Notes from the Local Arts Scene
I’m always conflicted at this time of year. Slightly sad that summer is winding down and getting very excited for the renewed energy that fall brings. I will miss the seemingly flexible days of not having a real schedule and extended patio time. Yet I look forward to the changing colours of the leaves, cooler nights, and the sheer number of arts and culture activities that begin to heat up again in the fall. So, yes, I’m a bit sad but excited.
There’s a new festival in London — the first annual Forest City Irish Fest is taking place on the Green in Wortley Village on Saturday, September 19. Co-directors Rachel Genders Boyd and Johnny Hewerdine have been planning this event for over a year, but it has “been a long time dream of ours,” says Genders Boyd. “With the encouragement and work of a small committee, we’ve been able to bring this into reality.” While the goal of the festival is to showcase “authentic Irish experiences, there won’t be any green beer.
Opening ceremonies are at 10 am with the activities in the park starting at 11am. The entire park will be filled with multiple stages, demonstrations of traditional Irish games such as hurling, Gaelic Football, and a reenactment of the Irish rebellion against the British. There will be traditional storytellers, Irish music and dancing, artisanal vendors, and a kids zone where you will find Irish Wolfhounds showing off not only their size but amazing training. Everything in the park runs until 6 pm and is entirely free.
Once events close on the Green, some of the musicians will be moving to Wortley Road to play on the street in front of different restaurants.
While everything happening on the Green on Saturday is free, there are two ticketed events worth considering. On Friday, September 18 at Hyland Cinema on Wharncliffe Road, Irish storyteller Maria Wharton will be interviewing Emma Donoghue. Your $25 ticket also includes a wee snack.
The festival closing party, held at the German Canadian Club at 1 Cove Road, promises to be a memorable night! Musicians and other performers will play and perform for a spectacular ending to this first year of this festival. Tickets for this night are $20. My guess is that both ticketed events will sell out quickly. Be sure to visit the website to purchase tickets and see the full schedule of activities. The organizers of this festival have plans for future growth and more activities throughout the year. Definitely worth checking out! forestcityirishfest.com
London is lucky to have an independent film house like Hyland Cinema. Dating back to the 1930s, the Hyland is a London landmark with an amazing history. While they rent out their theatre for other events besides movie screenings, they are known for their showings of art and international films, often premiering the most up-to-date releases from the Toronto, Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.
In 2026, the Hyland started showing some films in 70mm. This is a rare format, as most films now are in 35mm. Film buffs are delighted to see movies in this format as it offers amazing details and brightness. The Hyland is a real treasure in our community and seeing any film there is a real treat, even if it’s in 35mm. Their website has all the info on special screenings, their various film series of events, upcoming movies and more. There is a low membership fee which gives you a discount on all screenings, and it helps support this crucial film venue. hylandcinema.com
For anyone who attended the pre-COVID London Fringe Festival, the name Mike Delamont will certainly bring back fond memories. His God Is A Scottish Drag Queen series was a highlight of the Festival, consistently selling out performances. Delamont has been on tour solidly for the past three years with his stand-up comedy, and has taken the series of God shows to London, England’s West End, Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, and various U.S. cities. This fall he’s on tour in Canada from Victoria, B.C. to Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Luckily for London, he’s bringing a new show, God Is A Scottish Drag Queen — Halloween Spooktacular to the Wolf Performance Hall on Saturday, October 3 for a 7:30 pm show. “If you’ve been to any of the God shows, this is a totally new show. But if you have never seen these shows before, it won’t affect your enjoyment,” says Delamont. “As only this character can, we take on pumpkin spice, fear of witches and not the men that were burning them, and so much more.”
When asked why he keeps on coming back to London, Delamont says, “You don’t take yourselves too seriously. London audiences love this character, and I can’t wait to perform this new show in your city.” From the accent to the outfit to the astute observations about “human behaviour,” laughs are guaranteed. Don’t wait to get your tickets for this one night only event. mikedelamont.com
When was the last time you visited Fanshawe Pioneer Village? The Village buildings themselves are such a testament to London’s past and our history, but their additional programming makes a visit really special.
The first annual Textile Fair is happening on Saturday, September 5. “It was born out of a desire to connect a new generation with heritage art forms. My hope is that the event will inspire visitors to take up a new hobby and help keep these craft traditions alive — traditions which include handweaving, lacemaking, rug-hooking and quilting, to name just a few,” says Reilly Knowles, Public Programming Coordinator.
The Village always features various demonstrations of how Londoners lived long ago, and the Textile Fair will be an exciting addition to their hands-on activities. One of the activities involves learning basic embroidery techniques. The Village is making a Friendship Quilt as a fundraiser to support their activities, where donors’ names are being embroidered onto a handmade quilt.
Stories & Song is a concert style series that takes place at the Village. The next concert is on Sunday, September 27, taking place in the Village’s beautifully restored African Methodist Episcopal Church that dates from 1848. Denise Pelley, accompanied by pianist Stephen Holowitz, will share a selection of jazz music inspired by the biographies of famous Black Canadians. This sixth concert in the series is dedicated to Rose Fortune, a Loyalist and Canada’s first female police officer, as well as the hockey player Herb Carnegie. Denise is an acclaimed and highly decorated singer, and her concerts in the intimate and historically powerful setting of the AME Church are deeply moving.
The exhibit currently on view in the Trillium Community Gallery is “Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Stories: 200 Years of the Forest City”, curated by Collections Coordinator Stephanie Leys. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the City of London, this exhibit explores the stories of Londoners who lived ordinary lives but shaped the city, including Peter McGregor, London’s first European settler; Abel Jones, a barber and grocer who escaped slavery in the United States; and Letitia Pickering, an accomplished seamstress and the first Londoner to purchase a sewing machine.
The exhibit is free to visit Tuesday to Thursday and select Fridays between 10 am and 4 pm. The last day to see it is on October 1.
Their website has all the details about admission fees, parking, etc. fanshawepioneervillage.ca
ARTY-FACTS
Fall is the season for film festivals. London’s Forest City Film Festival continues to grow and add new elements. This year’s Gala event honours Emma Donoghue with the Impact Award. The festival runs October 15 to 26. fcff.ca
With Halloween season upon us it would be worth a visit to St. Thomas for the Hexes and Jinxes Market on Sunday, October 4. This themed event is held outdoors at the Elgin County Railway Museum and features family events, over 80 artisans, tours of the Railway Museum and more. A great way to get into the “spirit” of the season! hexesandjinxesmarket.com
Theatre season is getting under way. To add to the offerings at the Grand Theatre in London, they have introduced a comedy series, Grand Laughs. This is a series of three very different comedy evenings featuring well known names: Colin Mochrie, Rebecca Northan and Ali Hassan. Something to tickle every funny bone. grandtheatre.com
