Latest news with #MarioCircelli
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Tourism London launches new campaign aimed at attracting U.S. music lovers
Tourism London has kicked off a new marketing campaign in an attempt to cash in on our city's reputation as Canada's UNESCO city of music. Sean Murray, the director of Culture and Entertainment with Tourism London, said it's already underway, targeting four northern states. 'It's called 'Summer Sounds Better Here,' and it's to highlight what our city has to offer,' said Murray. 'We want visitors to think music and summer sounds better here even if it's sitting on a patio listening to a band.' The campaign was launched on a number of different platforms. 'It's a digital campaign with some radio ads and billboards as well,' said Murray. The strategy is being welcomed by Mario Circelli, the chair of the London Music Awards. 'It's a great volley by Tourism London for a number of reasons,' said Circelli. 'One being that Americans get more purchasing power coming here because of the strength of their dollar.' The marketing campaign is targeting states like Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It's looking at cities that are within driving distance to the Forest City. 'We've already had big success so far with Sunfest and Rock the Park this summer,' Circelli added, saying that many of London's festivals have a musical component. 'We are doing an amazing job highlighting our performers and now we are showing it to the rest of the world what we have to offer.'
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Community building community': Hundreds gather on the green in Wortley Village
Hundreds of people gathered on The Green in Wortley Village for the 43rd year on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) For over four decades, Londoners have been gathering in Old South for a fun day of entertainment and activities. 'This is such an incredible event because Gathering on the Green, presented by OSCO (Old South Community Organization) has been going on for 43 years,' said Mario Circelli, OSCO board member. 'To marry it this year with the Forest City London Music Awards and London Music Week and powering some of the musical presentations on stage is just so fantastic.' 070625 Daniel Tennant of 4TR performs at the Gathering on the Green in Wortley Village on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The group finished second in the FCLMA High School Battle of the Bands this week. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) The event is run by volunteers and supported by OSCO and local businesses. Gathering on the Green has donated more than $300,000 to projects and organizations in Old South. 'It's Wortley Village, it's Old South to a tee but I think what is really the key, it's the community building community,' said Circelli. 'We've got Old South and the larger context of the City of London helping out. The London Music Awards and the Digital Creative Arts Centre at BGC London is providing all of the audio production with our paid staff and our volunteers. So it's a whole bunch of folks coming together to build community in London.' Circelli credits the dedicated board of directors at OSCO for making this event come together annually. 'There's over 100 craft artisans, we're selling food and the entertainment, the dunk tank and activities for the kids, the day is fantastic.'
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
London Music Week set to kick off
London is getting set to champion its homegrown music talent in a week-long celebration. London Music Week kicks off this weekend with the 23rd Annual Forest City London Music Awards. Hundreds of musicians will showcase their talents at venues throughout the city. The kickoff party is set for Saturday at Dundas Place. The Awards Gala Volume One is set for June 1st at Aeolian Hall, celebrating classical, jazz, world music, and folk. Volume two is set for June 8th, recognizing pop categories. 052925 - Music week Forest City London Music Awards Chair Mario Circelli shows samples of the Anderson Craft Ales Forest City London Music Hall of Fame lager. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) Awards Chair Mario Circelli says it's a chance for Londoners to get a taste of the musical talent their city has to offer. 'We're honouring over 200 musicians. Through the course of London Music Week, over 300 regional musicians will participate, and get paid to perform and showcase their stuff. So, it's an opportunity for Londoners to become familiar with local musicians,' said Circelli. Among the many businesses taking part, Anderson Craft Ales will play host to one of nine Live after Five Events next Wednesday, June 4th. Andersons has also brewed a special Forest City London Music Hall of Fame beer for the annual celebration. 'We try our best to keep it with local London artists, and everything like that. We're just really happy to collaborate once again on the London Music Hall of Fame beer once again, and you know, be a part of the Forest City London Music Week,' said Anderson Craft Ales Taproom and Events manager Meghan Wright. The Awards also honours Lifetime Achievement recipients, Barrie Woodey and Peter Brennan. Woodey hosted Jazz for a Sunday Night on Radio Western for over 30 years. Brennan created the popular Jeans 'n Classics concert series that blended rock music with orchestral arrangements. The 2025 Forest City London Music Hall of Fame inductee 2025 is Laura Smith - best known for her 1995 single, 'Shade of Your Love' - one of the year's biggest hits on adult contemporary radio.
