Event Stuffing!

‘TRUE HAUNTED TOUR’ (Learn where the ghosts live in this neighbourhood) Saturday, October 30th, 2010. 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Start at Ward’s Funeral Home parking lot, (52 Main Street South, Brampton) and end at the Brampton Arts Council parking lot (24-A Alexander St). $10 cash only. Free parking at City Hall or Rose Theatre. Steve Collie wil be the tour leader.

YAAV Festival"Join us anytime between 5 - 8 pm at ECLYPSE Drop-In Centre (71 West Drive - Unit 21, Brampton). Come and enjoy youth art and live entertainment." Brought to you by Youth Arts Against Violence.

Saturday, November 6 - Mayfield Secondary School Proudly Presents “The Wedding Singer” Gala Dinner Theatre at Mayfield Secondary School, 5000 Mayfield Road, Caledon. For more information.

RENT, Nov 11 -14 (Rated PG – 13) from $24.00 This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village, New York. The story centres on Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern day life in one truly powerful story. Presented by Brampton Music Theatre.

HACE Business of the Arts Workshops More about HACE here: COURSE DESCRIPTION.

Join BAF Saturday, November 20th from 9am-4pm at The Rose Theatre for the start of your holiday shopping for the Brampton Arts & Crafts Festival! A great opportunity to purchase some one-of-a-kind items to give, or as a gift for yourself! We have potters, jewellers, glass artists, woodworkers, painters, hand-made soaps, knit items, unique items and so much more. Embrace the holiday experience. Bring along an item or two for our food drive. Join in for some caroling, hot chocolate and a visit with Santa too before he starts his parade! Admission and parking are FREE. To find out more visit http://www.bramptonartfair.com/.

Sunday November 21st, 2010 at 11am in Shoppers World – Winners Court. - Time for Some Holiday Fun! Shoppers World Brampton Annual Christmas Parade. Get creative, get loud and get in costume!! For more information, please contact Christina Sardella at csardella@riocan.com or Penny Karas at pkaras@riocan.com.

Friday, Dec. 3rd, 7:30 pm – Heart Lake United Church presents…The Toronto All-Star Big Band in “A Christmas Special” (85 Sandalwood Pkwy. East, Brampton). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Call 905-846-7314 Mon.-Thurs. 9am to 2 pm).

FREE IMPROV CLASSES!

Brampton Day Festivities!

I had a great time this Saturday at Brampton Day in the Community Village!

The City of Brampton did it up by creating various spaces, activities and fee goodies for all those who wanted to celebrate in Brampton’s amenities. They took over most of downtown; from Gage Park to City Hall to Rose Theatre.

We at the BAC were so busy at our tent in Gage Park that it felt like we had just got there by the time we packed up. Accompanying our tent, was the Graphic Novel of the Arts. A kind of open mic round robin concert we put on with artists ranging from spoken word poetry to finger picking blues to dance and of course, singing. Thanks to all those participated with performance or volunteering. We appreciate your time, effort and expression. For more pictures, click here.

What about you? Tell us about your experience with Brampton Day. What was your best memory of the celebration? Mine was the cake. ;) :)

Literary Stuffing: New Group & Grant Deadline

When I was a younger me and thus an extra curricular enthusiast, I was part of the writing group at my school. Ironically called ‘Writer’s Block’ it was a small, semi-tight group of teenage poets and writers who fervently pursued the literary art form. It was awesome not only because it was a space to read my works aloud, but because it was a community of peers to read to where I got honest, open feedback that wasn’t from supporting friends and family who don’t really want to hurt me. Constructive criticism hurts at first but it’s what anyone needs to become better at what they do and in turn you learn and pass on the lessons you learn. I’m not sure where you go now outside of school if you’re a young writer wanting to get in on that kind of experience. Or rather I wasn’t sure until I got some notice a couple of days ago:

YOUTH WRITERS CLUB

Brampton Library’s Youth Writers Club is starting on September 9, 2010 and running until May 12, 2011.

If you are a secondary school student interested in writing short stories, essays, novels, poetry,
and/or other forms of literature you are invited to join the Club!

At monthly meetings, you and your peers will bring your original writings for peer
editing and group appreciation. Facilitators from the Brampton Writer’s Workshop
and teachers from local Secondary Schools will provide guidance in the art of
writing and different literary techniques to help you further develop your
writing skills. Guest writers from the community will occasionally be invited to
share their knowledge and experience.

