A very generous gift by longtime friend and former Aeolian Board Member Dave Southen has brought a whole new level of music to the Hall during these quieter times. Dave has donated his guitar collection to the Hall for purpose of resale.
To purchase please contact us info@aeolianhall.ca.
Four available: three NOS in original box, one with broken headstock
Fender
Monkey Business, Dreadnaught Acoustic Electric
$350.00
Klos
Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar
$800.00
Gretsch
Roots Collection, G9511 Acoustic
$400
Recording King
The Seniorita, RG100S
$250.00
Two NOS, in original box. One used, like new.
Recording King
Rodeo Sweethearts, RG100RS
$250.00
Three NOS, in original box. One used, like new.
Recording King
Hawaiian, RG100H
$250.00
One NOS, in original box. One used, like new.
Recording King
Toontown, RG100T
$250.00
One NOS, in original box. One used, like new.
Yamaha
FG-800M
$500.00
Signed by Tony Dekker, Megan Bonnell (Great Lake Swimmers) with signed concert poster.
Lanikai
LKP-C Ukulele with Hard Shell Case & Tuner
$150.00
B&D Tatham
Seniorita Bacon & Day 4 String Tenor Banjo (1920s)
$500.00
The DAVE SOUTHEN Story
Philanthropy’s quiet angels help London-area arts groups flourish
Londoners are just beginning to learn about two of the most quiet: Dave Southen and Susan Carlyle
By Joe Belanger, London Free Press
I’m sure there are many thousands of Londoners who’ve never heard of Dave Southen.
Until recently, you could count me among them.
I’m also sure there are an equal number of Londoners whose lives have been touched by Southen and his wife, lawyer Susan Carlyle, but didn’t know it.
Count me among them.
That’s how it is with angels, the real ones, the ones for whom doing good is an end in itself, no thanks or recognition required.
So, it was ironic to be sitting with Southen in the Dave Southen Lounge at Aeolian Hall talking about his philanthropy.
“I find it embarrassing,” said Southen, not for the first time in our conversation, about the lounge that was quietly and defiantly given his name by the hall’s board after one of his large cash donations.
“I do feel honoured, but it’s not about me.”
Southen and Carlyle were outed by the Blyth Festival a week ago when it announced they and an anonymous donor had pledged to match all donations up to a maximum of $100,000 to support the Canadian theatre company.
It was Blyth’s artistic director Gil Garratt who spilled the beans, he being among the few who are aware of Southen and Carlyle’s generosity in support of the arts, which also has touched the Grand Theatre, London Health Sciences Foundation and a few other causes dear to their hearts.
“He’s one of those lovers of culture, not just for himself, but everyone,” Garratt said.
“He sees and understands what these institutions mean to our communities. He doesn’t want his name attached to the donations. He’s just an incredibly generous man who wants to see Canadian culture thrive and he knows the duress we’re all under right now due to the pandemic.”
“This program helps level the playing field for these kids between the haves and the have-nots. And it has made some of these kids into leaders. We hear from them how it changed their lives. Our future is tied to the opportunities we give to young people.”
Clark Bryan, a concert pianist who bought Aeolian Hall in 2004 to serve as a teaching conservatory and performance venue before transferring ownership to a not-for-profit organization, did not mince words about the importance of donations from supporters like Southen and Carlyle.
“It could not have come at a better time,” said Bryan, who said the couple also is donating $50,000 in the coming weeks to support the Aeolian.
“This is critical to our survival.”
Southen, who owns rental properties, is a private lender and has served on the Aeolian board. He said he and Carlyle made a decision years ago to set aside a portion of their income to donate to charities and causes mostly related to the arts, especially music.
“Yes, I could be driving a Mercedes or a buy some other expensive car, but that’s not who I am,” said Southen, who has donated more than 300 guitars during the years.
Many of the guitars were signed by artists he’s met or seen perform at Aeolian. Many of the donated guitars are considered high-end models, bearing names such as Gretsch, Karol and Baden, while others have been inexpensive, entry-level guitars signed by artists. One $100 guitar signed by Sarnia astronaut Chris Hadfield, who performed David Bowie’s Space Oddity on the International Space Station, was auctioned off for thousands of dollars in support of London Health Sciences Foundation.
“You need to have the arts in your life, whether it’s fine art, theatre or music,” said Southen. “It’s the one thing that distinguishes us from other species, the one thing that is unique to human beings. For me it’s all about the music. I think a life without music in it is a life unlived.”
And a life or a community without angels, such as Southen and Carlyle, is a life and community not quite as rich.
Rent The Aeolian
The Aeolian is a beautiful, unique, award-winning location to host your event.
While particularly renowned for its acoustic/live music presentations, the Aeolian is a versatile facility and can also host conferences and fundraisers.
Explore the arts. Support your community. Discover yourself.
The Aeolian relies heavily upon a strong base of community support that benefits many projects and events. All contributions, whether small or large, make a huge difference and will help sustain The Aeolian Musical Arts Association’s mission and future.