ART OF TRANSITION

Durham creative minds invited to socialize Metroland – Durham Division, Jan. 20

DURHAM — Durham’s creative residents have a new opportunity to collaborate and share ideas at a monthly event being introduced by Durham Tourism.

Creative Social will be held on the last Thursday of every month in rotating local municipalities.

“The Creative Social is a new way to bring entrepreneurs, artists and other members of Durham Region’s creative community together to connect, inspire each other and develop new business opportunities,” said Kathy Weiss, the Region’s director of economic development and tourism.

The first event is planned for Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at Tin Mill Restaurant in Uxbridge.

Tickets are $10 and include light snacks and a beverage. The event will include networking opportunities, entertainment from local musician Tim Bastmeyer and presentations by creative entrepreneurs.

The inaugural event will feature Kerri King, Durham’s tourism manager, as well as Shelley MacBeth from Blue Heron Books; Ginny van Veghel, owner of Elemi Organics; Carly Foster and Kirsty Kernohan, co-owners of Sweet World Media, and Angelo Sarafino Tramonti of Sarafino Inc.

For more information or to register, visit www.creativesocial.ca.

Kerri King Manager, Tourism

Planning and Economic Development Department Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Road East, PO Box 623 Whitby ON L1N 6A3

Phone: 905-668-4113 ext. 2606 Toll Free: 1-800-413-0017 ext. 2606 Fax: 905-666-6228

http://www.durhamtourism.ca

Creative-minded people in Durham Region have a new opportunity to collaborate and share ideas at the Creative Social, a new monthly event being introduced by Durham Tourism.

Held on the last Thursday of every month in rotating local municipalities, the Creative Social aims to connect creative people to discuss opportunities for collaboration and new business in Durham Region.

“The Creative Social is a new way to bring entrepreneurs, artists and other members of Durham Region’s creative community together to connect, inspire each other and develop new business opportunities,” says Kathy Weiss, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “This supports the Economic Development and Tourism Division’s goal to strengthen the economy and stimulate job growth in Durham Region.”

The first Creative Social will be held on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at Tin Mill Restaurant in Uxbridge. Tickets are $10 and include light snacks and a beverage. The event will include networking opportunities, entertainment from local musician Tim Bastmeyer, as well as presentations by local creative entrepreneurs.

“I am excited to collaborate with local creative entrepreneur, Dana Jackson, to bring the Creative Social to Durham Region,” says Kerri King, Tourism Manager. “Since 2009, our community has shown its enthusiasm for creativity through the Art of Transition movement. The Creative Social is the next step for the continued development of Durham’s creative economy.”

At the first event, Kerri King will be joined by the following dynamic presenters representing Durham Region’s creative community: Shelley MacBeth of Blue Heron Books; Ginny van Veghel, owner of Elemi Organics; Carly Foster and Kirsty Kernohan, co-owners of Sweet World Media; and Angelo Sarafino Tramonti of Sarafino Inc.

For more information, and to register for the Durham Creative Social, visit www.creativesocial.ca.

Kerri King Manager, Tourism

Planning and Economic Development Department Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Road East, PO Box 623 Whitby ON L1N 6A3

Phone: 905-668-4113 ext. 2606 Toll Free: 1-800-413-0017 ext. 2606 Fax: 905-666-6228

http://www.durhamtourism.ca

The Town of Ajax is proud to announce its first ever website dedicated to Arts, Culture and Tourism – www.VisitAjax.ca. As any creative project, the VisitAjax ( http://www.visitajax.ca )site is a work in progress and feedback from Durham’s creative community is encouraged. Please visit the site ( http://www.visitajax.ca ), discover and explore what Ajax has to offer, and provide your feedback!

The official Town of Ajax new website www.ajax.ca launch is Thursday, Jan. 12th at 12 noon, St. Francis Centre or catch it live: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/town-of-ajax-live

Thanks from the Ajax Business Development & Tourism team! Lisa Hausz Nadia Sukovski Judy Wight Andrew Poray visit@ajax.ca

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From The Second City Toronto, the legendary comedy theatre and creators of the touring hit “Sex and the Second City”, comes a play about relationships in the age of social networking. There are Plenty of Fish in the sea, but can we all live in eHarmony? Or are our lives too much of an open (Face)book? Find out in this hilarious new show! Makes a great Valentine’s Day date night!

The St. Francis Centre in Ajax presents… iLOVE – a romantic dot comedy by The Second City Toronto Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 2:00 p.m. 78 Church St. S., Ajax Tickets: $30 (+HST) – available at the Ajax & McLean Community Centres and the St. Francis Centre Box Office.

Click to view the show’s trailer ( http://www.townofajax.com/Page6863.aspx?DateTime=634646520000000000&PageMode=View ) For more information, visit www.stfranciscentre.ca or call 905-619-2529 ext. 2787

The information in this e-mail and in any attachments is confidential and intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). This information may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are not authorized to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. This e-mail was scanned for viruses and content.

