Pique takes place at the Arts Court, which is accessible by entering at 10 Daly avenue. The entrance has ramp access from street level and powered automatic doors. Once inside, attendees can access all spaces and stages throughout the building.  All venues/stages are accessible by elevator C, except for the Atelier and Courtroom, which are accessible via elevator A (near the Arts Court front desk on Level 1).

Unfortunately, elevator B is currently out of service. Please prioritize access to elevators for those who need it, including disabled or injured community members. 
Wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral washrooms are available throughout the building. Tickets to Pique are pay-what-you-can. The suggested price range is listed on our ticket page and includes taxes and fees. 

For those without the means to purchase a ticket within the suggested range, register here for subsidized tickets. Once registered, ticket buyers will receive an email with instructions on how to access their subsidized ticket, which will allow them to choose their own price.

All tickets are General Admission and offer the same access to Pique.
Arts Court is a three minute walk from the Mackenzie King Bridge/Rideau Centre bus stop, and located between the UOttawa and Rideau LRT stations. To plan your route, you can use the OC Transpo travel planner or Google Maps.

Para Transpo drop-off entrance is at 10 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2. The Daly entrance is between Waller and Nicholas on the south side.  

Parking - The Arts Court building is located around several parking lots; the Rideau Centre parking lot located on Nicholas Street, Les Suites Hotel parking lot located on Daly Avenue, and Novotel Hotel parking also located on Daly Avenue. There is also metered parking that is free on the weekends. Unfortunately there are no free accessible parking spots at the Arts Court.

There are several bike rings on Nicholas Street and two bike racks in front of the steps on Daly Avenue as well as bike racks at the Mackenzie King entrance of the Ottawa Art Gallery.
Attendees are able to leave and re-enter the event as needed. Smoking is not permitted in the SAW Courtyard or OAG Terraces, and must be done on the sidewalk outside the event. Refunds are available for any reason related to illness or flare-up. Otherwise, refunds are not granted for ticket purchases. Debaser offers free tickets for personal support workers or care attendants. Please email hello@debaser.ca in advance of the event to arrange a ticket for an attendant, or ask the volunteer working at the box office when you arrive. Disabled attendees are able to “jump the line” or bypass the lineup at the event entrance/box office as needed. Please notify the security and volunteers that you are requesting to jump the line 

for accessibility purposes.
ASL interpretation will be offered at Topique panels on Friday June 12 only. 

If you would like to request ASL interpretation or another accommodation for Topique programming, please complete our Accessibility questionnaire.

Transcription for Topique panels and talks will be available via a mobile app. Information on how to access the live transcript will be sent to Topique registrants, and available on-site at Topique. 

Scented products can cause allergic reactions and respiratory distress. Attendees and participants are encouraged to wear or use non-scented products while attending Pique. Access/support animals are permitted at Pique. Please note that if any performance or program contains flashing lights or content that might not be suitable for all audiences, organizers will post a warning in the Venue/room accessibility information below and also on a physical sign at the venue. General support is available from volunteers and staff who wear Pique t-shirts. Harm reduction support is available from our EQUIPE harm reduction team, who wear bright green vests or lit-up armbands. Harm reduction supplies, including naloxone, first aid supplies, and face masks, will be available at EQUIPE booths located throughout Arts Court, as well as in the Breathing Room, each box office, merch table, and bar. Not available at this time. Water refill stations are available around the Arts Court and at the Club SAW bar. A reusable cup can be purchased at each bar to fill at a refill station, or you can bring your own refillable water bottle. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at each bar.

Food will also be available for purchase at Pique. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
Please note that Pique is documented by various authorized photographers and videographers. Photos and video documentation are used for internal and external use, and sometimes photos or videos of attendees are posted on Debaser social media. If a photo posted of you is published, you can email hello@debaser.ca to request to take the photo down.

Selected stages at Pique are documented, and video documentation will be posted on our Youtube channel following the event.

Club SAW

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 0 (ground floor)
  • Doors - Automatic. Typically only 1 door is held open, and the second can be opened upon request. 
  • Door width - 35-70" 
  • Bathrooms - there are two gender-neutral bathrooms, both with stalls containing toilets. One bathroom also has urinals, indicated on the door. There is a third gender neutral wheelchair accessible bathroom with a powered door, safety bar, and adult-size change table.
  • Service area - the bar inside Club SAW is at a height not accessible for everyone, however there is a lowered part at the bar entrance area where bartenders will serve anyone who cannot access the rest of the bar.
  • Seating options include “high-top” bench and chairs without armrests. 
  • HEPA filter - yes
  • Audio - amplified sound, louder bass music near the end of the night 
  • Visuals/lighting - projections 
  • Flashing lights - yes
  • Fog/haze - yes 


