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Join us for Extravabandza , a full day of incredible live music, arts activities, dancing, karaoke, vendors, raffles, and more, presented by LBMX and the London Arts Council ! Proudly sponsored by LBMX  (a London based b2b e-commerce company), Extravabandza  is the showcase event of the 2025 LBMX Musician Mentorship Program . A celebration of London's vibrant band scene, arts, and culture, this event is sure to be one to remember! The event will feature performances by four local bands:   Tyrone Traher & the Rottweilers ,   Saveria ,  Pot is Drugs ,   and   Bella Rosa , opening for our headliner renforshort . Bring your friends and family for a day filled with music, art, vendors, and lots of fun on September 6 from 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Dundas Place between Richmond & Talbot Streets!  The event will be hosted in collaboration with Fanshawe College’s Orientation Week . Extravabandza is also supported by the City of London (Dundas Place), Fanshawe College, London Police Service, Downtown London, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Life. Performance Schedule Event Duration: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Dundas Place between Richmond and Talbot Streets Band Performances: Bella Rosa 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Opening Ceremony: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Band Performances Cont'd: Saveria 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Tyrone Traher & the Rottweilers 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Pot is Drugs 5:10 PM - 5:55 PM DJ Block Party 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM renforshort 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Karaoke Schedule Event Duration: Location: Karaoke Lane (Market Lane) Note: Karaoke Lane will be closed during performances and the opening ceremony Karaoke Schedule: 11:20 AM - 12:00 PM 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM **This is a FREE, family friendly event** Performer Information Bella Rosa Canadian singer-songwriter Bella Rosa grew up in a home filled with music. From a young age, her dad (also a musician of 25 years) encouraged her vocal performances. Her musical style transitioned from pop to rock before she arrived at alt-pop—a genre that feels like a safe space for her. “I can write how I feel. Alt can be anything; it doesn’t have to be either happy or sad,” she says. Today, Bella’s lyrics are informed by her dreams, journal entries and the everyday challenges she confronts living in uncertain times. Bella has won multiple awards for her music videos: ‘Dead Lies’ won Best Music Video at the 2021 Toronto International Women Film Festival and ‘Just A Game’ took home Bronze at the 42nd Annual Telly Awards 2021. Both videos were also officially selected for the 2021 Montreal Independent Film Festival. Saveria Saveria is a 27-year-old London, ON-based artist. ​ An accomplished guitar player, vocal powerhouse, gifted songwriter, and producer, she has over a decade of professional experience in the industry. ​ While most children were learning nursery rhymes, Saveria was being schooled by the greats from the soul, Motown, and rock eras. ​ Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, The Strokes, Lenny Kravitz, John Mayer, Joss Stone, and Wings were staples in her family collection of CDs and vinyl, laying a strong foundation for her groove, melodic, and pop sensibilities. ​ Tyrone Traher & the Rottweilers Tyrone Traher II is a singer-songwriter that is proudly based in London, ON. Throughout the creation of his debut album, Traher created a backing band of brooding poets known as Tyrone Traher & the Rottweilers to showcase the true identity of his own original music. As an artist second and a human first, Traher values humility, vulnerability, honesty, and compassion, and uses these principles as the foundation of his artistry and career. Pot is Drugs Pot Is Drugs, a genre-fluid indie rock band from London, Ontario, was formed in 2021 by four friends. "We probably should have started a podcast but picked up instruments instead." They blend sharp hooks, emotional chaos, and just the right amount of self-awareness into a sound that’s loud, honest, and built for screaming in your car at red lights. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, shout, or just feel something, we’ve probably got a song for that. Tracks like “How To Talk To Girls,” “Darling (Satellites),” and “What’s It Like,” are packed with infectious riffs, shoutable choruses, and lyrics that walk the line between funny and painfully relatable. They pull influence from indie icons and garage greats like The Strokes, The Black Keys, Jack White, and Mac DeMarco. The result is something we call Southern Ontario awkrock. renforshort Born Lauren Isenberg, the Toronto-born singer/songwriter grew up in a musical family with three brothers who also played instruments and parents who’d play Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder concert videos in the background while preparing dinner. By high school, Lauren began composing what would become her first singles on piano and performed at open mic nights in Toronto. Releasing her lush, R&B/pop debut single "waves" in 2019, Lauren soon followed up with the teasing and upbeat "mind games," two EPs (teenage angst (2020) and off saint dominique (2021)), and a bracingly honest debut album, dear amelia (2022). renforshort has garnered over 200 million streams worldwide. She has collaborated with Travis Barker, Jake Bugg, Mike Shinoda, toured Europe with Lauv in 2023, and signed to Nettwerk Music Group, where she will continue to release music with her new single "serpentine" out now.  Extravabandza 2025 Raffle How the Raffle Works: Extravabandza will host a series of raffles giving attendees the chance to win Downtown Dollars Gift Cards . Step 1 – Eventbrite RSVP: People who RSVP on Eventbrite prior to the event will receive one raffle ticket on the day of the event. Step 2 – Raffle Ticket Pickup at the Event: All attendees must pick up their raffle ticket(s) at the Raffle Ticket Booth at Market Lane. All attendees who visit the Raffle Ticket Booth will receive one raffle ticket (an additional ticket for those who already pre-registered). Attendees who RSVP’d ahead of time must be verified via the Eventbrite RSVP. Attendees who RSVP at the booth or did not RSVP online receive only one ticket . Step 3 – Raffle Draws: Raffles will be conducted 10 minutes before each performance . Winners are drawn from the tickets collected at the booth. Raffle winners must present their half of the ticket in order to receive their prize. Prizes consist of Downtown London Gift Cards , with different denominations raffled before each artist’s performance. CLICK HERE TO RSVP! Raffle Disclaimer Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years of age to enter the raffle. No purchase necessary: No purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Prizes: Prizes are non-transferable. Sponsors' Rights: The sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the raffle for any reason, including but not limited to technical malfunctions or fraud. Release of Liability: By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless the sponsor, its affiliates, agents, and employees from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages of any kind arising from participation in the raffle or use of the prize. Downtown Dollars Gift Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company. Card funds are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). Funds do not expire, non-reloadable and no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1108. For more information about Downtown Dollars, click here .

