Owen Sound Cultural Awards

October 16, 2009

The cultural awards ceremony was held last night (October 15, 2009) at the Roxy in downtown Owen Sound. We have such a rich culture here in our city.

The first winner of the Owen Sound Cultural Award for lifetime achievement in the arts was well known and repected, retired music teacher and luthier, Ed Bartlett.

Some of the other winners:

Sheila Milne, for dance; Owen Sound Little Theatre, for theatre; Sebastian Ostertag, for best emerging artist; Richard Thomas for literature and Larry Jensen for music. Sandra and Andrew Goss won in the category of visual and media arts. Eva Leflar, a long-standing patroness of the arts in Owen Sound, won the patron award. Ningwakwe Press won the award for cultural heritage. The new health unit building on the waterfront won the award for architectural design.

Here’s a quick look near the end of the evening.

Written by Deb · Filed Under Feature Video, Owen Sound, The Arts, Video

Another Fabulous House Concert

September 29, 2009

The beer was on ice, the freshly picked veggies were all washed and sliced, the cookies were baked and the coffee was brewed, the house was packed… the House Concert was ready to start…
Last Saturday night Charles Glasspool and the Big Love rocked the house to raise funds to finish their first EP “Mudtown”. It was an amazing concert with great original music. If you missed it, be sure to check out some highlights of the evening.

Written by Deb · Filed Under Concerts, Feature Video, House Concerts, Music, Owen Sound, Video, fun

Georgian Bay Extreme Sports Film Festival

September 24, 2009

It’s showtime. The films are in with entries from the Georgian Bay area, Canada and around the world! Come see over 2 hours of high-quality action-packed films covering a huge variety of eXtreme sports.

The Georgian Bay eXtreme Sports Film Festival is a new festival that is seeking to highlight the talent of extreme and hardcore riders throughout the Great Lakes Region. While YouTube has ushered in a whole new wave of DIY videographers this festival seeks to unite both sports enthusiasts and indy filmmakers under one roof where festival-goers can celebrate these achievements and share the stoke in an all out wild night of silver-screen mayhem.

The festival will be hosted in the Weider Room of the Blue Mountain Inn at the Blue Mountain Resort, 110 Jozo Weider Blvd. Collingwood ON.

Join us Friday September 25th. Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Films Start: 7:30
Tickets: $10 or $5 (students)
Available: at the door, Vertical Hardcore BoardShop (Owen Sound), Kamikaze Bikes (Collingwood), and Boardsports (Blue Mountain Village)

Written by Deb · Filed Under Events, Feature Video, The Area, Video, fun

United Way Backpack Campaign

August 20, 2009

The United Way’s backpack program is falling short of goal.

In light of a demand that represents an increase in over 400 more children in 2009 than in 2008, the United Way is struggling to keep up.

The United Way raised over $21 000 in 2009 to provide 1240 backpacks; to date the United Way has raised just over $14 000 in 2009 with requests topping 1600.

“Some of our larger donors from 2008 are simply not able to give this year” explains United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn, “we’ve had amazing support from the community, the challenge is that due to the increase in need, we need even more.”

One hundred percent of the proceeds go to purchasing supplies and backpacks.

“Parents are calling and asking when they can pick up the backpacks for their children…I just don’t know what to tell them” Dobbyn laments. Both Counties have seen an increase in welfare cases as laid off workers run out of EI. “Poverty is new for a lot of middle class families in our region, we’re trying to help them cope as best as possible”

Donations can be made at any TD Bank, Meridian Credit Union or Staples Business Depot in Owen Sound. Donations of supplies and funds can be made at the United Way office 380 9th Street East Owen Sound or by calling 519 376 1560 during regular business hours.

Below is the story that we originally ran on the Backpack Campaign…

It’s back to school time again… well, in a couple weeks… We had the opportunity to talk to Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey about their annual Backpack campaign. It gives all kids a great beginning to the new school year by starting on a even playing field.

If you’d like to get involved or make a donation, here’s how to get in touch.
United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. E, Owen Sound, ON, N4K 1P1
Phone:519 376 1560 Fax:519 376 5458
unitedwaybg@bmts.com

Written by Deb · Filed Under Owen Sound, Participation, The Area, Video