Big Band

A fundraiser supporting El Sistema Aeolian Children's Music program and the charitable work of the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park.

Saturday, November 1st, 2025

Main Floor Seating: $125 per person (tables of 4 & tables of 8); includes 2 cocktails & charcuterie

Balcony Seating: $60 per person; concert & dancing only

Big Bandemic welcomes you back the days of Wonderland Gardens!

An afternoon of big band swing featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and more!

Big Band is back! In the 30’s 40’s and 50’s Big Band music was extremely popular!  Remember names like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw and many others? Those bands were know for toe tapping, recognizable music. Tunes like “In The Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and “Tuxedo Junction?”  were on the hit parade.

If you liked this style of music, BIG BAND IS BACK!  If you’ve never heard this style of music you’re in for a treat!

Big Bandemic has performed many times in the past few years at Aeolian.  One could say they are the “house band” for the hall!

Mark Payne is an accomplished pianist, and performer.  He is currently the Music Director at Victoria Playhouse.  Mark’s well know show “I Love A Piano” is now “I Love A Big Band!”  Mark will not only perform standard Big Band era tunes, but he will also croon in the style of Harry Connick Junior and Frank Sinatra.  If you like Billy Joel, Elton John, and other more modern stars you will enjoy hearing Mark perform with a Big Band backing him!

This show is 2 days after Valentines Day, so why not celebrate with your significant other at this special event.  Put your dancing shoes on! (there will be room in the hall to dance during our show!).

Tickets are $200.00 for a reserved table of 4, or $45.00 for individual seats.

Rotary Club of London Hyde Park and Aeolian Hall present the Cocktails and Classics Gala Fundraiser.

A fundraiser supporting El Sistema Aeolian Children's Music Program and the charitable work of the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park.

Entertainment: El Sistema Aeolian Orchestra, The Big Bandemic, The Crooners Rick Kish & Connor Boa

Dress: Semi-Formal

TICKET INFORMATION

Cabaret Seating: 120 seats on the main floor (tables of 8 and 4). $100 per person, includes two cocktails and charcuterie.

Balcony Seating: 60 seats. $60 per person, concert and dancing only.

For tickets, please call the Aeolian Hall Box Office at 519-672-7950. View Seating Map Here

THIS EVENT IS PART OF AEOLIAN JAZZ & MUSICAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2024! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

With the start of the pandemic in early 2020, all live wind-instrument playing stopped. By the end of the year, musicians were restless to find a place to play, so Karl Hermann and John Thompson started a group that used the Internet to allow people to play together, but from home. The musicians could hear and see each other online. What to call the Group?  Big Bandemic — what else?

The online sessions were chaotic, especially because of the inherent delays in Internet technology.  But the musicians persisted, and Big Bandemic held eighteen sessions in the first half of 2021.

With the re-opening of the country in 2021, the band quickly moved to regular Monday evening sessions at the Lambeth Legion. The arrangement included physical distancing and masks when not playing. Big Bandemic rehearses weekly at the Lambeth Legion and helps them out with some fundraising concerts each year.  In June 2022, the band participated in the inaugural Aeolian Jazz Festival and continues to perform to sold out crowds in Southwestern Ontario.

The 17-piece big band grew out of necessity because of the pandemic, but we plan to play together for as long as the musicians enjoy the experience.

With the start of the pandemic in early 2020, all live wind-instrument playing stopped. By the end of the year, musicians were restless to find a place to play, so Karl Hermann and John Thompson started a group that used the Internet to allow people to play together, but from home. The musicians could hear and see each other online. What to call the Group?  Big Bandemic — what else?

The online sessions were chaotic, especially because of the inherent delays in Internet technology.  But the musicians persisted, and Big Bandemic held eighteen sessions in the first half of 2021.

With the re-opening of the country in 2021, the band quickly moved to regular Monday evening sessions at the Lambeth Legion. The arrangement included physical distancing and masks when not playing. Big Bandemic rehearses weekly at the Lambeth Legion and helps them out with some fundraising concerts each year.  In June 2022, the band participated in the inaugural Aeolian Jazz Festival and continues to perform to sold out crowds in Southwestern Ontario.