Last call for Pickering cultural directory Metroland – Durham, Jan. 5

PICKERING — Area artists can become part of Pickering’s cultural identity by signing up for the new Cultural Directory.

The new online listing will feature artists and cultural organizations throughout the city in a single culture-based directory.

“The City of Pickering has a rich and vibrant art, cultural and heritage community and a comprehensive inventory of our cultural assets will serve to strengthen, promote and support this dynamic cultural community,” said Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan.

“The municipality encourages our cultural stakeholders to take advantage of this unique opportunity and profile their cultural asset in the directory.”

As part of the City’s cultural strategic plan, the directory is aimed at boosting the City’s tourism efforts and supporting the growth of Pickering’s cultural sector. It was made possible through funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports’ Creative Communities Prosperity Fund.

“The Government of Ontario is proud to help the City of Pickering integrate culture into their strategy for growth,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

“Creative and cultural industries are among the fastest growing sectors in the economy today and contribute to the social and economic development of this province.”

Although the directory is scheduled to launch on Monday, Jan. 16, the City will continue to accept registrations from Pickering-based artisans, cultural not-for-profit organizations, creative industries and owners/operators of natural and cultural heritage facilities and spaces.

Registration can be completed online at www.cityofpickering.com. For more information, visit the City’s website or call 905-420-4620.

Kerri King Manager, Tourism

Planning and Economic Development Department Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Road East, PO Box 623 Whitby ON L1N 6A3

Phone: 905-668-4113 ext. 2606 Toll Free: 1-800-413-0017 ext. 2606 Fax: 905-666-6228

http://www.durhamtourism.ca

Bomb Girls, new television series with Ajax roots Bomb Girls is a Global Original Series loosely based on the Ajax Defence Industries Limited (DIL) shell filling plant located in Ajax in the 1940′s. Bomb Girls premieres Wednesday, January 4 at 8 p.m. on Global. The show follows the lives of four women working in the munitions factories during WWll, while they’re building bombs, women also find themselves flourishing with newfound freedom and discover strengths they never before imagined. Tune in on January 4 to catch a glimpse of Ajax’s history. Watch the trailer ( http://www.globaltv.com/bombgirls/video/clips/promo/video.html?v=2173817942&p=1&s=dd#bombgirls/video/clips )

The information in this e-mail and in any attachments is confidential and intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). This information may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are not authorized to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. This e-mail was scanned for viruses and content.

Q in Oshawa

“Q” is an energetic daily arts, culture and entertainment magazine that takes you on a smart and surprising ride, interviewing personalities and tackling the cultural issues that matter.

Jian Ghomeshi, the host of Q, has said he will bring a live broadcast of the show the city with the best campaign. Oshawa has joined in the race to be that city! The campaign, spearheaded by The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in partnership with Durham College Journalism Students and Durham Tourism, need your help! Jian has indicated that community support, grassroots efforts and collective spirit will help determine the outcome.

The decision will be made this we

How can you help?

Visit the Facebook Fan Page and click “like” www.facebook.com/QinOshawa http://www.facebook.com/QinOshawa

- Once you are a fan, you can upload pictures of yourself with the letter Q, or examples of the letter Q you find in Oshawa.

- Tell stories about arts and culture in Oshawa

- Invite your friends to join, or share the page on your facebook wall

- Upload a video telling Jian why he should come to Oshawa

Using Twitter, post messages of support and include #QinOshawa in your message. Retweet others who have #QinOshawa in their message

Join in and help us bring Q to Oshawa! Any ideas and offers of support are welcome. The decision will be made December 8th, 2011 so time is running short!

It all started as a conversation at last week’s successful creative class event the Art of Transition Tourism Summit. With so much happening in Oshawa and Durham’s creative culture scene, the desire to bring attention to the various projects and opportunities in the area has never been greater. Staff from The Robert McLaughlin Gallery suggested this idea on twitter, and the tweet was recognized by CBC Radio 1 personality Jian Ghomeshi. The Q host has recently been promoting a campaign that cities could enter to bring his show to their community.

Never one to back down from a challenge, RMG CEO Gabrielle Peacock took up the cause, issuing more tweets and imploring staff to get on board. “We’ve got a lot happening here, just 35km from the city. Q shines a light on culture: music, art, theatre and more. This is why we want Oshawa selected — it’s not about what people know about us, it’s an opportunity for Jian and the Q listeners to discover some cultural assets in their own backyards. We’re joining the contest later than other cities, but we’ve got a lot of heart and think we have a shot at winning,” Peacock told staff. Staff jumped on board in just a few days a Facebook page has emerged as well as the promise to guests at the RMG’s monthly cultural event series “First Fridays” that this week’s event (December 2, 7pm) will include a way to get involved and show support.

“First Fridays has become a staple in the local culture diet,” says RMG Manager of Communications and Social Media, Jacquie Severs. “It’s the right place to promote this campaign. This week we feature Jazz performers The Gillian Margot Trio, alongside the photography exhibition “Susan Dobson: By Design” and the AIDS Committee of Durham Region’s “POZitive Portrayals” that features work by HIV Positive artists. We’ll have a photo booth with local photographer Marina Osmond. The event shows how diverse our cultural offerings are here. We wish Jian could come and see it for himself, we aren’t just a car town anymore!”

