Living Arts Centre

"Retro resurgence a boon for Spoons''

2010-01-20T13:36:00.006-05:00

The '80s are back in vogue and that's good news for a Canadian band that was at the forefront of the new wave movement in its heyday.
The Spoons, formed in Burlington just over 30 years ago, come to the Living Arts Centre this Friday. It's one of many shows the band has done in the past few years since the music, style and culture of the '80s has become hip again, according to founding member Gordon Deppe.
"I think we've played more shows in the past two years than we did in the previous 15," Deppe, the band's guitarist and vocalist, told The News. "Since the retro thing happened, we've met so many bands and fans who said we were an influence for them."
The resurgence of the decade of excess even has the band talking about a new album.
"If you had asked me before Christmas, I would have said no," said Deppe, who lives in Oakville. "But you see the longevity of the '80s and I don't think it's just nostalgia. I think it's here to stay.
"We're writing (for it) now," he continued. "It was hard to get back into that Spoons frame of mind, but I've been possessed."
The current lineup of the band also includes founding member Sandy Horne on bass and vocals, longtime member Steve Kendry on drums and new addition Stephen Sweeney on keyboard.
The band released its first album, Stick Figure Neighbourhood, in 1981. However, its second album, Arias & Symphonies, released one year later, established the band's reputation.
The album spawned three Top-40 hits in Canada, including Nova Heart, Arias & Symphonies and Smiling in Winter. The band went on to release several more albums, including Talkback and Listen to the City.
It also released Unexpected Guest at a Cancelled Party, a compilation of unreleased material, in 2007.
Show time Friday is 8:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $28 to $45. Call 905-306-6000.

"Jazz prodigy graces LAC stage"

2010-01-15T15:27:00.004-05:00

Young lady sings the blues. Budding jazz vocalist Nikki Yanofsky, who's still a teen, comes to the Living Arts Centre for a concert on Friday.
You can't put an age on talent.
Just ask Montreal singer Nikki Yanofsky. The teen, who blew away the audience during her debut concert at the 2006 Montreal Jazz Festival and has landed some sweet gigs over the last few years despite her relatively young age, is coming to the Living Arts Centre on Friday for a performance in Hammerson Hall.
Just 15 years old, Yanofsky has taken the musical world by storm.
Her debut album, 2008's Ella... Of Thee I Swing, garnered the youngster a pair of Juno Award nominations including New Artist of the Year and Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. The album, recorded during a live performance at the Place des Arts in Montreal, was a tribute to the music of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.
However, her connection to Fitzgerald goes back a year earlier. In 2007, the singer joined music luminaries such as Etta James, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, among others, on Verve Records' We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song album.
Yanofsky performed Airmail Special on the release. A snippet of her version can be heard by visiting www.nikkionline.ca.
She also recorded her take on Stompin' at the Savoy with Grammy Award-winning artists Herbie Hancock and Will.i.am for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's audio book, On the Shoulders of Giants. For the younger set who might not know who Etta James or Gladys Knight are, she also recorded the song Gotta Go My Own Way for the soundtrack to Disney's High School Musical 2.
She also appeared with hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean on PBS' The Electric Company and has been broadcast internationally on the channel's youth talent showcase From the Top.
The past year was also a big one for the teen. She was part of a Canadian Jazz Festival tour that included an outdoor concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. She also travelled to Japan and South Korea since the summer to perform.
The singer is working on her full-length album, New to Me, with Grammy Award-winning producer Phil Ramone. The album is slated for a spring release.
Yanofsky has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center.
Show time is 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $35. To purchase, call 905-306-6000.
mississauga.com
livingartscentre.ca

"Comedic action heats up the LAC"

2010-01-15T15:15:00.006-05:00

Standing up. Comic Debra DiGiovanni hosts a night of stand-up comedy at the Living Arts Centre on Thursday as part of the ALTdot Comedy Lounge event.

A collection of hot comics will try to provide a respite from the bitterly cold weather we've been experiencing during a performance on Thursday at the Living Arts Centre.
Comic Debra DiGiovanni will serve as the host and the evening will feature comedians Alan Park and Nathan Macintosh performing as part of the ALTdot Comedy Lounge. It takes place in the RBC Theatre.
DiGiovanni has made a name for herself in comedy circles and many will recognize her from her regular appearances on MuchMusic's Video on Trial program. Her self-deprecating style of humour seems to be a hit with audiences and her fans, garnering her a 2009 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Female Comedian.
Shortly after getting into the business, she was named Canada's Best New Stand Up in 2002 and followed it up with the Best Female Comedian award in 2007, her first of two wins of that award.
DiGiovanni, who comes across as sweet and likeable even when she's ripping horrible music videos through her MuchMusic gig, taped her first gala at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival in 2007. She's also performed at the Halifax, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Moncton and St. John's comedy festivals and was part of the Girls Night Out tour a couple years back.
She's also appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing, making the top eight before being bounced. She has taped a pair of Comedy Now! specials and also hosted the 2009 Cream of Comedy awards show.
DiGiovanni appeared in a Toronto production of The Nutcracker over the holidays and has a regular spot on the CBC radio show The Debaters. In the fall, she was named the winner of a Gemini Award for Best Individual Comedy Performance.
Park, meanwhile, is described as a cross between a stand-up comic and a satirist. He had a regular role on CBC's Air Farce, has appeared on CBC's Comics and the Comedy Network and also won the Western Canada Just for Laughs Comedy Competition.
Macintosh, a Halifax native, had a pretty successful 2009, winning a Canadian Comedy Award, being invited to perform at the Halifax Comedy Festival, and taping an episode of The Debaters. He won the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award in 2007 and produced an original short for the Comedy Network called The Coffee Shop. He has also appeared on Much Music's Stars Gone Wild.
The comedy series happens the second Thursday of each month until April.
Some of the language in the show may offend.
Show time is 8:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $18-$25. To purchase, call 905-306-6000.
Livingartscentre.ca
mississauganews.com

