Fundraisers

No stranger to the stage, or the pulpit, Rev. Matthew Martin has been an Anglican priest for eight years and has been impersonating Elvis since before he was six. A true performer, Martin was the headliner in the Drayton Entertainment production of Blue Suede Shoes in 2012, and was named the Grand Champion, of the non-professional category in 2010 for his tribute of the King of Rock and Roll in Collingwood, Ontario.

Martin finds his true passion however, in celebrating the King of Kings. Martin spends his vocation as Director of Mission at Luke's Place working with UWO Students, St. Luke’s Worshipping Community preaching the Gospel and as Associate Priest and Director of Community Engagement at St Aidan’s in London.

Although the pandemic has paused live performances, Martin is back and performing charitable concerts in and around London. Martin’s voice always captivates - whether he is singing a century-old religious hymn, a touching Christmas carol or an upbeat rock song, you can clearly see his soul in every performance.

Matt volunteers each year as the spiritual director at Camp Wendake, a camp for people living with HIV/AIDS. He has decided to dedicate his talent in support of Camp Wendake. All proceeds from this evening go to the camp.

Camp Wendake is a one-week residential camp program for people living with HIV, their families and caregivers. Camp Wendake is an amazing contradiction! People gather because of a common health concern but find freedom from focusing upon the disease for a brief time and find an opportunity to celebrate life in a community where HIV/AIDS in the norm. People may choose to attend camp in order to learn and share more about coping with their overall health and social issues. Or they may come for the rest and refreshment of a caring and understanding community.

Join us for a very special Valentine's Day with Yuri Pool (of The McCartney Years), an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge!

Your ticket includes a complimentary glass of champagne, light hors d'oeuvres and a keepsake photo with "Paul & Linda!"

VALENTINE'S DAY WITH YURI POOL
Friday, February 14, 2020
8:00pm (Doors at 7:00pm)
$50 (+Eventbrite fee)
Limited tickets available.

This concert is part of our Aeolian Heritage Series that happen throughout the year and features some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

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YURI POOL (of The McCartney Years)

Lead singer and performer, Yuri Pool, began his epic musical journey as a little boy in Holland, listening to his dad’s treasured Beatles and Wings records and subsequently requesting a guitar for his 11thbirthday. Completely self-taught, Yuri made his professional musical debut in the UK, when he was cast in a major theatrical Beatles music production that toured the world, which allowed him to learn, experience, and perfect the nuances of Paul McCartney’s legendary music and performance style. After migrating to Canada in 2007, Yuri embarked as an entrepreneur – he single-handedly developed The McCartney Years into a period-true, technically stunning, and sonically explosive production. Whether he’s playing the iconic 1960’s Höfner bass or emulating the same wardrobe from the “Wings over America” mid-70s tour, Yuri is true to Sir Paul’s vocal stylings and presentation showcased in tracks like ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘Let it Be’, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ and ‘Jet’. His commitment to 100% live and accurate reproductions of McCartney’s concert experience and his tireless, passionate work creating and expanding TMY has received accolades from Wings guitarist, Denny Laine, and was famously praised by Beatles promoter, Sid Bernstein, as “the best on the scene today…” Yuri continues to dedicate all his work and time solely to TMY – meticulously studying the detailed essence of Paul’s legacy and the journey that resulted in the brilliance of Rockshow, which has set a new and undeniable precedence for all the other tribute-and-beyond bands of today.

Please consider giving to El Sistema Aeolian today in honour of #GivingTuesday!

From GivingTuesday.ca:

GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Black Friday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for GivingTuesday.

GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners - nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals - to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness. Across Canada and around the world, GivingTuesday unites communities by sharing our capacity to care for and empower one another.

About El Sistema Aeolian:

El Sistema Aeolian is a free, intensive after-school music program based on a program founded in Venezuela in 1975. Each El Sistema program is free to adapt its delivery in a way that is unique to its community, resources and participants. The initiative has grown to include programs in over 80 countries and has won TED, UNESCO and Glenn Gould Awards.

The Aeolian Hall Musical Arts Association launched El Sistema Aeolian in November of 2011, serving 20 children in the pilot project. In its early days youth from the Old East Village Community and in particular Lorne Avenue Public School were first offered the opportunity to participate in this program but it has now expanded to include participants from different areas, groups, and organizations throughout our City of London. There are now 100 spots offered in the program for the 2017-2018 school year.

