Axé WorldFest was founded on the principles of positivity, life force, and collaboration. Our fifth-annual conference takes these concepts to heart with our motivating theme of Rise, Connect, Create – EWIMI5. It encourages people to reach their potential, work with others, and build something beautiful that makes our industries stronger and more equitable.
This three-day conference brings together industry leaders and emerging talent to forge connections and spark new project ideas. Through panels, workshops, speed meetings, mentorship, showcases, networking events, and after-parties, the conference amplifies the voices and experiences of women and lifts up all genders.
The conference takes place in venues around the National Capital, providing economic opportunities to cultural workers and local businesses.
The National Arts Centre has been our presenting partner since 2022, supporting the celebration and advancement of women in the music industry.
May 8th 2025 | Azrieli Studio | 8pm
Amanda Rheaume’s Official Album Release
with special guest Mimi O’Bonsawin
Amanda Rheaume
Winner of the 2023 Capital Music Awards for Album of the Year (The Spaces in Between) and Winner of the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year, Amanda Rheaume’s (she/her) rootsy, guitar-driven ballads introduce crucial dimensions to the world of Heartland Rock. In a genre characterized by anthems of underdogs, assumptions, and unfair advantages, Rheaume’s sound and story crucially and radically expand geographic and cultural boundaries to make space for new perspectives on resistance and resilience. A Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume’s music is indeed from the heart and the land.
Amanda Rheaume’s rootsy, guitar-driven ballads introduce crucial dimensions to the world of Heartland Rock. In a genre characterized by anthems of underdogs, assumptions and unfair advantages, Rheaume’s sound and story crucially and radically expand the boundaries, geographic and cultural, to make space for new perspectives on resistance and resilience. A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume’s music is indeed from the heart, and the land.
First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and activists, and carries this lineage forward in her ever-growing role as a crucial builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community. From the International Indigenous Music Summit, to the newly-founded Ishkode Records, and the National Indigenous Music Office, the goal of raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry drives all of Rheaume’s work.
Rheaume (she/her) has released 5 full-length albums over a period of 15 years, a self-managed career that has travelled countless tours and milestones. 2013’s Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award and won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. With a new single “100 Years,” a driving, surging Copperhead Road-esque journey through a wilfully, harmfully misrepresented chapter in a violent colonial timeline, Rheaume makes a powerful statement about history and identity.
Mimi O'Bonsawin
Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario and is mixed French Canadian & Abénaki, a member of Odanak First-Nation. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi’s music embraces the beauty of Land. The ethereal quality of her music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
Fresh off a Spring tour in France, which included Festivals and Sold Out Concerts, Mimi performs as a duo with her husband Ryan Schurman on drums making it an intimate yet uplifting experience for the audience. They recently invited Anthony King on lead guitar adding layers of atmosphere and energy to their full band sound which they featured during Sold Out Concert at the National Arts Center-Fourth Stage.
May 9th 2025 | Fourth Stage / NAC
Doors 6:30 pm | Shows 7 pm
Kimmortal
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
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 (2018, 2020, 2023, 2024),
Ottawa Bluesfest (2018, 2020, 2022), House of Paint (2014, 2017), MEGAPHONO (2018, 2019), Westfest (2018), and CRANIUM Festival (2023). 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 & Tio Chorinho
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 (French ballad), and American gospel, Kelly Bado creates music transcending cultural barriers, bringing audiences together in joy and hope. Fluent in French, Kelly’s striking vocals, uplifting melodies, and commitment to advocacy have earned her significant recognition, including Francophone Artist of the Year and Global Artist of the Year at the 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards and the Art and Culture Award at the 2024 Black and Proud Gala.
Born in the Ivory Coast, Kelly’s songwriting captures the beauty of the languages and rhythms she has encountered on her journey from Abidjan to Winnipeg. Collaborating with Grammy and Juno award-winning producers Brian West and Chin Injeti, her latest music blends traditional sounds with modern influences, creating a unique alchemy that sparks curiosity and a desire to explore traditional languages.