"Emily Osment strikes"

2010-01-11T10:17:00.004-05:00

In the Spotlight. Emily Osment belts out one of her songs to the thrill of screaming fans Saturday night in Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts Centre. Osment stars as Lilly Truscott in the very popular Hannah Montana television series and movies. Photo by Steven Der-Garabedian

Forget Hannah Montana, Emily Osment was here.
Osment, 17, star of the popular Hannah Montana television series, wowed the Mississauga crowd last night when she performed at the Living Arts Centre.
Rather than being content playing the second fiddle, Osment proved to her audience that her vocal prowess is just as strong as her acting capabilities.
The teen sensation appeared in Mississauga as part of a four-city Canadian tour in support of her debut album, All the Right Wrongs.
Since its release, the album has already spawned the hit single All The Way Up.
"It's my first album so I want so much out of it. I want to cram everything I've been doing for the past 17 years into it," Osment said in press material promoting the album.
Osment has a background in music and has recorded songs such as I Don't Think About It and If I Didn't Have You, which she recorded with Hannah Montana co-star Mitchel Musso.
Joining Osment on the tour is Canadian artist Jesse Labelle. Labelle recently released a four-song digital EP called Perfect Accident and will be releasing a full-length debut album in early 2010 on Wax Records.

Chinese show an eyeful

2010-01-07T14:24:00.008-05:00

Shen Yun Performing Arts will present a series of shows at the Living Arts Centre from Jan. 22-23

Expect a smorgasbord of colourful visuals and eye-popping performances when a Chinese dance and music company brings an expansive live show to the Living Arts Centre later this month.
Shen Yun Performing Arts will present three shows on Jan. 22-23 in Hammerson Hall as part of the group's worldwide tour. Tickets are currently on sale.
Performers resplendent in colourful costumes will present examples of classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dances and story-based dances. According to the show's website, the audience can expect "grand imperial processions to legions of thunderous drums with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns."
The folk dances will showcase the many ethnic groups living near and within China. Expect to see dances from "the plains of Tibet, the shores of a Dai village or the sprawling plains of Mongolia."
The stories told through dance "embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization and convey a message or moral that is still relevant today."
The music will be provided by the Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra, using both traditional Chinese and Western instruments. The 40-plus member band will be accompanied singers and solo instrumentalists.
Adding to the overall visual package are the backdrops, many of which are animated. The costumes worn by the performers are both traditional and contemporary.
"We're thrilled to be able to bring such a high-calibre show here," said organizer Michael Cui.
Tickets cost $35-$120
www.Livingartscentre.ca
http://www.torshow.com/
www.mississauga.com

Survivor's tale set for film

2010-01-07T14:07:00.005-05:00

Brampton's Anne Parker, manager of corporate sales at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre, will be the subject of a film that explores her battle with breast and ovarian cancer

Anne Parker, one of the first women to undergo genetic testing for the breast cancer gene, has survived cancer three times.
Now Hollywood has come calling on the 58-year-old Brampton resident and manager of corporate sales at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre, whose loss of her mother and sister to the disease led her to suspect a defect in her family gene pool long before scientists found it.
Parker's battle against breast and ovarian cancer will be the subject of a movie from the same producer and cinematographer who made the Oscar-winning film Monster.
The independent film, Decoding Annie Parker, is supposed to begin shooting this March in Vancouver. It tells Parker's story, as well as the tale of Mary-Claire King, an American geneticist who spent years hunting for the genes she believed might be responsible for breast and ovarian cancer.
Steven Bernstein, who will make his directing debut, said: "It's a matter of faith. Anne had the ability to look into the future and keep believing in her survival, and if she just hung in she'd come to an understanding of things."
King was also sustained by faith, he said. "She spent 15 years of her life trying to prove something that people said wasn't provable and she succeeded."
Parker was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1980, at 29. She had lost her mother to the same disease when she was 13; her sister, who also had ovarian cancer, died when she was 27. For years, Parker said, she had asked for mammograms but was told, "I didn't need one; that there was no reason to believe that just because my mother and my sister died from the disease I was going to get it."
She was always compulsively checking her breasts.
Others thought she was a hypochondriac. It would be years before science isolated the genes involved, but "there was a voice in my head telling me the likelihood that my breast cancer diagnosis had to be somehow connected to some kind of flaw in our gene pool."
Parker's left breast was removed. She had chemotherapy.
When she was 38, she got ovarian cancer. She had her ovaries removed and more chemotherapy.
She survived. Still, she had no idea why she kept getting cancer.
In October 1994, the gene BRAC-1 was found; the following year BRAC-2. These genes are responsible for causing 5 per cent of all breast cancers and 10 per cent of all ovarian cancers. Suddenly, Parker realized she might have an answer.
She was tested in 1996, and was featured in a Star story about genetic testing.
Parker wanted women around the world to know their outcomes could change by being tested, so she wrote an as yet unpublished book – now the basis for the film's script – about her ordeal. Four years ago, a tumour was found behind Parker's liver. It was removed and chemotherapy followed.
Today, Parker is an advocate for genetic testing, and recommends it to anyone who has breast cancer in his or her family.
"I have come to the conclusion cancer is my life," she said. "I had to make the decision for the world, for other women. I want other people to know."

Much Music Presents ...