The 17-piece big band grew out of necessity because of the pandemic, but we plan to play together for as long as the musicians enjoy the experience.

With the start of the pandemic in early 2020, all live wind-instrument playing stopped. By the end of the year, musicians were restless to find a place to play, so Karl Hermann and John Thompson started a group that used the Internet to allow people to play together, but from home. The musicians could hear and see each other online. What to call the Group?  Big Bandemic — what else?

The online sessions were chaotic, especially because of the inherent delays in Internet technology.  But the musicians persisted, and Big Bandemic held eighteen sessions in the first half of 2021.

With the re-opening of the country in 2021, the band quickly moved to regular Monday eveningsessions at the Lambeth Legion. The arrangement included physical distancing and masks when not playing. Big Bandemic has since held forty-six two-hour rehearsals at the legion and has performed three free concerts at the Lambeth Legion.  In June 2022, the band participated in the inaugural Aeolian Jazz Festival.

The 17-piece big band grew out of necessity because of the pandemic, but we plan to play together for as long as the musicians enjoy the experience.

Formed by trombonist Seth McNall, this band is made up of the the BEST players in the London area playing New Age, Funk, Rock and Jazz in a big band format.  From finesse to fire - we have it all.

This concert will showcase the complete Nutcracker suite arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn as well as holiday classics featuring vocalist Hilary Welch.

Welcome to the Aeolian Phoenix Sessions

The Aeolian Phoenix Sessions take centre stage... in the comfort of your own home. Every month we premier at least four productions recorded at Aeolian's studios or in the artist's home. The Aeolian Phoenix Sessions are intended to provide patrons with a cross-section of the music going experience. From classical to jazz, rock to country, and bluegrass to folk, the Sessions aim to bring music back into your home and heart. Interested in one show only? Trust us: you'll like what you see. Try the Phoenix Sessions all month and experience a few productions that you might never have seen in person. Our goal was to reignite live music and get artists on stage, technicians behind the soundboard and our patrons on their feet listening to extraordinary talent in extraordinary times.

Terms and Conditions

Membership to the Phoenix Sessions is $20 per month (automatically recurring) and you select the productions you wish to enjoy. Though membership renews automatically, patrons must validate their membership number every month to receive an access code for each new set of productions by email. This process is not automatic. Patrons will receive their first access code immediately upon registration. An access code is only good for one calendar month. Validation instructions are contained in the Membership tab on this page, in our weekly newsletter and in the monthly rollover announcement sent by the Aeolian Box Office. We do not have a multi-viewer pass. If you plan to safely watch with friends or family, please consider donating to further offset the costs associated with these productions. Tickets to individual productions are not available. If you do not intend to subscribe for longer than one month, refunds will not be provided to patrons who forget to cancel their membership or who have not read the terms and conditions: membership renewal is automatic every 30 days. This information is noted on every ticketing page, on event pages and marketing, on event posters and in our weekly newsletter. It is important to read information carefully before joining so as to not misunderstand how membership works. Upon registration and after monthly validation, you will receive a confirmation email including a link that you will use each time you wish to view a performance. Save that link… or follow instructions at www.aeolianhall.ca/phoenix to receive it again. Shows will be available on the date and time specified on Aeolian's website. PRODUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO WEEKS AFTER PREMIER. IF YOU ARE PURCHASING MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE MONTH BEGINS, YOU WILL BE BILLED EVERY 30 DAYS AS A RECURRING MEMBER. IF YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY INTERESTED IN AN INDIVIDUAL MONTH, PLEASE PURCHASE  YOUR PASS ON FIRST OF THE MONTH. Payment is final. No refunds will be offered.

Rick has been working as an independent music & theatre professional in various capacities since proudly graduating with his BFA from the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art. Rick received his Masters degree from UWO's, Don Wright Faculty of Music in Literature & Performance with a focus in Music Theatre. He is a member in good standing of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association (CAEA). In 2020 Rick was nominated 2020 Jazz Vocalist of this year - the same award he  received in 2019 (Jazz Vocalist of the Year Award) through the Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA). Several projects he's led have received Brickenden Awards - Vigil, Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens & The Secret Garden. Fringe Festival Awards include JUDY: Stonewalled!, Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens. He is also a proud LAC Community Investment Grant Investment recipient. He has worked as an artistic director, producer, director, actor, singer, voice teacher/coach, acting teacher/coach & workshop leader. Scroll down for full list of awards below...

