The Beat Magazine 2009 website needs content. London area creative workers and arts and culture venues, do you have a gig, exhibit, play, or special event coming up? Let us know about it. Would you like us to prepare a Profile of you and your work? We do that, too. Contact Content Manager and Publisher, Richard Young, with the details at richardyoung@thebeatmagazine2009.ca
Atrium, Main Level
Black Lives Lived Here: London Family Photos 1910s–1960s invites you into a powerful visual journey through time. This installation showcases over 50 beautiful family photographs, generously shared from the photo albums of African Canadians who lived, loved, and overcame adversity in London, Ontario.
These images honour the descendants of freedom seekers—those who came to Canada resisting enslavement in the Southern United States—and celebrate the vibrant communities they built across Southwestern Ontario. Each photo captures real moments of joy, resilience, and connection from birthday parties to weddings, depicting childhood play and everyday life. Together, these portraits tell proud and joyful stories of Black life in the early to mid-20th century, each radiating swag, gravity, and a deep sense of vitality.
Through the lens of family and memory, Black Lives Lived Here invites us to reflect on the past while expanding the visual canon depicting Black Canadian life. These images don’t just preserve history; they invite us to broaden our perspectives and carry this spirit forward into the future.
Image: Photograph, Jim, Arthur, Melvin, and Ken Moxley, Charlie Smith, Allan Anderson (crouching), and an unknown girl, London (detail), around 1960. Courtesy of Jeff Anderson
This exhibition has been curated by Zahra McDoom, TD Curator of Collections, and made possible through generous support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment
Lorraine Roy’s fabulous textile works, big and small, are now available at Westland Gallery.
From Sea to Sky; Connected by a Thread is open until Saturday, August 30th. This exhibition features new fabric-based works by Lorraine, Carmella Karijo Rother, Holly Friesen, Mita Giacomini, Haley Fields, Elaine Ball, Robin Wiltse, and Julia Ismambetova!
Join several of our artists this Saturday, August 9th, from 1pm to 3pm at the Opening Reception. All are welcome to attend, no RSVP required.
In addition to a Profile of Amy Wright, the issue included a Music Spotlight on Marque Smith by Dawn Lyons, an article about the expansion of Attic Books by Kym Wolfe, a preview of summer theatre in the area by Susan Scott, an article about London’s Fugitive Slave Chapel by Jason Rip, a Spotlight on London native, actor Deborah Hay, who was appearing in the Stratford Festival’s The Three Musketeers, by Kathy Rumleski, a preview of London’s summer music festivals by Bob Klanac, a Q&A with Kathy Navackas, the then Executive producer of the London Fringe Festival, by the Beat’s editor Nicole Laidler, and more.
Catch Tony him at Procunier Hall – London Fringe 2025
Tony Molesworth has produced seven One Man Shows of Myrth & Music. Presented in Theatres, Universities, Festivals, concerts, cruises, casinos (headliner at Sands & Caesar’s Palace). From the Catskills to Vegas, LA’s Magic Castle to Disney World, and Three Armed Forces Tours.
Now that I’ve retired from The Aeolian and have more time, I’ve decided to open up a few more spaces in my teaching studio. If you know of someone interested in piano lessons, please have them reach out or go through my personal website: clarkbryan.ca
I’ve always taught a few students during my tenure as Director of the Aeolian. Teaching is definitely one of my first loves! I haven’t advertised for decades, so please help spread the word:). Happy to do in-person or virtual lessons (I have a few students from other countries).
Biography:
Clark Bryan is an award-winning concert pianist, composer, recording artist, educator and activist. He has studied with some of the greatest pianists of our times. With fourteen albums to his credit, Clark has also recorded over two thousand piano works for his You Tube channel. As a teacher, Bryan has taught thousands of students, adjudicated more than 75 music festivals coast-to-coast in Canada, given dozens of workshops and written a book, “Gateways to Learning and Memory”. In 2004, he founded The Aeolian Performing Arts Centre and served as the Artistic and Executive Director until his decision to retire at the end of 2024.
Bryan believes that everyone should have universal access to music, art, education, and culture. Because of this belief, he launched El Sistema Aeolian in 2011. This free, UNESCO award-winning program has offered more than a thousand children and youth an opportunity to experience the joy of a rich musical education. “Music is one of the most powerful tools we have for social change,” he says. In all his work with the arts and education work, Clark displays a progressive, social-justice mindset.
Other innovations have included Aeolian Pride Choruses, Rebelheart Collective, Aeolian Talks, A National Song Writing Competition, an artist in residence program and The Aeolian Jazz and Musical Arts Festival.
