Press Release

Grammy-Winning Alannah Myles, Crooner Matt Dusk Lead Red Hot Lineup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 08, 2021

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE FOR ORCHESTRA LONDON’S 2013-14 RED HOT WEEKENDS SEASON

LONDON – Orchestra London is thrilled to announce the 2013-14 Red Hot Weekends lineup—seven blockbuster shows sure to liven up London’s Friday and Saturday nights.

The season opens October 11&12, 2013 with Grammy & Juno winner and homegrown hitmaker Alannah Myles.  Myles soared to stardom in Canada and the international music scene with her debut album Alannah Myles in 1989. Her hit Black Velvet was the most played song on radio in 1989 & 1990, and earned her a Grammy award for best female rock performance and three Juno awards. Myles makes her North American orchestral debut at her first appearance with Orchestra London:

“We are thrilled to bring in world-class artists such as Alannah Myles who once again raises the bar for our popular Red Hot Weekends series,” says Alain Trudel, Music Director.

“Performing my music orchestrated in Canada has been a long held dream,” says Myles.  “I am proud to make my Canadian debut with Prague Philharmonic arranger and conductor, Friedmann Riehle and Orchestra London,” she adds.

Audiences will want to stick around Valentine’s weekend (February 14&15, 2014) for Canadian jazz vocalist/musician Matt Dusk. Known for his Rat Pack era style, Dusk was the in-house entertainer on Mark Burnett’s reality drama The Casino, and his hit (and the show’s theme song) “Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad” was written by U2’s Bono and The Edge. Dusk recently released his fifth album, My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook, a romantic homage to the tragic balladeer and trumpet player: “ Matt Dusk is sure to delight audiences with his smoldering vocals and modern twist on the music of Baker, Sinatra, and other greats,” says Trudel.

Continuing the tradition that has made the Red Hot Weekends a London institution, the season includes four earth-shattering tribute shows featuring the a rotating roster of top Toronto musicians and 12/13 season favorite and Juno nominee Jim Witter.

“Jim Witter won many new fans this season with The Music of Simon and Garfunkel” says Trudel, “so why wait to have him back?” Witter pays tribute January 24 & 25, 2014 to other beloved folk singer/songwriters of the 1970’s, including James Taylor, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot and others at Corduroy Kings: Songwriters of the ‘70s. Tracks include American Pie, Cats in the Cradle, and If You Could Read My Mind.  Witter also returns for a Red Hot rockin’ Christmas show of pop and rock ‘n roll hits December 13&14, 2013.

Members from Toronto rock bands The Beauties and Flash Lightnin’ bring three brand new shows honouring the biggest names in rock to the Red Hot Weekends lineup: Down on the Corner: The Music of CCR;  The Best of The Band, and Start Me Up: The Best of The Rolling Stones:

“These guys are two of the hottest rock bands in Toronto right now,” says Trudel.  “They’ve performed with major artists such as Feist, Metric, and Billy Talent. Londoners will be blown away by their interpretation of the iconic Rolling Stones, The Band, and CCR,” he adds.

First up, Orchestra London takes a trip into the heat of the bayou on November 8&9, 2013 with Down on the Corner: The Music of CCR.  Audiences will re-experience Creedence Clearwater Revival’s legendary songbook with hits like Fortunate Son, Proud Mary and Bad Moon Rising.

March 28&29, 2014 brings The Best of The Band. From their early roots with Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins until their Last Waltz The Band has produced some of the most memorable musical moments in history including classics The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, The Weight, and I Shall be Released.

The season wraps up May 16&17, 2014 with Start Me Up: The Best of The Rolling Stones, celebrating the best rock band in history. Revisit favourite songs such as Sympathy for the Devil, Wild Horses, Gimme Shelter, and Angie.

Trudel is proud of the unbeatable lineup, exclaiming, “This season proves that sometimes you Can get what you want!”

Subscriptions for Orchestra London’s four regular season series (Red Hot Weekends, Masterworks, Classics & Beyond, & Pops) are on sale now.  Flexible packages that cross multiple series (Flex Package) are also on sale now.  Call (519) 679-8778 or visit orchestralondon.ca for more information.

Subscriptions on Sale Now – Buy Before April 30, 2021 and pay last season’s prices!

Single Tickets on Sale August 19, 2021 at 10 am.

Subscription prices (for 7 concert series)

Now until April 30, 2021
Adults: $231-$378; Students: $126 (Plus handling fee, tax is included).

Effective May 1, 2013:
Adults: $238-$388.50; Students: $129.85

Subscriber Benefits

Orchestra London Government Supporters: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of London

Orchestra London Red Hot Weekends Sponsors: Delta London Armouries, The London Free Press

About the Red Hot Weekends Series
Red Hot Weekends is among London’s most popular events.   World-class artists, rock ensemble, and full symphony orchestra perform classic rock & pop music, all in a licensed, fun, and relaxed setting. Audiences experience their favourite music all over again at this unique series of concerts at Centennial Hall. The main floor and mezzanine levels have Table Seating (10 seats per table) instead of traditional row seating.

