Rachel Weldon is a music curator, event producer, and project manager living on Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (so-called Hull). She is the founder and director of non-profit music and arts presenter organization Debaser.

Since founding Debaser in 2013, Rachel has led the development of the organization from a volunteer-run ad-hoc collective producing DIY events into a leading non-profit music presenter with five employees. Throughout this growth, Rachel has steered Debaser to remain true to its core values of supporting underrepresented and experimental artists, offering thoughtfully curated event experiences, and promoting diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity.

In 2021, Rachel founded Pique, a quarterly building-wide music and arts event series that takes place at the Arts Court complex in downtown Ottawa. Rachel has led the conception, development, and creative direction of Pique since its launch, supporting its growth into what is now a vital creative event in Ottawa that welcomes approximately 1,500 attendees to each seasonal event. 

Previously Rachel worked as a manager at Kelp Management, where she worked with artists Lido Pimienta, U.S. Girls, and Andy Shauf. During her time at Kelp, she also helped produce MEGAPHONO for three years as festival manager. As a freelance consultant, she has managed projects for the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Folk Music Ontario, l’Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, and Artengine. 

She has been an invited speaker by events and organizations such as the National Gallery of Canada, BIME (Bilbao), Reeperbahn (Hamburg), POP Montreal, Music New Brunswick, Sled Island Music Conference, Music Calgary, Creative Mornings, Carleton University, and Algonquin College, and has served on juries for the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Ottawa, the National Campus and Community Radio Association, and Arts Network Ottawa. She was an active member of the community radio community from 2012-2021, hosting programs on CKCU, CHUO and CKUT, and currently DJs under the moniker Pink Veil. 

Rachel also serves on the advisory committee for Produced by Youth, a mentorship program that offers accessible and safe spaces for emerging Black recording artists, and previously served on boards for Everyseeker Festival, CHUO FM, Girls+ Rock Ottawa, and Riverbed Reading Series. 

CV

PiqueFounder and Director
2021-Present

Pique is a forward-thinking artist-driven quarterly festival series produced by Debaser. Hosted at the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa, a converted heritage courthouse now housing various artistic spaces, Pique is known for its thoughtfully curated programming, care-oriented approach to artist and audience experience, and commitment to safety and inclusivity.

thisispique.com


Creative Mornings: Connection Through CareKeynote speaker
May 2024

Tasked to speak to the Creative Mornings monthly theme of Vibrant, in a 30-minute keynote presentation I spoke about how care is an essential foundation to creating vibrant cultural encounters, and how active listening cultivates ecosystems of care

Creative Mornings



Many Moons
  • Curator and Producer
  • 2021

Co-presented by SAW and Debaser, the video concert series Many Moons featured six groundbreaking musical artists from the National Capital Region performing onstage at Club SAW in an immersive “moonlit” set. This series reflects on live music nostalgia as well as the intimacy of performing in isolation, while celebrating and showcasing local musical talent. Each week from July 17 to August 22, 2021, in the height of the pandemic, a video concert premiered on the evening of a new moon phase, with the series concluding on the rare blue moon.

manymoonsconcerts.com




Mood RingCo-creator and Music Curator
2020

Mood Ring Vol 2 is a curated mixtape and interactive web project presented by Debaser. The web project, designed to be an entry point to the listening experience and a playful way to engage with the music on the compilation, guides you to one of the eight tracks in the collection. 
Each turn at Mood Ring Vol. 2 allows you to discover new paths and results depending on how you respond to it. 

mood-ring.ca


Debaser TV
  • Executive Producer
  • 2021-present

An ongoing Youtube channel of video content from Debaser events.

 youtube.com/@debasertv


SILA XR
  • Project Manager
  • 2023

SILA XR is an AR short film/installation by artist and filmmaker asinnajaq for Geronimo Inutiq’s installation in the Canadian Centre for Architecture’s Towards Home exhibition.  From loud and eerie fighting ravens to a calm and ever-present running river, the augmented reality experience adds a complementary layer of life to the exhibition.

Ondes en plein air
  • Co-curator and Producer
  • 2021

Ondes en plein air was a series of free outdoor pop-up performances of experimental and environmental sounds, taking place at various parks and public spaces in and around Hull. Featuring Linsey Wellman, Turquoise Fire, Bucko Art Machine, Kira Jane, Seiiizi, Instant Places, Christina Bell, and Annie Socoria. Locations announced within 24 hours of the event.

Vimeo  



See/Hear
  • Curator and Producer
  • 2020

A weekly performance series incorporating music, movement, and visual projections, presented for free at Ottawa City Hall in partnership with the Ottawa Dance Directive and Digital Arts Resource Centre.


SAW Grand Reopening
  • Programmer and Promoter
  • 2019

After a 2-year redevelopment, SAW celebrated its grand reopening in 2019 with performances by Maylee Todd, LAL, Ziibiwan, and Perdu in the newly expanded Club SAW.