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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 23, 2008 - 45 Arts festival supports new arts centre By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Projects raise awareness local videographer says Continued from page 44 Oakville residents who want to support a new arts centre and enjoy an afternoon of family fun can do both at the 4th annual For the Love of the Arts Festival on June 14. The event is one of the major fundraisers for CommUnity Arts Space, a local organization consisting of a contingent of various groups who are raising funds for a new multipurpose arts facility in Oakville. The festival will feature a number of attractions, such as live entertainment by local dance and music groups, workshops, interactive displays, craft-making activities, as well as an art show and sale. "This is not just a festival for artists and musicians because culture is really an expression of society, so this is for everyone," said Britta Martini-Miles, executive director of CommUnity Arts Space. "You don't have to be an artist to enjoy the festival. The idea is to come with your family and spend the day." Organizers have made several changes to the festival this year with the hope of drawing a larger crowd and raising more funds. The event normally attracts about 900 people, but this year's goal is bringing in more than 1,500 people. The biggest change to help achieve an attendance record is a new venue. The festival is moving from Oakville Town Hall to White Oaks Secondary School. The new location will give organizers more indoor and outdoor space for the festivities. It is also a strategic location choice as a possible future site of an arts facility. "The reason we went to White Oaks is because they would like to build a new auditorium with 750 seats," said Martini-Miles. "To get funding for that, they would need another side, and the community could be that other side. So if the community could use it and rent it, that would work." The variety of entertainment is also being expanded. A new addition that Martini-Miles said she expects will resonate with the younger crowd is a bat- tle of the bands competition. "Since it is at a high school where teenagers hang out, we decided to add a battle of the bands," she said. "We've hand-picked local bands and there is a celebrity that is going to do the opening and be the jury. We're still finalizing, so we can't release any names yet, but we can say it will be a great show." The festival will offer good eating with a number of different food vendors, including ethnic cuisine, as well as a beer tent. The event is also going green this year, with initiatives like food vendors using paper products, recycling on-site and paperless ticket entry. "We've partnered with environmental groups for the event," Martini-Miles said. "We're going to be minimizing our waste, which is exciting." The many additions come with an increased admission fee. Last year, admission cost $2 or pay-what-you-can. This year's price is $10 for adults, $5 for students and children under 12 get in for free. Martini-Miles said the increased admission fee is still a great deal. "This is the same price as a movie ticket and given the fact you can spend the day there makes it a good deal," said Martini-Miles. "You won't see this type of festival anywhere else in Oakville. And the money is going to such a good cause." Proceeds from the event will go to the CommUnity Arts Space building fund. There is currently about $160,000 sitting in the bank, with the group striving to double that amount within the next few years. "So far, we have not spent anything on the festival since everything has been covered by cash donations or inkind donations, so 100 per cent is going to the building fund," she said. "We are hoping to walk away with a nice profit from this festival. We really feel now that the town is dedicated to cultural planning and that we need to make sure we are coming with funds to build a partnership with the town." Group representatives have been investigating possible locations, saying they do not expect a brand-new facility. Some of the options they are working with the Town on developing are Queen Elizabeth Park School, which is a closed school owned by the Town, or one of the two southeast Oakville schools that may be closed this summer, including Brantwood and New Central. The organization recently received a huge boost with the announcement of a new patron, Michael Schade. The world-famous Canadian tenor calls Oakville his home and brings credibility to the campaign, said Martini-Miles. "It is an incredible honour to have someone who travels the world on board," she said. "With Michael, he's one those beacons people look up to, especially people in the arts. To have him endorse this is going to make such a difference and make people believe in the value of all of this." The For the Love of the Arts Festival runs June 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at White Oaks Secondary School, south campus, 1330 Montclair Dr. Vendors and volunteers, including both adults and students, are still needed. The event runs rain or shine. For information, e-mail info@communityartsspace.ca or go online to www.communityartsspace.ca. He has been an Oakville resident since the 1980s, but it is only recently that he made the connection between his film skills and a need in the community. He started with a project for Halton Children's Aid Society, which inspired him to connect with other local groups, like Community Living Oakville, Oakville Symphony Orchestra and CommUnity Arts Space. "I realized I was doing all sorts of work in Oakville without doing anything for Oakville," he said. The Oakville man is now on a mission to find sponsors so that more non-profit organizations can make promotional videos. "It is a fundraising tool, an awareness tool, a business tool and will do many different jobs for them," he said. "Awareness is a key part for non-profit organizations. I'm encouraging other people to sponsor videos because these organizations will not take it upon themselves to do this because they have other priorities." Bob Fleck can be reached by phone at 905-842-9788 or by email at bob@bobfleckcreative.com For information on Community Living Oakville, call 905-844-0146 or go online to www.oakcl.org. presents Four Fabulous Days of FREE Music! Father's Day Weekend June 12th - 15th, 2008 Hamilton's own! TOMI SWICK Burlington based rockers! SILVERSTEIN Best New Artist! SERENA RYDER A Canadian Icon icon If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. DENTURES COMPLETE DENTURE 349 905-842-8209 ea. $ ? 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