Theatre 3x60 is holding two open house information sessions, on October 11th and 18th, to introduce its Youth Theatre Collective program, now accepting applications for 2016/17.

The 3x60 Theatre Collective is a unique 17 week creative performance art experience, for Durham youth and young adults, with an emphasis on stagecraft, play writing, and process. With the guidance and mentorship of Theatre 3x60’s qualified theatre professionals and instructors, Theatre Collective members experience writing, collaborating, producing and performing their own original work, while developing their performance and production skills. Through challenging and confidence building hands-on theatre, writing exercises and activities, and production opportunities, Theatre 3x60 Youth Ensemble participants discover and explore theatre creation onstage and behind the scenes.

Theatre 3x60, founded by Joan Etienne and Carey Nicholson in 2013, is committed to encouraging the development of new work, artists and audiences through its programs, and is proud to partner with the City of Oshawa to bring the 3x60 Theatre Collective to the city’s Arts Resource Centre. In addition to encouraging youth involvement in theatre, Theatre 3x60 supports artistic excellence and accessibility to theatre. It believes in using theatre as a tool to engage audiences throughout Durham, through touring productions to schools, community workshops, staged readings and full productions.

The 3x60 Theatre Collective will run for 17 weeks, from October 22nd, 2016 to March 4th, 2017, with sessions twice weekly, on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Theatre 3x60 Co-Artistic Director, Carey Nicholson, is the program coordinator and lead instructor, with additional instruction provided by Theatre 3x60 personnel and guest theatre professionals and playwrights. A detailed program outline is available, at www.theatre3x60.ca.

The 3x60 Theatre Collective is open to all youth and young adults in Durham region, ages 14 to 21, and there is no fee to participate. However, space is limited to 20 participants, and upon acceptance, participants must commit to the full 17 week program. Applications are now being accepted until October 18th, and registration forms are available online, at www.theatre3x60.ca.

Want to learn more about the 3x60 Theatre Collective? Come to the Oshawa Arts Resource Centre, on Tuesday, October 11th & 18th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and meet the instructors, mentors and facilitators.
For more information on Theatre 3x60 and full 3x60 Theatre Collective details, including application forms, visit www.theatre3x60.ca, or contact the company, at info@theatre3x60.ca.

UXBRIDGE: The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department, invites the public to learn more about waste management at an upcoming Waste Fair.

• When: Saturday, Oct. 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre, 291 Brock St. W., Uxbridge.
• Why: The Waste Fair is a free family-friendly event, that focuses on educating residents about responsible waste management.

Highlights of the Waste Fair will include:
• Educational displays about the Region’s waste management programs
• Educational displays by the Region’s waste management partners
• Eco-friendly crafts and games
• Collection vehicles on display
• A face painter and Durham’s Blue Box and Green Bin mascots
• An interactive bird show
• A puppet show about the importance of composting
• Blue Box and Green Bin exchanges and sales

Note: For more information, visit www.durham.ca/wasteevents.

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The annual Victoria County Studio tour will be returning for its 31st year this weekend.

There will be 17 stops on this year’s fall tour that takes place over two weekends. People will have the chance to meet 25 artists, the most the tour has had. People will also have the chance to see works from a variety of mediums, including fine art, metalwork, jewellery, pottery and others.

The tour will be held from Saturday, Sept. 24th until Sunday, Sept. 25th and Saturday, Oct. 1st until Sunday, Oct. 2nd, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  

The tour map can be picked up at a variety of businesses in the community, or can be downloaded on-line at victoriacountystudiotour.com.

As well, each studio is offering a ballot, to fill out for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate.

Studio Tour chair Janet Tysiak gave numerous reasons for people to come out to the annual tour.

“It is great to tour in your own backyard, it is great for people to be able to tour artists’ studios that would normally be closed to the public, and you are meeting really interesting people as well and making great connections,” she said.

Ms. Tysiak said it is also interesting to see the progress of the local artists.

“I think customers see the transformations of artists, where they are going with their art and how they are improving, and that is why I think we have a core group of artists that come back to every tour.”

She also added, despite it being an annual tour, they are constantly trying to move it forward and keep it relevant in the community, through strategies like having a strong social media presence.

