Axé – pronounced ah-sheh (rhymes with sashay!) – is a West African philosophical concept through which the Yoruba of Nigeria conceive the power to make things happen and produce change. It is a life force. In capoeira, the term means “energy.” With this life force and energy, a small team curates music, artistic events, shows, concert series, and conferences to provide unparalleled experiences of new music in our homebase of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and around the world. With a pioneering vision, alchemy, and cultivation of community, we work to support emerging artists here and abroad.

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Music inspires positivity in our communities and strengthens cultural diversity. Our focus is on BIPOC artists, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, artists with differing abilities, and those who face systemic barriers to presenting their work.

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We strive to provide safe working environments for cultural workers and to create an inclusive environment that brings people together to celebrate our community. We do this by:

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• Presenting exceptional artists from Canada and around the world.

• Creating culturally diverse and family-friendly lineups to draw traditional and new audiences.

• Supporting local and emerging artists in establishing professional networks.

• Supporting new practices, methods, and ideas.

• Producing events, partnering with local organizations, supporting more women and minority forces to elevate and enrich the local scene.