Kelly’s dedication to her francophone and African heritage is evident in her work, as she strives to keep these cultures and languages vibrant for future generations. Her talent has led her to perform alongside artists such as Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder, and Walk Off the Earth, and to open for five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.
Kelly Bado released three new singles as a teaser to her upcoming French-language album which will be released in Spring 2025. An English-speaking album will launch in late 2025.
May 10th 2025 | Fourth Stage / NAC
Doors 6:30 pm | Shows 7 pm
Alysha Brilla
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.
Angelique Francis
L'artiste lauréate du prix JUNO Angelique Francis et son groupe The Angelique Francis Band sont des musiciens polyvalents et exceptionnellement doués. Ces auteurs-compositeurs-interprètes aux multiples talents, aux multiples instruments et aux multiples genres ont époustouflé le public du monde entier avec leurs performances électrisantes, leurs capacités instrumentales et leur voix puissante et texturée. Connus pour leur mélange éclectique de divers genres musicaux (dont le blues, le folk, la soul, le jazz, le roots, le rock, le gospel et l'americana), ils ont partagé la scène avec des musiciens de renom : Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Keb' Mo', Tom Cochran, Burton Cummings et bien d'autres.
Folk Canada leur a récemment décerné le prix de l'interprète de l'année 2024. Ils ont également reçu le JUNO 2023 de l'album de blues de l'année, 2 Canadian Blues Music Awards (6 nominations au total), un prix SOCAN, un Capital Music Award, 5 nominations au total aux Canadian Folk Music Awards, etc.
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
Digging Roots breathes life into songs from their land, Turtle Island, to raise their voices in solidarity with a global chorus of Indigenous artists, activists, and change-makers.
For over a decade, two-time JUNO Award winners Digging Roots have traveled the world with a joyful message of resistance, celebrating Anishinabe and Onkwehón:we traditions of round dance and interconnectedness. As Roots Music Canada says, the band is "...badass, empowering and hopeful all at the same time."
Digging Roots takes you on a journey through tall grasses, sweet waters, and into a joyous and powerful celebration of music. Their fourth album titled ‘Zhawenim’, is the Anishinabemowin translation of ‘unconditional love’. Led by the electrifying current of husband-and-wife team, ShoShona Kish and Raven Kanatakta, the six-piece band responds to a majestic and spiritual call from ShoShona’s earthy vocals and Raven’s exhilarating guitar mastery through a fusion of Turtle Island blues, soul and rock n’ roll. For long time fans or new audiences, their constantly evolving live show opens a space, wherever they may be in the world, for healing, compassion, unconditional love and Baamaadziwin (the good life). Constantly interweaving between drum culture and guitar dialects, Raven and ShoShona were raised in cultural families that have continued to resist oppression and colonialism.
More than a band, Digging Roots has taken its place at the frontline of the fight for equity and representation in the arts, with involvement in industry advocacy and organization to empower arts communities worldwide. ShoShona is the founder of the International Indigenous Music Summit and the music label Ishkōdé Records.
Raven, who studied at Berklee College of Music, "grew up in a small Anishinabe Rez called Winneway in north-western Quebec. It’s formally called Long Point First Nation. It’s where my grandfather and father taught me to hunt, trap and fish. I also spent my summers on my mother’s Mohawk Rez of Kahnàwa:ke." ShoShona is Anishinaabekwe and her "family is from Batchewana and part of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge.”
Digging Roots is a six-member band and they also travel with a sound person. They’ve completed multiple tours in Australia, the US, Mexico, Norway, England, France, and in almost every corner of Canada. Highlights include performances at the Glastonbury Festival (England), the Sydney Opera House (Australia), Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia), Woodford Folk Festival (Australia), Philadelphia Folk Festival (US), Edmonton Folk Festival (Canada), including a performance with Motown’s the Funk Brothers.
Digging Roots have participated in showcases in Australia, the US, Mexico, England, France, Ireland, Finland, and Canada.
