'Twas a Grand finale to year
JAN. 9; JAN. 20-FEB. 7: The Grand Theatre recently wrapped up its top show of the 2008, A Christmas Carol, which brought in 26,000 patrons to see the adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic.
Time to recycle that tree
TILL JAN. 9: When you are tired of looking at your natural Christmas tree and ready to pitch it, remember to recycle.
A gala fit for a presidentJAN. 20: You won't have to leave London next month to dance and drink the night away as Barack Obama becomes the 44th U.S. president.Full Story
Festivals
Sunfest's concerts span globe
2008-2009: A few months after filling Victoria Park in early July, Sunfest kicks into its off-season with concerts bringing the sounds of Greece, Chile and Canadian-grown electronica and flamenco guitar to London.
City cited in fest failures
2009: Some of the responsibility for a series of festival failures in London rests at city hall, tourism operators charge.
Rib-Fest sponsor sought
2009: The City of London is scrambling to fill the giant hole in the city's downtown entertainment lineup created by the loss of Rib-Fest, one of the big three summer festivals.
THE CITY: Food bank arts classes feeding young minds
TILL APRIL: A lot of people think the arts are elitist, and that in tough times like these we can't afford to "waste" money on stuff like music, dance and drama.
Stratford Festival
Festival determined to rebound
2009: The Stratford Shakespeare Festival will try to woo more Canadians to its theatres next season as it looks to rebound from a financially troubling 2008.
Videos
Holiday Fun at Boler Mountain
The London Ski Club sees first timers and experienced skiiers and snowboarders over the Holiday Season.
Reaney's Picks
Free Press entertainment reporter James Reaney looks at some upcoming events of interest in a special holiday episode of Reaney's Picks.
Reaney's Picks
Free Press entertainment reporter James Reaney looks at some upcoming events of interest in the world of London A&E.
Reaney's Picks
Free Press entertainment reporter James Reaney looks at some upcoming events of interest in the world London A&E.
Rise Up My Beloved
Free Press entertainment reporter Kathy Rumleski sits down to talk to Sonia Gwen Crane about her new book, "Rise Up My Beloved."
Jane Carmichael Releases New CD
London singer/songwriter Jane Carmichael plays a couple of songs from her new CD, "One Sided".
Around the Town
Book Launch Bash
Anita McCallum launched her new book on the London Police Boys Band - Boys to Men - at the Kiwanis Seniors Community Centre. The band, started in 1943 as a way to help young boys whose fathers were at war to stay out of trouble, was sponsored by the London police force.
Salvation Army Festival of Carol
The Salvation Army held its Festival of Carols at Centennial Hall. Members of the London Citadel Band were bustling backstage before hitting the stage and we grabbed a few shots of some of the musicians.
Christmas Eve Levee
Three hundred people were invited to the annual Christmas Levee hosted by the London Police Service and the London Police Association on Tuesday at Labatt's Amber Lounge.
Turkey Bowl
Harrison Pensa law firm held its annual Turkey Bowl in support of Lawyers Feed The Hungry on Thursday at Jim Bob Rays. The client and staff party was expected to raise enough money to purchase 400 turkeys for a variety of local charities.
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
Dinner hosted by The Royal Canadian Regimental Museum on November 26 at the Four Points Sheraton. The event was part of the regiment's 125th anniversary celebrations.
Sunshine Foundation
The organization held its Big Dream Breakfast at the Lamplighter Inn to honour Londoner Wayne Dunn's longtime support.
Guts on Ice
The Guts on Ice fundraiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation was held at the John Labatt Centre last week.
On the Boards
'Twas a Grand finale to year
JAN. 9; JAN. 20-FEB. 7: The Grand Theatre recently wrapped up its top show of the 2008, A Christmas Carol, which brought in 26,000 patrons to see the adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic.
Broadway shows barrel into Forest City
TILL JULY 9, 2009: The Broadway in London series brings touring musical comedies, dance spectacles, Billy Joel songs and more to stages here next season.
Truscott play leads in surplus of $175,633
2009 SEASON: The Blyth Festival enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in its 34-year history, announcing a surplus of $175,633 for 2008.
Truscott's tale attracts crowds to theatre
SEPT. 8-19, 2009: The popularity of the world premiere of Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott, staged at the Blyth Festival last summer, means it will be revived for the 2009 season.
Sports
Sports dinner keeps it light
JAN. 19: Collin Halfday gave literal meaning to his family name yesterday by cutting morning classes at Saunders secondary school.
Olympic launching pad
JAN. 13-17, 2010: London has landed the Canadian figure skating championships for the second time in five years. But unlike 2005, it won't only be about crowning national champions.
The Music File
Mighty Wind meets wordplay
JAN. 21, MAY 5: The three London classical musicians who play together as TriofuS start a new venture tonight.
Pair to play London in February
FEB. 9, 26: There's a classy Canadian singer-songwriter and a California-based Canuck comic set to warm up London in February.
Crystal Shawanda joins the U.S. superstar
FEB. 12: As we've been saying for weeks, U.S. country superstar Brad Paisley is coming to the John Labatt Centre on Feb. 12.
Concert schedule filling up, looking fine for 2009
TILL JULY 19: Country singers in Sarnia, a sultry Stratford singer and another hit of Trailer Park Boys are among the recent concert announcements in the London region.
What's Up
Hundreds urge Canada to denounce violence
JAN. 4: On a day marked by a mass protest at Victoria Park, London Muslim leaders urged Canada yesterday to demand an "immediate ceasefire" to violence in Gaza and restore humanitarian aid to the densely-populated strip.
Time to recycle that tree
TILL JAN. 9: When you are tired of looking at your natural Christmas tree and ready to pitch it, remember to recycle.
Barfoot's Exit Lines touted
JAN. 14, FEB. 11, MAR. 11: London writer Joan Barfoot is back as a contender in the 2008-2009 edition of a top local literary program.
A gala fit for a president
JAN. 20: You won't have to leave London next month to dance and drink the night away as Barack Obama becomes the 44th U.S. president.
MY LONDON: Dance Hall Daze heavenly mix
TILL JAN. 18: Thanks to Maya Hirschman and a strong supporting cast, there's a make-believe ballroom at Museum London's Lawson Family gallery.
Artist underlines roots in London
TILL JAN. 25: For more than three decades, Londoner Ted Goodden has explored his local environment through his art.