2009-12-14T10:12:00.003-05:00

Emily Osment
from Disney's Hannah Montana First Canadian Tour
Saturday, January 9 2010 7 PM
Hammerson Hall
Tickets: All Seats: $25

Wind-Up Entertainment recording artist Emily Osment is set to kick off the New Year with a 4 city Canadian concert tour. Driven by heavy play of her highly successful video "All The Way Up", the rising star's brand new EP All The Right Wrongs has been a fixture on the sales charts since it's debut in October. Emily's portrayal of Lilly Truscott in the highly successful Hannah Montana franchise has made her a household name among Canadian youth. Her fans will now have the opportunity to see her perform live and in concert as she continues to build on her success in the musical arena.

Joining Emily on her tour will be Wax Records recording artist Jesse Labelle. Having just released a 4 song digital EP, Perfect Accident, that debuted in the Top 20 on the iTunes Top Sellers Album charts, this up and coming singer/songwriter has been turning heads with his heartfelt pop songs! Jesse's first single and title track "Perfect Accident" is already making waves at radio across the country. The video for the single has just been completed and will be released mid December. Jesse's debut full length album, produced by Dave Thomson (Lights) is set for release early in 2010 on Wax Records. Expect to hear much more from this promising Canadian artist!
livingartscentre.ca
officialemilyosment.com

John McDermott & Friends - A Family Christmas

2009-12-14T10:05:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, December 16 2009 8 pm
Hammerson Hall
Tickets: Orchestra: $60 & up
Dress Circle: $45 & up
Balcony: $35 & up

An international performing and recording star, John McDermott won critical acclaim with his participation in PBS's popular act, "The Irish Tenors", generating a US gold record. Celebrate this holiday season with this much loved and acclaimed singer as he performs his traditional and touching renditions of your favourite songs.

John McDermott has reached #1 with albums hitting double platinum status in New Zealand. This success, in addition to a fast-growing North American fan base, won through a tireless touring schedule, led to his participation in the PBS phenomenon, "The Irish Tenors". McDermott’s presence helped generate a US gold record, three US tours, and a high-profile media schedule, which included appearances on "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show".

"It's not really Christmas until McDermott sings." - Toronto Star

ALTdot Comedy Lounge!

2009-11-20T11:24:00.009-05:00

Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:30pm RBC Theatre
Tickets: Main Level: $25
Lower Balcony: $20
Upper Balcony: $18
Doors open at 7:30 pm.
December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8
Purchase tickets for all 5 shows and save 20% off regular price!!

Brace yourself for laughter as some of the best up and coming Canadian stand-up comics hit our stage. Each night a host and six comedians will provide a fantastic comedy showcase that is sure to leave you in stitches. Comedy Nights happen on the second Thursday of every month between December and April. Comedians will be announced two weeks prior to each comedy night.
Language may offend.

"Not safe for work, but perfect for a night out" - Toronto Star

Host: Debra DiGiovanni has just been voted Canada’s Best Female Comedian at the 2009 Canadian Comedy Awards. This was her third win – in 2002 she was voted the Best New Stand Up and she was also voted Canada’s Best Female Comedian in 2007. Debra regularly appears on Muchmusic’s Video on Trial and can also be heard on CBC Radio One’s program Bleep hosted by Shelagh Rogers. She has also recently appeared in Slice Television’s Plastic Makes Perfect.

Featured Comics: Laurie Elliott is a winner of the Tim Sims En-couragement Fund Award and has twice been voted Funniest Female Stand Up at Canadian Comedy Awards. Laurie has performed at comedy festivals across Canada, including the Toronto and Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and the Vancouver International Comedy Festival. She has appeared on CBC’s The Red Green Show and The Jon Dore Television Show and regularly appears on Muchmusic’s Video on Trial. She has also worked on several animated series, including Bob and Margaret, Braceface and Jacob Two Two.

Winston Spears was a semi-finalist for NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2008 and winner of the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Comic. Winston has appeared a number of times at the Just for Laughs Festival in Toronto and Montreal, the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, and the Halifax Comedy Festival. He has appeared on screen in Open Mike with Mike Bullard and is a regular cast member and writer on CTV and The Comedy Network’s hit sketch show Comedy Inc. One of his comedic dance pieces has become a top video on YouTube and Google Videos, resulting in an appearance in the Barenaked Ladies video The Sound of Your Voice, which premiered on Youtube.

Four up-and-coming Canadian comedians will also appear at this event. Names to be announced soon!

Comedy Monthly performances are set up cabaret style on the main level. Beverage and dessert service is available before the performance and during intermission. Seating is general admission by level.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO THE FACEBOOK EVENT!
GET YOUR TICKETS!

LIVE Cuisine Restaurant

2009-11-19T15:05:00.013-05:00

Located on the ground floor of the Living Arts Centre adjacent to the elevators, LIVE Cuisine offers diners an enjoyable experience with an exquisite taste of the arts. LIVE`s main rotund dining area is surrounded by full-length windows, allowing natural light to fill the dining room during the weekday lunch buffet. By night, warm neutral colours and beautiful, dark wooden walls create an intimate setting for pre-theatre dining. Complimentary, heated underground parking for 450 cars is available here.Christmas Luncheon Buffet!
Starting November 23, 2009
Monday - Friday ~ 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
$16.95 per person - $9.95 Children (11 years & under)
Pre-theatre buffet on selected performance evenings.
Make your lunch reservation today 905.306.6116 or inquire at Reception
Pre-Theatre Dinner Buffet and Post-Show Dessert
On most performance nights, beginning 5:30 p.m.
$31.95 per person (taxes and gratuity extra).
LIVE Cuisine Restaurant will be open for Pre-Theatre Dinner Buffet and Post-Show Dessert on the following dates:
November 27,28 - 5:30 pm
December 12, 2009 - 5 pm
December 13, 2009 - 5 pm
December 16, 2009 - 5:30 pm
December 19, 2009 - 6 pm
January 1, 2010 - 5 pm
January 2, 2020 - 4 pm
January 15, 2010 - 5:30 pm
February 5, 2010 - 5:30 pm
February 6, 2010 - 5:30 pm
February 20, 2010 - 5:30 pm
March 4, 2010 - 5:30 pm
March 26, 2010 - 5:30 pm
March 27, 2010 - 5:30 pm
April 18, 2010 - 4 pm
May 8, 2010 - 5:30 pm

