Debaser has teamed up with Dominion City Brewing Company to strengthen sustainability efforts with the launch of a new eco-cup at Pique summer edition.
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FREE.99 is an experimental “Gay” dyad making music to reduce suffering.
Ahead of their performance at Pique on June 7, we spoke with FREE.99 members Hypha and Four about their online existence, how to disrupt the social media status quo, and the inevitable nature of death.
Read MoreBringing Light — A conversation with light artist Michaela van Beinum (MvB) by Olivia Onuk
Olivia Onuk, guest curator of Seen / Unseen multimedia exhibition at Pique summer edition, asks exhibition lighting and media designer MvB questions about her practice, how it connects to the exhibition, and what she hopes audiences will take away from the experience.
Read MorePique unveils its summer edition lineup of eclectic, inclusive multi-arts programming
A building-wide party that extends onto the street, Pique showcases groundbreaking performances and exhibitions from local and international artists.
Read MoreWelcome our new programming committee members!

Martha Adem and Nabil Bhatia join returning members Shannon Whiteduck-Odjick and Ben Compton on Debaser’s 2025 programming committee.
Read MoreRecap: Pique spring 2025, a femme-forward festival edition on International Women's Day
Wrapping up another SOLD OUT Pique full of love and gratitude for all involved! With over 1,400 people in attendance across 2 days, it's the biggest spring edition in Pique herstory.
Read More"She thinks I'm a sinner": an interview with Aylin Abbasi
“She thinks I’m a sinner” is a a multi-channel video installation based on a previous ongoing project featuring a sculptural piece "hair-bone", which is made of plaster and real hair. This collection of videos are all assembled together to form a bigger picture exploring the concepts of identity despite the constricting boundaries that can arise from one’s cultural context.
Read MoreAnnouncing Pique spring edition on March 7-8, 2025
An added day of programming and International Women’s Day focus brings even more innovative and inclusive arts programming to Ottawa’s Pique festival this spring. Pique spring edition returns this March with its second multi-day edition of the signature music and arts festival, taking over the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. Featuring groundbreaking performances, striking art installations, and thought-provoking presentations, Pique is a convergence of creativity and innovation that welcomes international artists and communities.
Read MorePhoto by Kamara Morozuk
Call for submissions: Local Black curators/programmers
Debaser and the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK) have partnered to support a curatorial project by a local, Black arts curator/programmer. The single-day project will be presented at the summer edition (June 7, 2025) of Pique, a building-wide all-ages festival that takes place at the Arts Court complex in downtown Ottawa (Anishinaabe Algonquin territory).
Read MoreCall for programming committee members!
We’re looking for knowledgeable members of the Ottawa-Gatineau arts community (and beyond!) to help shape the artistic direction of upcoming Debaser events and programs, including our quarterly festival, Pique.
Read More2025 Audience Poll
Announcing our 2025 Audience Poll! We want your thoughts, gut feelings, and hottest takes. Take a moment to provide feedback on the year behind us and help guide our direction for the year ahead!
Read MorePhoto: Feza Lugoma
Pique winter edition recap
The 15th edition of Pique welcomed 1,000 people to Arts Court for performances, exhibitions, installations, and an Art Market featuring nearly 50 artists and creators. What a way to cap off a beautiful year of music, art, and community.
Read More2024 in review

Thank you to everyone who made 2024 so special at Debaser <3 We’ve accomplished so much and could not have done it without our ever-growing community of artists, audience members, volunteers, and crew! Read more to see what we’ve accomplished this past year…
Read MoreLoser Lane: Experimental game design with Marie LeBlanc Flanagan

Marie LeBlanc Flanagan will be presenting two interactive “game poems” at Pique winter edition on December 14, and recently released a protest game called Loser Lane about “the terrifying reality of biking in Toronto without bike lanes.”
Grab your tickets to Pique on December 14 to explore more of Marie’s game design philosophy and experience their interactive game poems in-person.
Read MorePaying-what-you-can and paying it forward: a status update on our accessible ticketing policy for Pique
A few months ago, we provided some transparency about how our pay-what-you-can ticketing revenues broke down. We revealed that only small percentage of ticket buyers pay more than the base suggested price for their tickets, while approximately 1/3 of tickets to Pique are subsidized.
Today, we offer a status update, share some testimony about what the ticket subsidies mean for recipients, and urge those who can to pay-it-forward by purchasing by paying more for their ticket to Pique winter edition.
Read MoreCall for art market vendors @ Pique winter edition
The semi-annual art market at Pique is back this season, and submissions for artist vendors are now open!
Read MoreAnnouncing Pique winter edition

Pique festival brings together diverse arts communities for the winter edition featuring live music performances, art installations, DJs, an art market, and more.
Read MoreWhy Phew Matters

Tokyo based Japanese artist, singer, and analogue electronics improviser Phew is a generational talent and influence within the global experimental music landscape...Don’t miss Phew, supported by SUBR صبر and Lamb Fatale, this Sunday, October 13 at Club SAW.
Read MoreRecap: Pique fall edition 2024

Thank you to the artists, curators, volunteers, crew, staff, and partners who made Pique fall edition a beautiful and successful event! For the first time since 2022, Pique SOLD OUT. Over 1,500 attendees, flowed through the 10 venues and spaces across the Arts Court, and experienced performances and presentations by over 25 artists and speakers.
Read MoreDebaser statement of solidarity with Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and Arms Embargo Now!
Debaser is proud to support and endorse the Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel or PACBI, and the call for Arms Embargo Now! on Israel, in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their fight for liberation from Israeli occupation and genocide.
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