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Students show art Artscene 17 · Wednesday, February 15, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Queen Elizabeth Park gearing for opening Artists, volunteers sought for ceremony It has been a lengthy building process and now that it is complete, the parties responsible for the success of Queen Elizabeth Park invite the community to celebrate at an official grand opening. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 24 at the new community and cultural centre from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The ceremony is in partnership with the Oakville Arts Council, CommUnity Arts Space and the Town of Oakville. These, and other arts groups, have worked together to design the centre, which features a diverse range of activities and programs for all ages and abilities, while bringing benefits to the values of arts, culture, recreation and active living in Oakville. The centre is also the new home of the Oakville Arts Council, which is expecting approximately 5,000 people to walk in through the new doors of the refurbished and former high school on the grand opening day. There will be café-style performances at the centre's studio space, along with a member display area. People are also asked to participate in the grand opening. Residents can engage in music, poetry, dance, drama or more. They can also market their art in display booths or act as volunteers. Those interested in participating in the opening events are asked to send their material to Lisa Giordano-Hoehn, membership co-ordinator, at LGiordanoHoehn@oakville.ca by Friday, Feb. 17. submitted photo at show: The art students of St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School are hosting a one-day exhibit of their work at the school's library tomorrow (Thursday). Pictured are some of the artists: Abigail Park, Kamil Kruk, Allison Jang and Frances Lee. The show runs form 6 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. The school is located at 1550 Nottinghill Gate. Earlier this week, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn visited the students to view the work. Vote for your favourite musical act By Catherine O'Hara METROLAND WEST MEDIA They're ready to rock your socks off. Three Oakville bands ­ as well as musical acts from Burlington, Milton and Flamborough ­ have entered Metroland's Best of the West music competition, hosted in partnership by the Flamborough Review, Burlington Post, Milton Canadian Champion and The Oakville Beaver community newspapers. Now, it's up to you, our readers, to check out their videos and vote for your favourite local band. The Oakville band with the most votes will be named the regional finalist and will compete against the winning bands in neighbouring regions with the hope of clinching the championship title and performing at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival this summer. Fischermen, including band members Michael Bot, Christopher Bot, Patrick Ng and Sonny Kang, are high school pals who enjoy jamming together. After discovering that Ng was talented vocally, the group started writing its own music and performing at various school events. The Beaver's second Best of the West competitor is Mira Meikle, who has been writing her own songs for the past year and whose musical tastes span from alternative rock to musical theatre. She submitted her debut song, Let go, Gift for all for consideration. Power trio, Joob, is also hoping to impress readers with its unique sound that combines elements of rock, funk, blues, jazz and soul. Comprised of members Joob Vakili, Filip Andjelkovic and Peter Herriman, this Oakville band says it "will melt your face off, blow your mind and leave you needing more." Readers, be sure to visit www. oakvillebeaver.com to check out the music videos submitted by these Oakville contestants and vote for your favourite. The voting period, which opened Feb. 6, ends on Friday, Feb. 17. The local winning band will be announced in a print edition of the Beaver the week of Feb. 20. submitted photo Prom Night in Mississippi screening with CCAH The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) wants to give people a night out at the movies. So it is presenting a free screening of Prom Night in Mississippi at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd., on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The film is about a small-town high school in Mississippi as it prepares for its first integrated senior prom. The school's first ever prom for white and black students was funded by Morgan Freeman, who is featured in the film. For more information, visit www.ccah.ca. accepted: Mayor Rob Burton and Jean Grieve cut the ribbon to open the first performance at The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts with the new Wenger Diva Acoustic Shell. The Oakville Symphony Orchestra played a concert earlier this month after buying the shell thanks to a financial contribution by Grieve, a cellist who was one of the founding members of the symphony 44 years ago. Burton accepted the shell on behalf of the Town of Oakville as it will remain at The Centre. The shell has a value of more then $100,000.