Skip to content
GET YOUR PASS

Founder, City at Night, Annx, and Gridwrks (Ontario).

cad graphic bg1
cadlogo

OCTOBER 7-8, 2026

Schedule
farid dagher

Farid Dagher

Founder, CITY AT NIGHT, ANNX & GRIDWRKS (ON)

Farid Dagher is the founder of Gridwrks, Annx, City At Night, and Afterlight, and has spent more than 15 years helping shape Ottawa’s nightlife and electronic music community as a venue operator, event producer, and hospitality entrepreneur. Throughout his career, he has developed independent venues, produced hundreds of events, and worked alongside artists, businesses, community organizations, and municipal partners to strengthen the Nation Capital Area’s nighttime economy. More recently, his work has focused on balancing vibrant nightlife with responsible operations through collaboration with city officials, and practical approaches to sound management that support both residents and live music venues.

Speakers

mathieu grondin

Mathieu Grondin

Canada’s first Nightlife Commissioner,
City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office (ON)

ariel palitz

Ariel Palitz

Founding Director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Nightlife | Nighttime Governance & Hospitality Advisor, All Hours NYC

andreina seijas

Andreina Seijas

Founder, Night Tank, expert in nighttime urban governance (ES)

will straw

Will Straw

James McGill Emeritus Professor of Urban Media Studies, McGill University (QC)

shulie smolyanitsky

Shulie Smolyanitsky

Operations & Education Manager, Wavelength Music (TO)

marc andré robertson

Marc-André Robertson

Co Founder, HocheLab (QC)

Jon Weisz

Jon Weisz

Founder & Executive Director, Les SMAQ (QC)

brian block

Brian Block

President, Sound City Planning, Austin (USA) and Board Treasurer, Nighttime Economy Culture and Policy Alliance (NITECAP)

farid dagher

Farid Dagher

Founder, CITY AT NIGHT, ANNX & GRIDWRKS (ON)

corey poole

Corey Poole

Music Sector Development Coordinator, City of Mississauga (ON)

cathy wong

Cathy Wong

Borough Mayor, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, City of Montreal (QC)

romain dumoulin

Romain Dumoulin

Acoustician and Project Director, WSP Canada (QC)

Melanie Brulee

Melanie Brulée

Executive Director, Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (ON)

jean françois ouellet

Jean-François Ouellet

Professor of entrepreneurship and innovation, HEC Montréal (QC)

erin benjamin

Erin Benjamin

Executive Vice President, Advocacy and Strategy, Ottawa Board of Trade (ON)

veronica farmer

Veronica Farmer

Chief Marketing Officer, Wesley Clover International (ON)

xavier roy

Xavier Roy

Senior Vice President, Membership Engagement and Advancement, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Nate Sabine

Nate Sabine

Director of Business Development, Blueprint (BC)

marie pier tessier de l’étoile

Marie-Pier Tessier De L’Étoile

Co Founder and General Director, Aire Commune (QC)

kelleagh alexander

Kelleagh Alexander

Director of Experience Development, Ottawa Tourism (ON)

sarah hill

Sarah Hill

Senior Project Manager, Culture Business Development, City of Hamilton (ON)

sarah jarvis

Sarah Jarvis

Community Engagement, Destination Toronto (ON)

chetna misra

Chetna Misra

Founder & Principal, Lightbahn

Cory Crossman

Cory Crossman

Music Industry Development Officer, London Creative City of Music Focus (ON)

barbara filion

Barbara Filion

Program Officer for Culture, Canadian Commission for UNESCO

athena foyer

Anthea Foyer

Sector Development Officer, City of Toronto (ON)

jenn goodwin

Jenn Goodwin

Focal Point, Kelowna City of Gastronomy (BC)

Celia Benhocine

Celia Benhocine

Policy Analyst, OECD

Annabelle Cloutier

Annabelle Cloutier

President & CEO, National Arts Centre

Anna Rubin

Anna Rubin

Manager of the OECD Global Forum on Local Development Comment end

Tashiina Buswa

Tashiina Buswa

Artist & Nonprofit Professional, (QC)

Chrissy Dicks

Chrissy Dicks

Executive Director, Lawnya Vawnya Festival (NL)

Travis Van Wyck

Travis Van Wyck

Project Manager, Night Economy, City of Toronto (ON)

Megan Lynch

Megan Lynch

Senior Manager, Nordicity (ON)

Maude

Maude Théroux-Séguin

Borough Mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville & Associate Councillor for Citizen Engagement, Gastronomy and Nightlife, Ville de Montréal (QC)

Rachel Weldon

Rachel Weldon

Director, Debaser (ON)

Jane Talbot

Jane Talbot

President and CEO, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Area (Downtown Van) (BC)

Jacinthe De Guire

Jacinthe De Guire

Design Commissioner, Design Montréal, City of Montréal (QC)

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter

Economic Development Officer, City of Ottawa

Laura Beeston

Laura Beeston

Canada After Dark Coordinator

Miranda Mulholland

Miranda Mulholland

Creative Culture Advisor for Music Canada

Dominique Lemieux

Dominique Lemieux

Executive Director, Institut canadien de Québec, Focal Point for Quebec Creative City of Literature (QC)

Get your tickets

GET TICKETS

Get your tickets

national arts centre

Location

National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage
1 Elgin Street, Ottawa Canada

Plan your visit
cad website 2026 sponsors

Make the most of your Canada After Dark experience with exclusive preferred rates from our official hotel partners, Alt Hotel Ottawa Downtown, Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, Arlo Hotel, Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Alt Hotel Ottawa Downtown
Book your stay using promotional code C2060463 to access the preferred Canada After Dark rate.
RESERVE NOW

Le Germain Hotel Ottawa
Book your stay using promotional code C2060463 to access the preferred Canada After Dark rate.
RESERVE NOW

Arlo (Ora) Hotel Ottawa
Book your stay using promotional code 2M5PS2K4 to access the preferred Canada After Dark rate.
RESERVE NOW

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Book your stay at our newest official hotel partner and enjoy convenient access to Canada After Dark.
RESERVE NOW

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Book your stay at our official hotel partner and enjoy convenient access to Canada After Dark.
RESERVE NOW

Room types, rates and availability may vary. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred accommodation and rate.

volunteer

volunteer

Be part of the team behind Capital Music Week and experience the festival from the inside out.

I want in Learn More
influencer

calling all
influencers

Help tell the story of Ottawa’s biggest celebration of music.

I’m There Learn More

Sign up to OMIC’s newsletter for updates on Capital Music Week & music industry insights

Untitled(Required)

Check out our socials

Check out our socials