Notes from the Local Arts Scene
Is there anything better than the hope and energy that a new year brings? Instead of heavy (and hard!) resolutions, consider something easily attainable, like bringing more fun and joy into your year. That’s where arts and culture come in. I resolve to go out more, see more concerts and shows, and attend more festivals. With all the exciting things happening in January and February, I won’t have any problems keeping my resolution.
We keep hearing that London is a UNESCO City of Music. What does that even mean? Basically, London is part of a global network of cities that have “identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development,” according to the London Music Office website.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network comprises seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. London is one of 84 Cities of Music. Music isn’t the sole focus, though, as all of the arts are significant contributors to making and keeping this designation.
The music industry is BIG business in London. The London Music Office cites that culture adds $671 million to London’s GDP, there are more than 1,000 workers in the live music sector, and more than 4,740 live music events are presented annually. The music industry is estimated to have a $25.9 million impact on the local economy. Clearly, the contribution to the economy from all arts and culture is immense and needs to be better acknowledged.
London has some of the best venues to be found anywhere. Each has its own atmosphere and distinct programming. For instance, the London Music Hall on Dundas Street has recently undergone some extensive renovations and has moved their entryway from the parking lot on Queens Avenue to Dundas Street. It is an inviting, accessible entry to this amazing venue.
If you haven’t been there before or haven’t been there in a while, their upcoming concerts have something for you. They program an eclectic mix of urban, contemporary, and nostalgic genres and everything in between. January highlights include Danko Jones and Fear. February brings Shad, Jade Eagles, Jully Black and April Wine. And that is just a brief sampling of what is playing. This venue has something every week and often more than one night, definitely worth checking out regularly.
Part of the renovations in the building included adding an intimate Comedy Club space that will launch this month. Plans are to have weekly comedy nights under the name Comedy & Co. Watch for their opening announcements and upcoming acts posted on the London Music Hall website. londonmusichall.com
The Central Library’s Wolf Performance Hall is another gorgeous venue in the city. Over the past year, they have steadily increased their own programming, offering a diverse array of events while also renting the venue to various organizations and groups in the community. To say that it is a busy hub is an understatement.
Upcoming performances at The Wolf include John Muirhead, an indie-folk musician from Toronto who is promoting his latest CD, The Nomad. John will be performing on February 6. The Dreamboats, a high-energy band performing pop-rock hits of the ’50s and ’60s, hit the stage on February 7.
Canadian favourite Pavlo will be at The Wolf on February 20. He is an internationally renowned, award-winning recording artist who plays everything from classical to flamenco and so much more. Dominique Fils-Aimé from Quebec plays on February 26. Fils-Aimé is an R&B/Soul singer who won the Vocal Jazz Album award at the 2020 Junos.
Since this venue is part of the library, they often have wonderful authors speaking. Fans of the Murdoch Mystery TV show will be delighted to know that Maureen Jennings will be speaking on January 16. The TV series is based on her Detective Murdoch books and has entered its 19th season. More recently, Jennings has developed a new series of mysteries focused on Charlotte Frayne, P.I. This series, under the Paradise Café title, is already up to four books, with the latest, March Roars, released in September 2024. January 16 promises to be a great evening. lpl.ca/services-spaces/featured-spaces/wolf-performance-hall
OPPOSITE PAGE Toronto indie-folk musician John Muirhead • Canadian R&B/soul singer-songwriter Jully Black
ABOVE Magisterra Soloists, a Canada-based chamber ensemble of global artists
The Wolf Performance Hall is a great venue for music, as the acoustics and sightlines are terrific. Speaking of acoustics, London’s Aeolian Hall is famous among artists for its sound. This venue has hosted so many world-famous artists that it is an honour to say that it’s part of London’s cultural scene.
The Aeolian Hall hosts a wide array of performances, everything from classical to country, to rock, to choral, to folk and so much more. A regular visit to their website is a must. January brings the Swedish folk group FRÄNDER to London as part of their North American tour. The band blends traditional Swedish and Estonian folk traditions with a modern twist. This would be a wonderful opportunity to expand your musical horizons.
Dala also plays in January. This Scarborough-based musical duo is known for lush harmonies that have been influenced by The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
February is a busy month as well. World music icon Alex Cuba performs on February 6, and if you want a high-energy break from the winter doldrums, this is for you: the amazing group from Zimbabwe, Black Umfolosi International, promises a cultural experience not to be missed.
Comedy in London seems to be undergoing a resurgence. There are two comedy evenings at Aeolian in February, featuring Bruce McCulloch and Ian Bagg.
The Barra MacNeils are celebrating 40 years! They are well known to London audiences, and they are bringing their Celtic folk music in February, for a fantastic way to shake off any winter blues. aeolianhall.ca
While London has plenty of music options, for fans of tribute shows, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre has you covered. They have been developing winter programming, and these shows are very popular with audiences of all ages. This season includes tributes to U2, Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis & Dolly, Beatlemania Revisited, and Patsy Cline & Shania Twain. There’s something for every musical taste and almost any era. psft.ca
If you have never experienced a Magisterra Soloists concert at Museum London, make it a goal this year. Magisterra Soloists is a visionary chamber music ensemble. They have a current roster of over 49 international musicians hailing from more than 25 countries, who have performed in over 130 concert performances and 35 school outreach visits, and they collaborate with over 35 international special guest artists (piano, winds, voice). Their performance in January is an annual concert dedicated to remembering the voices that were silenced because of the Holocaust, Silenced, Survived, Remembered. Through their music, Magisterra reminds us that art has always been and always will be a valuable form of expression.
Look for their immersive and tactile concerts later in the year — an amazing experience for all ages. magisterra.com
Swedish folk group FRÄNDER
Opera fans can check out up-and-coming artists in the genre at Western University’s Opera Gala with Early Music Studio at the von Kuster Hall on January 31. Students from the opera program will perform baroque opera excerpts; this is a free concert with no tickets required.
Arty-Facts
The 6th annual Lights on Stratford is running until January 18, Thursdays to Sundays after dark. Various locations from Market Square to Tom Patterson Island host amazing light installations. A major highlight this year is CHRONOHARP, an interactive light and colour sculpture that responds to touch. This event truly transforms winter nights into a celebration of art and light at the darkest time of year, a great outing for everyone! lightsonstratford.ca
Comedian Lewis Black
Comedian Lewis Black will be appearing at Centennial Hall on February 28. Black is known for his comedic rants on current affairs and politics, especially American politics. This promises to be a very interesting (and funny) evening. centennialhall.london.ca
The organization Simple Reflections for Artists is a collective of diverse artists and arts enthusiasts. Founded by Dario Novoa, the collective aims to celebrate diverse cultural expressions and allow local up-and-coming artists to showcase their talents.
They are having two events at The Beer Kitchen at The Factory (100 Kellogg Lane) on January 22 and February 12. The Latin Dance Nights will feature Jennifer Martino and Dario Novoa, with live music by Gianny Correa. Here’s your chance to get moving and have a great time! 100kellogglane.com
KATHY NAVACKAS is a passionate and lifelong arts supporter. Having little artistic talent of her own (she maintains), she loves to use her skills and enthusiasm to support and promote the artists she deeply admires.
