Since 1994 the Marty awards has celebrated and honoured artists involved in dance, digital arts, fashion, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts. The Mississauga Arts Council produces and hosts the event annually. Those who are nominated for an award demonstrate excellence in their chosen work field. How do you get nominated? On the Mississauga Arts Council website there is an online application form you can fill out. From there, the judges choose the top five finalists for each category. Below is a list of the categories to be nominated for:

• Dance Emerging
• Dance Established
• Digital Arts Emerging
• Digital Arts Established
• Fashion and Beauty Emerging
• Fashion and Beauty Established
• Literary Arts Emerging
• Literary Arts Established
• Music Group Emerging
• Music Group Established
• Music Instrumental Emerging
• Music Instrumental Established
• Music Vocal Emerging
• Music Vocal Established
• Theatre Arts Emerging
• Theatre Arts Established
• Visual Arts Emerging
• Visual Arts Established

There are also community awards given out which include: the Festival of the Year Award, the Hazel McCallion Volunteer of the Arts Award, the Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award and, the Lifetime Achievement Award. Those who attend the award show are the nominees, along with their family and friends. As well, any artists, prominent Mississauga politicians, art lovers, volunteers, business leaders and celebrities.

Before the Marty’s, the Mississauga Music Council had their own annual award for Musician of the Year. Later on, the Music Council helped with the formation of the Mississauga Arts Council and the Living Arts Centre. The Arts Council then took over the Musician’s Award, and created the Marty’s. The first award show was held at the Meadowvale Theatre. They gave out awards for the following five disciplines: music, dance, theatre, literature, and visual arts. The Marty’s were then hosted the following year at Square one and, as part of the Mississauga’s Art Festival. The award show was on hiatus in 1996, since the city was mostly focused on building the Living Arts Centre. The following year the award show took place at the Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts Centre and award winners were also granted $1,000! The show went on to host live professional performers after Quartetto Gelato performed in 2000, and was live broadcasted on Rogers Television.

Instead of the award show being named after a monumental individual, the Arts Council decided to host a contest in 2007 to create a new name. “M” for Mississauga and the word “ARTY” was put together to form “Marty” and was chosen as the winner. In 2009, to celebrate the 15^th anniversary, the award show began to include a silent and live auction and dinner hosted at the Stage West. The Marty’s moved back to the Living Arts Centre in 2011 and presented the first “People’s Choice” Award. For the 20^th anniversary the Marty’s gave away artist created sculpted trophies, along with a certificate and $1,000. Then in 2016 the Marty’s were hosted at the Mississauga Convention Centre, which included a red carpet, dinner and a gala show.

Notable winners include Billy Talent, Robert J. Swayer and Jake Dheer.

Visit the website for more information or to nominate someone: https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/the-martys-2-2/

The post Mississauga’s Marty Awards appeared first on Arts Guide.

In this day and age, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep our heads above the water. We often forget to look around and see what’s going on around us. When was the last time you participated in a community activity put on by your municipality? Regardless of whether you live in a city or the suburbs, there is bound to be scores of different programs that your city puts on. Today, we introduce to you the Carassauga Festival. 

What is it? 

Perhaps you’ve already inferred by its name that the Carassauga Festival happens in Mississauga. It is a “city-wide family friendly multicultural festival suitable for all ages to promote understanding, respect and co-operation among all Canadians of different heritage.” Started in 1986, it is now Canada’s largest multinational festival. The non for profit organization brings together different citizen groups of the city to appreciate and respect their culture through sharing food and performances. 

How does it work?

The 3 day spring festival takes place annually (the next festival happening from May 28-30th, 2021) and is a perfect family outing opportunity. The opening ceremony alone that takes place on Friday evening consists of a parade of all the participating nations, a flag dance, various performances in the different pavilions, and fireworks to end it all. 

Click here for pictures of the opening ceremony and different performances of the previous festival!

The festival continues to showcase different traditional food and performances of the nations on Saturday and Sunday. As an example, the Canadian pavilion will include all sorts of activities from an Indigenous education area, Lumberjack shows (and axe throwing!), historical re-enactments and exhibitions, to our own East coast Kitchen party (with Canadian bands Fiddlestix and Screeched Inn), a charity relay race, a country jamboree, and finally popular food items from across the board: namely Poutine, Beavertails, and delicious Nanaimo Bars.

Find further details on the Canadian pavilion here! 

How much is it?

Visitors can obtain a “passport” that “entitles the visitor to unlimited visits to all the Cultural Pavilions with access to live performances, various foods and kids activities throughout the Festival weekend”. These passports cost ten dollars if bought in advance and twelve dollars if purchased at the door. What’s even better is that children under the age of 12 are admitted for free if they are accompanied by an adult passport holder. These passports even include “FREE ridership on all MiWay regularly scheduled bus routes and on special Carassauga shuttlebuses connecting all the locations during the Festival’s operating hours.” The online purchase of passports will be made available in March 2021.

