In the final episode of this first season, Daniel walks through Old East Village with Adam Sturgeon - proud father, Polaris prize nominated musician and award-winning business owner of Rezonance, a screen printing internship program for Indigenous youth. As their route takes them past many inspiring public art installations, murals and mosaics, they discuss the complex make-up of the businesses, services, homes and residents of OEV community. Adam shares his thoughts with us on the issues of 'houselessness' in London and the growing divide between the underserved and affluent Londoners.  He stresses that culture is always at top of mind for him as a father, in is music, in his work with youth and his advocacy for the First Nations communities. Daniel and Adam pass many iconic businesses whose strong roots in OEV have given the neighbourhood a distinct feel - Aeolian Hall, The Market at Western Fair District, London Clay Art Centre, Libro Credit Union, and of course So Inviting Dumplings - and are quick to share their varying dumpling preparation recipes. Boil? Fry? How do you 'dumpling'? Adam and Daniel open the invitation for you to meet the passionate residents of this amazing part of London and discover the many hidden gems in OEV.

Walk the walk or listen from wherever you are in London, Ontario or across the world.

How to Walk the Walk:

1. Look at the map and learn your route. If you have a printer, download and print the map or simply follow the map from your device when you arrive at the starting position. You can find the map on our website by clicking here.

2. Download the podcast.

3. Travel to starting position located on map.

4. Press play and keep directions close by.

5. Take a selfie along the route and tag us on social media @thegrandlondon

A transcript of the conversation with accompanying photos is posted on our website for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities or for those who prefer to read. Click here to access.

We invite you to access previous podcasts with Emma Donoghue, Dr. Alan Shepard, Marie Williams and Natasha George and Kathy McLaughlin.

This is the final GRAND Walk of this debut season. Let us know what you thought of the series - we'd love to hear from you!. Email us at [email protected] with your thoughts and comments.

You would be hard pressed to find another person with the knowledge of and passion for London’s downtown as Kathy McLaughlin – a proud, lifelong Londoner.

In this week’s GRAND Walk, Daniel and Kathy start their conversation at what many would consider the true core of London, Ontario – the Forks of the Thames - and make their way to Victoria Park, another signature space in our city.

They pass the many shops and restaurants that make up our Downtown, stop to admire the architecture of the many historical buildings and share their thoughts on the gentrification that London is experiencing along with so many other cities in Canada and across the world.

As they walk by businesses like Bud Gardens, Jill’s Table, London Music Hall and Grace Restaurant – all hard hit by the pandemic -  a chance conversation with Mark Kitching, owner of Waldo’s on King and Mark’s Fine Meats demonstrates the resilience and positivity of London’s merchants and proprietors.

Daniel and Kathy share thoughts on the uniqueness of London and the importance of caring for the heart of our cities – our downtowns. And .. it must be noted that Daniel achieves hero-status in Kathy’s eyes by divulging his record-setting consumption of Boxcar Donuts - ours too!

Walk the walk or listen from wherever you are in London, Ontario or across the world.

How to Walk the Walk:

1. Look at the map and learn your route. If you have a printer, download and print the map or simply follow the map from your device when you arrive at the starting position. You can find the map on our website by clicking here.

2. Download the podcast.

3. Travel to starting position located on map.

4. Press play and keep directions close by.

5. Take a selfie along the route and tag us on social media @thegrandlondon

A transcript of the conversation with accompanying photos is posted on our website for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities or for those who prefer to read. Click here to access.

We invite you to access previous podcasts with Emma Donoghue, Dr. Alan Shepard, Marie Williams and Natasha George.

In our 6th and final GRAND Walk "There's Always Something New in Old East Village", Daniel is joined by special guest, Adam Sturgeon. Check back here on Saturday, November 7.  

In this week’s episode Daniel and special guest Natasha George take an early Fall stroll through London’s glorious Springbank Park. Natasha and Daniel talk extensively about ‘community’ and how London fares (or doesn’t) as a welcoming city. Natasha speaks passionately about her life growing up on the Kettle Point Reserve, her transition to an urban lifestyle and her hope to ease that transition for young First Nations folks through her ongoing advocacy work. A passionate theatre lover, Natasha provides meaningful insight on what we can do as a theatre to be more welcoming to a wider array of theatre-lovers, beyond our current patron base. Together, Daniel and Natasha dream of future possibilities for the Guy Lombardo Pavilion and the simple pleasures of taking a walk in an inspiring setting ... with an ice cream.