He served as Artistic Director at The Port Stanley Festival Theatre in Port Stanley, ON, and at The Bluewater Summer Playhouse in Kincardine, ON. Rick created the professionally engaging (CAEA) theatre company in London, ON, a missing link theatre company (amltc). In its two seasons amltc staged JUDY: Stonewalled! (Outstanding Cast Award - London Fringe 2014), Billy Bishop Goes To War, A Really RETRO Christmas Special - 2014, 2013 & 2012, VIGIL (2013 Brickenden Award Winner - Outstanding Comedy & Actress), The World Premiere Production of  Norm Foster's The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby & A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.

Rick is the Artistic Director of LINK theatre which began in December of 2015 with a really Retro CROONER Christmas. The show has become an annual production. In 2019 the show toured the Province of Ontario. The Crooners visited Huron Country Playhouse, Drayton Festival Theatre, Meaford Performing Arts, to name a few… In 2020, due to Covid, they had only two live performances - December 5th and 12th at Paradigm Spirits at 100 Kellogg Lane – a stripped down version of the show, An Intimate Crooner Christmas (Check out LINK theatre's page for information - www.linktheatre.ca). In 2017 LINK staged the OUTRAGEOUS musical comedy Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens. Due to being wildly popular with audiences, it was remounted in 2018... Both productions were presented in The TABU Lounge at Jack's on Richmond Street in London.

Some favourite acting credits include: Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, JUDY: Stonewalled!, The Rocky Horror Show, Songs From The Bar... and one more for the road , My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, The Wild Guys, Toronto, Mississippi and Side By Side By Sondheim.

Some favourite directing credits include: The Secret Garden: A Musical, JUDY: Stonewalled!, Billy Bishop Goes To War, Vigil, the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster's The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline for amltc, Hedwig & The Angry Inch for the London Fringe festival 2012, Wang Dang Doodle for the Grand Theatre in London, Steel Magnolias for the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art, Sweeney Todd for the University of Western Ontario, Mary’s Wedding, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, The Wild Guys, Suds: The Rocking ‘60’s Musical Soap Opera & Forever Plaid & the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster's Storm Warning for The Bluewater Summer Playhouse, Maggie's Getting Married, Pith, You'll Get Used To It! The War Show & Bordertown Café for the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.

Rick has created, produced and performed in a variety of Jazz/Swing/Musical Theatre themed shows such as the a really Retro CROONER Christmas show, a Really RETRO Specials, Songs From The Bar ...and one more for the road, From Broadway to Jazz..., A Holiday Celebration of Jazz..., Broadway Lights & Hot Summer Nights, A New Years Eve Celebration of Swing…, The Gangsters of Swing & What Happens In Vegas… Other projects are currently in the works…

In the past several years Rick has been very involved in many youth mentorship initiatives at the Grand Theatre in London. For 10 years Rick worked as Vocal/Singing Coach on The Highschool Project; Les Miserables (2016), Hello Dolly, The Addams Family: A New Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Footloose, Anything Goes, Grease, The Pirates of Penzance & Les Miserables (2007). As well as ongoing work with The Grand Academy as the acting coach & voice through Broadway Songs instructor.

For the past several years now, Rick has been adjudicating with the RISE 2 FAME Youth Talent Search with contestants from across Southwestern Ontario. He has taught acting at both Fanshawe College in the Acting Program as well as UWO's Continuing Studies and the Don Wright Faculty of Music Master's Program.

Rick teaches Singing & Acting from his home Studio in London, ON.

Join us for A Taste of Sinatra “My Funny Valentine” a look at the great songbook of the legendary, Frank Sinatra!

The Jazzman Band 7 piece orchestra is lead by award winning frontman, Scott Bollert and features music conductor/keyboardist John Brocksom.  The group celebrates the unique styling’s of the iconic crooner with many of the recognizable hit after hits such as New York, New York, That’s Life and My Way!

A must see show that is great for all the ages with timeless music don’t miss out, get your tickets today!