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.)