The Aeolian’s El Sistema is the 4th launched in Canada, is supported by a gifted group of musicians, educators, students, interested community members and the Staff/Directors of the Aeolian and it is built on a set of values and principles and not a homogenized curriculum. On April 2015 The Mayor of the City of London gave El Sistema Aeolian a Pillar Award in recognition for its outstanding community impact.

www.aeolianhall.ca/donate

The Beckett Project presents, Shut the Front Door Improv , a hilarious troupe dedicated to performance, teaching, development, and the promotion of improvisational theatre. They bring awareness to a variety of local charitable organizations while mentoring and creating strong improvisers within the community.

On April 26th, 2018 Beckett Smith chose to leave this world. He was a funny, gentle and brilliant young man with a bright future ahead of him. Wise beyond his years, he had accomplished much in his short time with us. Beckett was passionate about technology, especially robotics and was dedicated to mentoring and teaching others. He believed people deserved to be treated respectfully and not judged for their beliefs. To honor his memory we created The Beckett Project. Its purpose is to sponsor and aid local educational and community initiatives that reflect Beckett’s passions and ideals.

Another passion of Beckett’s was animals. In honor of this, our 2019 beneficiary of choice is National Service Dogs, a Non - Profit Organization that empowers people to achieve their full potential with strategically trained and certified service dogs. Together we can help sponsor a CAI (Facility) Service Dog that will be placed within the London community.

Our event will begin at 7pm with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar while you browse the raffle table and learn more about National Service Dogs. At 8PM we will sit to enjoy the hilarity!

www.thebeckettproject.ca

www.nsd.on.ca

Join us on Sunday, March 8th for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Laurraine Sigouin with Steve Holowitz on piano & Paul Stevenson on trumpet!

The Aeolian Heritage Series happens on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and will feature some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

Sunday, March 8, 2020
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
2pm (Doors at 1:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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LAURRAINE SIGOUIN

Laurraine Sigouin has appeared as a singer at Maggie's, Aeolian Hall, Restaurant Ninety One, London Music Club, Jazz by the Bog, London Jazz Society, and at the long-standing "Jazz for the People" concert series. She is a proud member of the wonderful vocal ensemble Mosaic, which has performed at the Home County Folk Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Along with Jake Levesque, she founded Enchanté which has been serving up a bilingual mix of jazz and other styles of music to London area audiences since 2004. Their motto is “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”, which is French for “Let the good times roll!”. She also performs with LP Soul, a collective of soul-loving musicians who are passionate about creating a musical experience that moves and grooves.

Laurraine is thrilled to have Steve Holowitz joining her at the piano, and Paul Stevenson on the trumpet for an exciting afternoon of music. Each of these three is a dynamic, seasoned performer, and together — well, just watch the sparks fly!

Join us on Sunday, November 10th for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Julia Haggarty!

The Aeolian Heritage Series happens on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and will feature some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

Sunday, November 10th, 2019
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
2pm (Doors at 1:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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Julia Haggarty was born with music inside her. She’s the girl who could whistle before she could walk, and as the first-born to parents with no musical background or industry experience, they took note and started giving her opportunities to learn. When questioned, Haggarty responded, “I was so young, I didn’t know I could really do something with it. I never had a family member or anyone in my life pursue a career in the music industry so I didn’t even know there was a music industry! I just knew I loved it, and I sought it out wherever I could. But I always loved singing the most.”

Flash forward to today, and those years of piano, guitar and voice lessons, couples with years performing in competitive choir and orchestra that took her around the world, Julia is a seasoned performer with a strong moral and musical foundation. During her studies at Western University (BMus Hon. Voice Performance, ArtDp Voice Performance) this artist took time to explore her options. “Even though I’d had all these years of experience, my eyes were really just starting to open to the realm of possibilities”, she says. “My training was very formal and traditional, and there was a type of freedom I felt when I brought my focus to original music. Suddenly I wasn’t just a voice — I had a voice.” Haggarty is a founding member of the internationally-renowned a cappella group Six Vocal Ensemble (Six), with whom she sang lead and toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe and South Korea, focusing on arena shows and giving presentations and workshops at elementary and secondary schools. Six recorded two albums, the first nominated for 6 CARA awards and the second album winning folk album of the year (2015.) Julia recalls, “It was a bittersweet win as some of the members were starting to look at other careers. It was hard for me to celebrate knowing that the group was ending. I didn’t know exactly what I would do next, but I knew it would be music. It’s always been music.” Haggarty released her first self-funded EP “Day One” in 2015.