Club meetings will be held at Four Corners Branch (65 Queen St. E), from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. There is no cost to join the Club; but registration is required. Register in person at any library
location, by phone at 905-793-4636, or by email to sdey@bramlib.on.ca.

Registration begins Monday, August 16.

In other news, you have less than a week left to hand in your application package for the Harry Dale Literary Grant for Aspiring Writers. Young and old have applied for the award, last year Lori-Ann Russell was of the younger side and the first to receive the honour. This year who’s saying it couldn’t be you?

What are you doing on Michael Cera day?

Only two more days before the awesomeness of Scott Pilgrim and Michael Cera collide into epicness! :D In case you’ve lived under a rock for the past 5 years, this is Michael Cera. He’s not only Canadian but a Bramptonian who broke out in ‘the little show that could’ called Arrested Development. He’s currently best known as the poster boy for awkward geeky adultdom and will put a distinct butt-kicking edge to that persona this Friday in the Edgar Wright epic of epic epicness “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World”. For those who have lived under a rock for the past 3 months, this_{(close the picture to see the article)} is Stadium: a Brampton comic book store that has promoted the heck out of openly inviting Michael Cera to join in the impromptu day celebrating him. See more about it here or here or here.

If geek culture references, shiny effects and gravity-defying fight scenes aren’t enough to entice you, consider the sound track and music score. The eclectic talents of Beck fuel the sound of Pilgrim’s band, which by the way was coached on how to play their instruments by another Canadian, Chris Murphy of iconic band Sloan. Other awesome Canadiana lending their talents in some way or another is Plumtree, Metric, Broken Social Scene and Kid Koala. Not Canadian but still awesome? I mention you now Black Lips, Cornelius, Dan the Automator.

So again, I ask: What are you doing August 13th, 2010 on Michael Cera Day?

This Friday I plan to sit down and begin my Scott Pilgrim journey in a rather puritanical fashion - with the comics by Bryan Lee O’Malley, also Canadian. Movie will come quite quickly after I assume. :) So exciting!

For a quick synopisis of Michael Cera and other successful (and/or famous) Bramptionians, visit the BAC’s success stories.
_{Tee hee. Me as a Scott Pilgrim character. (Check out the gloves!)}

Reading, Rock, Canadiana & History

So on the cusp of summer and I have some things to fill those idle hours before you’re dragging your feet and heading back to school.

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Beatles Rock Band Competition
Hey Jude! WANTED! 30 teams of three to compete on stage in a Beatles Rockband Contest on Saturday July 17th 2010 from 2pm to 5pm in Downtown Brampton's Gage Park. To enter, contact Jenny Floras at the BDDC: jenny.oras@brampton.ca. $15 Per Group . Entry Fee Donated to the William Olser Health Centre Foundation. Classic Cars & Legendary Stars Contest . Win Great Prizes! Have Fun and Help a Great Cause! 905.874.3652

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Building on last summer’s success, the Library is continuing the online TEEN SUMMER READING CHALLENGE from June 1 to August 29, 2010.
The challenge is to read 1 MILLION pages by Brampton teens, 13 to 19 years of age.
Not individually but together. Teens can read any book of their choice and enter online for a chance to win a weekly prize. They can read as many books as they want and enter the number of pages each time they finish a book by clicking on Add/View Log after signing in. Participants can read fiction and non-fiction books both in print and digital formats. Audiobooks, graphic novels, manga and comic books can also be included. Each entry increases their opportunity to win. Winners will be selected by random draw each week. This summer, two grand prizes have been added, one for the highest number of pages read and another grand prize for the highest number of reviews posted.
Please visit the Youth page http://bramptonlibrary.ca/youth/index.php on library’s website for full information.

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Paul Hunt Bursary Award - $500 Reward is open to any student who is a resident of Brampton, graduating from a public or separate secondary school with the Region of Peel and who has been accepted into an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution and who intends to major in Canadian history or related subjects. See detail at www.bramptonhistoricalsociety.com/bursary.htm
Brampton Canada Day Celebrations! July 1st, 2010 @ Powerade Centre
Family and friends, join us for an action-packed day of fun and excitement with a Midway, Circus, Monster Truck Rides, FMX and more! Enjoy live entertainment on 4 stages including the Main Stage featuring Massari, Big Sugar (with the original line-up!) and Finger Eleven. The kids stage will feature a performance by Max & Ruby and a Meet & Greet with Shrek! A spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music will begin at 10PM. Canada Day Celebrations will be held at the Powerade Centre (7575 Kennedy Road South). There is no parking on site. Plan to ride the FREE shuttle service, walk or bike to the event. Area road closures will be in effect from 10:00am to midnight.