About Natasha George

Natasha George is a proud Anishnaabe woman who has worked extensively in the field of research and policy development for advocacy of Indigenous Community. Most recently, she is on a contract as a research consultant for IPAA – Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance and navigating the COVID-19 ‘new normal’.  Natasha is a proud mom to two young daughters.

"Walk the Walk" or listen from wherever you are in London, Ontario or across the world.

How to Walk the Walk:

1.  Locate the map on our website and learn your route. If you have a printer, download and print the map or simply follow the map from your device when you arrive at the starting position.

A transcript of the conversation with accompanying photos is posted on the Grand Theatre's website for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities or for those who prefer to read from their device.

Episode 4:  Saturday October 24 - Getting Down .. Downtown - with Kathy McLaughlin

Did you miss Episode 1 with Emma Donoghue? Click here for A Walk Through Wortley with Emma Donoghue.

In this episode, Daniel is joined by restauranteur, Marie Williams, owner and chef of Reggae's Caribbean Restaurant - a well known London, Ontario eatery specializing in Jamaican food. This week's walk route takes us from Reggae's to the beautiful Ed Blake Park to Huron Street. A right onto Gatewood then Delphi takes us through this neighborhood full of sunflowers and signs of support for front line workers. Daniel and Marie dive into the specifics of roti, diversity in London, and share their love of the magic of Swiss Chalet sauce. Walk with us and by the end of this 40 minute episode, we know Marie’s love and big heart will enchant you!

Walk the walk or listen from wherever you are in London, Ontario or across the world.

How to Walk the Walk:

1.  Locate the map on our website and learn your route. If you have a printer, download and print the map or simply follow the map from your device when you arrive at the starting position.

A transcript of the conversation with accompanying photos is posted on the Grand Theatre's website for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities or for those who prefer to read from their device.

Episode 4:  Saturday October 17 -  Stroll Through Springbank  with special guest Natasha George.

Did you miss Episode 1 with Emma Donoghue? Click here for A Walk Through Wortley with Emma Donoghue.

Your host Daniel Bennett and Western’s President Alan Shepard start at the iconic University College building on campus, then hit the trails with canine companion, Meisha in tow. Alan talks about his unexpected path ‘through the looking glass’ to the field of academia and his arrival in London from his roots in Minnesota. Daniel and Alan share their thoughts on the impact of the pandemic and whether the changes we have seen and experienced are, in fact, permanent. Alan reflects upon the question of how we can engage younger generations to in-person art and culture experiences in the face of a digital world and speaks passionately about the history of the University – its buildings, the campus, the experiences – that shape the Western experience and community. Not to be outdone, Meisha demonstrates the relaxing value of a full stretch out in the middle of an intersection (not recommended for our walkers), and makes sure that Daniel and Alan not only take in the sights of the Thames River trail, but also the scents! Keep your eyes peeled for the groundhogs …!

Walk the Walk or listen from wherever you are in London, Ontario or across the world.

How to Walk the Walk:

1. Locate the walk map on our website and learn your route.

2. Download the podcast.

3. Travel to starting position located on map.

4. Press play and keep directions close by.

5. Take a selfie along the route and tag us on social media @thegrandlondon

Episode 3:  Saturday October 10 -  Kicking It Through Kipps Lane  with special guest Marie Williams, owner and chef – Reggae’s Caribbean Restaurant.

Did you miss Episode 1 with Emma Donoghue? Click here for A Walk Through Wortley with Emma Donoghue.

Join host Daniel Bennett and award-winning author, screenwriter and playwright Emma Donoghue in a stroll through London, Ontario's Wortley Village as they chat about what brought her to live in London and what she loves about the people and local businesses. Emma shares her experience of releasing and promoting her new novel during a pandemic - that is about a pandemic (The Pull Of The Stars). This dynamic duo talk about about the opportunity for a more diverse arts and culture community in London and how Emma has come to appreciate virtual theatre. Then, there's that eventful stormy evening ...

To download photos and a map of this GRAND Walk Route, please go to the Grand Theatre's website where you will also find a transcription of the podcast. 

Releasing Saturday, October 3 - Hitting the Trails with Dr. Alan Shepard, President and Vice-Chancellor of Western University