Courtyard

  • Outdoors
  • Level 0 (street level, with ramp access to lower levels)
  • Bathrooms - None outdoors. The closest bathrooms are located inside Club SAW, or inside the Arts Court down the hall. There are two gender-neutral bathrooms, both with stalls containing toilets and one containing urinals, in both Club SAW and the Arts Court. There is a gender neutral wheel-chair accessible bathroom with a powered door, safety bar, and adult-size change table in Club SAW, and wheelchair accessible stalls in both of the Arts Court bathrooms.
  • Service area - located on street level of SAW Courtyard. The bar height is at a height accessible to all.
  • Seating options - limited to permanent concrete benches, with additional space on Lawn for seating.
  • Audio - electronic bass music
  • Visuals/lighting - party lighting
  • Flashing lights - yes
  • Fog/haze - no


Front Steps

  • Outdoors
  • Getting there - Located at 2 Daly ave. on street level. The installation takes place on the stairs, some parts may be difficult to view from street level.
  • Doors - n/a
  • Bathrooms - None outdoors. The closest bathrooms are inside 2 Daly ave. entrance (accessible until 9 pm), inside Club SAW, or inside the Arts Court down the hall. 
  • Service area - the closest  service area is located on the SAW Courtyard (accessible height) 
  • Seating options - none available
  • Audio - n/a
  • Visuals/lighting - n/a  
  • Fog/haze - n/a         


Artengine

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 0 (ground floor)
  • Doors - non-automatic 
  • Door width - 35-70"
  • Seating options - limited chairs available.
  • Bathrooms - none in space. The closest bathrooms are located in the hallway outside of the space, and are gender neutral and wheelchair accessible.
  • HEPA filter - no
  • Audio - amplified voice for panels; electronic bass music during demos and performances
  • Visuals/lighting - low gallery lighting and projections
  • Flashing lights - no
  • Fog/haze - no


Jail Cells

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 0 (street level, with ramp access to lower levels)
  • Doors - n/a (in hallway)
  • Bathrooms - The closest bathrooms are a few steps away toward Nicholas st. There are two gender-neutral bathrooms, both with stalls containing toilets and one containing urinals. There are wheelchair accessible stalls in both of the bathrooms.
  • Service area - the closest  service areas are located on the SAW Courtyard (accessible height) and Club SAW (has an accessible area on far side of bar). 
  • Seating options - none 
  • Audio - phone earpiece audio installation
  • Visuals/lighting - low LED lighting and overhead
  • Fog/haze - none


Microcinema      


  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 1. Take elevator B up to level 1.
  • Doors - propped open during programming
  • Door width - 35-60”
  • Seating - tiered theatre seating on risers. To arrange accessible seating, please email hello@debaser.ca.
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located in the hallway outside the venue, and are gender neutral. The closest wheelchair accessible bathroom is located around the corner toward Daly ave (look for the orange door).
  • Food/Drink - not permitted inside the venue
  • HEPA filter - no
  • Audio - amplified bass music and speaking from films
  • Visuals/lighting - projected films; house lighting during Q&A
  • Flashing lights - no
  • Fog/haze - no


Courtroom

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 2A. Take elevator B to Level 1, switch to elevator A and take it to Level 2.
  • Doors - not automatic, and will be propped open for the evening.
  • Door width - 35"
  • Seating - Some seating available. To arrange chair seating and/or accessibility to seating, please email hello@debaser.ca with your request.
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located in the hallway on level 2A, and are gender neutral. The closest wheelchair accessible bathroom is located on Level 3 near the Sky Lounge bar.
  • HEPA filter - no
  • Audio - limited amplified audio
  • Visuals/lighting - n/a
  • Fog/haze - no  


Atelier


  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 2A. Take elevator B to Level 1, switch to elevator A and take it to Level 2.
  • Doors - not automatic, and will be propped open for the evening.
  • Door width - 35”
  • Seating - Some seating available. To arrange chair seating and/or accessibility to seating, please email hello@debaser.ca with your request.
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located in the hallway on level 2A, and are gender neutral. The closest wheelchair accessible bathroom is located on Level 1 near the elevator (look for the orange door).
  • HEPA filter - no
  • Audio - low volume ambient music
  • Visuals/lighting - low gallery lighting
  • Fog/haze - no


Theatre

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 3. Take elevator B.
  • Door width - 30-60"
  • Seating - there are 150 seats, most of which are raised on risers other than those in front row. Wheelchair accessible seating areas can be arranged upon request - please email hello@debaser.ca with your request.
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located in the 3rd floor hallway, and are gender neutral but not wheelchair accessible. The closest wheelchair accessible bathrooms are located on level 3 near the Sky Lounge bar.
  • Service area - none inside venue. The closest service area is located in the hallway between the Theatre and Studio. The bar is at an accessible height.
  • HEPA filter - yes
  • Audio - amplified pop/rock music 
  • Visuals/lighting - projections and theatre lights
  • Flashing lights - yes
  • Fog/haze - no