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Finally, please note that I’m stopping my routine Facebook Mondays. If you want to communicate with me, I’d love an email Kelly [at!] artsbrampton.ca.

Event Forecast....

Here’s what’s what for the next little while in Brampton for youth in the arts:

May 17th & June 14th. Anime-Manga club meeting. 4: 30 – 6:30 pm. If you’re a Teen and enjoy manga, this Free, drop-in club is for you! More info here . South Fletcher’s Branch. For more information call (905) 793-4636 or TTY: 1-866-959-9994

May 26th to 29th. Tin Pan North, 11 Annual Songwriters Festival held by the NSAI’s Toronto chapter. For more info, check out the website.

Fri, May 28 – 30th. Rent - School Edition! See here for times. Lester B Pearson Theatre. Brampton Theatre School’s Sr. Young Company is proud to present Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway musical based loosely on Puccini's opera La Bohème. Contact – Lester B. Pearson Theatre Box Office Ticket price(s) - $20 Adults, $20 Seniors and $15. 905-793-4600. bramptontheatreschool@live.com or website for more info.

June 6th, 2010. The Rock School’s Spring Concert. 3-6 pm. Caesar’s Event Centre, 12495 Hwy 5, Bolton, Ontario. The Rock School presents youth Performing Vocal, Guitar, Drums and Piano. Tickets Cost: $30 ; Admission, Food & Drink included in ticket price. Contact Andrea Gavrilovic by phone 905-487-1425 or email contact@therockschool.ca. Don’t forget their website

June 13th. HAIRSPRAY! 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Central Peel Theatre, 32 Kennedy Rd. N. Performed by Synergy Performing Academy. Call (905) 791-6997 or email academy.main@synergy-brampton.com for more info.

June 24th to 26th. Beauty and the Beast Jr. Check website for times. Brampton Theatre School’s Jr. Young Company is proud to present Beauty and the Beast Jr. Lester B. Pearson Theatre. Contact Box Office for tickets. $16 Adults, $12 Seniors and Students. Phone – 905-793-4600 Email – bramptontheatreschool@live.com Website – www.bramptontheatreschool.com

June 26th, 2010. Youth Day Brampton Concert Day. 5 pm. Rose Garden Square. If interested in performing, contact youthdaybrampton@intercontinentalgem.com. Any musical genre ages 14-24 living in southern Ontario, must bring their own instrument if needed. CD of performance required. Michael Williams.... Guest Host - Jay Martin. With featured personalities of Canada's Original VJ/ Nina Hallie Dixon "In the loop”. Check website www.igemtoronto.com or www.youthdaybrampton.com

June 27th, 2010. Rock Band Summer Jam. 4 – 7 pm. Bands from The Rock School Band Program Perform. Ticket price and place are to be announced later. Check website for more info. Andrea Gavrilovic, Tel: 905-487-1425. Web: www.therockschool.ca OR contact@therockschool.ca

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

YEAH! There's an Open Mic being held by Music with Momentum this Friday. Come on out and support local artists and our art scene. More details can be found here or try here.

Why you should volunteer at the Brampton Arts Council

It's that time of the year! We here at the office are gearing up for another season of Art in the Open interviewing potential vendors to sell their beautiful goods and art works. I'm enjoying it immensely and simultaneously seeking volunteers to help the team for Art in the Open 2010. What does this help involve exactly?

For those who enjoy being outside, Art in the Open is an event we run with the City's Farmer's Market every Saturday from 7 am – 1 pm. It allows member artists and artisans to showcase and sell their works from needlepoint to sculpture from photography to t-shirt and other interesting items. We need help setting up in the morning, manning the Council's booth, taking down our booth at the end of the day. Sounds like quite a work load however; each volunteer usually has a little time to themselves to check out what's new at the market.

Coincidentally, this volunteer talk comes at a convenient time. Last month, I gave a small presentation to the Teen Library Council (TLC, such a lovely acronym) on why volunteering with the Arts Council is a good idea.

If you've ever wondered how and where the arts and administration combine, this would be the place and arts administration would be the game. First off, being an artist is not a requirement, though it can come in handy.