Reservations are recommended for both pre-theatre dining and lunch buffet.
Call 905.306.6116
LIVE Cuisine Restaurant

Wes Winters - A Musical Tribute to Liberace

2009-11-19T11:53:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 4 2009
8:30 pm. RBC Theatre
Award-winning "Wes Winters" is one of the most popular and versatile entertainers in Las Vegas. With an innate talent possessed by very few, he has achieved a virtuoso standing, both vocal and instrumental, around the world. In 2003, Wes won the Liberace Play-A-Like Competition for his expert skill. His ability to go from Jerry Lee Lewis to Barry Manilow, Andrew Lloyd Webber to Rachmaninoff, has given him the opportunity to perform around the world. His tribute show captures the spirit, enthusiasm and the legendary showmanship that made Liberace a true icon.

"...catch [Wes Winters] on the way up the ladder to stardom. You'll be able to say, 'I knew him when!'" - Dr. Steven Toy, Variety

Relaxed Series performances are set up cabaret style on the main level. Beverage and dessert service is available before the performance and during intermission. Seating is general admission by level. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

Visit us on...

2009-11-17T13:08:00.019-05:00

Facebook
- Add us as a Friend on Facebook.
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- Keep up to date with the events and shows.
- Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions on shows.
- Pictures from performances, events and workshops will be posted soon.

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YouTube
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- Watch the sneak previews of the upcoming shows
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The Living Arts Centre Home Page
- Find out about our shows, Programs & Education, Catering & Dining and also about us
- Sign up for Workshops, Programs, Courses & Camps
- Volunteering opportunities
- Event Calendar

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Ballet Jörgen Canada

2009-11-13T11:30:00.004-05:00

The Nutcracker
Hammerson Hall
Sunday, December 6 2009 1 pm
Sunday, December 6 2009 4:30 pm

His ballet production of "The Nutcracker" returns with scenery and costumes inspired by the artwork of famous Canadian artists, the Group of Seven. With set design inspired by the rural landscapes of Northern Ontario, and Tchaikovsky's familiar musical score, this delightful reworking of the timeless classic tells the story of a young girl and her toy soldier. Make The Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition.

In a collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, The Group of Seven Nutcracker features as a backdrop Canada’s 20th century landscape artists, Franklin Carmichael’s Church and Houses at Bisset (1931), Tom Thomson’s Snow in the Woods (1916) and L.L. FitzGerald’s Trees and Wildflowers (1922). This presentation will take you on journeys through northern landscapes filled with dragonflies, beavers, birches, squirrels and more.

"Ballet Jörgen is a rare and exhilarating find." - Toronto Star

Tickets: Orchestra: $50 & up (Child $40 & up) / Dress Circle: $40 & up (Child $35) / Balcony: $25 & up (Child $25)
BUY TICKETS/CHECK OTHER LAC EVENTS

Mississauga Article;

2009-10-28T14:43:00.046-04:00

Articles from the Mississauga News

"Comedy Lounge opens tomorrow at LAC"
Comic Laurie Elliott is one of six comedians who will perform at the Living Arts Centre on Thursday as part of the ALTdot Comedy Lounge show.
"Sometimes, with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be hard to find a moment to smile.
Rushing off to the mall to fight the crowds to find that perfect gift and driving in increasingly poor weather can dampen even the most festive spirit.
Those looking for a little frivolity might want to head down to the Living Arts Centre's RBC Theatre this Thursday when a group of comics come to town to help get everyone into a lighter mood as part of the ALTdot Comedy Lounge series. The evening features a host/emcee who will be joined by six comedians.
The shows feature some of Canada's best up-and-coming comics and happen the second Thursday of each month at the LAC between December and April.
This week the host is Adam Growe. He's appeared on CBS's Star Search and starred in his own Comedy NOW! special on CTV and The Comedy Network. He currently hosts the game show Cash Cab on the Discovery Channel.
Fans of MuchMusic's Video on Trial show will recognize featured comic Laurie Elliott. A two-time winner of the Funniest Female Stand Up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Elliott has appeared on The Red Green Show and The Jon Dore Television Show and has performed at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival..."
www.mississauga.com

"Comic ready for laughs"
Toronto comedian Gerry Dee comes to the Living Arts Centre's Hammerson Hall Friday. Dee says he's a regular guy who loves stand-up
'' Toronto comedian Gerry Dee considers himself a regular guy.
And, it's that everyman quality that shines through in his numerous television commercials, film appearances and stand-up routines.
Take, for example, his commercial for Wiser's Canadian Whisky where he portrays a husband saddled with a hideous-looking sweater from his wife he surreptitiously rips so he doesn't have to wear it out. People seem to connect with the commercial and his character - just an average guy ducking a confrontation with his better half while also avoiding a fashion disaster.
Fans can see Dee this Friday when he comes to the Living Arts Centre's Hammerson Hall. Show time is 8 p.m.
"I'm a regular guy," Dee told The News. "It's just natural for me to (perform) that way because it's who I am." ... ''
www.mississauga.com

