Auditions for the Aurora Youth Choir are open to all children who love to sing or would like to learn more about signing through the Aurora experience. While some previous vocal or musical training is advantageous, it is not a requirement. Many choristers who are new to music training are able to demonstrate a natural aptitude for singing at the audition.

Applicants must be between the ages of 10-17. There is no fee for auditions. The audition is approximately ten minutes and is designed to be a friendly, positive experience for all. At the audition you will meet with the Artistic Director, Joanna Torguson. She will ask you to echo melodies, clap rhythms and perform several ear training exercises. You do not need to prepare anything ahead of time.

To book an audition appointment or for more information, call the choir office at 881-7876 or send an email to aurorachoir@shaw.ca.

The Ukrainian Dancers’ Spring Concert will be held on Monday, May 12th at Keyano Recital Theatre at 6:30pm. The show includes dancers from ages 5 to adult, performing dances from various Ukrainian regions, and some dancers have won Gold Awards in recent competitions. Admission is by donation. Ukrainian cookbooks will also be available for purchase. For more information call Isabelle at 791-3990.

The African Children’s choir will be visiting and performing at two locations on Sunday, April 20th. The first performance will be held at 10:30am at the Fort McMurray Alliance Church-101 Spruce Street and the second performance will be held at 6pm at the McMurray Gospel Assembly-10110 Main Street. Admission is free, but a good-will offering will be collected. Seating is on a first come first serve basis.

Keyano Art Gallery Presents: William MacDonnell-Painting History: The Romantic Disease

Art Talk with artist on Friday, April 11th at 7pm in Room C134 of the Keyano College Art Centre.

Gallery Hours:
Mon-Fri, Noon-2pm
Thursday, 7pm-10pm
Saturday, 1pm-4pm

McMurray Gospel Assembly is hosting a fundraising event entitled “Show Me the Funny” on Tuesday April 8th. We are bringing in the critically acclaimed improv comedy group, The Panic Squad (www.panicsquad.com), to be our headliner for the night. Along with local talent, this should be a great event for the whole community. The Panic Squad are dedicated to putting on a clean, comedy act that will have the whole family in stitches. They will be performing for an hour and a half. Funds raised will help kids go to the annual YC conference in Edmonton. Click on read more for details.



Admission is $25 per ticket for our evening with Panic Squad, which will include the entertainment as well as deserts and refreshments.



Show Me the Funny

@MGA at 7:30pm

Tickets $25 (The Missing Piece, MGA, and at the door)

Call 743-2446 for more info

Every Thursday night is Open Mic Night at the Tavern on Main. If you can play the guitar and sing, or play keyboard and sing, or if you're a stand up comedian looking to entertain, come out to the Tavern of Main every Thursday night after 9pm and participate in their local Fort McMurray weekly Talent night. There is a guitar available, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you have one that plugs in. Keyboard available upon request. Two Mic's provided, a stage and an eager audience.

Call Sally at 743-1800 for more information.

Charity’s Jam in support of the HUB Family Resource Centre will be held on Friday, April 4th at the MacDonald Island Lounge starting at 7;30pm. Admission is $10. Local Musicians are invited to showcase their talents. A 50/50 draw and silent auction will also be held. Call 791-7110 for more information.

The Boomtown Casino is hosting a charity fundraising concert on April 2 at 9pm in the lounge for the Children's Wish Foundation. The entertainers are Jamie Warren, Duane Steele and Willie Mack. Admission is by donation only and all cheques should be made out to the Children's Wish Foundation. Last year the foundation sent 950 children their wish. Four of these children were from the Wood Buffalo area. Official tax receipts will be sent out provided they have a proper name and mailing address for all donations over $10.00. All donations are greatly appreciated and will be forwarded to the Wish Foundation. Donations can be dropped off at the Boomtown Casino attention:Gwen ahead of time is you are unable to attend the concert.

Oxfam’s music4change Open Mic Night will be held on March 28th at 9pm at the King’s Lounge of Keyano College. Hosted by Jiri Hudecek and Ben Parsons, come out and showcase your talent for a good cause. There is no charge to attend; donations to Oxfam are always welcome.

Laureates of Calgary’s Honens International Piano Competition; Hinrich Alpers of Germany and Hong Xu of China will be in Fort McMurray on April 3rd to perform a public concert at Westwood Community High School Theatre at 7pm. They will perform works by Mozart and Beethoven. Call 743-8614 for more information. This concert is part of the Honens Fort McMurray Engagement Program made possible by Suncor Energy Inc.

Thickwood Height Theatricks presents: Willy Wonka Junior at Keyano Theatre on March 19th. Tickets available at Thickwood School and at the Keyano Box Office.

The Fort McMurray Social Dance Club’s Monthly Dance will be held on Mar.28th at the Seniors Activity Centrer-10111 Main Street from 8:30pm-Midnight. All dancing levels and anyone over 18 years of age are welcome. Club memberships are available at the door; your very first dance is free of charge. For more information call 790-7173.

Come out and enjoy some great local children showcasing their talents for the 2008 competitive Dance year. Generation Dance Studio in conjunction with Generation Competitive Dance Society presents: The 5th Annual Competitive Showcase at the Keyano Recital Theatre on February 25th and 26th. Tickets are available at Keyano Box Office. For more information call 791-3130.

The Fort McMurray Social Dance Club’s Monthly dance will be held on February, 15th at the Seniors Activity Center-10111 Main Street from 8:30pm-12am. Ages 18+, all dancing levels welcome. Club memberships are available at the door; your very first dance is free of charge. For more information call 790-7173.

Keyano Art Gallery Presents: Video Art, 1994-2007, Dana Claxton Exhibition Feb.7th-March 7th. Art Talk and Opening Reception on Feb.7th from 7-9pm at Keyano Art Gallery. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri-12 noon-2pm, Thurs.-7-10pm, Sat.-1pm-4pm.

The Full Moon Café is a venue for acoustic musicians, poets, and artists to showcase their talents. The next Full Moon Café will be held on Saturday, February 16th at the Lion’s Park Clubhouse at 7:30pm. For more information call Solange at 791-5355.

New York police said Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan residence in a possible drug-related death.
    He was 28.
    NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home.
    The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there found him dead at 3:26 p.m.
    The Australian-born actor was an Oscar nominee for his role in `Brokeback Mountain' and has numerous other screen credits.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
George Clooney -- Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis -- There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp -- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones -- In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen -- Eastern Promises

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Cate Blanchett -- Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie -- Away From Her
Marion Cotillard -- La Vie En Rose
Laura Linney -- The Savages
Ellen Page -- Juno

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Atonement
Juno
No Country for Old Men
Michael Clayton
There Will Be Blood

An Accoustic Live Concert Fundraiser featuring Joey Delusong, James Renton and Tyler Goudreau will be held at the Diesel Lounge on Sunday January 27th at 9:30pm. Local resident Blake Crossley is raising funds for a trip to Africa in April, where he will work with families and children affected by the HIV virus.