The Gallery In response to demand from local artists for exhibition space and to promote and celebrate our talented local artists, the London Arts Council and the City of London Culture Services have collaborated with RBC Place London to pilot The Gallery program at RBC Place London as part of our London Arts Live (LAL) program offerings. The purpose of The Gallery is to promote the work of artists and creators residing in London and surrounding First Nations to display original artworks for exhibition, with sales opportunities, on highly prominent and specially designated wall space within this municipally owned building. For the sixth exhibition, The Gallery featured artworks created by Ani Sarian , a local visual artist. Born in Damascus, Syria, Ani Sarian is of Armenian descent. From an early age, she found solace in painting, using art to express her inner thoughts and emotions. For Sarian, art serves as a refuge—a safe space where she can process and understand the world around her. Sarian studied at the Djemaran Academy in Aleppo from 1978-1980 and the Sarian Academy in 1981. In 2012, as the war in Syria escalated, Sarian and her family relocated to Canada (2016), seeking safety and stability. In this peaceful environment, Sarian has once again immersed herself in her creative practice. An Interview with Ani Sarian Traces of Time by Ani Sarian (May - August 25, 2025) Q : Tell us the story behind the work that makes up the Traces of Time exhibition. How did it start? What was it inspired by? A:   Traces of Time  began as a deeply personal exploration into memory and the quiet ways time leaves its mark on both the body and environment. It was inspired by moments that slip through the cracks of everyday life — textures fading on walls, shadows shifting across a room, and emotional echoes of places once familiar. I wanted to capture the poetry in those traces and how they whisper. Q:  What inspires you as an artist? A:  I’m constantly inspired by the in-between — those liminal spaces where emotion meets form, memory meets material. Nature, decay, urban solitude, and the emotional resonance of overlooked details feed my imagination. I’m also deeply moved by human vulnerability in our attempts to hold on, to remember, to make meaning. Q: Walk us through the creative process behind this work. How do you go about creating these fascinating images which sit on the cusp between representation and abstraction? A:  My process often begins intuitively — with a gesture, a mark, a texture that feels right. I work in layers, allowing the piece to evolve rather than planning it rigidly. I let accidents happen and then respond. It’s a dialogue between control and surrender. I aim to evoke rather than describe — so what emerges might resemble something familiar, but it resists full recognition. That ambiguity is intentional — it invites personal interpretation. Q: Why does creativity matter to you? A:  Creativity is how I process the world. It’s a form of witnessing, of translating what can’t be said out loud. It creates connection—between inner and outer worlds, between people. In a society that often demands certainty and speed, creativity allows for pause, reflection, and vulnerability. It’s essential, not optional. Q: What is it like being a creative here in London? Are there gaps that currently exist when it comes to supporting the Arts? What kind of support is needed? A:  London is rich with artistic energy, but it can also be isolating and inaccessible—especially for emerging or underrepresented artists. There’s a need for more grassroots platforms, affordable studio spaces, and sustained mentorship, not just exposure. We need investment in not just finished products but the messy, unseen process of creation. Q: What do you envision now for your future in the Arts here in London? A:  I see myself building more community — collaborating across disciplines, mentoring younger artists, and creating immersive experiences that bring people into deeper engagement with art. I want to keep pushing the boundaries of my medium while staying grounded in honesty and emotional resonance. Q: What made you most excited about putting yourself out there to work with the London Arts Council and RBC Place London for this exhibition? A:  The invitation to share vulnerable, process-driven work in a public space felt both bold and affirming. Collaborating with the London Arts Council and RBC Place meant being part of a conversation — about what art can be, and who it’s for. I felt seen not just as an artist, but as a storyteller. Q: We hope to see lots more of your artwork around the city. Where else can we find your artwork? A:  You can find more of my work online on my Instagram page @ani_sarian . View the Traces of Time Exhibition at RBC Place London on the following dates: May 13 | 11:00am - 9:30pm May 15 | 11:00am - 9:00pm May 16 | 12:00pm - 8:00pm May 17 | 9:00am - 9:00pm May 21 - 25 | 9:00am - 6:00pm May 26 | 1:00 pm - 9:00pm May 28 | 10:00am - 8:00pm May 29 | 11:00am - 8:00pm June 2 - 6 | 8:00am - 5:00pm June 7 | 8:00am - 11:00am June 11 | 12:00pm - 4:00pm June 12 | 8:00am - 5:00pm June 16 | 9:30am - 2:30pm June 18 | 9:00am - 5:00pm June 19 | 9:00am - 4:00pm June 23 - 30 | 8:00am - 4:00pm July 3 | 11:00am - 2:00pm July 10 | 11:00am - 2:00pm August 14 | 11:00am - 2:00pm               August 22 | 11:00am - 2:00pm August 23 | 4:00pm - 9:00pm ** enter via the main doors on York St.