Join us on Sunday, October 27th for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Gina Farrugia & Peter Karle!

The Aeolian Heritage Series happens on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and will feature some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

Sunday, October 27th, 2019
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
2pm (Doors at 1:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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Peter is an old soul - Gina is a young spirit at heart, so they never had to compromise - they just balance each other.

They first worked together in an 18 piece big band -  both love all kinds of music, love to share and enjoy teaching.  They decided to adopt each other and spend a lot of time rehearsing and experimenting with new tunes and styles, swapping cds, drinking really good coffee and just being goofy.

Peter is a Kenora boy whose jazz inspired Radiohead, Sting and Miles show sold out Aeolian Hall.  He always has a new project on the go including stage work like playing for Jesus Christ Superstar and Funhome in between all his gig work with Julia Haggarty and his funk band project.  Gina’s made music everywhere-everything from singing standards with a jazz quartet in Hamburg, playing electro violin in a a bunch of rock bands and Great Gigging it with a Pink Floyd Tribute band.

Join us on Sunday, October 6th for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Alexandra Kane!

The Aeolian Heritage Series happens on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and will feature some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

Sunday, October 6th, 2019
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
2pm (Doors at 1:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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ALEXANDRA KANE

Owner of AK Arts Academy, a performing arts studio specializing in music dance and drama lessons, courses and workshops, Alexandra is a well rounded and experienced performing artist and instructor. She’s directed and produced several plays and musicals, including her own 2 Christian based musicals What He Did and He is Born. Upcoming, she is the musical director for The Little Mermaid at Palace Theatre, directing and producing Shelter, a tv series for kids.

Join us on Sunday, September 29th for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Fraser Teeple!

The Aeolian Heritage Series happens on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and will feature some amazing local performers from a variety of musical genres!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for the heritage restoration of The Aeolian and Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.

Sunday, September 29th, 2019
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
2pm (Doors at 1:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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FRASER TEEPLE

Fraser Teeple has slowly built a catalogue of musical work that stands as an underground gem in the Canadian music scene. His economy and sensitivity as a songwriter evoke a young northern Springsteen, with a textured voice that can cut through an east end dive bar or soulfully creak out a heart-breaker to a still concert hall. Fraser approaches his songwriting craft like a tradesman: he respects the strong tradition he stands within, and works carefully and with dedication to master the simple skills of telling a story, creating an image, or crafting a melody. He has apprenticed in bars, coffee shops, and concert halls across Canada and Europe — and has become a soundtrack for driving down a dirt road, renovating a house, and burning driftwood on a northern beach.

Join us on Thursday, August 22nd for an intimate concert in The Aeolian's Dave Southen Lounge, featuring the incredible Ming Wong!

These concerts are being held to help raise money for some much needed stage repairs, as we get ready to launch our 2019-2020 season!

Save Our Stage Concert Series: Ming Wong
Thursday, August 22nd
Dave Southen Lounge, Aeolian Hall
7pm (Doors at 6:30pm)
$20 + Eventbrite Fee

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MING WONG

Born in 1991 in Ottawa, Canada, Ming Wong began playing piano at the age of 5 and subsequently studied with Clark Bryan in London, Canada.

Having first obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, he then pursued a Master’s in Piano Performance at the University of Western Ontario under the guidance of Dr. John Hess. He is currently a student at the Rachmaninov Academy in Catania studying with Professors Violetta Egorova and Epifanio Comis. From the fall of 2009, he will also began studying with Dr. Jean Saulnier at the Universite de Montreal. Working with pianist Cecile Ousset has also played an important role in his artistic development.

He has performed and won awards in festivals from a young age and has played in masterclasses of artists such as Matti Raekallio, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Eduardo Delgado, IIana Vered, Sara Buechner.

He has given performances in Canada, US, France and Italy and performance highlights include Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto with the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Uri Segal.