"Film looks at how a musical comes to life"
The creation of the musical A Chorus Line will be explored through the film Every Little Step, which airs on Tuesday at the Living Arts Centre. Photo by Martha Swope and courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.| Nov 20, 2009 - 3:38 PM
" Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a Broadway musical through a film being screened next Tuesday at the Living Arts Centre.
Every Little Step follows the creating of A Chorus Line, focussing specifically on the casting for the musical's 2006 revival. It also takes the audience through the musical's many incarnations and back to how it first started.
It airs in the LAC's Hammerson Hall. Show time is 8 p.m.
A Chorus Line began to take shape in the ’70s when choreographer Michael Bennett thought he might have the basis for a show after listening to conversations of stage performers and actors. The documentary, created by directors James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, includes old footage plus new interviews.
The 96-minute film is rated PG. It was screened at last year's Toronto International Film Festival. Following the screening, film reviewer and author Christopher Heard will host a discussion.
Tickets cost $10-$12 and can be purchased by calling 905-306-6000."
www.livingartscentre.ca/homepage/
www.mississauga.com

"Mandel magic at Mayor's Gala"
Howie Mandel, host of Deal or No Deal, performs at the 23rd annual Mayor's Gala on Saturday evening at the Living Arts Centre. Photo by Daniel Ho | Nov 22, 2009 - 9:37 AM

" It was a night of big laughs and good fun when Emmy Award-winning Canadian funnyman Howie Mandel came to the Living Arts Centre last night for a performance.
Mandel, who was recently inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame, was in town to entertain the crowd at the 23rd annual Mayor's Gala, held in Hammerson Hall. The event, dubbed The Magical, Mythical and Mysterious Mayor's Gala, also included a sampling of culinary treats from some of the city's finest restaurants as well as a live auction and cocktail reception.
Mississauga tenor Michael Ciufo also performed.
Funds raised at the event will go to the Hazel McCallion Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Heritage.
With a career that has spanned three decades, Mandel is currently host of the popular television show Deal or No Deal. Mandel has starred as Dr. Wayne Fiscus in the long-running Emmy Award-winning show St. Elsewhere and added his voice to the animated program Bobby's World.
Mandel's career started on a dare in Los Angeles in the late 1970s. A few of his buddies convinced him to get up on stage at the Comedy Store on amateur night and, as luck would have it, a television producer happened to be in the audience and immediately hired Mandel for the comedy game show Make Me Laugh.
Besides his numerous television and movie roles, he also had a chance to open for the songstress Diana Ross during one of her tours.
Bobby's World, in which Mandel provided the voice of the protagonist, his dad and many of the other characters, ran for eight seasons on Fox and is now in syndication six days a week in 65 countries.
He also hosted the talk show The Howie Mandel Show."

"Holidays get musical treatment"
" Everyone loves gifts, especially at Christmas.
With this in mind, the Salvation Army Mississauga Temple Community Church presents a free concert, The Gift of Christmas, this Sunday at the Living Arts Centre's Hammerson Hall. Although tickets are complimentary, a service charge of $1-$2 will apply.
The concert, an annual tradition since 1998, is described as a celebration of the real meaning of Christmas through music, drama and carol singing.
The show will have a strong local flavour with performances by the Thomas Street Middle School Chamber Choir under the direction of Carole Anderson, the Cawthra Park Secondary School Chamber Choir under the direction of Bob Anderson, flautist Elizabeth Colley and The Salvation Army Mississauga Temple Band under the direction of Robert Miller.
Also expected to perform are The Mississauga Temple Teen Singers under the direction of Gena Norbury with accompaniment by Kevin Norbury and the King's Christian Collegiate theatre troupe the King's Players.
Show times are 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m."'
www.mississauga.com

"Hot Box creates artistic view of derailment"
A troupe of Mississauga community actors will use art to recall the historic train derailment and subsequent evacuation of Mississaugans on Nov. 10, 1979.
The Hot Box BOOM Performance, which opens on Friday, is directed by artist Sonja Hidas, who wanted to engage people in a performance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the largest peacetime evacuation in Canadian history. She asked the public to recall their memories of the derailment, which she incorporated into her work, which includes paintings, sound and performance.
The free performance will be held Nov. 13, 7 to 8 p.m. at the Central Library, 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.
The art exhibit is at the Living Arts Centre until Nov. 15, and is titled Evacuate.
www.mississauga.com

"Locals nominated for Jazz Awards"
" The nominees for the sixth annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards have been announced and a pair of Mississauga performers are among them.
Mississauga's Rik Emmett and Chris Smith are both up for male vocalist of the year. The 2010 awards gala will be held April 23 at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre (LAC).
Meanwhile, Alexander Zonjic, who has hosted the Smooth Jazz Awards for several years at the LAC, is nominated for best wind instrumentalist and broadcaster of the year. He's also up for album of the year for Doin The D.
For a complete list of the nominees and to take part in the voting process, visit"
www.mississauga.com

"Backyardigans take audience on underwater trip"
" Parents of little ones take note: The Backyardigans are coming to town this week for a live stage production that takes the five friends on an underwater adventure.The Backyardigans Sea Deep in Adventure show – based on the animated children's television program – comes to the Living Arts Centre on Friday. Performances are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Hammerson Hall. In the show, The Backyardigans – Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua and Austin – sing, dance and play their way through the deep sea. They explore a coral reef, play in a octopus' garden and join the jellyfish ballet.
The five friends explore clues, discover underwater magic and match wits with a very neat octopus and a pair of playful and messy dolphins. The music will be as diverse as the ocean itself with styles including psychedelic soul, Bollywood, bossa nova and others.The stage show is based on the Emmy Award and Gemini Award-winning animated television show from Nelvana and Nick Jr. It's broadcast in over 40 countries across the world.
The performances run about an hour in length with a 15-minute intermission."
WWW.Mississauga.com

"Film series continues"
Show time is 8 p.m. in Hammerson Hall.
"The Mississauga International Film Series continues at the Living Arts Centre on Oct. 27 with a screening of a film about a Senegalese taxi driver working in North Carolina."
http://www.mississauga.com

"Show chock full of temptation"
Show time is 8 p.m. in the Hammerson Hall
" While most everyone will be there to hear the hit songs such as My Girl, the audience that comes to the Living Arts Centre on Friday to hear The Temptations in concert might be treated to a few originals from the group..."
http://www.mississauga.com

" '80s come to life at LAC "
Show time is 8:30 p.m. in the RBC Theatre.
"The sounds of the ’80s are getting a contemporary makeover when a Quebec group comes to the Living Arts Centre for a concert on Friday..."
http://www.mississauga.com/

LAC's Fall & Winter Courses & Workshops

2009-10-08T14:06:00.019-04:00

Our courses offer a variety of in-depth experiences in hands-on creativity to suit beginners and emerging artists alike. Try your hand at something new, develop your skills and grow your creativity with us! Adult Courses & Children Courses Please note:
* There will be NO classes on: Oct.10, 11 & 12, 2009; Feb.15, 2010; Mar.13 to 19, 2010.
* Unless otherwise indicated, adult courses are 10 weeks in length and include all materials and applicable taxes.
* SMALL CLASS SIZES - visit our homepage to register early!

Culinary Arts - Cooking Demonstration
Learn practical tips on preparing easy homemade recipes from internationally renowned master chefs and amaze your friends and family with your new culinary talents! Each class will include delectable tastings, plus wine paired with prepared recipes. Cooking demonstrations are presented in partnership with the Canadian Centre of Culinary Arts & Science, Humber College, and supported by Vincor Wines.
Ages 19 years and up. Register for 4 or more Cooking Demonstrations for $45 per demonstration.

Ceramic Arts - Pottery
Learn to throw clay on the wheel and hand build functional or aesthetic pieces! Ceramics is a versatile and exciting medium geared to bring out the inner sculptor in you. Courses are offered at beginner and advanced levels in our professionally equipped studio.
Enjoy creating pottery with simple shapes and forms! Experience both hand-building and wheel throwing as you produce a number of finished functional and aesthetic pieces. A variety of decorative and glazing techniques will be explored. Includes one bag of clay.

Glass Arts
Engage yourself in the world of glass with courses in hot glass, fused glass and flameworking. Try a 1-day workshop to make a beautiful fused glass work or create a stunning vase in our 10-week course. From beginner- to advanced-level classes, our professional artist-instructors will show you the latest techniques in this amazing art form!

Square One Shopping Centre & The Living Arts Centre

2009-10-07T11:36:00.010-04:00

"BE THE ONE to make your shoe dreams come true."
You could win 4 tickets to The Wizard of Oz
at the Living Arts Centre Mississauga
plus a $200 Square One GOLD Gift Certificate.
Contest runs September 28th - November 1st
with two winners chosen weekly!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Visit www.facebook.com/SquareOne and become a fan
2. Click on the "Events" tab and enter the "Dream Shoe Promotion"
3. RSVP to online event
4. Upload a picture* of your dream shoes (please ensure your picture does not contain any third party products and/or trade-marks, brands or logos)
5. In the "Caption" area, write a brief description (up to 20 words) on why these are your dream shoes
6. When all required fields are completed, click "Save Changes"
7. To complete your entry, click "Publish"
Say it three times - there's no place like Square One.

**Performances run from January 1-3, 2010. For details visit: www.livingartscentre.ca

The Wizard of Oz - Broadway National Tour

2009-10-07T11:19:00.011-04:00

Fri,Jan 1,2010 @ 7pm
Sat,Jan 2,2010 @ 2 & 7 pm
Sun,Jan 3,2010 @2 pm
Hammerson Hall
Prepare to be swept away by breathtaking special effects from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas. Travel down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her friends for an unforgettable adventure and discover that there truly is no place like home.

This Broadway production features a live orchestra, fabulous costumes and extraordinary visuals that will captivate your entire family. You will find yourself singing along to the classic songs "Over the Rainbow", "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" and "If Only I Had a Brain" in this unforgettable performance.

This production is based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s rendition of the 1939 MGM movie classic and features original music scores by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

http://www.livingartscentre.ca/homepage/

The Wizard of Oz

2009-10-07T10:55:00.019-04:00

Check out our Wizard of Oz display in front of the Square One Mall food court!

The Lost Fingers

2009-10-07T10:46:00.001-04:00

Friday, October 30, 2009
8:30pm - 10:30pm
RBC Theatre
"The Lost Fingers" is made up of three incredibly talented musicians: Byron Mikaloff (guitar), Christian Roberge (guitar), and Alex Morissette (bassist). They united their unique voices in 2006 to create an ingenious tribute to the '80s in the swinging gypsy style of jazz manouche inspired by their mentor, Django Reinhardt. "The Lost Fingers" debut album, "Lost in the 80s", has achieved platinum status in Canada and the group has received two JUNO nominations for 2009. The group has gained an international reputation for their witty and jazzed-up renditions of nostalgic hits.

The Temptations

2009-10-07T10:45:00.001-04:00

Featuring original Tempations member Otis Williams
Friday, October 30, 2009
8:00pm - 10:00pm
The Hammerson Hall
Celebrating their 45th anniversary, "The Temptations" bring new freshness and fire to the world of contemporary urban music. Supporting their new album, "Back to Front", the band is a testimony to the musical power of great music, nurtured through the phenomenon of Motown and expanded, year after year, into a triumph of here-and-now hits.

Thanks to their fine-tuned choreography -- and even finer harmonies -- "The Temptations" became the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s; one of Motown's most elastic acts, they tackled both lush pop and politically charged funk with equal flair, and weathered a steady stream of changes in personnel and consumer tastes with rare dignity and grace.

Initially known as the Elgins, the quintet were renamed "The Temptations" by Berry Gordy when he signed them to Motown in 1961. After issuing three singles on the Motown subsidiary Miracle Records, one of them under the pseudonym of the Pirates, the group moved to the Gordy label. "Dream Come Home" provided their first brief taste of chart status in 1962, although it was only when they were teamed up with writer, producer and performer Smokey Robinson that "The Temptations" achieved true success.

