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Artscene Oakville Opera Guild going strong after 50-plus years The programs, known as Tea With Opera, usually feature a guest speaker who talks on OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF an opera-related topic. The heart of the You don't have to know how many operas presentation is, of course, audio clips from Mozart wrote or the names of the three the relevant operas. Guest speakers range from guild memmost popular Verdi operatic masterpieces. You don't even have to understand what bers to university professors to those worka libretto is or be able to identify the vocal ing in the operatic field. The Tea With Opera on Tuesday, Oct. 13, range of a mezzo-soprano. All you need is a love for music and an for example, will feature Peter Oleskevich, interest in learning more about the vast assistant conductor from Opera Hamilton, speaking on Johann Strauss' Die musical genre that is opera. That's the key message the Oakville Fledermaus. Professor Eric Domville from the Opera Guild wants to send out to the comUniversity of Toronto is munity. coming for Tea With While some may be "It's about bringing people Opera on Friday, Oct. 23 surprised to find out together who have an to talk about the Oakville has such a group, appreciation for opera and Stravinsky operas being it has been around for good music." presented by the COC. more than 50 years. "We always tell people "It's about bringing it is more music than people together who have Joan Hall President, Oakville Opera Guild talk," said Jean Stoten, an appreciation for opera program co-chair, who and good music," said grew up attending operas Joan Hall, president of the guild, a local singing teacher and one of the in England before moving to Canada and founding singers (mezzo-soprano) of the still harbours a passion for the genre. "I've given programs and Joan has given Canadian Opera Company (COC) in 1950. "There is joy about being in a group that programs, as have many of our members, enjoys something together. It is a very social but we tend to, at the moment, have more and welcoming group and we have such a outside speakers." Tea With Opera events are held either on nice time together." The non-profit guild is affiliated with the weekday afternoons or weekday evenings. The afternoon meetings are held in the COC, which is based in Toronto. There are nine opera guilds affiliated with the COC auditorium of the Oakville Public Library Central Branch in downtown Oakville, with across Ontario and New York. The Oakville Opera Guild meets once to evening meetings held at The Granary party twice a month from September through room, also located in the downtown core. May, with the exception of December. See Guild page 35 By Tina Depko · FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009 31 Fashion forward PHOTOS BY LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER FASHIONISTAS: Taking part in the recent Just for Us Originals: The Wearable Art Show included in this year's World of Threads Festival are (clockwise from top) capes by Marie Josette, Carolyn Barnett with her colourful handloomed knit wear, Sandi Luck's vintage embroidered corsetstyle cuffs and Sandie DeCoste of Pitch Patchella, wearing one of her recycled, reclaimed furs that she created. Attention Business Owners: You Are Invited Come enjoy complimentary wine and cheese while we discuss When: Where: Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, 7pm 710 Dorval Dr., Suite 505, Oakville, ON L6K 3V7 on Wyecroft, South West corner of Dorval & Wyecroft Preserving & Growing Your Hard Earned Profits Including: Year end tax planning Strategies to reduce your taxes. Collateral versus Creditor Insurance to save you 30% in taxes on the value of insurance. Group Employee Benefits Program to improve employee morale & productivity. Raymond Jackson Your hosts: Raymond Jackson, CSA & Senior Life Insurance Advisor ­ Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Simon Jackson, CSA, Life Insurance Advisor - Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Vern J. Lunz, Hons. BBA, CFP, Insurance Specialist - Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Milan Legris, B.Sc, LL.B, LL.M, Senior Tax Associate - Taylor Leibow LLP Simon Jackson Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. (A licensed life insurance agency and subsidiary of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. Directions: QEW ­ South on Dorval ­ West Please rsvp to Simon (905) 849-4700 or Simon.Jackson@manulifesecurities.ca before Monday, October 19th. Thank you. y, Manulife Securities MANULIFE SECURITIES INSURANCE INC.