personal and cultural storytelling to drive meaningful change.
🌟Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter of mixed French Canadian and Abénaki heritage, hailing from Northeastern Ontario and a member of Odanak First-Nation. Her music, blending pop sensibilities with acoustic instruments, is defined by rhythm-driven songs that celebrate the beauty of the Land. Mimi’s ethereal sound, enriched by percussion and harmonies, creates an immersive experience for listeners. Recently returning from a successful Spring tour in France, she now performs with her husband, Ryan Schurman, and added guitarist Anthony King to create a fuller, dynamic sound, showcased in their Sold-Out Concert at the National Arts Center.
May 9, 2025 - Fourth Stage NAC
💫Kimmortal
💫Monica Freire
💫NAMBI & The Rhythm
💫Flavia Nascimentro & Tio Chorinho
💫Kelly Bado

🌟Kimmortal is renowned for their highly conceptual genre-bending musical explorations and lyrical intricacies. The queer non-binary filipinx artist flows between singing and rapping; their signature subversive gusto only complemented with a down-to-earth, human vulnerability. Their 3rd album “Shoebox” (2023) expresses the journey of healing intergenerational trauma and celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Their notable sync highlights include their single "This Dyke” appearing on popular TV series “The L Word: Generation Q” and “On My Way” appearing in Apex Legends Season 19. This past year Kim’s original music production was featured in the tv series “Sort Of” (out now on HBO, CBC). Their music video “Blue and Orange” directed by Aya garcia and co-written by Kimmortal and Tin lorica received Best music video at Disorient Asian American film festival this past year.
🌟Mônica Freire, a Brazilian-born singer-songwriter, presents Ilhada, an album where Brazilian sounds merge with Middle Eastern influences. A pioneer of Brazilian music with electronic accents, she offers rhythmic and striking songs that flow between Portuguese and French. Her songs deal with identity, uprooting, exile and painful relationships, but also with surpassing oneself, inner strength, and the joy of the present moment and the possibilities of tomorrow.
🌟NAMBI & The Rhythm
Tenacious, and achingly pure, singer-songwriter NAMBI (formerly known as Rita Carter) is a powerhouse of acoustic soul. Whether performing solo or with her undeniably talented band, The Rhythm (formed in 2018), NAMBI’ s reputation as a sincere performer has led her to notable stages and festivals, such as The National Arts Centre, Ottawa Bluesfest (many repeated years), House of Paint, MEGAPHONO, Westfest, and CRANIUM Festival. Influenced by legendary singer/songwriters like Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill, and India Arie, at the heart of Nambi’s music lies an inextinguishable belief in using art as an expressive tool for love, compassion, and peace.
🌟Flávia Nascimento joins Tio Chorinho, Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to performing Brazilian choro music. Flávia is a favourite at street parties, famous events, major festivals, and concert halls. Whenever a show needs to burst with excitement, it is time to call Flávia. Best known for her expertise in Northeastern Brazilian styles such as forró and maracatù, this collaboration with Canada’s leading choro ensemble allows listeners to discover Flávia in a completely different repertoire.
The group features Carlinhos Cardozo (cavaquinho), Maninho Costa (percussion), Milos Popovic (accordion), Eric Stein (mandolin), and Andre Valerio (7-string guitar). They perform frequently with the amazing Brazilian-born, Quebec-based vocalist Flavia Nascimento, with whom they will soon make a full-length collaborative recording.
🌟Kelly Bado - Inspired by her African heritage, La chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado creates music that bridges cultural divides, spreading joy and hope. Fluent in French, Kelly’s powerful vocals and uplifting melodies have earned her recognition, including Francophone Artist of the Year and Global Artist of the Year at the 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards. Born in the Ivory Coast and now based in Winnipeg, her songwriting blends traditional sounds with modern influences, often collaborating with Grammy and Juno award-winning producers. Kelly is committed to preserving her African and Francophone heritage, having performed alongside artists like Alessia Cara and Angelique Kidjo. She recently released three singles as a preview to her upcoming French-language album, set for release in Spring 2025, followed by an English album later that year.
May 10th 2025 | Fourth Stage / NAC
Doors 6:30 pm | Shows 7 pm
💫Alysha Brilla
💫Angelique Francis
💫Lívia Mattos
💫Digging Roots
🌟Alysha Brilla is a three time JUNO Award-nominated artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist known for her distinctive fusion of folk, world, soul and pop. Drawing from her Indo-Tanzanian heritage, she crafts music rich in rhythm, storytelling and cultural depth.
As a 2024 Canadian Screen Award-nominated composer, Brilla's work extends beyond the stage into film scoring and music production. She has toured internationally, captivating audiences with her powerful voice, percussive guitar style and immersive live performances.
Brilla has collaborated with Grammy-winning artists and produced acclaimed projects that showcase her ability to bridge genres and traditions. Her artistry is a celebration of connection, identity and the transformative power of sound
🌟JUNO Award-winning artist Angelique Francis and her group The Angelique Francis Band are exceptionally gifted and versatile musicians. These multi-talented, multi-instrumental, multi-genre singer-songwriters have wowed audiences around the world with their electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful, textured vocals. Known for their eclectic mix of musical genres (including blues, folk, soul, jazz, roots, rock, gospel and Americana), they've shared the stage with renowned musicians Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Keb' Mo', Tom Cochran, Burton Cummings and many more.
They recently won Folk Canada's Performer of the Year award for 2024. They have also received the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year, 2 Canadian Blues Music Awards (6 nominations in total), a SOCAN Award, a Capital Music Award, 5 nominations in total at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and more.
🇧🇷INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE DIRECT FROM BRAZIL🇧🇷
🌟Lívia Mattos
Bahia-based accordion player, songwriter, vocalist, filmmaker, and visual artist, Lívia Mattos has been developing her singular skills as a player and unconventional frontwoman since she started her artistic adventures as a circus performer. Singularly entertaining and musically rich, her concerts blend Brazilian popular Music, burlesque jazz, and circus sensibilities. She has collaborated with renowned artists like Rosa Passos, Badi Assad, and Chico César, as well as the Symphonic Orchestra of Bahia and released her debut album as a songwriter, Vinha da Ida, in 2017, receiving acclaim for its surprising arrangements, inventive lyrics, unusual fusion of Brazilian roots, jazz and global rhythms, and its overall fresh originality. Its success led to tours in Europe and the Americas, as well as earning her four prestigious Brazilian arts and culture awards. Her adventures continue with her latest album, Apneia, now touring with her unique trio, comprising long-term colleagues, Rafael dos Santos (drums) and Jefferson Babu (tuba). Livia is a circus performer and researcher.
🌟Digging Roots, two-time JUNO Award winners, bring a powerful voice for Indigenous solidarity and change. For over a decade, their fusion of Anishinabe and Onkwehón:we traditions, blues, soul, and rock has resonated globally. Their latest album, Zhawenim (meaning "unconditional love"), blends ShoShona Kish's earthy vocals and Raven Kanatakta's guitar mastery to create a joyful celebration of resistance, healing, and interconnectedness. A husband-and-wife duo at the helm, Digging Roots' dynamic live performances create spaces for healing and compassion. They also lead in advocacy for equity and representation in the arts, with ShoShona founding the International Indigenous Music Summit and Ishkōdé Records. The band has toured worldwide, performing at renowned festivals like Glastonbury and the Sydney Opera House, and continues to inspire with their message of empowerment and hope
This conference is brought to you by Axé Worldfest in partnership with NAC.
Government funding by: Ontario Aarts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Creates, Heritage Canada & TD Ready to commit
For tickets: www.axeworldfest.com