There are a lot of reasons why you should choose to volunteer with us:
1. We'd like to get to know you, your thoughts and ideas - What do you enjoy doing around town? What do you wish there was more of?
2. You have an opportunity to learn the nitty-gritty (what exactly the Arts Council does).
3. You can use your talents and channel your interest where they are needed. For example:
4. If you like looking for information online, there may be projects that require research.
5. Are you fast, efficient & accurate on the keyboard? Data entry could be your thing.
6. Are you electronically apt? Do you enjoy working with digital photos and videos? You can help organize, format and upload our digital photo albums or edit video footage.
7. Are you soothed and satisfied engaging in simple, repetitive tasks? Perfect! An integral part of office operations includes stuffing envelopes, posting mail, collating mail-outs.
8. Do you have a vehicle and like to meet people? You deliver our Arts Guides.

I think you get the picture. Let us know what your interest is and we will find something to match. With interest, comes your pay out in knowledge. That knowledge can come from anywhere when you are open minded - general administrative duties, research or interviewing staff about their experiences. Plus, the Arts Council is willing to verify the work you put into volunteering.

If you are still not sure about what experience you want to have, check out our website www.artsbrampton.ca. The website is an awesome place To stART lookINg. You’ll see THEre are so many options OPEN to you!

Music with Momentum, April Events and Welcome volunteers

I had a really awesome time a couple of weeks ago at Music with Momentum’s screening “A Look at Teen Mental Health”. We were a lead partner in their pursuit of a grant so we were there to support their doings. Their short seriously examined the symptoms and varieties of depression. It wasn’t only a screening of the film short that organizers David and Steve put together themselves but a concert with bands coming as far as Sudbury to perform. There were free snacks and drinks and generally jovialities. Check out the pictures here and the videos on the YouTube are to be uploaded as soon as I can.

In additional news, events you should look out for the next little while include:

Brampton Music Theatre performs "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at The Rose Theatre from April 8th to the 10th at Rose Theatre. Check www.bramptonmusictheatre.com for more details.

Brampton Library begins their series of nine Toastmasters workshops for youth 14 to 18 this April 10th, 2010. “Learn how to: overcome the nervousness everyone feels when asked to speak before an audience; organize & present your ideas logically & convincingly; deliver short impromptu & prepared speeches; listen carefully to others' ideas; offer advice that will help others improve their speaking & leadership skills; and more!” REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Limited space. Email: sdey@bramlib.on.ca for more information. Four Corners Library.

April 16th, 2010 @ 8:00 pm - Sheridan College Music Theatre Performance Students perform music from that darn perky, catchy television show “GLEE”. Call Rose Theatre at 905-874-2800 for tickets or details.

Also a very late but enthusiastic welcome to our two reliable volunteers that have become familiar faces in our little home. Big ups to Aaron Galera and Aneesa Ibrahim! :) We really appreciate your help.

Eklektika? I likey!

I attempted the panorama goodness again, using Paint to stitch them all together. This is actually about 7 pictures.

Amazing. Interesting. Expression. All words the young artists themselves used to describe the experience of Eklektika, an independent arts festival put together by Treeline Public students. The nouns and adjectives don't even come close to expressing the momentous force of organization and beauty situated at Beaux-Arts Brampton from the 9th to the 13th.

I didn't have any expectations when arriving just before 8 p.m. for the gala that Thursday (the 11th). As I walked up to the doors of BAB, I quickly realized that maybe a few expectations were key. First because a slew of others DID have expectations and the place was packed full of students, parents, siblings and loved ones watching the performances and checking out the art works and secondly, because the energy and support were contagious. If you weren't careful with that atmosphere, a person could go crazy with the giddiness.

Once managing to scoot my way forward past the doors where performers were on stage I was able to see so many different things, so much other hard work and creativity everywhere. I don't know where to begin to express it but maybe I don’t have to do it all. That’s what pictures are for. There was the ipod wall, where students had each expressed their I-ness and did it in the style of the ever so popular commercials, utilizing silhouettes. There were eerie landscapes and portraits. Almost set up like a fancy cake, there were pretty lil' pinch pots. Sugar skulls gave props to El Dias de los Muerto (The Day of the Dead) while African masks contrasted and the students composed an Anti-Vandalization Graffiti wall. Surprisingly, my favourite work was the plastic bag princess dresses. I was surprised not because of the skill made to craft it but because I generally don't tend to feel synchronized to fashion; yet, reworking and beautifying the mundane of plastic bags is always awesome. It gets me thinking...