About Alannah Myles
Alannah Myles was born in Toronto, Canada listening to FM radio stations that introduced her to an international compilation of music. She was raised in the city of Toronto where she studied to become a graphic artist, splitting her time on her family’s ranch in Buckhorn, Ontario where she rode horses and spent her early years competing as an equestrian on the Ontario A Circuit, competing in Canada’s prestigious Royal Winter Fair prior to deciding that she would make music her calling. She acted in TV commercials and modeled to pay for the early demo tapes in attempts to get a record deal. Though she did in fact come from a wealthy family, she opted for independence after family attempts to see her married to live in boyfriend, Christpher Ward were refuted. Alannah was and will always be married to her music.

The Alannah Myles first self titled album (1989) produced four Top 40 hits, “Love Is”, “Lover of Mine”, and “Still Got This Thing”, as well as the number one international smash, “Black Velvet”, which she won a Grammy award for best female rock performance, along with several Juno Awards, a Diamond award for sales in excess of 1,000,000 in Canada - the only artist who still retains this status for her debut record. ASCAP awarded the song a ‘Millionaire Award’ in 2005 for over 4 million radio plays of “Black Velvet” in the USA. SOCAN awarded the songs, “Black Velvet” and “Lover Of Mine” each with an award for over 100,000 plays in Canada in 2005 with her #1 hit song “Instead Of  A Kiss” to follow.

Her follow-up album; Rockinghorse (1992) received a Grammy nomination and three Juno Awards.  After the sale of over eight million records, she concluded her alliance with Atlantic and signed on with Miles Copeland’s Ark 21 Records to release her fourth record Arrival (1997), which had the top 40, hit Bad 4 You.  She also released The Very Best of Alannah Myles (1999) containing hits from all four albums.

After an eight year songwriting hiatus Alannah has re-emerged, energized, with a new album, and has chosen to call it Black Velvet in order to re-connect with her millions of fans.  Black Velvet contains all brand new studio recordings along with Black Velvet 2007, a new recording with a contemporary arrangement of her classic hit.  Co-produced by A Rival co-producer Mike Borkosky and mixed by renowned producer Terry Brown, Black Velvet was released in Europe in the fall of 2007 with an April 2008 Canadian release and a USA release in 2008.

About Matt Dusk
Like countless listeners and lovers around the world, Matt Dusk gets lost in the music of Chet Baker, a love affair that has lasted for years.  Dusk — whose romantic fifth studio album My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook pays homage to the tragic balladeer and trumpet player — first fell hard for Baker’s hauntingly unaffected vocals and lyrical horn work in the wee small hours of his teen years. With 2013’s My Funny Valentine, the JUNO-nominated performer reintroduces and reinterprets Baker’s repertoire for a new generation — and comes home in the process.

An alum of St. Michael’s Choir School who studied under legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson at York University, he hit it big with his major-label debut Two Shots, scoring a GOLD record.  With the punchier follow-up Back in Town, he upped the ante and took his act to Hollywood’s fabled Capitol Studio A — the home of heroes and influences like Sinatra, Cole and Darin — and worked with renowned arrangers Patrick Williams and Sammy Nestico, plus Grammy-winning engineer Al Schmitt.  The album garnered two number one singles: All About Me in Canada and Back In Town in Japan — making Dusk the first male jazz singer to ever top the pop charts.  With 2009’s contemporary-based Good News, Dusk indulged his youthful love of pop with an international lineup of songs rendered in styles from Motown and swing to Euro-dance and guitar-rock.  The title track Good News went to number one and the album went GOLD.

Even as Dusk respectfully follows in the footsteps of his musical forebears, heroes and influences, at the end of the day he’s his own man on his own creative path.  This was captured on his previous release, the 2010 concert CD/DVD Live from Las Vegas, that inevitably leads to his true home: the stage.  Whether he’s fronting a sweeping symphony, cutting loose with a big band or leading his longtime quintet, it’s all about creating a connection. While you wait for Dusk to bring the party your way, take a cue from the man himself: dim the lights, find that perfect spot on your couch, light a candle or two, pour your favourite beverage, and get lost in the music of the one and only Chet Baker.

About Jim Witter
Jim Witter has been entertaining for over 20 years…

Whether it be his country music, contemporary Christian, or the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Jim’s versatility as an artist has allowed him the opportunity to reach out and share his music and his infectious personality with audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States. His unique approach and comfortable rapport makes each member of his audience feel as though they are a part of a private concert in the comfort of their own living room. This, along with his rich, powerful voice and ease of manner at the piano, make him a favourite with theatre goers everywhere.

