This fall, alongside the genre-bending performances and multi-arts programming of Pique, Topique returns as the festival’s semiannual forum for dialogue, learning, and exchange. On September 27, 2025 at Arts Court, Topique will bring together artists, cultural leaders, and audiences for a day of public talks, workshops, and panels designed to spark urgent conversations about the future of the arts and culture sector.
Building on the Pique ethos of experimentation and inclusivity, Topique invites curious festival-goers to step into the conversation. This fall’s program features five sessions led by international and Canadian speakers, covering topics that push the cultural sector forward:
The Future of Radio — Featuring radio makers, music curators, and station operators, this session explores how grassroots radio resists algorithmic exploitation and builds community across borders.
Organizing for Artist and Worker Rights — With contributions from artists, academics, filmmakers, and members of Canada’s growing artist-labour movement, this panel addresses labour and collective organizing in the arts.
Sonic Ecologies and Hyperreality — Visionary artists from Indonesia and the Netherlands come together to discuss how sound and performance can shape perceptions of reality and environment.
Career-building in the club — Led by DJ and community organizer Chippy Nonstop, this workshop unpacks strategies for emerging DJs and nightlife workers to build sustainable careers while creating inclusive spaces of joy and belonging.
DJ skill-building for Black youth — Produced and facilitated by Pass the Vibes, this workshop breaks down DJ basics (mixing techniques, gear, software, etc.), plus explores the history of DJ culture and craf
Committed to a vision for a more equitable and sustainable arts ecosystem, Topique nurtures a community-driven approach to artistic growth, ensuring that diverse voices shape the future of the arts.
SPEAKERS
This edition welcomes a dynamic lineup of speakers from Indonesia, the Netherlands, and across Canada, including:
Cadence Weapon (rapper, writer, radio programmer, and musicians’ union organizer)
Brett Story (award-winning filmmaker of the documentary UNION)
Chippy Nonstop (DJ, producer, club promoter, and community educator)
City Fidelia (rapper, community builder and programming director for CHUO community radio)
Rani Jambak (sound artist and ecological activist)
No Plexus (experimental performance duo exploring hyperrealities)
Yanaminah (award-winning community builder and curator)
Plus additional artists, activists, and thinkers participating in Pique.
ADMISSION EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Admission to Topique is free with a Pique ticket or pay-what-you-can at the door. Sessions are open to all ages and skill-levels, with accessibility information available on the Pique website.
Tickets to Pique are pay-what-you-can (PWYC) with a suggested price range of $45-75 (taxes and fees included), or choose-your-own-price. Our PWYC ticket keeps the festival open to everyone while inviting those who can pay more to help cover the cost for others. Every contribution above the minimum goes directly toward fair artist pay, inclusive programming, and keeping independent culture alive in Ottawa. Buying a ticket is more than entry to an event—it’s an investment in the future of bold, accessible, and independent art in our city.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Topique at Pique fall edition
When: September 27, 2025
Where: Arts Court (67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON)