A leisurely drive to Ingersoll and then to Woodstock revealed a cornucopia of artwork this past week.
The Ingersoll Creative Arts Center (ICAC) has a fabulous display of works by the Oxford Quilters’ Guild. They are the result of the Guild’s annual first Saturday in February sewing marathon. Apparently, neither sleet nor snow stops quilters, and the results are stunning. A pattern is chosen before the day, usually by the Vice-President, and then put together by participating guild members on the day. Vice-President’s Day Quilts Throughout the Years runs to November 1.
(Installation shot of Vice-President’s Day Quilts Throughout the Years at ICAC featuring Julie Martin’s Blue Flowers, 100 inches by 63 inches, 2021. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Also, at ICAC, there is a selection of collaged work by Linda Yeoman. Its pop-art style is perfectly suited to the subject, which is – pop. Fanta, Orange Crush, 7-Up, Coke, it’s all there.
(Coke 2, by Linda Yeoman, collage, 8 by 8 inches. At ICAC. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
There was a lot to see at Woodstock Art Gallery, even though during my visit, a new show was in the midst of being installed.
The Pinks by Lyn Carter occupies a small room off the main floor gallery. This is my third visit to this show, and I feel I could just sit in that room all day. Comprised of six digital screens, it is quirky and sassy, yet satisfyingly soothing. The “Pinks” are humanoid creatures that unabashedly go about their bodily functions. They move, they mimic, they morph, and they are hands-down the cutest things ever.
(A still shot from Lyn Carter’s digital work The Pinks. At WAG. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Upstairs, the three window vitrines feature work by London’s Aiden Urquhart. Taking a Walk includes colourful mixed media pieces and several of the artist’s circular “Gourd Man” faces, in constructed settings of related objects and footprints.
(Gourd Man by Aiden Urquhart. At WAG. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Both shows continue to January 24, 2026. See them at WAG’s Fall Open House on November 1, between 1 and 3 p.m.
by Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager of The Beat Magazine 2025
There’s a new community choir in town called The Bohemians, and it has a well-articulated mission.
“Our mission is to bring people of all ages together and through the joy of singing, create a welcoming, supportive, and non-competitive choir community that nurtures connection, learning, health, and happiness,” says Lesley Andrew, the choir’s Artistic Director and Conductor. “Our mandate is to perform at community fundraising events. All ages and vocal abilities.”
The choir was formed by Lesley in response to Art Fidler’s call for acts to perform at the Groovin’ for Good London Food Bank fundraiser in September at the Palace Theatre. Consisting of Silver Spotlight Theatre and The Artful Players members, the choir performed Queen’s epic tune, Bohemian Rhapsody.
“At the request of various choir members, we have kept the group together,” says Lesley. “One member, Carol Wilks, thought of the name, and it stuck. It suits our repertoire and our musical philosophy. We have opened membership to include people of all ages. We are now an official choir.”
Lesley brings some very impressive credentials to his position.
She performs everything from opera to jazz, oratorio to musical theatre, and has made soloist appearances with orchestras around the world. An active performer, Lesley is also in much demand as a voice and drama instructor through her studios, Dream In Progress Productions. Her theatre/television credits include the Stratford Festival, Windsor Lite, Huron Country Playhouse, the Guelph Spring Festival, The Tonight Show, Oprah, Donny and Marie, and much more.
(Pictured: Lesley Andrew, Artistic Director and Conductor of The Bohemians.)
“Lesley is the heart of this choir. We are in the unique position to have a leader who is also a professionally trained singer, has been on world tours, and has her own records. It is a unique position for our choir, as we will have the opportunity to perform with Lesley and learn what it is like to sing with a professional,” says Dawn White, the choir’s President. “Members of the choir also have the opportunity to sing duets with Lesley, which will also be an amazing experience.”
“Beth Zuwala, our Assistant Director and Conductor, and media guru, is also an incredible talent who is highly trained with the voice of an angel, and she will also provide some great experience for choir members who want to sing with a partner during our concerts, if the occasion arises! The choir will then be provided with a myriad of experiences to learn from, and it will elevate our performances and fun, and allow us to sing a variety of music under Lesley and Elizabeth’s tutelage,” Dawn adds.
Currently, the choir has approximately thirty members, although a few have had to take a brief leave of absence until after Christmas, as they are in various theatre productions that are quite time and energy-demanding.
“We are hoping to get entire families involved, “ says Lesley. “Our members range in age from twenty to eighty and come from all walks of life. For some, this is their first time singing in a choir, and others have much experience with community theatre and various choirs.”
The Bohemians’ repertoire is accessible and diverse and includes pop, show tunes, folk, and rock. Selections include Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, For Good from the show Wicked, The Climb, Let the River Run, and Fight Song.
“To date, even before we were an official choir, The Bohemians have performed three times publicly to rave reviews,” says Lesley. “We’d like to perform where fundraising is needed, or at community events needing entertainment. We’ll be performing a few ‘flash mobs’ as well and will be entering the Kiwanis Music Festival.”
“We would like to consider The Bohemians as a welcoming group of musically-minded people, gathering to not only sing, but to socialize and meet new people. It’s also an awesome way to train your voice, as each rehearsal is like a group voice lesson,” adds Lesley. “Those interested in joining The Bohemians are always welcome.”
(Pictured: Jawon Mapp as Robert, Alexander Ariate as Jonathan, Honey Pham as Annie behind, Daniela Vlaskalic as Krista, and Vanessa Leticia Jetté as Sandra. Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz.)
If you’re looking for a night of non-stop laughter, look no further than the Grand Theatre’s season opener, The Play That Goes Wrong, written by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer. This hilarious and brilliantly executed slapstick comedy feels like Saturday Night Live meets Monty Python — equal parts clever and chaotic, with just the right dose of British absurdity.
A play within a play, the action unfolds as the fictional Comley Polytechnic Dramatic Society presents their production of Murder at Haversham Manor (a loving nod to Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap). Predictably, everything that can go wrong does, and spectacularly so. But in this case, everything that goes “wrong” lands perfectly right.
The set itself is a marvel: an architectural masterpiece designed to fall apart piece by piece in all the right ways. Watching walls collapse, doors jam, and props rebel against their actors is pure theatrical magic. It’s impossible not to marvel at the precision with which chaos unfolds. A symphony of slapstick timing and technical mastery. Under the sharp direction of Dennis Garnhum, with outstanding set design by Beyata Hackborn, every collapse, cue, and calamity is executed with clockwork precision. The set becomes a character of its own, and one that quite literally brings the house down.
(Pictured: Photo by Nanc Price for The Citadel Theatre’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong (2024), in partnership with Theatre Calgary and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, featuring Vanessa Leticia Jetté and Honey Pha)
The cast delivers standout performances across the board; each actor fully committed to their characters-within-characters and the glorious mayhem that ensues. Timing is everything in a show like this, and they all nail it. Still, if gold stars were being handed out, John Ullyatt (Dennis, aka the butler Perkins) and Andrew MacDonald-Smith (Max, aka Cecil Haversham) would take top honours. Their impeccable comic timing, physicality, and effortless charm make every scene they touch an absolute highlight. Max’s frequent breaking of the fourth wall adds to the fun, delivering endearing and consistently comical moments that delight the audience.
That said, The Play That Goes Wrongis truly an ensemble triumph. Daniela Vlaskalic (Krista/Director/Inspector Carter), Alexander Ariate (Jonathan/Charles Haversham), Vanessa Leticia Jetté (Sandra/Florence Colleymoore), Jawon Mapp (Robert/Thomas Colleymoore), and Honey Pham (Annie/Stage Manager) all deliver spectacular performances as the hapless cast struggling to keep the play afloat. Their commitment to the chaos — from bungled lines to hilariously choreographed fight scenes — keeps the audience in stitches. Bernardo Pacheco (Trevor), Emily Meadows, and Izad Etemadi (Stage Crew) round out the cast perfectly, adding an extra layer of comic brilliance.
The Play That Goes Wrong is a joyful disaster done right: a masterclass in controlled chaos that will leave your cheeks sore from laughing. You’ll find yourself rooting for this endearingly incompetent troupe right to the final curtain — and thankful they didn’t “just call it a day” when everything started to fall apart. Whether you’re a theatre buff or simply in need of a good laugh, don’t miss this one. It’s proof that sometimes, when everything goes wrong, theatre can go so wonderfully right.
What: The Play That Goes Wrong
Where: The Spriet Stage at The Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, Ontario
When: October 14th to November 2nd.
Tickets: Single tickets range from $25 to $97 and are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.
The Grand Theatre is grateful to offer Canada Life Pay-What-You-Can pricing, presented on Sunday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m., as well as an Open Captioned Performance on Saturday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including intermission
Just so you know, I took notes at a recent London Health Coalition meeting on how to reach Gen Z to persuade them that privatization of Ontario health care will hurt THEM in the future. The guest speaker, Angie Cavallin, made several suggestions to us, aged relics on ZOOM screens who can’t even recognize when we’ve muted ourselves:
Use digital platforms they favour- TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and X.
Leverage relatable memes, short videos, and hashtag campaigns (???)
Frame messaging to create clear personal stakes.
SO, I watched TikTok for a few precious hours I’ll never get back … but don’t want to put this wrinkled mug on a video selfie. “Necessity is the MoFo”… you know … so imagine this:
Baby Boomer Daina and Gen Z Madison (#2 favourite name of the generation) talking about the Jeffery Concert at Metropolitan United on Sunday, October 19th, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Daina: Madison, are you going to the second Jeffery concert of this season on Sunday afternoon? It’s a unique chance for Londoners to hear world-class chamber music – and if you’re still a student, your ID gets you in free at the door!
Maddie: Jeffery? What’s he play? I’m lowkey interested …
Daina: No, Maddie. He’s dead.
Maddie: Bummer.
Daina: Gordon Jeffery was one of those amazing “characters” of London. A lawyer who joined the family firm, but his heart was in music. He practised law but played the organ at St. Peter’s Cathedral. In 1947, he bought an abandoned church in East London – Beecher United – and renovated it into a concert hall and teaching studios. He even had a Gabriel Kney organ installed there. He had an orchestra, a choir, and started a Music School.
Maddie: If I WAS interested, could I see it?
Daina: Sorry, no – an arsonist set fire to it in 1968. Jeffery bought the old Town Hall further east on Dundas, renovated it as well, and called it The Aeolian Hall. He also purchased and donated countless music scores to Western, Wilfred Laurier, and Windsor. He scoured Europe for string instruments, too, now part of the Music Instrument Bank at Western.
Maddie: So, what are these Jeffery Concerts if he’s dead?
Daina: Well, as tough as it may be to understand what a “benefactor” is these days, Gordon Jeffery left a whacking sum of money to some old friends when he died – with the directive that they work to bring fine chamber music to London for the benefit of its citizens.
Maddie: Music for a small room?
Daina: Not really. Chamber music is a type of classical music designed for a small group of musicians—usually two to eight players—who each play unique parts. Because of its small size and close communication between players, chamber music is often called “the music of friends,” resembling a musical conversation where each instrument takes turns sharing and responding to ideas. This intimacy allows listeners to feel more connected to the performers and the music itself.
Maddie: I’m shook. And these friends did that in London for FREE?
Daina: That’s the mission of not-for-profit organizations – and the board of today’s Jeffery Music Foundation continues to create an annual series of world-class chamber concerts at very low prices – and free for students.
Maddie- So if I show up on October 19th … what am I going to see? – a classical concert. Yeet!
Daina: Well, this one is officially called “Accademia de Dissonanti and Elinor Frey, cello with Joseph Lanza, violin and Mélisande McNabney, harpsichord.”
Maddie: “Dissonan …” Did you mean they don’t sound good together? Big Yikes!
Daina: Not at all. Their brilliant co-ordinator, Elinor Frey, decided to call her group that because of a historic connection: Accademia de’ Dissonanti refers to the learned society of the same name founded in Modena, Italy, in the early 1680s. Its meetings stimulated discussions on music, poetry, and other subjects connected to the d’Este family.
(Pictured: Elinor Frey)
Maddie: And this Frey lady? What’s her fire?
Daina: She’s a phenomenon! Or … she has RIZZ! She was born in Seattle but now makes Montreal her home base. She’s a cellist, does major research, and is a “gambist.” She’s performed all over America and Europe and received dozens of grants and prizes for her work- including a Fulbright. She’s got degrees from McGill, Mannes, and Juilliard.
And at THIS concert, she’s including a few beloved local guys – Joe Lanza on violin and Joe Phillips on double bass. Both are world-class musicians!
Maddie: But am I going to LIKE any of this Broke stuff? Any season from Vivaldi?
Daina: Yes- but no season. You’ll hear TWO concertos by Vivaldi – one in D Minor and the other in G Minor. The Big Viv taught music in Venice- and wrote those as delightful stuff for his students- full of in-jokes and amusements. There is also a harpsichord toccata- yes, the tinny piano – by JS Bach and a cello concerto by CPE.
(Pictured: Antonio Vivaldi, 1678–1741)
Maddie: And they’re not going to be boring?
Daina: How could CPE Bach be boring? That cello concerto … C.P.E. Bach’s Cello Concerto in A minor is a significant work characterized by its blend of Baroque and Classical styles, with an overall tone of emotional intensity and dramatic flair typical of the Sturm und Drang movement. It features a powerful, virtuosic first movement in 3/2 time, a deeply moving and introspective slow movement in C major (6/8 time) with a dramatic dialogue between solo and orchestra, and a finale that is a fast, energetic march. The concerto showcases the cello’s full range and expressive capabilities, with frequent shifts between turbulence and lyricism. Sorry … I got carried away …
Maddie: Touch grass, lady – I’m still not sure …
Daina: Hon, I’ll get back to what you are going to experience at The Met on Sunday – a close emotional relationship with amazing chamber musicians, some real stress relief. Some brain stimulation that is guaranteed to improve your memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Just watch the musicians closely – they’re leading and following without a conductor and probably experimenting with phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation. They’re creating community- and during that concert, you’re part of it.
To purchase tickets for this concert, please contact the Grand Theatre online at https://tickets.grandtheatre.com/11649, by phone at 519-672-8800, or in person at 471 Richmond Street. Single tickets are also available at the door.
Students with a valid IDare welcome free of charge.
By Daina Janitis, The Beat Magazine 2025 Classical Music Writer
Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been eagerly waiting for is here, Friday, October 17th – our opening night of Norm Foster’s delightful comedy, Hilda’s Yard!
Opening night in the theatre is a dazzling moment charged with anticipation and electric energy, where months of sweat, tears, and artistry burst into life under the spotlight with friends, family, and fellow actors attending to offer support. This production of Hilda’s Yard has been an extraordinary journey for all of us. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this performance, and we invite you to join us on an unforgettable adventure.
Special 2-for-1 Ticket Deal for Opening Night!
Buy a ticket for our spectacular opening night on October 17th, and as a heartfelt thank-you for your support, we’d be thrilled to offer you a dazzling 2-for-1 deal! That’s right, buy one ticket and get one extra ticket free. Buy two tickets, get two comp tickets, absolutely free! This special offer applies only to our opening night, October 17th, and cannot be used for other performances. Complimentary tickets are capped at two per purchase.
Ready to claim this exclusive gift? After purchasing your opening night tickets, Just shoot an email to info@stmaryscommunityplayers.ca with the names of your lucky guests, and voilà—your tickets will be waiting at the door, ready to welcome you all to an unforgettable night!
We can’t wait to see you in Hilda’s Yard!
If You Go:
What: St. Marys Community Players present Norm Foster’s Hilda’s Yard.
When: Opening Night, October 17, and running until November 2
Where: Town Hall Theatre, 175 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON,
I figured it was time to share an update on the Westland building, which, as you probably know by now, is currently for sale. While our intention is for the Westland Gallery business to eventually move down the road to The Art Exchange building, the 156 Wortley Rd. address remains for sale.
Over the past few months, there’s been quite a bit of interest in the building, but nothing that makes us ready to leave the building just yet. The building will remain available for purchase in the coming months. Until someone comes along who we think can look after our historical building and give back to the village, the gallery will stay in this building, continuing on with our planned exhibitions for 2025 and 2026.
Our next exhibition is a solo show by Lisa Johnson, and it is going to be a knockout. Lisa spent a month in Newfoundland at an artist residency in Pouch Cove, painting absolutely stunning landscapes. I can’t recommend visiting Lisa’s show, opening on October 28th, enough. It’s certainly a must-see.
(Pictured: Painter Lisa Johnson)
Unfortunately, because of the time required to plan the Square Foot Show, we have decided not to do it this year. Both the planning of the show and the returning of artwork take months and months to complete, and we couldn’t commit to a show of this scale this year.
I know there are going to be many disappointed artists and collectors, but it just wasn’t the right timing, with the potential sale of the building.
In place of the Square Foot Show, we have a number of small pieces by our gallery artists on their way for December! We will also be presenting pieces from the estates of several renowned London artists to be sold at very accessible prices for collectors who would like to own a piece. We will have work from the estates of Helmut Becker, Herb Ariss, and Kerry Ferris, to name just a few.
With a shared passion for playing jazz at its best, JazzTen brings together ten of London’s finest jazz musicians to explore and perform a wide range of both jazz standards and original music arranged specifically for ten-piece jazz orchestra in a format that allows for both the excitement of music arranged for a large jazz ensemble with the freedom and space for the creative improvisation that characterizes the jazz idiom. With an interest in playing quality jazz music to a relatively high standard, JazzTen welcomes the opportunity to perform to an audience with a specific interest and appreciation for jazz music. Each of the members of JazzTen is a long-time, professional London musician with a wide variety of well-recognized performance experience both in the city and beyond.
The members of JazzTen are Ralph De Luca, Barry Usher, and Tony De Luca on saxophones, Paul Stevenson and Ron Walker on trumpet, Seth McNall and Jason Jamieson on trombone, Nevin Campbell on piano, Mitch Tyler on bass, and Greg Mainprize on drums.
If You Go:
What: Jazz By The Bog presents JazzTen
Where: St. Aidan’s Church, 1246 Oxford Street West London, ON
When: Friday, October 24 @ 8:00 pm
Tickets: Online at https://www.staidans.ca/pages/jazz-by-the-bog, call 519-471-1430. Ticket outlets are Tuckey Home Hardware (Wortley Village) and Long & McQuade Music (Fanshawe Park Road West).
(Installation shot of left wall featuring “Keys to Success”, oil on canvas, 60 by 50 inches, 2024. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Forest City Gallery is awash with works by West Coast artist Les Ramsay. Comprised of 11 pieces, “Maritime Minute” includes bold paintings, an intriguing sculpture and a compelling needlepoint. All, says exhibit material, speak to “the vulnerability of natural systems” and use “mood, material, and motion to guide the viewer.”
