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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, December 5, 2014 | 26 A R T E X P R E S S I O N Aglukark to host intimate Moonshine concert by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" More than 40 artists were recently featured at the 26th annual Oakville's Largest Art Show and Sale. The Expressions in Art show, which showcased paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and others works of art, took place at the St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre. Pictured above is Oakville artist Marsha Strycharz with one of her works depicting an apple in a bowl on a table. | photo by James Hoggett ­ special to the Beaver Three-time Juno Award-winning, aboriginal recording artist and Oakville resident Susan Aglukark is bringing her voice to the Moonshine Café. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Aglukark will be performing at 7:30 p.m. at the 137 Kerr St. coffee shop, which hosts live music nightly. "I chose Moonshine because the idea of doing a very intimate performance especially for this particular set of Christmas songs seemed right. I am looking forward to it very much," said Aglukark, who has called Oakville home since 1999. But this isn't the first time the Canadian singer/songwriter has played her hometown -- Aglukark has performed numerous times at the Oakville Centre for Performing Arts and, most recently, sang and spoke during a presentation for a local event dedicated to the empowerment of women. Aglukark blends the Inuktitut and English languages with contemporary pop music arrangements to tell the stories of her people, the Inuit of Arctic Canada. Her lyrics tend to revolve around themes of hope, spirit and encouragement. "I think of myself as just simply an artist with a slightly different perspective on Aboriginal recording artist and Oakville resident Susan Aglukark is performing at the Moonshine Café Wednesday, Dec. 10. The singer/songwriter is a three-time Juno Award winner and has sold more than 700,000 albums. | photo courtesy Aglukark Entertainment Inc. things, being Inuk and having grown up in Nunavut," she said. Aglukark began singing and writing music in 1992 in her 30s, when she was approached by CBC Radio, out of Ottawa, to be part of the now-defunct Northern Artists project. "Twenty-two years and nine albums later, with only seven commercially available, I am a fully-fledged artist and continue to be because the journey these past 22 years has made me the person I am today and I have come to really like that person," she said. Her most successful single O Siem, which translates to "joy in community," reached No. 1 on the adult contemporary and Canadian country charts in 1995 and she has sold more than 700,000 albums. "Susan Aglukark is truly of Canada's most significant cultural treasures. Apart from being a beautiful singer and powerful songwriter, she provides a significant view to the culture of our northern communities. She is an inspiration to humanity," said Deane Cameron, past-president and CEO of EMI Music Canada. Aglukark signed with the label after the success of her first album Arctic Rose. "As much as she writes and sings about her people, the songs Susan creates have something in them that speaks to all of us -- whether it's the longing of a woman growing old for the traditional life that she was taken away from, Bridge of Dreams, to an gentle anthem for peace and tolerance, O Siem, Aglukark's artistic vision is ultimately a universal one," said a news release. Home Suite Hope (HSH) is putting on a benefit concert for single-parent families facing homelessness in Halton. "Open your hearts for one magical night of music, Christmas cheer and family moments to cherish this holiday," said concert organizers. A Merry Night concert of live singing will feature tenor Emilio Fina, soprano Rachelle Kelly, Benefit concert supports Home Suite Hope Getting in the holiday spirit with the and Theatre Unlimited's cast of The Sound of Music. Held at The Meeting House, 2700 Bristol Circle, tomorrow (Saturday), the event starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased online at http://goo.gl/Vvf2qc. For more information, visit www. homesuitehope.org. Oakville residents can start off the holiday season with the Celtic Christmas Concert tomorrow (Saturday). The event is put on by the Oakville Celtic Fiddle Orchestra. The show starts at 7 p.m. at St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, 1541 Oakhill Dr. "Concert-goers will enjoy a variety of Celtic jigs and reels, waltzes, airs, and traditional Christmas carols," organizers said. "This annual concert has become a tradition for many in Oakville and is sure to be a hit again this year. The concert was almost sold out last year. We highly recommend buying your tickets in advance." Celtic Christmas Concert this weekend Written & Directed by Chantal Forde Dec 23 @ 2pm & 7pm Dec 27 @ 2pm Dec 28 @ 2pm & 7pm Proud Member of Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than age 12, and will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. For advance tickets, call the Academy of Music at 905-845-1227. Proceeds from the concert help support the Academy of Music scholarship program, which provides free music lessons to children referred by Big Brother Big Sisters of Halton. The children can take private lessons on any instrument offered at the Academy of Music in Oakville. For more information, visit the Oakville Celtic Fiddle Orchestra's website at www. oakvillecelticclub.com. 905.815.2121 or oakvillecentre.ca Tickets: Adults $25 · Children $20 Ballroom & Latin Dancing Zumba · Line Dancing GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE Come Join Us! 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