Kena Leon (she/they) is a queer Filipinx multi-disciplinary artist who uses music, sound and technology as their main media. Kena is active in the local and western Canada arts scene through events as a DJ and a performing artist. They are also the co-founder of Baila Libre, a queer non-profit that strives for POC queer visibility through Latin music and dance. The constant pursuit of their work is using music/sound to uplift the queer community, create visibility and build safe/inclusive spaces.

Jo-Ann has been playing bagpipes to kick off SkirtsAfire Festival since 2016! Jo-Ann works for the City of Edmonton as a Supervisor with Edmonton Transit and has played with the Edmonton Transit Pipe Band for 20 years. Jo-Ann and her partner enjoy spending time with family, going to the theatre and playing games with friends.

Her background in musical theatre, choral music, and tight hold on technique is evident from the first note. What makes her special is her ability to tell a tale. You can tell her song choices speak to her and in turn speak to her audience too. But it’s not all seriousness with this mama. She loves to reinvent top 40 hits too. If you love solid technique, beautiful harmonies, and a little bit of the unexpected, this little mama is sure to impress!

Althea Cunningham, is an award winning Canadian musician. A multidisciplinary artist: Writer, Actor, Arts Educator, Music and a Producer. On The Verge, her Neo-Soul EP was independently released in 2010, to critical acclaim and has had international airplay and featured artists spots. Her original music has been heard on: Black Souls Rhythms Radio, Time Trippin Radio, Bowl of Soul Radio and The Key of A (CBC) to name a few. As an Arts Educator she has influenced minds for fifteen years mostly across Western Canada.

Welcome to the whimsical world of Spring, a glittery sharp-witted Capricorn with an unabashed devotion to astrology. A clown-y dance theatre piece written and performed by Anna Pratch, directed by Christine Lesiak.

Cikwes is a nehiyaw ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ soul singer, songwriter and a multi-award nominee from Bigstone Cree Nation. She currently resides in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan, also known as Edmonton, Alberta. In 2023, her album, kâkîsimo ᑳᑮᓯᒧᐤ, a full length Cree language album, was nominated for the Juno Awards, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards, Edmonton’s Music prize and the Western Canadian Music Awards. Cikwes graduated from York University in 2022 with her Masters in Music. Her music explores her Cree language, nêhiyawêwin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ and nehiyaw ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ musical methods that include chanting cahkasinahikanak ᒐᐦᑲᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ also known as spirit markers or syllabics. Her intimate performances are accompanied with heartfelt stories and laughter. Using her breath and the Cree syllabics, she invokes a feeling of comfort similar to that of a wepisowin, a traditional baby swing. A matriarch for the revitalization of the Cree language and Nehiyaw musical methods, her nehiyaw ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ song writing is an emblem of hope and beauty for the continuation of nêhiyawêwin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ.

Hana Hachijo is a piece written for taiko (Japanese drum) by Chieko Kojima. In the 1960’s she wished to join taiko, but was denied because she was a woman, and drums were seen as a masculine practice. Instead she dedicated her life to dance, which accompanies the drums. Over time, she privately developed Hana Hachijo, based on a folk tradition, and performed it for the first time in 1991 in North America. Now celebrated as an icon and pioneer, Hana Hachijo is performed as a symbol of women’s strength and grace, and Chieko-san’s joy represented as beautiful flowers we share with the world.

Performed by Carley Okamura and Keiko Marumo

Edmonton musicians Kate Blechinger, Lindsey Walker, Jenni Roberts and Giselle Parker come together to re-live and reflect on the impact of Lilith Fair, the era-defining time capsule of 90’s female-led music. Their enjoyment of playing these songs stems from four different relationships to the music: some discovery and some re-discovery. What unites them is the joy of sharing this music together and the drive for women to own their histories and futures.

waffelhouse is a newly minted indie pop outfit from Edmonton, Alberta known for catchy hooks, dynamic performances, and polished production. With one foot firmly planted in pop sensibilities, the band creates a sonic landscape that is both lavish and nostalgic. This group will warm your love muscle and rose-tint your world. Feast your ears on waffelhouse!

Roberta Staszuk of The Flying Foxes Aerial Collective presents Blinding – a tale of becoming disillusioned by love following an abusive relationship.

The Lost Sock Rescue Society is a volunteer supported organization founded to recover, rehabilitate and re-home lost, unwanted, and abandoned socks. Society volunteer Louise Casemore will be giving the audience a sneak peek of the upcoming event, hosting and facilitating single sock adoptions and donations. www.sockrescue.ca