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19 | Friday, September 16, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Forty-year run for local community theatre group By Danielle Leonard The Burl-Oak Theatre Group (BOTG) is celebrating 40 years of community theatre this year. Established in 1976 by a small but enthusiastic group of people, members are proud to offer Oakville residents high quality entertainment with a lineup of three full-length plays, a family-friendly pantomime, and set of one-act plays for the 2016/17 season. In 1979, BOTG combined with two local theatre groups to launch its first subscription series of seven plays that were performed at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Since then, their annual lineup of plays has been a part of the Oakville Centre's offerings ­ counting more than 125 shows over the years. In recent years, the theatre group launched its popular annual pantomime over the Christmas season. This participatory form of theatre is perfect for families as it involves sing-alongs, slapstick comedy, dancing, and topical humour in a story that is loosely based on a fairy tale. Additionally, children younger than 13 years receive a gift at the performance. "We added the pantomime because Oakville is a young community and parents are looking for good family entertainment for their kids," said Beth Poad, executive producer. "These popular shows sell out quickly, and this year will be a hilarious adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast". As part of their 40th anniversary celebration BOTG is offering its first musical performance for the final show of the season. The timeless classic "Oliver!" will include a cast of more than 40 people and a large production crew. The theatre group invites actors of all ages to audition this fall. Volunteers are the backbone of the local theatre group. The studio is located at 1290 Speers Rd. in Oakville where it holds auditions, rehearsals and workshops. With some shows requiring more than 100 volunteers, there are ample opportunities to learn the business of theatre through acting, directing, costume design, lighting, sound and set design. Additionally, writers and directors are encouraged to showcase their talents in a presentation of one-act plays performed each spring at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre's black box theatre. "Our volunteers often discover a talent they didn't know they had," said Poad. "They start with a small role then move to a much bigger one." An alternate way to support the theatre group is through an annual BOTG membership. Single members can join for $20; the family rate is $30, covering two adults and all children under 18. Included in the membership are discounts on shows and workshops, exclusive invitations and offers, audition notifications, voting rights at the general meeting and the ability to run for the executive committee. The first show of the season is the comedy, "Social Security" by Andrew Bergman from September 29 to October 2, followed by "Buying the Moose" by Canadian playwright Michael Wilmot. Single tickets can be purchased for $30; a subscription for all three performances (including "Oliver!") is $75. Students can attend any regular season play for $5. The pantomime show is not offered as part of the subscription or student rate. Purchase tickets by calling or visiting the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts box office at 905-815-2021. For more information about BOTG, visit www.botg.ca. The Burl-Oak Theatre Group offers Oakville residents quality entertainment with lineups of full length plays, familyfriendly pantomines and a series of one-act plays. From griddle to table, Hibachi Teppanyaki fires up Japanese cuisine Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food. The word teppanyaki is derived from teppan, which means iron plate, and yaki, which means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried. In Japan, teppanyaki refers to dishes cooked using an iron plate, including steak and shrimp for example. The originator of the teppanyaki-style steakhouse is the Japanese restaurant chain Misono, which introduced the concept of cooking Western-influenced food on a teppan in Japan in 1945. They soon found the cuisine was very popular with foreigners, who enjoyed both watching the skilled maneuvers of the chefs preparing the food as well as the cuisine itself. As the restaurants became more popular with tourists, the chain increased the performance aspect of the chef's preparation, such as stacking onion slices to produce a flaming onion volcano. Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar in Oakville offers a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron gridLeft: Hee Zheng is the executive chef and owner of Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar in dle to cook meals right in front of you. The skilled Oakville, Burlington and Toronto. and entertaining chefs at Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar are extensively trained in handling their tools while cooking on the Teppanyaki grill. This style of food preparation offers guests a whole new dining experience. The master chefs dazzle guests with their Samurai-like swordsmanship as they skillfully slice, dice, juggle and entertain while preparing delicious foods on a sizzling Teppanyaki grill. From tasty starters like soup, edamame, spring rolls and sashimi samplers or side orders like scallops, chicken fried rice or Yakisoba noodle to full main courses like shrimp, steak, lobster or complete Teppanyaki Sets, there is something for every palate at Hibachi. Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar now has three locations to serve you including 105 Cross Ave. (across from the Oakville GO Station). Phone 905-844-3888 to book your reservation and visit the website for further information. www.hibachisteakhouse.ca. Hibachi Teppanyaki & Bar - where dinner is a show!