One Friday evening there’s a painting in progress and a monologue with operatic emotion embracing the dimly-lit room. The next, it’s two zany hours of improv comedy, featuring single performers, duos, and ultimately a full stage of participants playing off each other. “It’s a time for people in and of the arts to come and share their interests, and there is no agenda other than to be an experience,”says Michael Symonds, a communications consultant and performer. “Perhaps it’s about letting go and seeing what happens.”

 

This is Ad Lib, a weekly event now in its fifth year at the Arts & Letters Club in the historic 1891 St. George’s Hall building on Elm St. The club, founded in 1908 and with notable members like the Group of Seven artists and author Robertson Davies, has been described as “a comradely haven for kindred souls.” That’s the feeling in the third-floor studio where Ad Lib flourishes every Friday night. The gathering includes visual artists, actors, dancers, writers, musicians and enthusiasts, of many ages.

 

There’s avant-garde, traditional, new media, and lots of meeting ground. In 2005, Symonds, a Yonge and College St. area resident, founded what would become Ad Lib. As a member of the Arts & Letters Club, he enjoyed participation in club events, but wanted to create something “that didn’t need reservations, that you could just pop in and enjoy.” And yet, it’s exclusive. Ad Lib—a phrase indicating something spontaneous or improvised—is a private event for club members, but many bring guests who become participants. That happens easily at Ad Lib’s monthly improv comedy night “Jammin’ on the One” or JOTO, hosted by actors/comedians Damon Lum and Stevie Jay.

 

Other Ad Lib offerings include diversely-themed film festivals, “Shakespeare on the Platform” presentations, a demonstration of the theremin (musical instrument), a short storywriting contest, a stage troupe for aspiring actors aged 50+, a fun musical foursome— and more. Often the arts interweave, as they did one recent night, billed as “Annie on the Edge.” This arose from a painting done by artist/designer Andrew Sookrah months before of skater and writer Annie McEwen. Sookrah’s artwork inspired lawyer/writer Catherine Frid to write a monologue based on her reaction to the painting. Frid’s monologue was dramatically presented one Friday evening by singer Rachel Persaud.

 

And artist Sookrah, who had his original painting of Annie McEwen at Ad Lib that night, created another painting there, inspired by Persaud as she moved into the character of McEwen. “Surprisingly happening” is one phrase participants use to refer to their Friday nights. Founder Michael Symonds emphasizes that it was and is a team effort. And over five years he has tried to describe Ad Lib to “hundreds of people. I still can’t nail it.” Perhaps one of the truest phrases, he says, is what he used to sign off messages with: “Be here now.”

 

(416) 597-0223 or visit artsandlettersclub.ca