Smale's Pace

Smale's Pace

Address	436 Clarence Street
Location	London, Ontario, Canada
Type	Coffeehouse
Genre(s)	Folk music
Opened	1969

Smale's Pace was a Canadian coffeehouse located at 436 Clarence Street, London, Ontario, Canada. It was a key venue for folk rock and singer songwriter music made famous for featuring Bruce Cockburn, Willie P. Bennett, David Essig, Brent Titcomb, Billie Hughes, David Bradstreet, Stan Rogers, Rick Taylor, Mae Moore and The Good Brothers.

History

Smale's Pace opened in 1969 under the ownership of John Smale. The venue was converted from a Bell Canada garage.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Willie P. Bennett began his performing career at the Smale's Pace,^[6] among many Canadian artists who performed on the stage.^[7][8]

Change of Pace

Upon acquiring Smale's Pace, Carl and Annie Grindstaff moved the venue to nearby Talbot Street, re-opening it with the name Change The Pace. While keeping the same furnishings, the ambiance was more formal. Ken Palmer of bluegrass band the Dixie Flyers was brought in to book the talent and while the venue still focused on singer-songwriters, Palmer booked weekly bluegrass players, as well as touring artists including Connie Kaldor, Roy Forbes, James Durst, and Mark Rust.^[3][9]

Smale's Pace/Change of Pace Folk Reunion Concert

Annual Smale's Pace/Change of Pace Folk Reunion Concerts have featured Ken Whiteley, Brent Titcomb, Colleen Peterson, Jackie Washington, Murray McLauchlan, Perth County Conspiracy, Liam Russell, Fraser & Girard, New Cumberland with John P. Allen, Nora Galloway and The Dixie Flyers.^{[10][11][12][13]}

References

1. Butler, Colin (March 15, 2019). "A Junos field guide to London's most legendary music halls and watering holes". CBC.
2. "Coffee houses". TheCanadianEncyclopedia.ca. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
3. "Coffee shops, name-dropping and memories". Calgary Herald. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
4. Avery, Rachel (December 2014). "Folk Music and the Construction of Community: Southern Ontario in the 1970s".
5. "'72 Year End Wrap-Up Issue" (PDF). RPM. 18 (20): 10. December 30, 1972 – via www.worldradiohistory.com.
6. "Willie P. Bennett". TheCanadianEncyclopedia.ca. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
7. "The Programmers Tribal Drum" (PDF). RPM. 20 (16): 24. December 1, 1973 – via www.worldradiohistory.com.
8. "Good Brothers Open for Label Contract" (PDF). RPM. 22 (24): 2. February 8, 1975.
9. "Local music icon remembered". BramptonGuardian.com. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
10. "Acoustic Muse presents: Smales Pace/Change of Pace Reunion Concert #8". Aeolianhall.ca. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
11. "Folk veterans return to the Registry". TheRecord.com. March 5, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
12. "Reunion concert pays tribute to London's legendary folk 'hotbed'". lfpress. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
13. Staff, N. O. W. "Smale's Pace Change of Pace Reunion Concert". NOW Magazine. Retrieved October 11, 2022.