The works vary in size, from a petite 8 by 6 inches to a hulking 60 by 59 inches. Colour abounds. While most works are clear in what they depict, they are ambiguous in what they represent.
The tiny needlepoint “Salvation Mountain”, with its apparent smokestacks, cultivated land and waterfall alludes to the vulnerability of nature.
(“Salvation Mountain”, needlepoint, 8 by 6 inches, 2016. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
The physically imposing “Keys to Success” and “Tempest Rose”, which bookend the exhibition, are chock-a-block with colour and form. Lots of reading required. Maybe it’s the time of year (or maybe it’s the time of man), but they both give off a definite Halloween vibe. They are also reminiscent of figures produced by Art Brute alumni Bill Traylor.
(Installation shot of back wall featuring “Tempest Rose” acrylic on linen, 60 by 59 inches, 2025, and view of “Subterranean Oracle”. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
The titles are clever. The aforementioned “Tempest Rose” could be the name of a busty heroine or the after-report on a blustery storm. The alliterative “Dusty Ditch at Dusk” and “Decadent Dusk” roll nicely off the tongue.
The lone sculpture, “Subterranean Oracle,” sits on a plinth and acts as both a diagonal director and a brazen barrier. It points and it halts. Here, the artist has used acrylic paint, beach sand, aquarium pebbles, and a pom-pom to costume a piece of driftwood. Transformed, the flotsam resembles a marine animal, or a submarine, or perhaps a missile. Viewers are left to wonder what message each might deliver.
(“Subterranean Oracle”, acrylic with beach sand, aquarium pebbles, pom-pom, on driftwood, with cedar base, 10 by 12 by 63 inches, 2022. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Ramsay’s bio says he “creates his works by recycling the excess of everyday domestic objects” and calls what he does “subtle environmentalism” in that viewers are invited to look and to think. This is certainly apparent in a number of the pieces here.
“Maritime Minute” continues to Oct. 30 at Forest City Gallery, 1025 Elias St. For more information, visit https://www.forestcitygallery.com/
What follows are some selections from the many Arts & Culture events taking place this week in the London area. Check back for more updates throughout the week.
5th annual honour & harmony fundraiser for atlohsa, oct. 18.
Join Leanne Mayer, Big Lou, and Alex Cooper for an unforgettable night of music and fundraising in support of Atlohsa, a local Indigenous nonprofit organization. Now in its fifth year, this annual event brings the community together to celebrate music, culture, and retribution.
Come be a part of the movement—support Indigenous-led healing and social change.
coquest art festival and community forum, oct. 15-19.
CoQuest brings together 50+ contributors, including artists, artisans, community organizers, singer-songwriters, and more.
anne moniz and Daniel Oniszeczko, oct. 16, at the richmond tavern.
Something a little different this Thursday, Oct 16th- from 6-8pm. Bev Camp, Daniel Oniszeczko, and Anne Moniz will be the special guests of a fabulous showcase hosted by @tamikegley at The Richmond. This is a Pay-What-You-Can event.
this week at the aeolian.
The Jeffery Concerts presents a program of Baroque and Early Classical music, October 19, at the Metropolitan Church.
fanshawe pioneer village presents Return to the Abandoned Village, oct. 16-19.
This Halloween… the past comes back to haunt you. Fanshawe Pioneer Village and ByronScaryHouse Productions dare you to enter… Return to the Abandoned Village. This isn’t a haunted house…It’s a haunted Village. Five buildings transformed into nightmares – one unforgettable walk through fear.
The Abandoned Village is a 14+ event, and many nights do sell out. Why wait? Get your tickets now … if you dare.
mavis productions the rocky horror show continues until oct. 18 at the wolf performance hall.
Mavis Productions does the time warp again into their 4TH ANNUAL TRADITION!
