Orchestra London Canada has been sharing the magic of live orchestral music for more than 60 years. Under the direction of Music Director Alain Trudel, Orchestra London currently offers six series, ranging from the classical Masterworks and Cathedral Series  to the popular styles of the Red Hot Weekends (rock) and Pops (Broadway/Big Band). 

In fact, the popular Red Hot Weekends have become London’s hottest ticket! Here’s a look at their lineup for the 2012-13 season: 

October 12 & 13

Barenaked Ladies

Multi-platinum album sales, Grammy nominees, multiple Juno winners ... the Barenaked Ladies make their Orchestra London debut at this not-to-be missed season opener. BNL will pair their eclectic mix of folk and pop/rock with Orchestra London for an unforgettable night of red hot music.

November 9 & 10

Chantal Kreviazuk

Two-time Juno Award winning, singer-songwriter and pianist Chantal Kreviazuk, known for her hits “Surrounded,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Feels Like Home,” makes her Orchestra London debut! Alain Trudel conducts.

December 14 & 15

Christmas Memories

The magic of the season comes alive as Juno nominee Jim Witter and his amazing band ring in the holidays with Christmas favorites. The sights and sounds of the season will have you smiling and singing along at this seasonal show, perfect for families.

January 18 & 19, 2013

Feeling Groovy: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel

Juno-nominated piano man and songwriter Jim Witter and friends take the stage to pay tribute to the ’60s and the rich music of Simon & Garfunkel. Let this incredible performance take you back to the golden age of music.

February 15 & 16, 2013

Alex Cuba

Grammy-nominated and Juno award-winning singer Alex Cuba takes center stage alongside conductor David Martin and Orchestra London for an explosive evening of funk, rock and samba. 

March 22 & 23, 2013

The Long & Winding Road: The Music of The Beatles

Orchestra London, Jim Witter and friends are your tour guides on this “Magical Mystery Tour” into the minds of the legendary creators behind the Beatles biggest hits, including “Backbird,” “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be.” Enjoy the ride!

April 19 & 20, 2013

The Piano Men: The Music of Elton John & Billy Joel

Join Maestro Alain Trudel, Orchestra London and Jim Witter at the grand piano for a musical journey through the ’70s at this memorable salute to two of the most popular contemporary songwriters.

For more information, visit www.orchestralondon.ca or call (519) 679-8778. For assistance planning a getaway to nearby London, please visit www.londontourism.ca.

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The Solar Tree at Tourism London is funded by an Ontario Power Authority microFITcontract.

The electricity the system generates will provide revenue to pay for the project over the life of the contract. As a result, there will be no net cost to London taxpayers for this solar power installation. Solar power projects reduce the need to generate electricity from burning coal, which reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Placing the solar panels at Tourism London provides the public with an opportunity to learn more about renewable energy through an information centre to be set up at the Tourism London office.

The Solar Tree is designed in the image of the City logo; a visual landmark to highlight this clean, renewable energy project. The solar project will be highly visible from both directions on Wellington Rd.

Statistics:

• It is a 8.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic, ground-mounted system
• 3 pole mounted arrays (about 8 kWs) plus one unique, solar tree  (about 0.5 kWs)
• Solar Tree is 7 meters (23 feet) tall, has 27 leaves, each producing power
• The system will generate 10,000 kWh’s per year, about ½ of the annual electricity needs for the Tourism London building at 696 Wellington Rd.  (When the sun is shining, these panels could power up to 7 homes)
• Cost of project: $160,000
• Expected revenue: $165,000 over the 20-year contract
• The system will offset up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year from coal-fired power plants

 
For more information:
Sean Russell, P.Eng.
City of London - Corporate Energy Management
srussell@london.ca
Office:      519.661.2500 ext. 5695
Mobile:  519.200.5958   

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Virtually unchanged since the last century, Eldon House is London's oldest residence and contains family heirlooms, furnishings and priceless treasures of the Harris family as well as a beautiful 19th century-style garden. Built in 1834 for John and Amelia Harris, this historic home remained in the family until 1960 when it was donated to the City of London. The house and its gardens remain a place of beauty and tranquility.

Architecturally, Eldon House was influenced by the Georgian and Regency styles of the early 19th century. Many of the decorative objects found in Eldon House were brought home from the Harris family’s numerous trips to places all over the world. In fact, a large number of pieces remain from the world tour the family took over an eight-month period beginning in the fall of 1897. Travelling to Victoria, they set sail in the steamer Empress of India, landing at Yokohama. From there they toured many sites in Japan and then went on to China, India, the Middle East, Egypt, Europe and England. 

Originally, Eldon House sat on 11 acres of land that extended to the north and west to the river banks and were richly adorned with a variety of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers. When the Harris family donated the house and lands to the Cty of London in 1960, the property became know as Harris Park. 

From the early days, the steep bank facing the rivers was terraced to make the flats and river bank more accessible. Today, visitors can see the remnants of those paths. 

Eldon House is located at 481 Ridout St. For additional information, please visit www.eldonhouse.ca or call (519) 661-0333.

(Copy courtesy of Joe Kirchmyer/Kirchmyer Media, and Eldon House. Joe can be reached at jkirchmyer@verizon.net.)

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