Rise Ashen
• – • Bayview Yards
About the speaker
Ottawa-based DJ, producer, dancer, and educator Rise Ashen has dedicated his life to the study of sound and movement. From his roots as a B-Boy in 1980s Montreal to formal training at Fanshawe College and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, his journey has centered on bringing hi-fi craftsmanship to underground music culture.
Known for his genre-spanning sets, live looping, and finger drumming, Rise Ashen blends global grooves and house music into dynamic performances that have energized clubs and festivals across North America, Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. His collaborations include acclaimed artists such as Kellylee Evans, Dubmatix, and Flying Down Thunder, earning multiple Juno Awards nominations along the way.
Deeply rooted in community, Rise Ashen has spent years DJing for yoga events, co-leading Ottawa’s Capital Sessions house dance practices, and teaching at Flava Factory. He believes music and dance are essential to human culture and strives to embody the words of Fela Kuti: “When the higher forces give you the gift of musicianship … it must be well used for the good of humanity.”
Local partners
Additional details
CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for the creative community with chapters in over 200 cities around the world. Each month we host an event that is always on a Friday, always in the morning, and always free. We provide coffee, a light breakfast, and a 20-30 minute presentation from a local creative person on the global CreativeMornings theme for that month.
Event Schedule:
8:30 AM Doors open
8:30 - 8:55 AM Check in
9:00 AM CreativeMornings welcome
9:10 AM Talk begins!
9:40 AM Q&A with speaker
9:50 AM Closing remarks
9:55 AM Audience takes the stage
10:00 AM Off to work!
About the theme:
Our theme for April is (EMBER). It was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by (Sarah Gordon)[https://creativemornings.com/blog/ember-illustrator-sarah-gordon].
The literal meaning of ember is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. But as a metaphor, it means so much more.
“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. As a quieter community outside the city, we may not always burn the brightest, but we never burn out. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.
In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains—ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.
Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and shared warmth.”
Accessibility: Located at 7 Bayview Station Rd, A short walking distance from Bayview Station, Bayview Yards is located in Mechanicsville just by the river and a short walk away from Hintonburg.
Bayview Yards is wheelchair accessible. If you require any additional help or have suggestions as to how we could make our events more inclusive, please give us a shout ottawa@creativemornings.com!
Para Transpo drop-off entrance: 7 Bayview Station Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2C5
Parking: On-site free parking is available on the gravel lot beside the building.
Public Transit: Take the LRT (Line 1) or one of the many bus routes 16, 2, 61, 66 and get off at Bayview Station, a 7min walk to the venue.
Location
