Oshawa Is AwesomeOshawa Is Awesome

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The Autumn leaves, drift by our windows…

Oshawa IS Awesome!

So the summer has come and gone, but don’t let the fall blues kick in Oshawa. IT’S JACKET SEASON!!!! You know what that means? Time to do a bit of Fall/Winter shopping. Looking for that awesome unique coat? Or perhaps a super trendy pair of boots? How about a fab purse? I suggest you check out what AWESOME Downtown Oshawa has to offer.

With stores such as Naddagucci, The Shoe Box (formally know as Collette’s), Strut, Doug Wilson’s, Dorian’s, Murray Johnson’s and Tribal Voices I’m sure you will find that stand out, stylish piece your Winter/Fall collection is waiting for.

One may ask how to kick those winter blues away? How about curling up with a nice cup of tea and a book on a cozy couch at The Black Cup, Isabellas or Beanz?

Looking for more of an adventure? Why not check out the live music around town. Or perhaps if you’re feeling ambitious, perform a couple of numbers at The Glen Bensley Open Stage on Monday nights at The Green Bottle?

As the temperature drops don’t let the hibernation begin Oshawa, don’t forget to bring your family to the library, or be immersed in culture by checking out the new permanent collection at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

Lots of things are happening in our AWESOME city, keep your eyes and ears posted and take charge in supporting the PRIDE in which many share in our CITY.

Summertime and the living IS easy…

As the weather gets warmer, and the weekend brings trips to the cottage and far away places, don’t forget about our wonderful City.

Plenty of fantastic adventure opportunities are to be had, all available in Shwa-diggity. Your weekends can be filled with cost efficient activities and loaded with fun!

Can yah dig it?

Visit The Robert McLaughlin Gallery to explore the wonderful world of Canadian art. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of the best in Canada’s art heritage; the collection includes an extensive selection of Canadian masterpieces. www.rmg.on.ca

While visiting The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, stop by The Studio Restaurant, now fully licensed and absorb the culture around you while gormandizing on fantastic fresh market cuisine.
905. 576.1983

Take a walk through The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens and sniff in the beauty skirting both sides of the creek from Parkwood to south of John Street.

Stop by Memorial Park and partake in free concerts at the band shell. A few special nights to look forward to are July 2nd at 7:00 p.m. where Champion Heartache will be gracing the stage with sounds of excellence and August 13th at 7:00 p.m. with The Dirt Squirrel All Stars who will have you dancing out of your lawn chairs, smiles bursting on faces.

There is much happening in Oshawa—new construction and development of public spaces, cultural events like the Jazz and Blues Festival, The Shwaltz, Bandwarz, Autofest, and Fiesta are keeping the City alive with activity.

So get out there Oshawa, see what we have to offer while soaking up the sun and culture!

Visit to the Oshawa Zoo…yeah, Zoo

My family and I visited the Oshawa Zoo located in North Oshawa recently and had a great time….Check out the cool pics or better yet, visit the Zoo yourself.  www.oshawazoo.ca

Ian Sherwood at Isabella’s

The Collective takes over Chicago’s Diner, Simcoe St N, the 2nd Thursday of Each Month

UPDATE ON VIDEO CONTEST DEADLINE!

Oshawa gets a lot of guff from its home grown and its neighbours.

If only there were a way to highlight the things that make this city kick @$$ ….
OH WAIT! There is!

www.oshawaisawesome.com is a website devoted to the sunny sides of Oshawa’s streets.
keep up to date with all things shwasome

To beef things up even more, there is a Video Contest happening that stands by the same convictions!

There is a hefty Prize Pot to be awarded to the winning Video Entry.
The pot is filled with fantastic prizes from around Oshawa including IPath skate gear from Alcatraz Skate, Treats from Isabella’s, Durham Tourism Merch, Gift Cert. from local eateries like Diamond’s Grill and more!

Here is all you need to know…
-videos are to be about 2 min in length (or less, whatever)
-no nudity
-no negativity
-other than that, surprise and amaze us!

Here are some suggestions for things that could rock off some socks

* the vast musical community
* the lake
* the second marsh
* downtown
* parkwood
* that bridge & walkway thing by the Mclaughlin Gallery and Library
* you friends very nice mom
* delicious eateries

Sounds of Sunday

upcoming sunday events!

May 24th
> Lance Prichard
> Nik Beeson (Snakes & Ladders collection)
http://www.nikbeeson.com

May 31st
> The DGB Unplugged/Acoustic!
> seeking 1 acts - contact luckhart@hotmail.com

June 7th
> Darling DeMaes of Montreal
http://www.myspace.com/thedarlingdemaes
> Cait Thompson

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57324516959&ref=ts

if you are interested in performing at a sounds of sunday, please email luckhart@hotmail.com
be sure to include a weblink or mp3 clip if possible.

One Month Left of the OIA Video Contest!

You can drop your entries at the following events…

Saturday May 9th - The Atria - 10pm-midnight
Sunday May 10th - Sounds of Sunday - The Atria - 3-6pm
Sunday May 31st - Sounds of Sunday - The Atria - 3-6pm
Friday June 5th - Under Exposed VI - VIP of Le Skratch - 7-10pm
Sunday June 7th - Sounds of Sunday - The Atria - 3-6pm

Re-Cap of Video Contest Details…

Videos are to be…
+ 2 min or less
+ contain no nudity or negative content
+ should show your take on Oshawa and what makes it “Awesome”

“The Prize Pot”
+ issued to the winning video
+ full of contributions from businesses and organizations across Oshawa

Oshawa IS Awesome!!! And the night should be filled with music.

I moved to Oshawa in grade seven, approximately Summer 1997. Being new to town, my family and I immediately began to explore our new City of residence.

During the first week of living Downtown, while on a walk after dinner we came across the Band-Shell at Memorial Park. The Oshawa Civic Band was playing a free concert. This was one of the first moments when I realized how special Oshawa is. Here lay this magnificent piece of architecture, placed in a beautiful park, in the heart of my new City. It was at this instant when I was taken-a-back by words engraved on the face of the ‘shell:

And the night should be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And silently steal away.

-Longfellow

Band shell, Memorial Park, Downtown Oshawa

Since that day some 12 years ago, I have always wanted to perform on stage at the park. I’m lucky to say that last summer I fulfilled that by playing one Sunday afternoon. A personal special moment you could say.

This evening I had the opportunity of attending my first rehearsal with The Oshawa Civic Band who practices inside the band shell at Memorial Park. It has been years since I have read orchestral music, let alone play with such a large number of musicians, I found myself quite nervous and humbled when I walked in, I knew I was going to be part of something wonderful with amazing musicians, so I sucked up the nerves and jumped in.

“The Oshawa Civic Band began life in 1870 as the band of the 34th Ontario Regiment, and was a traditional Military band. However, as time passed the band evolved into its current configuration of a traditional “British” brass… All “official” ties with the regiment were cut off in 1968, when the band officially assumed the name of Oshawa Civic Band (after being known as the Oshawa Civic and Regimental Band) and has since become incorporated.” (www.oshawacivicband.ca)

I am very enthused to be a part of something that has been a part of Oshawa for so long, and to perhaps bring excitement to someone new to town as The Oshawa Civic Band did for me.

With this being said, The Oshawa Civic Band is looking for new musicians. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 8p.m.-10p.m. Applicants must be able to read music. If you are interested please contact president@oshawacivicband.ca for more details.

Don’t forget to check out Memorial Park during the summer for free concerts in the park!!!