DAN CEARNS The Standard

SCUGOG: People will once again have the opportunity to fill their bowls, on Sunday, Sept. 18th, when the 8th annual Harvest Chili Cook-Off takes over Port Perry’s downtown core.

Last year, Port Perry Villa swept up both awards, taking the Judge’s and People's choice. This year, they face some tight competition, as they will face off with 11 other local businesses. This includes three new entrants to this competition: Port Perry Marina’s Boat House Grill, Willowtree Farms and West Shore Village.

As well as chili tasting, there will also be a corn roast, art fair,
petting farm, Pumpkin Painting and a Kids Zone.

Bouncy Castle Village is offering individual tickets, or a wristband for $15 that will allow kids to bounce all day. For those who would like to get their shopping done, there will also be a side walk sale and the farmers market.

The event, put on by the Port Perry BIA, will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The chili will be served from noon until 2 p.m. People are being encouraged to come early, as the chili goes fast. Tickets are $10 each, which includes a chili mug. Tickets will be available at the two BIA booths starting at 11 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the 'Operation Scugog' Food Bank. During the event, Queen St., from John St. to Water St., as well as Water St. from Queen St. to Mary St., will be closed.

SCUGOG: The Port Perry Town & Country House Tour was founded in 2009 by Port Perry United Church Community Outreach, as a charitable event. All proceeds now support five very important local charities - Joanne's House, Community Care Durham, the YWCA Durham's Second Stage Housing for Women, Big Brothers Big Sisters North Durham, and North House.

The 8th annual event takes place Saturday, September 17th, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The House Tour has raised almost $80,000 for the charities over the past eight years. The number of visitors has increased over that time, and this year we plan to sell all 500 tickets, and raise over $10,000 for our charities!

There are eight exciting venues that have been graciously donated for the tour. Each demonstrates the varied and interesting architecture found within and around our community, with lots of pleasant surprises for tour visitors.

Each ticket includes a stop at the church, where the House Tour Cafe will be serving complimentary light refreshments and homemade baked goods, throughout the day.

The House Tour organizing committee has been working since March to prepare for this event, and has a large team of over 100 energetic volunteers; local community residents who are offering their time, expertise, and resources to help make this event a success. As a non-for-profit volunteer organization, every sponsorship dollar or product donated helps defray the costs we incur, and maximizes the donation we can offer our chosen charities.

Tickets are $25 each in advance, and can be purchased at: Royal LePage, Frank Real Estate (268 Queen Street, Port Perry – 905-985-9898); Port Perry United Church (294 Queen Street, Port Perry – 905-985-2801); or YWCA Durham (1 McGrigor Street, at Simcoe, Oshawa – 905-723-9922).

Come and join the fun. You will be assured of a wonderful day full of amazing architecture, lovely gardens, and inspiring decorating. If that isn't enough, you will also make a positive impact on youth, women, men, and the elderly within our community.

For more information on the House Tour go to: www.PortPerryHouseTour.ca or you can contact Lisa McGill, at 905-985-5679, or e-mail lisa.w.m.mcgill@gmail.com.

SCUGOG: The annual Murder Mystery Evening, created by volunteer, Sandra Carrier, and performed enthusiastically by local volunteers, is coming back to the Scugog Shores Museum Village on Friday, Sept. 9th.

This year we are heading back to the 1920s. The archaeologist, Howard Carter, has discovered King Tuts tomb, and ‘Tutmania’ has spread worldwide. The newest craze for high society is to remove mummies from Egypt, and to host ‘mummy unwrapping parties’. Local doctor, Victor Carnarvon, has had the young archeologist, Ian Jones, bring back a mummy for this purpose. During the party, Jane, a young reporter, is found dead, strangled with the mummy wrappings. The question is - who would want her dead, and why?

All assistant detectives will meet a colourful cast of characters, and have the opportunity to interview them and search for clues. Prizes, donated by local merchants, will be awarded to the detectives who catch the culprit.

Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets sell out every year, so get yours early to avoid disappointment. There is a maximum of 100 tickets sold. This event is recommended for 16+. Please bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes.

The event will run from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m., but doors will open starting at 7 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 9th.
The Museum Village is located at 16210 Island Road, Port Perry.