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Halton Museum to present CVA offers courses The Credit Valley musical Hardscrabble Road Winter/Spring 2007 courseArtisans' listing is Give the gift of live theatre this Christmas. The Halton Museum Foundation is kicking off its 2007 fundraising campaign on Saturday, January 20 at Georgetown's John Elliott Theatre with a special presentation of James Gordon's critically acclaimed musical Hardscrabble Road. This gritty, thought-provoking tale takes the audience on a journey to the back streets of a Canadian inner city where a group of homeless people sings of their plight. Gordon's most ambitious work to date with 24 all-new songs, this groundbreaking musical uses sharp satire, humour and a wide range of music styles to convey the important and timely message of how our current global situation can have a personal impact on each and everyone of us. Gordon shares the lead vocals with a "who's who" of the area's music scene, including Ken Browne, Nonie Crete, Sandy Horne, Amy Nodwell and Ryan Schneider. These talented performers are backed-up by principal instrumentalists Lois Cherry, Marion Linton, Even Gordon and Randall Coryell. In the spirit of this presentation, the Halton Museum Foundation will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations in support of the Georgetown Bread Basket food bank. Tickets for this event are adults $23 and youth/seniors $20. The Halton Museum Foundation returns to The John Elliott Theatre with internationally recognized illusionist Ted Outerbridge and his spell-binding presentation, Magical Moments in Time on Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets for Hardscrabble Road and Magical Moments in Time are available now at the John Elliott Theatre Box Office, 905-877-3700. now available for registration. Course brochures complete with dates, times and cost details as well as the registration form can be found at a number of locations in Georgetown including the CVA Cottage in Cedarvale Park, the Civic Centre foyer, the Cultural Centre foyer, and the Artisans Attic on Main St. or www.creditvalleyartisans.com. Gift certicates available. For details contact Registrar Marjorie Thompson, 905-702-2628 or e-mail: marjoriethompson@sympatico.ca Santa jam Santa jammed on the trumpet accompanied by TJ Baker on guitar and Shannon Taylor on violin during the John Hribljan and The Music Hall's annual Christmas Recital Friday night at Knox Church, Acton. Photo by John Hribljan Choir to perform Handel's Messiah The Guelph Chamber Choir is continuing its 27th season with a performance of Handel's Messiah on December 23rd at the River Run Centre in Guelph. "It doesn't matter how many times we perform it, this work is always inspiring" says Gerald Neufeld, the conductor. "For a community that loves Messiah, this work has glorious music, great drama, and a timeless message of renewal and hope". Guest soloists are Charlene Pauls, soprano, Sophie Louise Roland, mezzo-soprano, Dennis Giesbrecht, tenor, and Gary Relyea, bass. All come from Ontario and are seasoned performers of both opera and oratorio. Of added interest at this performance are the period instruments in the orchestra. These are similar to the kind that were played in the 18th century when Handel composed Messiah in 1742 as a fundraiser for prisoners and hospitals in Dublin. They include stringed instruments, tympani, and of course trumpets. Those who are interested in learning more about the history of Messiah, its music and message, are invited to attend a "bridge talk" by Dr. Neufeld and Rev. John Buttars before the concert at 6.45 p.m. on "The Bridge" in the Canada Company Hall. Tickets to Messiah are $25 adults, students $10: call the River Run Centre, 1-877 520-2408 or www.riverruncentre.ca.