{"id":112216,"date":"2025-02-27T12:24:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=112216"},"modified":"2025-02-27T13:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T18:00:01","slug":"interview-organizer-bea-labikova-talks-2025-women-space-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/02\/27\/interview-organizer-bea-labikova-talks-2025-women-space-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW |  Organizer Bea Labikova Talks About The 2025 Women From Space Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_112218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112218\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-112218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic courtesy of the Women From Space Festival\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Graphic courtesy of the Women From Space Festival<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to their statement, the Women From Space Festival \u2014 hitting Toronto March 7 to 9 this year \u2014 offers, \u201cthree days of performances by the visionary women of Toronto&#8217;s Creative Music, Improvisation and Jazz scenes\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The festival has grown from humbler origins to three days of innovative artists who not only blur, but simply ignore the lines between experimental and improvised jazz, electronic, and contemporary classical music.<\/p>\n<p>We spoke to <strong>Bea Labikova<\/strong>, one of the Festival\u2019s organizers, about Women From Space and its lineup this year. It\u2019s the 7th iteration of the festival, and the Slovak-Canadian saxophonist and improviser has been involved from the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, from the beginning in 2019,\u201d she says. The first Women From Space was a collaboration with another organization involved in Toronto\u2019s experimental jazz scene.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe wanted to celebrate that the incredible work that the women in this city are doing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>For it\u2019s inaugural outing, Women From Space took place over four days in small venues, some with a capacity of only 20 or 30 people. This year, three multi-artist concerts take place in the 200-seat theatre at the 918 Bathurst complex.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really nice to see how the festival grew through the years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bea Labikova (saxophone), Germaine Liu (drums), and William Parker (bass), Live at Women From Space Festival, March 8, 2020 at 918 Bathurst Centre (recorded by Paul Hodge):<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2yJY1n_J0MA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Women In Space 2025: March 7 to 9<\/h3>\n<p>On March 7, the festival opens with a triple bill, including <strong>Allison Cameron<\/strong>: Small Scale Experimental Machine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAllison is an amazing improviser and composer,\u201d Bea says. Cameron has a longstanding reputation and presence in Toronto\u2019s jazz scene, and appeared in the first ever Women From Space. \u201cWe like to have the opening spot for someone exactly like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Labikova says Cameron is preparing the titular Machine as a new project for Women From Space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I hear, it&#8217;s going to have field recordings, projections, surround sound.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Women From Space Big Bang! Plays Nina Simone features a large ensemble who pay tribute to the jazz and Civil Rights icon. \u201cThe Big Bang! is 20 people,\u201d Bea says. The group was drawn from Toronto\u2019s music scene.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe commissioned six Canadian arrangers,\u201d Labikova explains. \u201cIt&#8217;s about an adventurous, imaginative approach to the material.\u201d It\u2019s part of a focus that\u2019s placed each year on a specific artist. For 2024, Bjork\u2019s music was chosen to spotlight. Nina Simone was both remarkable artist and culturally significant figure. \u201cI think she&#8217;s so important to the Civil Rights movement and what it represents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The new arrangements and interpretations come from a place of homage. \u201cIt all comes from love for it.\u201d Each of the composer\/arrangers (<strong>Olivia Shortt<\/strong>, <strong>Mingjia Chen<\/strong>, <strong>tUkU<\/strong>, <strong>Pursuit Grooves<\/strong>, <strong>Madeleine Ertel<\/strong>, <strong>Tania Gill<\/strong>, and <strong>Alexa Belgrave<\/strong>) were chosen in part for their existing affinity for Simone\u2019s music and message, and understood what Labikova calls \u201cthe gravity of her music\u201d. Nonetheless, they had free reign to celebrate and reimagine in unconventional ways.<\/p>\n<p>The performance also includes live visuals by <strong>Meghan Cheng<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Also on the bill on March 7: the Plastic Babies album release, featuring <strong>Christine Duncan<\/strong>, <strong>Patrick O&#8217;Reilley<\/strong> and <strong>Laura Swankey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>On March 8, the show opens with what Labikova calls a \u201ccross pollination with Toronto Dance Theatre\u201d. The co-presentation features <strong>Erin Poole<\/strong> and <strong>Chantelle Mostacho<\/strong> (movement), along with <strong>Rosina Kazi<\/strong> (voice), and <strong>shn shn<\/strong> (synths, voice). \u201cDeep improvised dialogues between sound and movement,\u201d she describes. \u201cEach year, we are presenting at least one music and movement improvisation piece.\u201d The passion for experimental music is deeply connected to movement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s really incredible when these two disciplines meet,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>The March 8 bill also includes two more performances that blend movement with music. US-based artist <strong>yuniya edi kwon<\/strong> uses both violin, voice and movement to improvise and explore ritual.<strong> Azumi OE<\/strong> and <strong>Eucademix<\/strong>, also based in the US, blend electronics and Butoh dance in performance.