** The objectives of the Gallery program are: to create a beautiful, unique, and cultured atmosphere; provide compelling experiences for local, national, and international visitors; educate the public by presenting a series of diverse artworks created by local professional artists; and provide professional opportunities for local artists, including increased promotion, sales, and career enhancement. For more information about this project or inquiries regarding purchasing artworks, please contact the London Arts Council at info@londonarts.ca

As summer hits its vibrant peak, our arts community continues to shine! Whether you're tuning in to local sounds or marking your calendar for upcoming opportunities, we are always excited to share what's on! Thank you to our operational partners for your ongoing support. Your critical funding and partnership provide crucial support for LAC in maintaining and growing capacity for ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of professional artistic programs and services for our community and the local arts sector. We extend our gratitude to our strategic programming partners whose generosity helps us support the local arts community and artists with meaningful programs and opportunities. PUBLIC ART PROJECTS Photo of artist Billy Bert Young in front of "Chorus City" Chorus City (2025) is a community mural by Billy Bert Young located at the East Lions Community Centre. The mural that faces out to the playground at East Lions Community Centre came to be through The London Arts Council and the City of London. The piece itself is a tribute to London's UNESCO City of Music designation and reflects artists who are from, or have performed in, the city. "Three distinct panels present this convergence of musicians, from differing cultural backgrounds and musical genres, in a collective chorus." Traces of Time Exhibition of Paintings by Artist Ani Sarian at RBC Place Gallery . Exhibition continues through July, ending in September 2025. Bayfield– Ani Sarian Songlines murals continue to inspire! These projects, created in partnership with the City of London, London Music Office, and the Rotary Club of London, highlight the talented artistry of Maisa Mreiwed and Aruba Mahmud. Don’t miss an opportunity to experience these murals in person — Joy by Maisa Mreiwed at the South London Community Centre and Colourful Communities by Aruba Mahmud at the South London Community Pool.   Joy by Maisa Mreiwed     Colourful Communities by Aruba Mahmud PROGRAMS AND LEARNING Belong (Expansion) – Inclusive Arts Experiences Youth and Children Summer Workshops Belong Expansion Youth Art workshops are wrapping up this month at Arva Eco Park. Twelve workshops will be delivered between July 8 - August 14. These workshops cater to ages 4-14, and run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30pm - 2:30pm. ARTS ACTIVATIONS Every week the downtown core is activated with live, local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund. Check out the full schedule on our Activations Calendar . Fiker & Co. performing at the LAL Busking Festival July 27, 2025 Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the London Arts Live Busking Festival - London's first music-centred busking festival, on Sunday, July 27! We were thrilled to have 39 London Arts Live musicians participate across 18 acts and six different stations along Dundas Place. Missed your chance to experience the LAL Busking Festival? Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to immerse yourself in this uniquely local celebration of diverse musical offerings! Anddre Mafra & The Reflections performing at ExtravaBand-za! 2024 Mark your calendars, ExtravaBand-za! 2025 is happening on September 6 from 12:00pm - 9:00pm! Dundas Place is our stage for the grand finale of the LBMX Musicians Mentorship Program , where participating bands will perform in a festival-style setting supporting this year's headliner, Renforshort . Check out the activations calendar for full details on upcoming performances, opportunities, and events. ARTS INVESTMENT Now Open: EDI Micro Grants The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Micro Grants Program is designed to provide financial assistance for projects and initiatives of Individual Artists and/or Artist Collectives who have encountered barriers obtaining support within the current systems and structures of existing traditional funding mechanisms. This program supports the following Individuals and Collectives of artists, creators, practitioners of traditional arts in all disciplines: Indigenous Artists/Collectives based in London, Ontario, and the surrounding First Nations (Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames), Artists/Collectives with English as their Second Language, and Culturally Diverse (Racialized) Artists/Collectives based in London, Ontario. Apply by August 15, 2025 at 4:30pm