I have pictures and video, performance and interviews with some of the students and one Ms. Goyeau. I've posted the pictures here; but the video's going to have to wait. I want to give special props to Leah-Ann Goyeau who was the prime teacher who helped the students put this event together and is one of our members here at the Council. Bravo, Leah-Ann! :)

I'm interested to hear what those who attended, or anyone for that matter, thought of the event or specific works. If you wrote a blog entry about your experience, post the link. :) Sharing can be good. :)

You have 26 days to complete your challenge...

Starting today, you have only 26 days left to shake yourself off and get out to the Peel Heritage Complex to take in the visual culture, historical heritage and concrete records of Peel Region. After February 28^th, 2010, the Peel Heritage Complex is closed for over a year while renovations pursue expansions and revitalization. Re-opening is expected to happen in the fall of 2011. So take it all in while you can.... and because I said so. :) In case that's not enough, consider FREE days for the Complex are the 15th and 28th.

What you have to look forward to in 2011...

Photo Credit: Goldsmith Borgal & Company Archietects

Long time coming....

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well, you might say it’s a bit late for such gestures but in my opinion you’re generally good for the first month of the year in doing the auld lang syne1. I wonder what etiquette dictates is the appropriate protocol? This is negligible.

So here’s the deal, I’m going to try post more often on this blog. I can’t promise but I’ll certainly put forth more of an effort even if it seems like nothing. I take photographs of things I find around this gosh-darn town. Perhaps I’ll post them with my imaginative ramblings and inquiries or perhaps pop culture and arts reviews/critiques. What do you think? I started this blog thinking people would tell me about things they were wondering that everyone else was wondering in conjunction with Brampton, arts and youth and there was something there initially but it seems to have died out. So putting a little more effort will hopefully work to everyone’s advantage.

Here are different events that are coming up that you might be interested in attending around town:

February 6th & 20th, 2010 – I’m pretty sure "the youth" know Facebook pretty well at least when you’re trying to keep in touch with people but what about shameless self-promotion? Facebook workshops on Page basics and intermediate are @ Chinguacousy Library, presented as part of the new HACE Mini Series. Check out the BAC calendar in February for more details. 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Feb. 9 - 13, 2010 Treeline Public School students, staff, family and friends exhibit their talents using a variety of media. Gala Reception: Thursday, February 11th, 2010 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.www.beaux-artsbrampton.com A celebration of Treeline's diversity and artistic talent, Intermediate students will be showcasing an eclectic collection of artwork and performance art ranging from animation to sculpture to mummy raps to acrylic on canvas.

February 18th, 2010 - Teen Author Readings at Four Corners Branch from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Teen Author Readings encourages and inspires published and budding teen authors to share their works. The evening promises magnificent presentations from aspiring and talented young writers and music composers, as they share their original poems, short stories, essays and musical compositions. Writers are encouraged not only to read in English but other languages of their choice.

February 21st, 2010 – Music with Momentum presents Youth Taking Action 2010, an all ages community music event and fundraiser in recognition of Family Day. Featuring David Metcalfe and guests, the event runs at the Rose from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Pre-Ordered Tickets for $5. At Door for $20. Email david@416yourock.com for more info.

Not really an event so much as an opportunity. Submission Deadline: March 6, 2010. CALL FOR ARTISTS to participate in the 3rd ANNUAL OPEN JURIED SHOW presented by Beaux-Arts Brampton. Over $1, 000.00 in CASH Prizes. March 30 – April 24, 2010. Visit site for details: http://www.beaux-artsbrampton.com/exhibitions.php?exId=167

March 6th, 2010 at 8:00 pm The City of Brampton Concert Band will close its very successful 2009/2010 125th Anniversary Concert Series with a gaze towards the deep realms of space, presenting "2010: A Space Odyssey"at the Rose Theatre. Ticket prices are Adults $20, Seniors and Students $18 and Children 12 and under $10. For more information on our organization and other upcoming concerts and events in 2010 please visit our website, http://www.bramptonconcertband.com.

March 27, 2010. 8: 30 pm. The Brampton Symphony Orchestra presents ‘The popular Earth Hour flashlight concert with low lights, brilliant soloists and spectacular showpieces from stage screen and concert hall’ at the Rose. See website for more details, http://www.bramptonsymphony.com.

Last but surely not least, Visual Arts Brampton galleries through February and March are “Special Arrangements” (still-lifes) and “making faces” (portraits) at Artway in Shoppers World. For more details, check out VAB’s site: http://www.visualartsbrampton.com/artway.htm

Did you make a resolution? What was/is it? Are you still holding strong, is it done or did you fails!? (You can try, try again, ya know.)