A few years ago, Jim came up with the concept for the show “The Piano Men”; a musical journey through the 70’s featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. This multi-media rock musical has turned out to be a hit, receiving rave reviews from music critics all across North America, Europe and Japan.

Jim has had 10 top ten radio hits in Canada, 7 hit videos on CMT, and impressive chart action in the U.S. on Billboard and R&R. Jim’s music and songwriting have been recognized on both sides of the border, earning him multiple awards and nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association, the Juno Awards, and most recently the Dove Awards, where Jim’s album “Forgiveness” was nominated for Inspirational Album of the year.

A devoted family man, Jim is very active in his community, supporting numerous charities.

About The Beauties (Shawn Creamer, Derek Downham, Anna Ruddick, Jud Ruhl and Darin McConnell)
It is a Sunday night, and from here we can see a band trickle down the stairs of The Dakota Tavern to set up on a stage that is adorned with the skull of a steer on the wall. The basement walls are made of barn board and dusk, little red candles keep quiet vigil on the uneasy tables, and the floorboards maintain last night’s souvenirs of booze, boots, and bedlam. Outside, the lean and hungry sky hovers above our city like a dark and early debt. It is surely better to rely on a band than the weather, which is why we’re all here. It is a Sunday—God’s day, some would say—but in exactly one hour the room will be filled with sound, sweat, and bodies, and the eager crowd will be taken to a different kind of church owned by the howling and swaggering amplifiers of The Beauties.

The Beauties were formed in 2006 at a tavern in the west end of Toronto. A Sunday night residency shortly bloomed into sold out shows, week after week. Some say the band hasn’t slept in years, others say that it never rains when they play. Whatever the rumours, they continue to remind us of the tightly-knit seams that stem from rock and roll, as well as confirming the often overlooked truth that there isn’t a single person out there who will love us like the devil does.

The Beauties represent the darker and louder places where songs reside. There is a sober truth in their songs. We raise a glass to this truth against the barnboard and the dusk, wishing the sobriety away. Against the loud crowd, The Beauties take the stage.

1, 2, 3, 4…

About Flash Lightnin’ (Darren Glover, guitar/vocals; Darcy Yates, bass; and Chris Henry, drums)
Through the bars and alleyways of Toronto’s Ossington Avenue, a new sound can be heard howling high. With the intensity of a snarling biker chick from a Russ Meyer film, the Flash Lightnin’ have scraped the grime off the streets to create a debut rock ‘n’ roll album full of sex, sweat, smoke and sleaze.

With a sound once described as “bad-ass sludge-boogie,” Flash Lightnin’ was born in the legendary Dakota Tavern, where the trio of Darren Glover (guitar, vocals), Darcy Yates (bass) and Chris Henry (drums) held down a celebrated Wednesday night residency, frequented by a veritable who’s who of the Canadian music scene. From Metric to Billy Talent, Ron Sexsmith and Feist, people came to witness Flash Lightnin’ deliver an authentic sound and experience that was virtually impossible to ignore.

On the heels and strength of their success at the Dakota, Flash Lightnin’ recorded their first EP, Destello, which featured some early favorites like “Down Down” and “Tripped and Fell” alongside tracks co-written by Ian D’Sa of Billy Talent. This quick and dirty EP served as the perfect calling card for their sound and landed them tours with Eagles Of Death Metal and Priestess. But it was Metric guitarist and early supporter Jimmy Shaw who eventually raised his hand to record and produce their first full-length album at his newly opened Giant Studios – mere steps from the Dakota Tavern – the results of which are about to be unleashed.

Ten pure rock ‘n’ roll tracks make up Flash Lightnin’ self-titled debut. The dirt blues meets desert metal rumble of the title song “Flash Lightnin’” signifies what the group is capable of. Massive drum swells and thick bass roll, as Glover struts across with his distinctive howl. The laid-back honky-tonk groove of “Dish it Out” leans confidently next to the pogo riffing of “Don’t Tell,” showing off the group’s wide versatility and Glover’s prowess, a guitar players’ guitar player. Tracks like “Slow Death” and the soon-to-be single “No Sympathy” tell tales of badass women that have the group “licking their wounds at the liquor store,” with thick grooves and a disco Stones shuffle. With several songs co-written by lyrical and melodic genius Ron Sexsmith, Glover’s delivery strikes the listener deeply, leaving no room for questions or second thoughts. This music isn’t looking to your new haircut for its cues; it just wants your hips and hearts to do what comes naturally – preferably with a shot of good bourbon to ease things along.

About Orchestra London
Orchestra London has been making music in the London Community since 1937. Officially incorporated in 1957, Orchestra London performs over 50 concerts each season across six different series. Education & Outreach programs have introduced the orchestra to more than 30,000 schoolchildren since 2000 and the community at-large.  Orchestra London welcomed Alain Trudel as Music Director in 2011.

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For more information, please contact:

Terri Anne Moses, Sales & Marketing Manager
Phone 519.679.8558 x 241 or email [email protected]