<\/p>\n<p>The festival finale begins with <strong>Meara O&#8217;Reilly<\/strong>&#8216;s Hockets For Two Voices, with vocalists <strong>Mingjia<\/strong> and <strong>Linnea Sablosky<\/strong> in an a cappella performance. It\u2019s followed by <strong>Arushi Jain<\/strong> in a performance on modular synths that blend electronic music and traditional Indian idioms.<\/p>\n<p>Women From Space closes with <strong>Myra Melford<\/strong>&#8216;s Fire and Water Trio. The legendary American avant-garde pianist Myra Melford is joined by saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and Lesley Mok on drums.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe&#8217;s an amazing pianist\u201d Bea says. \u201cShe&#8217;s going to bring her Fire and Water Trio, and we&#8217;re very excited to have her. She\u2019s a very special international guest.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019ll be performing a trio version of Melford\u2019s own quintet, a work and performance that blurs the lines between composition and improvisation. \u201cThere are some high energy textures.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_112219\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112219\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-112219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-NEWS-2025-02-27T122334.044.jpg\" alt=\"L-R: Allison Cameron (Photo: Linda Browne); Artist Azumi OE (Photo courtesy of the artist); Pianist Myra Melford (Photo: Magdalena Wosinka)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-NEWS-2025-02-27T122334.044.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-NEWS-2025-02-27T122334.044-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-NEWS-2025-02-27T122334.044-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-NEWS-2025-02-27T122334.044-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">L-R: Allison Cameron (Photo: Linda Browne); Artist Azumi OE (Photo courtesy of the artist); Pianist Myra Melford (Photo: Magdalena Wosinka)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Improvisation &amp; Experimental Music?<\/h3>\n<p>In night clubs and smaller venue, there\u2019s been a recent upswing in interest in the experimental and improvised music scene in Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe energy feeds into the festival,\u201d Labikova says. She calls it a very grassroots movement that incorporates a lot of DIY shows.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe beauty about this music is that it&#8217;s inherently inclusive.\u201d The musicians come from varied backgrounds, including classical, jazz, folk, electronic music, and other genres. \u201cA lot of people from different backgrounds have an easy entrance into it,\u201d Bea says. It\u2019s a space where the lines between the genres melt away.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s really exciting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That broadly based background of musicians makes for endless possibilities for experimentation. Coming together for the music, and in particular for improvisation, also creates community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like that&#8217;s a big factor,\u201d Labikova says. It includes both audience and artists. \u201cI think there\u2019s something really human about seeing people make artistic decisions on the stage.\u201d There\u2019s interactions between the musicians, as well as with the audience.<\/p>\n<p>The connections are important. \u201cAt this time, we are hungry for those kinds of experiences,\u201d she says. As she points out, sometimes those experiments work well&#8230; and sometimes they don\u2019t. It evolves in front of the audience.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a kind of opposition to the very polished recordings that constitute the commercial side of the music industry. \u201cWe are hungry for this side.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The festival has also received a lot of support in terms of finding people to handle the behind the scenes work, and volunteering. \u201cI&#8217;ve had a lot of people express an interest in this kind of music,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe can do so much with so little. That&#8217;s because of the energy and the vision.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find tickets and more information [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenfromspace.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? Send us a\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:anya@ludwig-van.com?subject=Let's%20chat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em><u>note<\/u>.<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em><b>#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n<p class=\"western\"><em>Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em>Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! \u2014 local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid=S3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid%3DS3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1695737525351000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0QTqKRwRJQFGK3KoJYigxX\">HERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Women From Space Festival \u2014 hitting Toronto March 7 to 9 this year \u2014 offers, \u201cthree days of performances by the visionary women of Toronto&#8217;s Creative Music, Improvisation and Jazz scenes&#8221;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":112218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[41660,18,19,41441,41306,41496,29,32,38,4557,63],"tags":[6246,41782,1610,41783],"yst_prominent_words":[6715,7412,8527,35965,27346,6616,10836,8046],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-54.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-tbW","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112216"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112216"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112224,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112216\/revisions\/112224"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112216"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=112216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}