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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 29, 2008 - 39 Production has power to change perspective Continued from page 38 surprise performers. Celebrity emcee for the performance will be performer Linda Kash. "I feel excited about being able to do The Vagina Monologues again, and (the director) has assembled a really great cast of women," said Burke. "I don't have any doubt of the power and humour of the piece, because I've performed in it before." Pieces like Ensler's, says Burke, are at the top of her list when it comes to acting. "It's the kind of work I love to do the most, because it was written in such passion by the playwright, and it's powerful and it affects people," she said. "It's wonderful to perform, but it's even more wonderful to know that what you're doing is making effective change. There are going to be women who are going to be helped out, who are going to be empowered when they see this." Alksnis of Interim Place has seen that first-hand in past years while watching The Vagina Monologues with women staying at the shelter. "It was an unforgettable and lifechanging experience for many of the women," she said. "The sense in the play of women's power in themselves, our self-determination, our rights as sexual beings, to be and do what is right for us, is a really inspiring message to women who have been told, maybe for decades, that they're not in charge." Alksnis says Interim Place hopes to raise more than $20,000 from the performance this year, money the shelter needs to continue its counseling, social, recreational and education programs for women and children. On a yearly basis, Interim Place shelters and serves approximately 300 women and children, takes more than 5,000 crisis calls and offers counseling to more than 800 women. The benefit performance of Vagina Monologues at Stage West Theatre Restaurant, 5400 Dixie Rd., is on stage Saturday, March 1. The performance includes a buffet, prizes and meet and greet with the cast. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. and the show begins at 12:30 p.m. Tickets cost $56.77 plus tax. Tables of two, four, six and eight are available. To buy tickets, visit www.stagewest.com or phone the Stage West Box Office at 905-238-0042. To learn more about V-Day Peel call 905-4039691 ext. 2237 or visit www.vday.org. www. Brand Name High Efficiency Furnace & Central Air was from $ .com 24 Hour Emergency Service The quietest Central Air Conditioner you can buy Air Conditioners, Furnances and Indoor Air Quality 6900 $ now from 3900 INSTALLED After government & manufacturers rebates $ 3995 per m onth o. a.c. as low as arts 10 Year Pur & Labo * Warranty System Includes: · Two Stage Variable high efficiency gas furnace · 14 SEER high efficiency central air conditioner · FREE programmable thermostat *Free central air NO PAYMENT OR INTEREST FOR 6 MONTHS 905-849-4998 8 Locations To Serve You Better! www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 O.A.C. *Call now for details. Offer cannot be combined European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 Foreign-trained but can't find a job in your field? If you're a foreign-trained professional or business person looking for a job, improve your English and Canadian job search skills with... Enhanced Language Training for Internationally Educated Professionals and Business People 8-week programs are FREE to qualified applicants and take place in Burlington. For more information, call 905-333-3499, ext. 264 or visit www.thecentre.on.ca This program is funded by Skills Development & Training The Centre