The RMG needs community support to make the campaign more powerful. Having already received votes of confidence from PFLAG Durham and Durham College’s Downtown Oshawa News, the RMG now needs ‘likes’ on its Facebook page, tweets with the hashtag #QinOshawa and community partnerships. Local record label Get Bent Records has offered to bring bands to perform for Q. The RMG hopes other local arts & culture staples will get on board.

Oshawa’s mayor John Henry issued a statement of support, highlighting the RMG as an important asset in the campaign. “With the public’s support we can bring into the light one of Oshawa’s best kept secrets.”

“This is a grassroots effort, we need all the support we can get! The RMG is prepared to donate 20 memberships to community groups and businesses who offer support and services,” says Gabrielle Peacock.

To stay on top of the campaign please visit and like: www.facebook.com/QinOshawa

WHITBY, ON – Durham Region’s tourism industry and creative economy was celebrated at the Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards on Nov. 25.

Held at the Durham College/University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, the daylong event consisted of a marketplace of Durham Region businesses and organizations, a tourism industry speaker series, and the presentation of the inaugural Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards.

“The Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards showed off Durham Region’s creative economy, which is continuing to grow every day,” stated Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region. “Our rich heritage, dynamic attractions, and thriving arts and culture scene make up a quality of life in Durham Region that is second to none.”

The event featured keynote speaker Robin Sharma, a best-selling author and expert on leadership and change management. During his address, Sharma empowered the sold-out audience to build on leadership skills to achieve great things. Attendees also enjoyed the tourism industry speaker series, which covered topics such as cultural tourism, cycle tourism, culinary tourism, customer service and more.

“The tourism industry speaker series explored ways to take Durham’s assets and leverage them to attract more tourists to the Region,” said Kathy Weiss, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Durham Region. “By promoting and developing our exceptional cycling trails, culinary industry, cultural marvels and other assets, we will attract more overnight stays and new business; resulting in more money being spent in the local economy and more jobs brought to Durham Region.”

Attendees enjoyed getting a head start on holiday shopping in the creative marketplace, which featured more than 50 local artisans showing off and selling their wares. Attendees also had the opportunity to taste Durham Region’s fine food, prepared by chefs from area restaurants who are contributing to Durham Region’s growing culinary tourism sector.

The day culminated with the presentation of the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DATCA), which celebrated people and businesses that are contributing to the growth of the creative economy in Durham Region. The award statues, which were designed by local artist Edward Falkenberg, were presented to winners by Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region.

The following winners were recognized at the ceremony:

• The 25 of 25 street pARTy in Uxbridge (Best collaboration between business, the arts and community).
• The Driftwood Theatre Group’s Bard’s Bus Tour (Best entertainment in any medium).
• The Reflection Park in Port Perry (Best use of art and artists to advance social and environmental sustainability).
• Jane Eccles – Overlap exhibit (Best story about Durham Region in any medium).

To learn more about the award winners and the projects that earned them this recognition, as well as to view a list of all nominees, please visit www.artoftransition.ca. All nominees were also recognized and presented with a lapel pin—a sculpted, small-scale version of the DATCA statue.

For more information about the Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards, visit www.artoftransition.ca or call 1-800-413-0017.

Olde fashioned holiday in village the Dec. 3

The Town of Ajax and Pickering Village BIA invite residents and visitors to join them for an olde fashioned holiday in the village on Dec. 3. Celebrate traditions of the past with historic Pickering Village as the backdrop for this merry event.

The festivities kick-off at 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., there will be an official ribbon-cutting to open the Pickering Village Urban Square(corner of Kingston Road and Old Kingston Road) followed by a Tree Lighting ceremony.

“The Town is proud to partner with the BIA on this holiday tradition,” says Deputy Mayor Shaun Collier. “ The Town is committed to working with the residents and businesses of Pickering Village to preserve and enhance its heritage attributes and support the development of a vibrant arts, culture and tourism destination.”

The Town will also mark the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Pickering Village Urban Square – a gathering place for the community and gateway to downtown Pickering Village.

“The BIA’s annual Tree Lighting is bigger and better this year,” says Marsha Jones Dooley, Chair of the Pickering Village BIA. “Thanks to the Town of Ajax partnering with the BIA, this year’s event will be the best yet, come celebrate the re-opening of the Village, the official opening of the Urban Square and the spectacular Tree Lighting. Pickering Village is open and welcomes the community to experience our old fashion personal service.”

Activities include, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment from Eastside Harmony Chorus & Harmony Highway Quartet, children’s crafts and more. All activities are free of charge and available while supplies last.

Please note Old Kingston Road will be closed from Kingston Road to Linton Avenue from 3:45 p.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.townofajax.com.

The information in this e-mail and in any attachments is confidential and intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). This information may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are not authorized to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. This e-mail was scanned for viruses and content.