RCMC Newsletter
April - 2026
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April 2026 - Live MeetingsApril 2nd.
Ajay Heble: From Idea to Institute: Building a Field (and a Community) Through Improvisation Presentation: In this talk, I’ll draw on my experiences in founding The Guelph Jazz Festival and the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) at the University of Guelph to trace the emergence of a new field of scholarly inquiry and to narrate how IICSI (our Institute) has evolved into a central source for the collection and dissemination of research on the social implications of improvisational practices. Bio: Dr. Ajay Heble is University Professor Emeritus in the School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing at the University of Guelph. He was the founding Director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI), a position from which he retired in September 2024. His research has covered a full range of topics in the arts and humanities and has resulted in 16 books published, numerous articles or chapters, and over 100 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows trained and mentored. He was the founding Artistic Director of the award-winning Guelph Jazz Festival and Colloquium (he served in that capacity for 23 years, retiring in 2016), and is a founding co-editor of the peer-reviewed journal Critical Studies in Improvisation/Études critiques en improvisation (www.criticalimprov.com). Dr. Heble was also responsible for bringing Nuit Blanche to Guelph between 2010-2013, expanding Guelph Jazz Festival programming to a 24-hour format and extending performances into unexpected places—all in the enlivened setting of an all-night community spectacle. He is also the founding Artistic Director of IICSI’s Improvisation Festival. An accomplished pianist with a long background as a performer, he released his first CD, a live set of improvised music with percussionist Jesse Stewart, in 2001. His improvising quartet The Vertical Squirrels can be heard on three recordings on the Ambiances Magnétiques label. Dr. Heble is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2023 Killam Prize in the Humanities, one of Canada’s most prestigious research awards. In 2024, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Longer bio: https://www.uoguelph.ca/arts/sotec/people/ajay-heble 10am. To be followed by Live Questions. April 16th. 2026
Brenda Pomerleau: Rescue Me Dogs Presentation: Bio: 10am. To be followed by Live Questions. April 30th. 2026
Renee Van Acker: T.B.A. Presentation: Bio: 10am. To be followed by Live Questions. |
Ajay Heble
Brenda Pomerleau
Renee Van Acker
|
Messages
Future Meetings
Meetings for May 2026
May 14th.
Brendan Daisley: Decline in Bee Population Affect on Agriculture
May 28th.
Eric Nost: Political Ecoloogy & Environmental Governance
Activities & Events
June 11th.
AGM and Members Luncheon
July 11th.
42nd. Street
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
June 24th.
Tour: Waterloo Flight Centre 10am
Optional Lunch
August 22nd.
Nashville Music Scene
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
Oct. 24th.
Murder on the Orient Express
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
See activities desk for more details
AGM and Members Luncheon
July 11th.
42nd. Street
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
June 24th.
Tour: Waterloo Flight Centre 10am
Optional Lunch
August 22nd.
Nashville Music Scene
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
Oct. 24th.
Murder on the Orient Express
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge 2pm
See activities desk for more details
Coffee Mornings
Coffee/Breakfast
April 2026
April 9th. and 23rd.
RCMC Live Coffee Morning
9:30 am
The Boathouse
116 Gordon St.
or
Uptown Grill
694 Woolwich St.
More news to come regarding activities and live coffee mornings
Refer to the website often
April 2026
April 9th. and 23rd.
RCMC Live Coffee Morning
9:30 am
The Boathouse
116 Gordon St.
or
Uptown Grill
694 Woolwich St.
More news to come regarding activities and live coffee mornings
Refer to the website often
Other News
There is a new What's New section on the Home page of our website. This will give you quick links to any new information which has been posted on the website.
If you have any new content for the website, please send to Ritchie Zelk at [email protected]
Membership
Please send any updates to your entry in the Membership Directory, including any change in email address, to
Martin Alderwick; 519-763-6939 [email protected]
Members are encouraged to invite male friends and acquaintances to our meetings.
Martin Alderwick; 519-763-6939 [email protected]
Members are encouraged to invite male friends and acquaintances to our meetings.