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The Arts Council Windsor & Region is proud to introduce a Senior Community Arts Program dedicated to empowering and engaging adults fifty and up. Through enriching workshops, skill-sharing activities, and a group exhibition at ArtSpeak Gallery, the program will foster creativity and meaningful connections. This free program will run monthly, from June 2025 – December 2025
This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Tea & Chat with Leslie McCurdy
35+ Years of Playing Around
A Q&A style discussion of working as a self-employed solo performing artist in an environment not nurturing of that.
Wednesday, June 25th. 2025, 10:30 – 12:00pm @ ArtSpeak Gallery, 1942 Wyandotte St.
FREE
Questions? Email programs@acwr.net
Leslie McCurdy
Recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Platinum Jubilee Pin in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, a 2017 Vigor Award International, 2014 Elizabeth Havelock Grant from the Windsor Endowment of the Arts, The Mayor’s Award for The Arts in 2014 as “Artist of the Year” and in 2000 for “Outstanding Performing Artist” from Windsor Ontario, Leslie McCurdy, has performed internationally as an Actor, Dancer and Singer for over 30 years. Also a teacher, with an Honors B.F.A. in dance with teaching certification from the University of Michigan, Leslie served as choreographic and teaching assistant to Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre during several of her Detroit Residencies, and was slated to go to New York to apprentice with the Ailey Company when she literally tripped, fractured her hip, and fell into acting. She has many stage, film and TV credits but is most “famous” for the one-woman plays that she writes and performs. The Spirit of Harriet Tubman, her first play, was a finalist for a Canadian Chalmers Award for Best New Play for Young Audiences and was performed at the 2010 Los Angeles Women’s Festival, The 2011 National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina, the inaugural Living Legacy Series of the DC Black Theatre Festival Washington DC in 2012 and the inaugural Paul Robeson Art is a Weapon Theatre Festival in London England. Her second play, Things My Fore-Sisters Saw, featuring, Viola Desmond, now on the Canadian $10 bill, was filmed for TV and ran on the Bravo Network in Canada in February 2006, is growing in popularity. A play about the great jazz singer, Billie Holiday, entitled, “Lady Ain’t Singin’ No Blues”, is already gaining critical acclaim and will begin touring next year. She is lauded for the “brilliance” of her works and the message of social consciousness that is instilled through them. Her newest play “The Darktown Strutters Ball” premiered in Orangeville Ontario in April 2025. She also finds time for volunteer work at home and sits on the Board of Directors of several non-profit organization.
Performing Artist/Playwright/Producer
Li’l Ol’ Me Productions
June 25 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Artspeak Gallery
1942 Wyandotte Street E
Windsor,
N8Y1E4
Phone: 5199916350