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34 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 12, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 34 Moonshine Café performers Connecting cultures showcase talent in Toronto By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Acts that have become familiar faces on The Moonshine Café stage are taking their talents to the bright lights of Toronto. The Moonshine Café Showcase runs Thursday, Sept. 18 at Hugh's Room. The brainchild of the event is John Marlatt, co-owner of The Moonshine Café. He said he's had the idea to showcase local talent in a major concert hall for three years. "I want to take some of the performers and put them in a world-class venue and put a different dynamic on their performance," he said. Musicians lined up for the showcase are Mike Branton, Jerome Godboo, James Parker, David Celia, Ricky Joe Vella, James MacKay, Redman Live, Chris Boselle, Elyse Simpson and Kelly McMurtry. Music genres encompass a little bit of everything, such as pop, country, folk and blues. "This show is for anyone who likes music," said Marlatt. "There's something there for everybody. It will be a nice night out." The ages of the artists taking part in the showcase span from 14 to more than 50. Some of the musicians are seasoned performers, while others are emerging talent. Many of the young and upcoming artists have 'learned their chops' on the stage at The Moonshine Café, according to Marlatt. "We have performers like Chris, Elyse and Kelly, who are young, but have taken guidance and worked very hard at improving and have become very good, so for them, this is their reward," he said. "Others, like David Celia, Mike Branton and Jerome Godboo, are all world-class players, so they are there because of their experience and they are a draw." The artists are solo or duo acts, performing mainly on guitar. The majority of the musicians hail from Oakville. Marlatt said the show is a good opportunity to support local talent. "I think it would be wonderful if people from Oakville could support Oakville artists, wherever they are playing," he said. The showcase will also be an opportunity for the performers, as there will be representatives of major management agencies and artistic directors of music festivals at the event, Marlatt said. "We're hoping some of them are interested in the performers, but I think the showcase is really an experience for the artists to play in a large, famous venue and that will take their performances all up a notch," he said. Hugh's Room was an obvious setting for the first showcase for Marlatt. He said he is hoping to make it an annual event, but is considering moving it to different venues from year to year. "Hugh's Room is known as the premiere venue for the roots and blues music probably in the country, but in Toronto for sure," he said. "I've talked to people at other venues who are interested, so we'll see what happens next year." Hugh's Room seats 200. Ticket sales are going well, with about half already sold. The Moonshine Café Showcase goes Thursday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. at Hugh's Room. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Advance tickets are available at The Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., 905844-2655, www.themoonshinecafe.com or at Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604. There is also a bus, leaving The Moonshine Café at 6 p.m. and returning at 11 p.m., for an additional $10 per person. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER NATURE RULES: Azhar H. Shemdin shows off her work in an exhibition called Nature Rules at CJ's Café, 2416 Lakeshore Rd. W. The show features art connecting the Canadian environment with Shemdin's Kurdish cultural heritage of northern Iraq. She has been painting in her Kurdish homeland and this show will connect both cultures. Exhibition hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show continues until Oct. 7. STORE CLOSING SALE HURRY! COUNTDOWN HAS STARTED THE LAST OF THE NEW ORDERS ARE IN WE MUST SELL EVERYTHING FINAL PRICE REDUCTIONS ARE IN PLACE IN LESS THAN 60 DAYS! LIGHTING STORE DISPLAY TABLES, SOLID OAK CABINETS, GLASS SHELFING SYSTEM, STOCK ROOM SHELVES,....ALL FOR SALE. FINAL NOTICE TO STORE CREDIT HOLDERS, LAST CHANCE TO USE YOUR CREDIT BEFORE STORE CLOSES. BURLINGTON FAIRVIEW ST. 3500 FAIRVIEW STREET (AT WALKERS LINE) BURLINGTON 905-333-4333 STORE HOURS: MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9.30 AM TO 6.00 PM, SUNDAYS: 12.00 TO 5.00 PM 3500 LAKESHORE RD. WALKERS LINE GUELPH LINE LIGHTING UNLIMITED Q.E.W.