2026 Symposium — Venus Fest

VLOOM:
~A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM~

FREE / PWYC
10am-6pm

Early- and mid-career artists and arts workers in sound and music are invited to participate in a symposium day to support professional development and network-building in local music and art.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in:

- Conversations and Q&As with artists Haviah Mighty, Prado Monroe, Natasha "Courage" Bacchus and Winta Hagos about artistic practice, navigating the industry and levelling up one's practice
- Workshops and talks with Crip Rave and Adrienne Mak about taking care of each other and ourselves within music and art scenes
- A session with Bobby Sanchez on songwriting through meaningful + sociopolitical expressions
- Meeting other artists and arts workers

FEATURED PRESENTERS:

Prado Monroe | Artist
Bobby Sanchez | Artist
Haviah Mighty | Artist / Producer
Natasha "Courage" Bacchus | Deaf interdisciplinary artist / sign language art accessibility consultant
Winta Hagos | Cultural Producer / Venue Owner Crip Rave
Adrienne Mak

SCHEDULE:

10:30 AM: Sound Bath with Winta Hagos

11 AM: Workshop: "On Producing and Promoting Accessible Shows" with Crip Rave*

12 PM: “Music & Being Deaf in a Hearing World” with Natasha "Courage" Bacchus*

2 PM: Panel: "Carving Your Path" with Haviah Mighty, Prado Monroe, and Winta Hagos*

3:30 PM: “Artistic Process & Decolonial Expressions” with Bobby Sanchez*

4:30 PM: “Care, Burn Out & Yang Shen Exercises” with Adrienne Mak*

5 PM: Social Hour

* = ASL Interpretation provided by Phoenix The Fire

ACCESS INFO:

Main programming takes place on the ground floor of It's Ok* Studios, where there is one all-gender accessible washroom (additional all-gender washrooms are available on the second floor). ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the day.

Programming takes place from 10am-6pm; feel free to come and go throughout the day as your schedule requires.

If you have the means, please consider purchasing a ticket at the $15, $20, or $25 tier to help subsidize affordable access for other community members.

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