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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 23, 2011 · 24 Artscene How to get your book published Writing a book or novel is challenging enough, but getting it published can be even tougher. The local non-profit group West Side Writers wants to help make the process for would-be authors a little easier. The group is hosting a seminar, titled How to Get Published, on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Oakville Central Library. The seminar will be facilitated by the group's own Brian Henry, a book editor for more than 25 years, and he has invited literary agent Ali McDonald to help. The seminar is for anyone who dreams of or hopes to become a published author. It will cover things from the beginning of the process, to getting an agent, to writing a query letter and writing what publishers want. People are also invited to bring several copies of a draft query letter that would be sent to an agent or publisher. McDonald is a literary agent with The Rights Factory and specializes in children's literature. The seminar runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $44 in advance or $48 at the door. To register, contact Sheila Eastman at 905-826-8847. The library is located at 120 Navy St. SUBMITTED PHOTO A HOLIDAY TRADITION: The Nutcracker r returns to The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on Friday for a run of nine performances. The ballet is staged by the Oakville School of Dance, also known as Oakville Ballet. The Nutcracker returns to The Centre By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's become quite an Oakville tradition to have a performance of The Nutcracker r by local dancers. The Oakville School of Dance is bringing back the timeless holiday classic to The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, with a nineshow run, which opens Friday. The school has been putting on The Nutcracker, in one variation or another, annually for nearly 40 years and the full-length production for about 20 years. "The first performances were held at White Oaks Secondary School as a part of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Carol Performances," said artistic director Amanda Bayliss. "The first few years included the Children's March from the Part Scene (Act One), and Waltz of the Flowers from Act Two. Over the years, the production grew, adding more and more of (Pyotr Ilyich) Tchaikovsky's brilliant music, and the Oakville School of Dance's innovative choreography, costumes and set design." This year the Oakville show will feature more than 120 local dancers. Along with them "This exceptional presentation of The Nutcracker will take the audience through Clara's Christmas Party and on a magical journey to the Land of Snow, and the Kingdom of Sweets." Amanda Bayliss, artistic director Oakville Ballet are two guest artists who are rotating the role of the Sugar Plum's Prince. They are Noah Long (former soloist with the National Ballet of Canada), and Etienne Lavigne (National Ballet of Canada's first soloist). The Nutcracker r is a two-act ballet choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. It is an adaptation of the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King g by E. T. A. Hoffmann. The school's administrative director, Frank Bayliss, said the Oakville version of the ballet is true to the original with costumes reflecting the 19th century period. Despite the tradition, this year's show features new costumes and new choreography. Frank also noted his company is set apart from the others by being a local production. "We don't hire dancers to come in from out of the country to perform like the other Nutcrackers in the area," he said. "We stand out for that particular reason." "The Oakville School of Dance / Oakville Ballet is proud to have created such a magical tradition using local talent within the Oakville community," Amanda said. "Even the backdrops were designed by former OSD dancer Ingrid Chu, who now is a well-known New York artist." Amanda invites everyone to come out and enjoy The Nutcracker, which can inspire imagination. "Begin the holiday season with this timeless production," she said. "This exceptional presentation of The Nutcracker r will take the audience through Clara's Christmas Party and on a magical journey to the Land of Snow, and Kingdom of Sweets. The Nutcracker r never ceases to bring joy and excitement and is bound to be a treasured memory whether you're four or 94." Regular tickets to the performance cost $29.99. There is a total of nine performances at The Centre, with the show run ending on Dec. 4. For tickets, visit www.oakvillecentre.ca. Dolls at gallery Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre is opening a new exhibit that will feature nearly 60 doll sculptures. The exhibit, featuring the work of Chris Kummer, runs from Dec. 2-Jan. 8. The works go beyond the human form, using colour, intricate texture and expressive faces, and are described as real and alive with character. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 2-5 p.m. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays 1-4 p.m. The gallery is located at 1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E. For more information, visit www. joshuacreekarts.com.