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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 17, 2014 | 20 Artscene Cello Extravaganza to bring 100 cellists from Ontario A Cello Extravaganza Sunday (Oct. 19) promises to feature its largest cello orchestra to date with more than 100 cellists from across southern Ontario. The Hamilton Cello Club and 5 at the First will host the third instalment of its event at the Compass Point Bible Church, 1500 Kerns Rd., in Burlington. Benefit concert Acting as a benefit concert, the fundraiser will support The Stephen Lewis Foundation's Blooms for Africa and An Instrument for Every Child non-profits -- with a goal of raising $2,500 for the causes. Blooms for Africa, founded in 2007, is one of 240 Stephen Lewis Foundation-inspired grandmother groups across Canada raising funds for African grandmothers caring for grandchildren orphaned by HIV/ AIDS. An Instrument for Every Child provides elementary school children in Hamilton with qualified instrumental instruction during regular school hours by members of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hamilton Music Collective. The program, conducted by Cynthia Carey, will include music by Johann Sebastian Bach, 2CELLOS, Camille Saint-Saens, U2, Heitor Villa Lobos, Pablo Casals, Canadian Hunter Coblentz, Handel and original works. Set to perform are folk cello duo Hale and Hearty, the University of Toronto Cello Ensemble, directors Rachel Mercer and Kirk Starkey, and southern Ontario cellists of all ages. Juno-award winner to perform Juno award-winning vocalist Kellylee Evans will be performing at the concert once again with her new opus, I Remember When, as well as a repertoire that features Eminem, John Legend and Kanye West, with a touch of jazz, soul and hip-hop. "Her energy-charged shows have seen her opening for an eclectic selection of artists such as Tony Bennett, John Legend, Jamie Cullum, Willie Nelson and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings," stated a press release. The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. and tickets cost $25 or $15 for anyone under age 16. The intermission reception will offer complimentary snacks and refreshments. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.indiegogo.com/ projects/cello-extravaganza-iii, www. kirkstarkey.com, or www.5atthefirst. weebly.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door or in advance at: A Different Drummer Books (513 Locust St., Burlington); Bryan Prince Bookseller (1060 King St. W., Hamilton); Carnegie Gallery (10 King St. W., Dundas, Ont.); and La Jardinière Flower Market (246 Locke St. S., Hamilton). "Connected to your Community" Oakville woodblock artist, printmaker and painter Naoko Matsubara, seen above with one of her works, received a 2014 Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for her contributions in promoting Japan/Canada relations last night at a ceremony in Toronto. | Oakville Beaver file photo Matsubara honoured with commendation Internationally-celebrated Oakville woodblock artist Naoko Matsubara was awarded a 2014 Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation at a ceremony last night in Toronto. Matsubara's works are among collections at the White House, the British Museum, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mass., Art Institute of Chicago, and Royal Ontario Museum, among other international institutions. Held at a reception hosted by the Consul General of Japan Yasunori Nakayama, the event saw commendations given to Matsubara and Japan Society president Ben Ciprietti. This year, 108 individuals and 30 organizations have been awarded the commendation. "The Foreign Minister's Commendations are given to individuals and organizations from various fields for their exceptional contributions toward the promotion of friendship between Japan and their country," stated a press release. "In addition to recognizing their accomplishments, the commendations are intended to bring greater awareness and understanding of their activities. "(They are) awarded annually to those having rendered exceptional and distinguished services to the promotion of mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill between their countries and Japan through economic and technical co-operation, information and cultural activities, as well as other activities to enhance international relations." Matsubara was born on Shikoku Island in Japan and grew up in Kyoto where she studied at the Kyoto Academy of Fine Art. She would later become a scholar at what is now know as Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was invited as a special student at the Royal College of Art in London, England, in the 1960s. She moved to Canada in 1972 and has been an Oakville resident for the past 42 years. Matsubara is considered one of the world's foremost Japanese woodcut artists and her achievements as a printmaker and painter were also honoured in 2010 by Carnegie Mellon's Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award. 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