Bryan was awarded Musical Personality of the Year (2005) and won a Jack Richardson Award for Community Contribution (2011). In 2017, Mr. Bryan was given the Western Alumni Award of Merit and inducted into the Don Wright Faculty of Music Wall of Fame. In 2018, Clark was recognized with a Queen Elizabeth Canada 150 Medal through the House of Commons for his contributions to community and the nation. In 2022 and 2025 Clark won Best Classical Instrumentalist at Forest City London Music Awards. In 2023, Bryan was featured in a book about London by renowned author Richard Bain. In 2023, Clark was awarded a Lifetime achievement award from the Forest City London Music Awards and inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was awarded The Mayor’s Honour List from The City of London. In 2025, Clark was awarded The King Charles III Medal for service to the nation. In the same year he was awarded the “Laudible” award from PHSS.
Bryan continues to extend his reach into the community. Whether speaking about the power and joy of music study in his TEDX talk or engaging in community activism, Clark is committed to building strong, culturally rich communities that celebrate the arts, culture and education. He speaks regularly at events, is featured on radio, in newsprint and television.
Join us Thursday, August 14, at Museum London for a special edition of Hear Here: Hear There: ADJD Tripsitter Society.
Presented in partnership with Forest City Gallery, this free, all-ages event will feature a live improvisation set by experimental electronic collective ADJD Tripsitter Society, followed by a collaborative jam session inside 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘑𝘢𝘮 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘩, a student-led art-tech installation made of hybrid furniture-instruments.
Thursday, August 14
5:30–7:30 pm
Museum London, 421 Ridout Street North
Learn more: https://buff.ly/Z43myb8
Support the Arts. Strengthen Community. Find Your Place.
At Palace Theatre Arts Commons (PTAC), we believe in the power of storytelling, education and gathering. Nestled in the heart of London’s Old East Village, we’re more than just a theatre — we are a BEING Place: a space for expression, reflection, connection and celebration.
When you sponsor PTAC, you join a vibrant cultural hub that welcomes over 12,000 patrons annually through productions, youth and adult education, community events and festivals. Your support helps bring theatre to life, nurtures emerging talent and keeps our doors open and welcoming to all.
We’re already seeing the impact of sponsorship: our community notices and supports the organizations that support us. Sponsoring PTAC is more than just brand visibility — it’s a meaningful investment in London’s arts scene and a powerful way to contribute to local community development.
✅ Elevate your brand with visibility across our productions, events and marketing channels.
✅ Engage directly with thousands of patrons, volunteers and artists.
✅ Support arts education and cultural programming that makes London a better place to live and work.
If you or your organization are ready to make a lasting impact in London’s arts community, let’s connect. Together, we can support the arts, strengthen our community and help even more people find their place at the Palace.
📧 Contact us today to learn more about sponsorship opportunities: palacetheatre.ca/sponsorship
PERFORMER HIGHLIGHT: MARIA COLONESCU
Maria is an internationally produced, award-winning playwright, director, actor, and everything in between. She holds an MFA in Advanced Theatre Practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (University of London). Her diverse practice includes training in Butoh and somatic performance and leans into immersive, non-traditional, site-responsive theatre that puts the audience in a position to influence the experience, highlighting personal and social accountability and community building. Since moving to the Region of Waterloo in 2022, Maria has curated, produced, and directed a radio-drama series for Kitchener’s Midtown Radio (2023); co-wrote and directed an immersive, participatory, art-heist theatrical experience for the KW Art Gallery’s annual fundraiser (2024); co-founded the Treading Theatre Festival in Kitchener (2025); and premiered 9 original plays.
Maria directs and performs in her original play, The Companion. She also performs in her play, Everything I Didn’t Get to Say (In a Collection of Petals).
PERFORMER HIGHLIGHT: JENN WEATHERALL.
Jenn is an actor, playwright, artist, muralist and mother. She spent her twenties attending George Brown Theatre School and running away to NYC. In her thirties she made two beautiful babies. And in her forties she recovered from ‘adulting’ and got back to who she is at her core…an artist.
Jenn’s plays have been performed in many festivals including Darkcrop, HamilTen, She Speaks, and Unhinged. This is Jenn’s second experience within a Fringe Festival. Last year No Lilies was performed in the Guelph Fringe and received the award for outstanding performer. She recently participated in a playwrighting workshop with Daniel McIvor and is working on a piece to be performed in the Unhinged Festival of Disturbing Theatre in Waterloo in October.
She wrote No Lilies by the side of the river in St. Jacobs overnight two years ago (with many skunks lingering close by) and is excited to step back into that space again in London.
To purchase tickets to Maria and Jenn’s shows, and get more information about the London Fringe, visit www.palacetheatre.ca/london-fringe
Join us on Saturday, August 23 from 10 am – 1 pm at the Palace Annex (523 South Street) for our legendary Wardrobe Sale!
Hundreds of costumes, accessories and treasures from our stage to your closet – it’s a vintage lover’s dream! Perfect for collectors, theatre buffs, or anyone looking to add some flair to their wardrobe.
All proceeds support PTAC programming and much-needed repairs – shop and support local arts!
📅 When: Saturday, August 23 | 10 am – 1 pm
📍 Where: Palace Annex – 523 South Street
Don’t miss your chance to snag a piece of theatre history!
The Beat Magazine 2025 