Open House Arts Collective
Encyclopedia
The Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario
. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House. Its goal is to "motivate, support, and inspire" the London arts community through creative events.
.
Many of the founding members currently attend or graduated from secondary and post secondary school in London, Ontario including Fanshawe College
, University of Western Ontario
and H. B. Beal Secondary School
in the BealArt program. The organization is recognized by the City of London Arts Council and the Ontario Nonprofit Network.
, Call the Office, the Yale Speakeasy, the Black Shire Pub, Colborne Street United Church, the East Village Arts Co-op, Forest City Gallery, Chaucer's Pub, Pandemic Nightclub and others with artists from the London area and abroad, including bands from across Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Open House organized and promoted a White Album Tribute Show at the London Music Club as the Viking Swimmers of 1926. The organization also partnered with the Grand Theatre, Ontario
to promote theatre productions. The group is involved with a public art project at the University of Western Ontario with the University Students' Council, including curating a public art space. The group organized a musical performance for Doors Open London's 2009 launch.
and other provinces.
operated in association with the Open House Arts Collective. The label supports independent London musicians.
The first official release by the Open House Recording Co. was OH! Compilation One (OH001) a compilation album of 12 London-based bands and musicians on March 21, 2009. The label was also responsible for the reissue of Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
' EP Papillonette.
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House. Its goal is to "motivate, support, and inspire" the London arts community through creative events.
History
The Open House Arts Collective was formed in 2008 by several groups in London, including the Viking Swimmers of 1926, a previous arts collective; the Yale Speakeasy, a local music venue; and local musicians, including several members of Olenka and the Autumn LoversOlenka and the Autumn Lovers
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers are an active indie folk band based out of London, Ontario.- Style and history :Fronted by Polish actress Olenka Krakus, the band's sound is mix of orchestral folk pop with elements reminiscent of classic country and folk music, and Eastern European folk...
.
Many of the founding members currently attend or graduated from secondary and post secondary school in London, Ontario including Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is one of the largest colleges in Ontario, Canada. The main campus is in London, Ontario, with additional campuses in Simcoe, St. Thomas, Woodstock, and Tillsonburg. There are about 15,000 full-time students and 40,000 part-time students. Fanshawe College has more than 112,000 alumni...
, University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
and H. B. Beal Secondary School
H. B. Beal Secondary School
The H.B. Beal Secondary School is a high school in London, Ontario. It is named after Herbert Benson Beal, the founder and first principal of the school. H.B. Beal is the second largest school in Thames Valley District School Board with approximately 2000 students currently enrolled. The school...
in the BealArt program. The organization is recognized by the City of London Arts Council and the Ontario Nonprofit Network.
Projects
Open House has organized, promoted or sponsored music and art shows at the Alex P. KeatonAlex P. Keaton
Alex P. Keaton is a fictional character on the American television sitcom, Family Ties, which aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. Family Ties reflected the move in the United States away from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s...
, Call the Office, the Yale Speakeasy, the Black Shire Pub, Colborne Street United Church, the East Village Arts Co-op, Forest City Gallery, Chaucer's Pub, Pandemic Nightclub and others with artists from the London area and abroad, including bands from across Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Open House organized and promoted a White Album Tribute Show at the London Music Club as the Viking Swimmers of 1926. The organization also partnered with the Grand Theatre, Ontario
Grand Theatre, Ontario
The Grand Theatre is a professional theatre located at 471 Richmond Street just south of Dufferin Avenue in London, Ontario, Canada.Its main auditorium has a seating capacity of 839 with a regular season running from September to May...
to promote theatre productions. The group is involved with a public art project at the University of Western Ontario with the University Students' Council, including curating a public art space. The group organized a musical performance for Doors Open London's 2009 launch.
Oh! Fest
The Collective's largest project to date is an indie music festival, Oh! Fest, which takes place during the month of April. The first annual Oh! Fest took place April 24–26, 2009. The festival includes only Canadian talent, including acts from around OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and other provinces.
2009 List of Performers
- BarzinBarzinBarzin is the name of a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his slow and melancholic songs. Barzin has released three albums in his career, and his style has been compared to such bands as Mojave 3 and Mazzy Star.-Biography:...
