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Tickets still left for arts awards gala By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 23 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Tickets are still available for the Oakville Arts Council's Stars Among Us Gala on June 11. This is the first year for the awards ceremony, which doubles as a way to recognize outstanding local talent, as well as raise money and awareness for the arts council. "It is going to be magical, it is going to be a great show and it is all Oakville," said Megan Whittington, executive director of the Oakville Arts Council. "This event showcases the talent we have and as a fundraiser, the money raised is going to the arts council so we can do things like this. Everything we do at the arts council is geared to enabling artistic activity and to advocate why arts are important. The money raised at this event goes to help us in everything we do in this community." Twelve Oakville nominees in four categories are up for awards, with the top winner in each category walking away with $500. The event will be done in the style of the big awards shows, with a red carpet and video clips of the nominees. Besides announcing this year's winners, the Stars Among Us Gala will feature a performance by Canadian music star Susan Aglukark. Musical performances will also be given by father-son rhythm and blues group Prakash and Jordan John, the Oakville Children's Choir, and young classical pianist Annie Zhou from the Canadian Music Competition. The host for the night will be Danny Deakin, a professional actor who regularly appears in community theatre productions. There will also be live and silent auctions, with major items on the block, such as studio time to record an album, dance lessons, and a fivecourse meal with wine pairings for eight people in your own home. The Stars Among Us Gala will be held on June 11 at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Red carpet starts at 6:30 p.m., with the show commencing at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $60 per person and include a champagne reception, hors d'oeuvres and the show. For information or tickets, call the box office at 905-815-2021 or order online at www.oc4pa.ca or visit www.oakvillearts.com.