Pigeon Party - Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company

2009-10-07T10:44:00.002-04:00

Sunday,October 18th, 2009 - 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
The RBC Theatre

Squeezing all the fun of the first three Pigeon books into one raucous theatre production, this lively show is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement.

Can you stop Pigeon from driving the bus? Will he share the hot dog? And after all of that, it's time for bed! The Bus Driver wants Pigeon to go to bed; all his friends want him to go to bed; but the question is - will you let him stay up late? Featuring original music and lots of audience participation…come join the party!

Adapted from the books, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", "Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!" and "Don't let the Pigeon Stay up Late!"

"A brilliant job of bringing these quirky and hilarious books to life." - Toronto Star

Whose Live Anyway?

2009-10-07T10:42:00.000-04:00

Sunday, October 18, 2009
- 7pm The Hammeson Hall
Fans of ‘Whose line is it anyway?’, The Living Arts Centre presents ‘Whose Live Anyway?’ Featuring Whose Line performers Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten and newcomer Jeff B. Davis, this cast takes you on a journey of hilarious improvised comedy and song based on audience suggestions and participation.

Audience participation is the key to the show so bring your suggestions and you might be asked to join the cast on stage. "Whose Live Anyway?" performs some of the games made famous from the Emmy nominated TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" plus some new ones. It's a night of unforgettably funny interactive comedy!

Everyone is amazed at how quickly they make it up! Crowds of all ages are astounded at the incredible improvised song lyrics Chip Esten and Jeff Davis create and sing, as well as their combined musical range!

"Whose Live Anyway?" (originally called "A Night of Improv") first appeared in 1999 when it sold out two shows in under three hours to very enthusiastic crowds at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The laughter still resonates! Following its initial success, "Whose Line" Executive Producer and star, Ryan Stiles, expanded the number of appearances of the show to include many major cities in the Western USA and Canada where it has remained a consistent sell out.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Dufflebag Theatre

2009-10-07T10:37:00.001-04:00

Sunday, November 29, 2009
3:00pm - 4:00pm
RBC Theatre
There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with the classic children's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Enjoy the "Nearly World Famous" Dufflebag Theatre's entertaining and interactive story-telling, as they share Rudolph's adventure, with the help of a few unsuspecting audience members. This unpredictable performance is a hilarious encounter for children and adults alike and a truly unique interactive theatrical experience where the dream of living a fairy tale actually does come true!

The Baby Boomers Show

2009-10-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009
8:30pm - 10:30pm
RBC Theatre
Were you born between 1946 and 1964? Own a beanbag chair? Listen to an eight track? Play Twister? Wear something Tie Dyed? If you loved Lucy, or dreamt of Jeanie, the Baby Boomers Show is for you. Simon B. Cotter and Scott Harris revisit the '50s, '60s and '70s. Hip, slick and hilarious, with a little bit of music thrown in, this show celebrates the fads, the events and the accomplishments of the "Me" generation.

Remembrance & Support for Our Armed Forces

2009-10-07T10:31:00.002-04:00

featuring the Windjammers
Thursday, November 5 2009
-7pm. Hammerson Hall
A portion of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to the Military Families Fund. Presented by the Mississauga News.
The Windjammers, a 40-piece wind ensemble conducted by Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Currie, presents a moving Remembrance Day tribute with a variety of musical selections from Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, to the film score "Saving Private Ryan" along with songs and medleys from World War I, this concert will truly honour our Canadian Armed Forces.

The Windjammers appeared at the Living Arts Centre on February 28, 2009 in the spectacular "Support the Troops" concert in conjunction with the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Special narrations will be given by one of Canada’s truly legendary actors, Ted Follows with host Gabriella Currie from Rogers daytime, "One-on-One" and "Grand River Living".

The performance will also feature singers Dinah Christie, the Irvine Sisters and Eleanor McCain and special guest conductor Lieutenant Colonel Scott Attridge, Canadian Supervisor of Music. Toronto's Northern Lights Barbershop Chorus will also be featured.
Join us to honour and remember those Canadians currently serving, those who have served and those we have lost.

Presented by the Mississauga News.

The Backyardigans: Sea Deep in Adventure

2009-10-07T10:28:00.003-04:00

Friday, November 6, 2009
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Hammerson Hall
Who explores a coral reef, plays in an octopus' garden and joins the jellyfish ballet...all before snack time? The Backyardigans! Dive into action with Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua and Austin as they sing, dance and plunge into a fun-filled deep sea adventure. This watery tale will mesmerize, entertain and delight audiences of all ages!

The Backyardigans, are made up of five preschool friends: quick-moving penguin Pablo; mellow moose Tyrone; thrill-seeking, purple-potted creature Uniqua; lady-like hippo Tasha; and Austin, the new kangaroo on the block. For the Backyardigans gang, daily backyard play dates bring fantasy to life. Each musical adventure encourages kids to develop their imaginations and express themselves creatively as they sing and dance along with the gang. When you're with The Backyardigans, anything is possible!

New Fall Dance Classes @ the Living Arts Centre

2009-08-27T13:39:00.002-04:00

So you think you can dance Mississauga? Stay fit, have fun and meet new people in our Community Courses - Modern and Lyrical Dance, Adult Ballet, Latin, Ballroom and more! No experience needed; courses start Sept. 13 and 20. Call to find out more or REGISTER TODAY! 905-306-6000

Raku Pottery

2009-08-27T13:36:00.002-04:00

Try our outdoor kiln and explore the exciting art of Raku Pottery! You'll be amazed by the stunning patterns and results created with fire and smoke. This ceramic art workshop is for ages 16+ and starts Sept. 20

Find out more or register today @ 905-306-6000!