Studio

  • Indoors
  • Getting there - Level 3. Take elevator B.
  • Doors - non-automatic, and will remain open throughout the evening. 
  • Door width - 30-60"
  • Seating - Couches, armless chairs, and carpets to stretch out on.
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located in the 3rd floor hallway, and are gender neutral but not wheelchair accessible. The closest wheelchair accessible bathrooms are located on level 3 near the Sky Lounge bar.
  • Service area - none inside venue. The closest service area is located in the hallway between the Theatre and Studio. The bar is at an accessible height.
  • HEPA filter - no
  • Audio - low volume ambient sound
  • Visuals/lighting - low lighting
  • Flashing lights - no
  • Fog/haze - no

Alma Duncan

  • Indoors
  • Level 3. Take elevator B in the Arts Court or the OAG elevator to Level 3.
  • Doors - opened and closed by staff as visitors enter
  • Door width - 36-72"
  • Seating - armless couches along the walls
  • Bathrooms - none inside venue. The closest bathrooms are located down the hallway off of the Sky Lounge, and are gender neutral and wheelchair accessible.
  • Service area - none inside venue. The closest service area will be in the OAG’s Sky Lounge outside of the venue. The bar is at a height that is not accessible for all audience members, but attendees can also go to the side of the bar for service.
  • HEPA filter - yes
  • Audio - amplified pop music and heavier bass music
  • Visuals/lighting - projections 
  • Flashing lights - yes
  • Fog/haze - yes


South Terrace

  • Outdoors
  • Getting there - Level 3. Take the elevator inside the OAG or elevator B in Arts Court.
  • Door width - 35”
  • Seating - cabaret-style patio furniture armchairs and tables
  • Bathrooms - The closest bathrooms are located down the hallway off of the Sky Lounge, and are gender neutral and wheelchair accessible.
  • Service area - none inside venue. The closest service area will be in the OAG’s Sky Lounge outside of the venue. The bar is at a height that is not accessible for all audience members, but attendees can also go to the side of the bar for service.
  • HEPA filter - yes
  • Audio - electronic music
  • Visuals/lighting - low lighting
  • Flashing lights - no
  • Fog/haze - no

The health and safety of audience members, artists, volunteers and staff are priorities for organizers of Pique.

Pique is a large indoor event, and attendees may be at risk of exposure to airborne and other communicable viruses including COVID-19. Attendees are welcome to wear face masks to better protect themselves from airborne viruses. Free KN95 masks will be available to audience members while supplies last at each Box Office entry point and EQ.U.I.P.E. booth. 

If you are concerned about exposure to airborne viruses, we encourage you to adhere to the following health and safety measures in order to reduce your risk of illness:
  • Wear a mask. Free KN95 masks will be available to audience members while supplies last.
  • Wash and sanitize your hands often. Hand sanitizer will be placed at all box offices, bars, merch tables, food vendor areas, and in large supply around the event.

In order to protect others, please do a self-assessment of your health before arriving at the event location. Are you experiencing symptoms of any communicable virus or illness? If yes, please stay home and do not come to Pique. Refunds are available to ticket holders for reasons related to illness.

Pique organizers will also be taking the following measures to prevent the spread of infection:
  • HEPA air filtration units designed for larger rooms will be placed in Club SAW, the Theatre & Alma Duncan.
  • For any artist or worker who must cancel their participation in the event due to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, Debaser will honour 50% of their agreed-upon payment. If there are any artist cancellations related to COVID-19 or another infectious illness, we ask that audience members keep in mind our policy to honour 50% of payments when considering making a refund request.
Harm reduction is supported at Pique by the EQ.U.I.P.E. (Equity and Unharm Initiative for Pique Enjoyment). EQ.U.I.P.E. Outreach Liaisions are available in various locations around the event to support event participants in need. They have free harm reduction and care supplies, and work closely with our security team to monitor safety and well-being. EQUIPE volunteers can be distinguished by neon green vests and flashing arm bands.

Security guards are present throughout the event to support safety. You can find a security guard at any box office, and posted at each of the event’s venues and stages. 

All Pique staff and volunteers are trained in harm reduction and bystander intervention best practices. Security and facilities staff must adhere to Debaser’s code of conduct while working a Pique event.

Attendees are expected to respect one another. Violence, aggression, oppressive behaviour or language, or bullying will be challenged and addressed. We reserve the right to intervene and/or remove any person(s) in the space who violate this code of conduct.
A phone number is posted up around the event to call for support or harm reduction. 

If you text or call this number, please note:

  • you are consenting to receive messages from Pique staff
  • your personal info will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes
  • we will only text or call you back in order to respond to an incident. We will not contact you for any marketing or sales reasons.
  • you may reply STOP to opt-out of future messaging
  • you may reply HELP for more information
  • message and data rates may apply