What happens when boundary-pushing women in music take centre stage? One answer is Toronto’s Women From Space Festival, a dynamic hub of musical experimentation.
Founded by Bea Labikova and Kayla Milmine to amplify the work of visionary women in experimental music, the festival has been a premier event for adventurous music lovers since i2019. In this time, the Women from Space Festival has grown into a dynamic hub of musical innovation and inclusivity, celebrating boundary-pushing artists across multiple genres, and in the process fostering a vibrant community. Past editions have featured celebrated artists like Matana Roberts, Nicole Mitchell, and Kris Davis. And Women From Space 2025 promises to be the most eclectic and immersive celebration of artistry and innovation yet.
Labikova has been at the heart of curating this space, where experimental music thrives and new voices are amplified. Originally from Slovakia, she is a saxophonist and composer known for her work in improvised and contemporary music, which blends avant-garde jazz with folk influences. And guess what? She also happens to be an accomplished visual artist. As the festival gears up for another electrifying year, Labikova met with Sesaya Arts to discuss its evolution, her dual roles in the festival, and the power of coming together in art and celebration.
From basement to Big Bang
In its initial 2019 incarnation, Women From Space took place in the intimate basement of Wenona, a venue that could barely accommodate 20 people, and served an audience steeped in experimental music. But Labikova and co-founder Milmine envisioned something bigger: “Even then, we knew we wanted this project to grow and reach new people, but didn’t expect for it to have such a positive and enthusiastic response, and to grow so quickly,” she shares. “We put a lot of effort, persistence, consideration, and love into it. And I think people respond to that kind of grassroots energy.”
Today, the festival attracts audiences beyond the niche experimental music scene. “It started as a festival where everyone knows everyone. And now we host all kinds of new people who usually don’t come out to see experimental music—which I am thrilled about,” she adds. “I think we are all hungry for different and new kinds of experiences, and with improvisational and experimental music, it’s exciting because you never know what you are going to get.”
The 2025 festival takes place from March 7–9 at 918 Bathurst, and has been timed to coincide with International Women’s Day. Labokova likens curating the Women From Space lineup to assembling “one big puzzle”, and expresses genuine excitement about every musical piece of it. The event kicks off on March 7 with a solo performance by acclaimed composer Allison Cameron, “who is coming hot off an epic year of creation, and is premiering a new piece”. Next is a set from Plastic Babies. The remarkable improviser trio – who consist of vocalists Laura Swankey and Christine Duncan and guitarist Patrick O’Reilly – are launching their debut album, and Labikova is thrilled about this first-ever Women in Space album release.
The festival’s Big Bang grand ensemble is “a 20-piece unconventional, large and wild ensemble of artists who work hard all year long to keep our local Toronto creative scene thriving”. The Big Bang, which features Labikova as one of the performers, closes the night with bold re-imaginings of the music of legendary singer-songwriter and pianist Nina Simone.
March 8 features a unique collaboration with Toronto Dance Theatre that blends experimental pop, electronic sounds, and movement. Highlights include yuniya edi kwon, a multidisciplinary New York-based artist praised for her genre-defying approach, and Yuka Honda’s EUCADEMIX, featuring Kyoto-born butoh dancer Azumi OE.
The festival’s final day begins with a hypnotic vocal piece composed by Meara O’Reilly and performed by Mingjia Chen and Linnea Sablosky. This is followed by the lush modular synth soundscapes of Arusha Jain (AKA @modularprincess), who fuses contemporary electronic music with Indian traditions. Other must-see acts include an entrancing hocketing duo and the legendary Myra Melford’s Fire and Water Trio, featuring saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and percussionist Leslie Mok, who bring decades of boundary-pushing jazz innovation to the stage.
Being a performer and a curator
As both a musician and the festival’s artistic director, Labikova brings a unique perspective to Women From Space. “I think it really helps to run this festival knowing firsthand what it is like to be an artist in this scene, and to be heavily invested in this music and the community,” she explains. “I’m especially motivated to share this really incredible art that I love widely, to grow the scene, and to support our performers.”
But while being a musician informs her approach to he festival, the relationship doesn’t necessarily work the other way around. “Running a festival and being an artist are two very different things: two very different modes of being. I wouldn’t say that ‘running’ the festival per se inspires my own artistic practice, but certainly, being able to witness all the fantastic performances each night and spend a little time with the artists, does.”
Celebration, joy . . . and community
Women From Space is deeply connected to International Women’s Day, and Labikova characterizes it as both a celebration and a call to uplift voices and foster change. “The mission behind WfS has always been to mark International Women’s Day by gathering our community, lifting up the incredible women that work in the local and international experimental music scenes, and creating space for women and women’s innovation,” she explains.
And in an increasingly uncertain world, she sees this mission as more critical than ever: “Now the world is just seeming scarier and more hostile day by day. In some ways, as mundane as it might seem to just ‘celebrate’ something, maybe that’s what we need most right now—to create a space to just let loose, feel joy, and be with each other in creativity.” For this, at its core, is what Women From Space is: an event that thrives on the shared passion and dedication of artists and audiences alike.
“It’s really a community effort to put this festival together–all in an effort to elevate boundary-defying music,” Labikova says. “There are lots of people who collectively transform 918 Bathurst into a magical spacey party with interactive installations, special WfS drinks, screen-printed shirts, and handmade jewellery – not to mention the music and dance.”
Women From Space has come a long way from its basement beginnings, but as the festival continues to scale and transform through these dynamic community efforts, the goal remains unchanged: to foster artistic exploration and to bring people – all kinds of people — together.
“Hope to see you at the festival,” Labikova signs off with a warm smile.
This year’s Women From Space festival runs March 7 – 9, 2025 at 918 Bathurst Street. For performance details, artists bio, and tickets, visit womenfromspace.com.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine 2025
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