Call for Submissions - BOOM! - Juried Exhibition of Emerging Artists

2009-08-13T13:41:00.004-04:00

BOOM! is the anti-recession. In the wake of the global financial meltdown, artists are emerging determined to experiment with new ideas and expand our cultural repertoire. BOOM! is an exhibition trumpeting exciting new creative possibilities to help lift spirits and expose the artists of tomorrow.

The Living Arts Centre is accepting submissions from new and emerging artists for a juried art exhibition. Selected works will be exhibited in the Living Art Centre’s on-site gallery from November 29th, 2009 to January 24th, 2010. Entries in all media are welcome.

Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee. Cash prizes will be awarded.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

25.00 application fee made out to the Living Arts Centre
artist statement (max. 100 words)
current CV
2 images of current work (jpegs on CD at 72 dpi), including a word document listing title, medium, size, date, and artist’s name for each submission
Artist’s name must be clearly labeled on the submission CD*
SASE (self addressed and stamped envelope) – please ensure correct postage for return of CD (The Living Arts Centre assumes no responsibility for images sent without return postage)Email submissions will not be accepted

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, October 12th at 5 pm

Please send submissions to:

BOOM! Emerging Artists Exhibition

Studio Arts - Living Arts Centre

4141 Living Arts Drive

Mississauga ON L5B 4B8

For more information, please email exhibition curator Cole Swanson at exhibitions@livingarts.on.ca or call 905.306.6161

Notification of Acceptance: Artists will be notified by phone or email on Monday, November 2nd if their piece has been selected to be in the exhibition. Only those accepted will be notified. Accepted artists will receive details pertaining to the exhibition including delivery of artwork, insurance, opening reception and awards.

Check out our 2009-10 Season!

2009-08-07T12:51:00.000-04:00

Check out our website for some great performing arts starting in October! Get your tickets early as tickets have been on sale since July 1st!

Visit www.livingartscentre.ca for video and audio of our season!

Film's At the Living Arts Centre

2008-10-28T19:03:00.000-04:00

Tonight is going to be great! The Band's Visit is one of the best reviewed films of 2008 and highly awarded. If you're planning on attending we look forward to seeing you, if you've seen it and want to comment we'd love to hear that as well.

This is an open forum where we welcome your thoughts, comments and suggestions for what we program at the Centre.

Our next film is, Deepa Mehta's, Heaven on Earth on November 25th. We look forward to seeing you and stay tuned for updates on our website for the upcoming film series and Performing arts special events.

Spread the Word!

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

Blogs such as this one have little effect if no one responds to them. This is a great opportunity to become a part of the Living Arts Centre and let us know your thoughts on an array of subjects. We really want to know so don't be shy.

Whether it is a comment on a show you've just seen, a meal you've just had or even a Corporate event you recently attended - we want to know.

Even suggest a show you want to see! We read every post and look forward to making this blog a truly interactive experience!

And let us know if you have a blog as we will be sure to read it as well.

Our site is evolving

2008-10-20T09:10:00.000-04:00

As some of you that frequent our website probably already know, it is slowing getting a facelift. Our end goal is that you, our patrons, have the opportunity to interact and become involved with the centre. Let us know how we can improve, the kinds of shows you would like to see, what courses you would like to take and of course, what you love about us.

Please feel free to use our blog to post your comments or start a topic of your own. And remember, you can write on our facebook page and post pictures of yourself or simply just write your own thoughts.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Team Building @ The LAC

2008-10-17T09:18:00.001-04:00

Is your team feeling a little out of sorts as of late? Has the economy taken their focus away?

The Living Arts Centre is a great place to rekindle your team's drive and enthusiasm. Buying groups of tickets to shows is a cost effective and proactive approach to rewarding your employees and co-workers for a job well done or even to boost their morale. And with today's economy it's a lot cheaper than most sporting events.

Explore http://www.livingartscentre.ca/ to see the wide range of programming that is sure to fit any taste or style.

Please visit our website or call us at 905.306.6000 to reward your team today!

Live Cusine Restaurant

2008-10-16T08:33:00.000-04:00

Lunch At The Living Arts?

Did you know that the Living Arts Centre offers a weekday lunch buffet 5 days a week? It's a great place to meet up with friends or have a business lunch. The food is always fresh, and always amazing! And at $11.95 per person it is one of the best deals in town!

On nights when there are Special Events at Hammerson Hall there is a Pre-Dinner Buffet and Post Show desert offer that is sure to entice.

For reservations call 905.306.6116.

Cooking Demonstrations at The Living Arts Centre

2008-10-15T09:49:00.000-04:00

If you're addicted to watching shows on cooking or simply learning new things, the Living Arts Centre has you covered starting this October! Learn how to make the perfect pasta, a delicious soup, a French meal or a chocolatey treat. And not only will you be able to watch the Chef prepare the meal in person, but you will also have the added bonus of seeing it on the big screen so you won't miss a thing.

This is a great opportunity to learn something new, spend time with friends or have an interesting date with your mate. The program begins on October 30th with "Pastabilities" and every month a new experience begins. Please explore our website and click on the little gold chef to get complete details. And don't forget, there are tastings and wine pairings after ever lesson.

Hope to see you there.

This October!

2008-10-14T13:55:00.000-04:00

The whole blogging thing is new to the Centre, also known as the "LAC". I'd love to hear your comments about how we can make the centre better and get information from you on your past experiences here.

Also, feel free to add any of your own artistic aspirations or professional accomplishments.

THIS OCTOBER:

Spirit of The West October 24th 8pm Hammerson Hall

Justin Hines October 24th 8pm RBC

Let me know if you get a chance to see either show and post your comments!

Thanks,

Andreas