Sapphic Singer-Songwriter Night

Featuring performances from Toronto artists Clara Smallman and El Lehman, alongside Ottawa's own Hannah Vig.
About this Event

Join us at the Painted Lady for a tender, electric evening of queer storytelling and indie folk confessionals at the Sapphic Singer-Songwriter Night, featuring performances from Toronto artists Clara Smallman and El Lehman, alongside Ottawa's own Hannah Vig. Rooted in community and each of the artists' queer experiences, this lineup brings together three emerging voices for an intimate evening of aching lyrics, stripped-back acoustic folk, soft harmonies, and heartfelt indie sounds.

Clara Smallman is a singer-songwriter originally from Kingston, currently based in Toronto, Ontario. Clara's music is characterized by delicate guitar progressions and intricate harmonies, delving into introspective themes in her songwriting. She has a growing audience from posting snippets of her original songs as well as singing covers, her most popular being "Picture You" by Chappell Roan, available for streaming. Her original music was highly anticipated amongst her enthusiastic audience, her debut single "Spill My Wine" released in July 2025 and more to follow soon. She draws inspiration from artists like Sarah McLachlan and Lizzy McAlpine, and her performances resonate with and captivate audiences with their depth and sincerity, sealing her mark in the indie music landscape.

Ottawa singer/songwriter hannah vig (stylized lowercase) is making the best of the bad times through music. Since her first performances in 2022, hannah has established herself as an artist to look out for, gracing venues like the Rivoli in Toronto or Ottawa Bluesfest, and sharing stages with artists like J.J. Wilde and Lia Pappas-Kemps. Whether onstage with her band or playing solo, hannah is known to captivate listeners with her indie folk-rock melodies and impactful songwriting narrating the experience of navigating young adulthood as a queer person. hannah's debut album, what a way to pass the time, a collection of songs exploring romance, heartbreak, friendship, and early twenties coming-of-age, was released in July of 2025.

El Lehman is a queer indie folk-rock singer-songwriter whose songwriting explores interpersonal relationships, mental health, and the lasting impact of trauma. Their music is defined by precise, image-driven lyrics that resonate both literally and metaphorically, allowing listeners to connect with the songs in a variety of ways. Through intimate storytelling and layered lyrics, Lehman creates music that feels deeply personal yet widely relatable.