(weewerkWeewerkWeewerk, stylized as ', is an independent folk, roots, bluegrass, country record label and artist-management company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2002 as an art-and-music salon series in the apartment of Teenage USA Recordings partner Phil Klygo and artist-curator Germaine Koh...
) - Jane Ehrhardt (P572P572P572 is a Canadian independent record label. Based in Quebec City, Quebec, the label was co-founded by Sam Murdock and Sébastien Leduc in 2004....
) - Bette & Wallet
- Davita G
- Lioness
- The Ghost is DancingThe Ghost Is DancingThe Ghost Is Dancing is a Canadian indie-pop band formed in 2002 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:Their first show was performed in August 2004 to commemorate the end of their residency at 2 French Avenue, the student apartment at which the group started playing and improvising...
(Sonic UnyonSonic UnyonSonic Unyon Recording Company is an independent record label based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The retail store is located on Wilson Street near James Street North)...
) - A Horse and His Boy (Oh! Records)
- Muskox ft. Isla Craig
- Laura BarrettLaura BarrettLaura Barrett is a Canadian indie pop singer-songwriter, best known for incorporating the kalimba into her music. In addition to her solo work, Barrett has also performed as a member of The Hidden Cameras, Henri Fabergé and the Adorables, Woodhands and Sheezer....
(Fuzzy Logic RecordingsFuzzy Logic RecordingsFuzzy Logic Recordings is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2002 and based out of Toronto, Ontario.Fuzzy Logic operates under the motto "Good Music, Good Friends, Good Times!"-Artists :*The Bicycles*Gravity Wave*The Midways*Peter Project...
) - The Burning HellThe Burning HellThe Burning Hell is a 1974 film created by the evangelist Estus Pirkle. This film is Pirkle's interpretation of what the Bible has to say about hell. It is available in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. The screenplay is by Ron Ormond....
(weewerkWeewerkWeewerk, stylized as ', is an independent folk, roots, bluegrass, country record label and artist-management company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2002 as an art-and-music salon series in the apartment of Teenage USA Recordings partner Phil Klygo and artist-curator Germaine Koh...
) - Sick Friend
- Construction & Destruction
- Birdsacrosswater
- The Samuel Musical (Oh! Records)
- Handsome Dan and His Gallimaufry (Oh! Records)
Oh! Records
Open House Recording Company is an independent Canadian record labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
operated in association with the Open House Arts Collective. The label supports independent London musicians.
The first official release by the Open House Recording Co. was OH! Compilation One (OH001) a compilation album of 12 London-based bands and musicians on March 21, 2009. The label was also responsible for the reissue of Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers are an active indie folk band based out of London, Ontario.- Style and history :Fronted by Polish actress Olenka Krakus, the band's sound is mix of orchestral folk pop with elements reminiscent of classic country and folk music, and Eastern European folk...
' EP Papillonette.
Artists
- A Horse and His Boy
- Alanna Gurr
- A Lending Library
- For Love or Money
- Handsome Dan and His Gallimaufry
- The Lava Lamps
- Aaron Lozynsky
- Olenka and the Autumn LoversOlenka and the Autumn LoversOlenka and the Autumn Lovers are an active indie folk band based out of London, Ontario.- Style and history :Fronted by Polish actress Olenka Krakus, the band's sound is mix of orchestral folk pop with elements reminiscent of classic country and folk music, and Eastern European folk...
- Sam Allen
- The State Bird of Idaho
- Sunday/Monday
- Bryan Pole
- The Whipping Wind
- Blair Whatmore
External links
- Open House official website
- Oh! Fest website
- Oh! on Facebook
- CBC Radio 1 - "Ontario Morning" with Wei Chen interview (Jan. 27, 2009) http://www.freewebs.com/vikingswimmers/Olenka_OntarioMorning.mp3
- 94.9 CHRW interview (Jan. 27, 2009) http://www.freewebs.com/vikingswimmers/blair_sam_CHRW_truncated.mp3
- 106.9 The X interview (Mar. 15, 2009) http://www.olenkalovers.com/radio_1069.mp3