The Gazette – “Western Student adds to Local Music Landscape”
By: Drew Whitson
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“The mix of energy and appreciation for Allen’s debut release resulted in one of the best live performances from The Open House Arts Collective to date.”
London Free Press - “OK, then let’s get it started”
By James Reaney
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Even if that crowded and most worthy weekend, the first edition of the Oh! Fest stands out. The multi-disciplinary, multi-venue fest opens tomorrow. Presented by the young, idealistic and imaginative Open House Arts Collective, the Oh! Fest brings singer-songwriters, dreamscape bands, a free daytime fair and local heroes to its three-day run.
London Citylife Magazine - “Collective Spirit”
By Nicole Laidler
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Providing emerging artists with emotional and logistical support is the key reason for the collective’s existence, confirms Thompson. “One of the benefits of a collective is efficiency,” he explains. “We can create opportunities for artists that they otherwise might not have.”
NXNW - “London’s Oh! Fest Oh-So-Good”
By Adam Szymanski
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London’s Oh! Fest takes place this weekend at multiple live music venues around the city. The festival is put on the by Open House Arts Collective, London’s own arts collective. Great Canadian acts will be playing all weekend long, including CHRW Local Album of the Year winner, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, who kicked off the festivities last night with a stellar performance we’ve come to expect from London’s folk ambassadors.
Everything is Pop, Pop is Everything – “Oh(!) that those lips had language”
By Sean Wraight
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All ready the fruits of their collective labours are taking shape. Oh! has begun in earnest, organizing local music and art shows in a variety of traditional and non-traditional spaces. The difference this time out though is clearly the well planned organization and the huge amount of goodwill that is surrounding this enterprise. Good times ahead for the London arts community.
London Free Press – “All that’s London makes new CD an absolute gem”
By James Reaney
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Tears come to my eyes when I listen to — or just think about — Oh! Compilation One.
Those are tears in a good way. Tears of pure London-is-here joy.
There may have been other idealistic and well-rounded compilations of a dozen London performers, all potential “buzz bands.” Feel free to bombard me with proof.
There can’t have been one that is any better than Oh! Compilation One, an offering from the Open House arts collective.
James’s Got a Brand New Blog – “Festival Thoughts…”
By James Reaney
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The Oh! Fest is to be London’s first springtime arts fest & run April 24-26. It grows out of the excellent work done by the Open House Arts Collective (a foreunner put on the White Album tribute show at the London Music Club) & will be not-for-profit with local & touring acts. Visit openhouseartscollective.com for details.
The Gazette – Arts Issue – “Initiative brings art to the centre of campus”
By:Jaela Bernstien
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Open House Arts Collective (Oh!), a group promoting art endeavours within the London community, will help curate and advise the public art process.
“In essence, Oh! will be a conduit to art in the community and to Western students,” Wellington explained.
ArtScape Magazine – March edition
Article by Richard Young
CBC Radio 1 – Ontario Morning – Olenka Krakus interview
Download – MP3 (6.3 mb)
CHRW – Blair Whatmore and Sam Allen interview
Interview – MP3 (11.2 mb)
Sam Allen performing – MP3 (5.4 mb)
Blair Whatmore performing – MP3 (2.7 mb)
The Western Gazette – “All you need is art”
By Mark Filipowich
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However, a group of young artists and Western students calling themselves the Open House Arts Collective aim to add a little more maturity and confidence to London’s cultural movements.