A perfect family outing? I think so. 

The festival is second to none for young children’s learning and appreciation of different cultures. A junior passport is available to children to collect stamps at the pavilions at the end of which there might be a prize! There is also a designated Kids Zone full of games and activities tailored for children aged twelve or under. 

What about accessibility?

As well as public transportation available through a passport purchase, there are also parking spaces including spaces designated for people with disabilities available at the various community centres at which the pavilions are located. As aforementioned, a shuttle bus runs regularly and connects all the different pavilion locations. Furthermore, there are special needs vehicles that can drop passengers off at the main doors of each pavilion. The outdoor areas for seating and eating have wide and flat surfaces, and cables are covered with wheelchair accessible protectors that are highlighted with tape with those with low vision. Designated seating for people with mobility devices will be available at each venue. Although most arenas, community centres and cultural facilities are on flat surfaces, a few require a step or a ramp in order to enter. 

Accessible washrooms are available on the outdoor grounds and inside the facilities. Finally, support persons are available to assist visitors at any time. 

For more information, visit the support page on the website. 

Get your passports!

Even if you’re not a citizen of Mississauga, a family trip from Toronto, GTA or afar will undoubtedly pay off. A stalwart organization that advocates and promotes respect, tolerance and cooperation between proud nations, the Carassauga Festival 2021 is a must see.

Visit the homepage of the festival here or contact them at [email protected]

The post The Carassauga Festival appeared first on Arts Guide.

Upon first glance, this place seems like any ordinary café: tables and chairs for customers, a front counter to order at, and a menu offering various espresso options and baked goods. But when you look a bit closer, take in your surroundings, it begins to dawn on you that this place is far more than meets the eye. With cozy couches, board games, vegan treats, fair trade coffee, inspiring messages written on walls, and a huge chalk board calendar filled with events, the atmosphere of Studio.89 is one of “All are welcome here.”

Born in March of 2014, Studio.89 is a not-for-profit community hub and fair trade vegan café, hosting weekly events and workshops with an emphasis on social justice and community support. But who are the masterminds behind this magical place? Why, none other than Mississauga’s own YTGA, or Youth Troopers for Global Awareness. YTGA is a youth led non-profit, mobilizing and empowering young people for social justice through the arts, events, workshops, campaigns and special projects.

Formed in 2006, a group of passionate students were determined to bring about awareness of global and local issues through creative writing, visual art, theatre and spoken word. In 2011, they assessed 3 gaps in resources available within our city: access to fair trade goods, lack of free venues for not-for-profits, and lack of resources for students. Three years of dealing with zoning, fundraising, and garnering community support later, Studio.89 is up and running!

“their faces light up in surprise and delight when they hear that their café purchase is actually a donation”

So what does a typical day at this café look like? The truth is, there is no typical day at Sudio.89! Hosting over 600+ free and pay-what-you-can events each year, Studio.89 provides not one, but two spaces for anyone in the community to host events, seminars, workshops, classes etc. Oh, and did I mention it’s free not only to attend, but to host as well? So long as your event is open to the public, you can host your event free of charge (private events require a fee). On the “Events” tab on their website, there is an event calendar that is constantly being updated to let the community in on all of the exciting things going on in the café (downstairs) and the Artademic Centre (upstairs). These events range anywhere from open mics, panel discussions, support groups, town halls, board game nights, and much more.

Having worked with them for just over a year, I’ve seen first hand the positive impact this place has on people. As a barista, it brings me immense joy when people walk in for the first time and I get to explain who we are and what we do—their faces light up in surprise and delight when they hear that their café purchase is actually a donation, and that they’re helping support their community.

Not only does Studio.89 uplift the community, but it uplifts its staff and volunteers to. From at risk youth, to adults with barriers to employment, to people simply seeking volunteer opportunities, Studio.89 sets up it’s volunteers for success by accommodating to their schedule, and working with them to provide a volunteer experience that utilizes their unique skills and touches on their interests. The board of directors and management are in constant collaboration with the baristas and kitchen staff, giving them opportunities to assist with events and conceive of new/creative pursuits for programming.

Now more than ever, Studio.89 needs your help. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a severe detriment to small businesses, and this community hub and café is no exception. Studio.89, on top of trying to re-open as part of Ontario’s phase 3, is opening a second location in 2021. They’re looking for 1 time or monthly donations, the amount is up to you! It’s because of the community and government support that Studio.89 can continue to be a resource, safe space, and non-profit/arts incubator for the city of Mississauga and its residents. You can donate at www.studio89.org/donate, join their news letter for updates on what’s happening at the Café, and follow them on Instagram at studiooo89.

The post Arts and Social Justice: This Café is More Than Meets the Eye appeared first on Arts Guide.