Enjoy an afternoon of history and jazz.
Join musical artist Denise Pelley and accompanist Stephen Holowitz in a lecture-and-listen series about Famous Black Canadians. Denise powerfully interweaves biographical stories with a selection of jazz music inspired by her tales. Their sixth edition of this performance is dedicated to Rose Fortune, Loyalist and Canada's first female police officer, as well as hockey player Herb Carnegie.
About the Artists
Denise Pelley is an acclaimed jazz vocalist. Her many distinctions include the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, as well as multiple Best Jazz Artist Awards at the London, Ontario’s Music Awards. She is an inductee into the London Music Hall of Fame, and has performed with and opened for numerous celebrated artists, including Ray Anderson, Jackie Richardson, Jesse Cook and Aretha Franklin.
Stephen Holowitz is Director of Music at St. James Westminster Anglican Church in London, Ontario. He is a seasoned music educator, having recently retired after teaching music at A.B. Lucas S.S. for over thirty years. Stephen can often be heard performing alongside Paul Stevenson and with the contemporary folk group Celtic Shift.
Venue
The performance takes place inside the restored African Methodist Episcopal Church. Between 1848 and 1869, this building served London’s Black community as a place to gather and worship. It also became a safe haven for many who fled enslavement in the United States by way of the Underground Railroad.
Make It A Day
Tickets to the performance also include admission to the Heritage Village, which is open from 10 AM - 4 PM. Come explore 25+ Heritage Buildings spanning the period of 1820-1920.
Ticketing
Tickets cost $20 + taxes & Eventbrite fees
To secure your spot and to get all the details, head to: https://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca/events/stories-and-song-september-27-2026