The Rocky Horror Show returns to London to celebrate 50 years of the film you love, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
Filled with all the classic songs and audience participation that made the film so much fun for over 50 years, all of it comes to life on the stage. So bring your costumes and all your scripts and be ready for a night of absolute pleasure. Whether you come out for our 2 pm afternoon shows, our classic 7 pm shows, or our returning MIDNIGHT PERFORMANCES, we know you will shiver with antici…pation!!
London rocker Rose Cora Perry returns home for a gig at the Palasad Socialbowl on October 24. The Beat Magazine 2025 spoke with Rose in between gigs during her international tour about her developmental years in London and her life as a musician on the road.
The Beat Magazine featured a cover story, Driven to Succeed, about Rose Cora Perry in its Fall 2012 issue.
At that time, author Bob Klanac described Rose as a “snarky punk-popper” who also modeled, wrote, acted, and hosted her own Rogers TV show entitled London Driven, a program that profiled the city’s young entrepreneurs. She was also working on an album.
A lot of water has run under the bridge since that story was published. These days, Rose fronts and tours internationally with her band, The Truth Untold.
The Beat Magazine 2025 caught up with Rose before her homecoming gig at London’s Palasad Socialbowl on Friday, October 24.
It would appear she’s still Driven to Succeed!
Q. It’s been a while since we last talked, years even. What have you been up to in the intervening years since then?
Only over a decade, but who’s counting?! Allow me to summarize. I hosted a couple of TV shows, acted in some short films, released a second solo album and toured as a singer/songwriter, wrote some columns that got published in multiple media outlets and achieved acclaim, emceed some amazing mental health awareness-raising events…and most recently I’m back where I belong: on stage fronting a rock’n’roll band called The Truth Untold.
Q. You certainly have been busy! Let our readers know a little bit about Rose Cora Perry, the musician and person. Where were you born? How old are you? How long have you lived in London?
I’m a born and raised Londoner – specifically a proud Byronite. And you should know it’s impolite to ever ask a woman her age.
Q. Was yours a musical home? Did you have any professional training, or are you self-taught? Could you tell me about your early musical endeavours as a child and teenager?
I love ‘em, but my parents have zero musical ability. They are both phenoms in their own right, however, as incredibly successful athletes and entrepreneurs.
My father is an insurance broker/financial advisor, and former World Powerlifting Champion, and my mother is a fitness trainer/guru and former Bodybuilder. I probably should’ve grown up to become an Olympian with their genetics, but alas became a depressed teenager and turned to rock to deal with my angst.
My late brother, however, was a tremendously talented natural musician who could pick up just about anything by ear – his presence growing up definitely influenced my musicality. This was supplemented by the fact that my parents, early on, recognized I liked being the centre of attention and on stage, and promptly enrolled me in classical vocal training, which I studied diligently for over a decade. When I was 15, I founded my first rock band.
Although I studied voice and theory through the Royal Conservatory, achieving my grade seven and grade two, respectively, I am an entirely self-taught guitarist, so much so that I actually invented my own tablature for the purposes of writing songs.
Q. Do you remember the moment when you decided that music was going to be a big part of your life? How long have you been playing music professionally? Do you consider yourself a full-time or part-time musician?
I don’t think I “decided” to “make” music a part of my life so much as I was “given” a gift that I don’t take for granted. There have been many times throughout my music career when I’ve felt defeated and beaten down, but then the muse once again strikes.
Any musician will tell you, you cannot simply “turn off” being a musician; it is a part of who you are intrinsically, a part of your identity.
Even if I wanted to give up touring, for example, songs just come to me – I have no control over that ability. Most of the time, I consider it a blessing…unless it’s 2:00 am and I’m really fucking tired. LOL. In those cases, it’s a bit of a curse.
However, I believe each of us is given very special gifts to share with the world, and the universe blessed me with the gift of music.
I consider myself a professional musician and gig in accordance with having a work/life balance. I have been fronting bands in a professional capacity since I was a teenager.
