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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 26 A dream comes true on fashion runway By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF At 5-foot-5, Alanna Witherspoon is used to hearing she's too short to be a model, but it's something she has always wanted to do. Well, that dream is becoming a reality as the George Brown College fashion design and techniques student is getting to walk the runway along with girls of equal stature thanks to a Toronto designer who doesn't discriminate against vertically-challenged models. "It feels amazing because I finally get to model, especially going down a runway. I was always told I was too short to model on the runway," the 20-year-old Abbey Park High School graduate said. Witherspoon is appearing in Taisia Novakhova's evening and bridal fashion show at Embassy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton tonight (Wednesday). Artscene Alanna Witherspoon "I have a huge passion for the fashion industry. I want to eventually design my own clothes, but I want to do modelling as well," Witherspoon said. She's especially pleased to be modelling in the upcoming show, as bridal wear is one her favourites to design. Along with walking the runway, Witherspoon will also be the designer's assistant during the show. For more information, visit www.taisiafashion.com. marta iwanek / oakville beaver file photo top of the game: Ivy James was awarded as the best young songwriter at the this month's Toronto Independent Music Awards. Here, the 16-year-old is pictured practising her guitar work at home. Teen wins independent music award By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville's Ivy James may not be old enough to go to a bar or a 19-plus club, but that's not stopping her from performing on the stage of one. The 16-year-old has already made quite a career for herself and now she's been rewarded for her hard work. The Grade 11 White Oaks Secondary School student has won a Toronto Independent Music Award (TIMA) for best young songwriter. "I feel great. It was an honour just to be nominated so winning just put it over the top," the singersongwriter said. The awards were handed out earlier this month in Toronto. James could not attend the 19-plus awards ceremony, but it did not detract from the victory, which she said will help further her career along. "It was awesome to not only be recognized but to be able to reach people through this, that I couldn't reach before," she said. James admits being young is an obstacle for a musician, but it hasn't stopped her. "It does cause some problems. I couldn't go to the awards ceremony because it's 19-plus. There have been venues I wanted to play at but they've been 19-plus so I wasn't able to. But there are always ways around it," she said. Furthermore, not all 19-plus venues will stop under-19 performers. Some will allow musicians to come with parents, others will allow musicians to perform and then leave immediately. James recently released her debut, self-titled EP. For TIMA, she submitted two tracks off the album, Thunder and Your Escape (Nate's Song). "They're the two I felt the best about," she said of entering the songs. "I thought they were the strongest and they both meant the most to me so I just felt they would be good ones to enter." James beat out hundreds of other musicians to win the award. Despite her victory, she acknowledged there were amazing musicians in her category and she was proud to have been nominated in the first place. James has had a summer full of performances and has a number of shows coming up. On Nov. 2, she's performing at the Rockpile in Etobicoke for an Animals Beyond Borders fundraiser. The following day, she's performing with Phil Demers at Toronto's Bloor Street United Church. On Nov. 11, she will at a showcase for Warner Music Canada in Toronto. Then, on Dec. 11, she'll be performing with Juno Awardnominated Micah Barnes at Hugh's Room in Toronto. The Ivy James EP features six original tracks. For more information, visit www.ivyjamesmusic. com. Theatresports provides laughs The event will take place at the Central Baptist Church auditorium on Friday (Oct. 19) at 8 p.m. The event will feature the Lost Boyz team along with funny people Dave Healey and Gary Pearson among others. Tickets cost $5. The church is located at 340 Rebecca St. The folks at Oakville Improv are promising an evening of laughs at their upcoming Theatresports event. MONA'S 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Beauty Salon Inc. $ EYEBROW THREADING NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY ONLY 4.00 · Specialized in Threading · Eyebrow Shaping · Scalp Treatment · Waxing, Facials · Bridal Services · Ladies Haircut · Sari / Dupatta Set · Eyelash Extentions · Airbrush Makeup · Eyebrow & Eyelash Tint · Hair Extention/Locks/Eurolock · Up-Do Hairstyles 3100 Ridgeway Dr. Unit # 41, Mississauga 289.997.9198