Q. Other than vocals, do you play any other instruments?
I do! I am well-known for my rhythm guitar prowess as a down-stroking queen. I also rock the lower clef on bass and have written/recorded bass on several albums.
Q. What have your musical influences been over the years? Songwriting-wise, I adore Alanis and Chris Cornell. My biggest influence as far as style is irrefutably Veruca Salt.
However, I have diverse tastes, and on any given day, you might catch me listening to big band/swing, metal, or pop – it just depends on my mood.
Q. Tell me about the various groups and musicians you have played with since you started playing professionally. Who are you currently playing with?
High school years: HER. Cofounded with the late Trish Doan on lead guitar. She later went on to rock bass as a beloved member of Kittie. I was the frontwoman, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist. To write and release an album with this band, I practiced six hours a day for six months on guitar, until my fingers bled, and I could competently sing and play at the same time. True story!
College years: Anti-Hero. We got signed to a major label, played some notable festivals in Canada and the US. Got to perform at Warped Tour the year that Joan Jett headlined and hang with her backstage. Swoon!
Again, I was the frontwoman, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist. Fun fact. While in the studio recording our hit single, “Unpretty”, I learned on the spot how to palm-mute; a technique which has become integral to my playing style.
Post-college: Released two solo albums in the singer/songwriter vein. Toured briefly, armed only with an acoustic guitar. HATED it. I decided to form a band again because I missed distortion and being obnoxious.
Present Day: The proud frontwoman, singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for award-winning rock quartet, The Truth Untold.
(Pictured: The Truth Untold L-R, John-William Kostecki, Steven Skrtich, Rose Cora Perry, and Jessie Taynton)
Q. Tell me a little bit about any recordings you have made in your career.
HER: Straight from the Loft (album)
Anti-Hero: Unpretty (album)
Rose Cora Perry: Feisty (demo), Off Of the Pages (album), and Onto the Floor (album)
The Truth Untold: Other Side of the Story (EP) and One Thing Left to Say (EP)
The Truth Untold is currently in the studio recording a brand new EP entitled Phoenix Rising. We’re super stoked about the new music we’ve been working on and excited to have collaborated as a band on this project.
Listen to The Truth Untold’s new single, Excuses:
Q. What projects are you currently pursuing? Do you have any gigs coming up in the next month or two you would like our readers to know about?
We are winding down our summer tour, which started in May of this year, and among its highlights were Hills & Hollers Music Festival (Pennsylvania), Fun Fourth (North Carolina), Skatepark Fest (Ohio), headlining Strummerfest (Waterloo), and opening for Big Sugar at this year’s Taste of Edmonton (Alberta).
We’re super excited to be having a homecoming of sorts on Friday, October 24, at the Palasad Socialbowl. This will be the first London gig we’ve had in two years! The last time we played locally, we opened for The Killjoys at the same killer venue.
This time around, we’re sharing the bill with Howlin’ Circle and Baby’s First Pistol. All ages are welcome. It’s a $5 cover and doors open at 8:00 pm.
Q. In addition to your musical endeavours, are you involved with any other arts organizations or activities in the London community?
I’m part of several fun meetup groups that take part in everything from hiking to board games. You’ll also see me, of course, attending concerts supporting my fellow locals.
Q. What do you do for fun/leisure when you’re not performing and/or recording?
Apparently, attempt to be witty while answering interview questions. Just kidding! I love action movies, rollerblading, and drag racing my Camaro – not necessarily in that order.
Q. Is there anything else you think our readers should know about RCP the musician and RCP the individual?
If there is, it’s probably well-documented on my website www.rosecoraperry.com, but if anyone has a burning question for me, they are absolutely always welcome to reach out.
I love connecting with fellow musicians and fans, and I appreciate all of you wonderful people for reading this fun interview.
Q. Just one last question. Do you ever smile in your promo pics?
Why would I do something silly like that when I have such a glorious, sultry pout?
The Beat Magazine 2025 