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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 2, 2009 - 17 Talent in abundance in town Continued from page 16 "I was not expecting to perform in any of the festival shows, but friends of mine from The Second City invited me to fill in for a couple of improv and sketch scenes, so I was able to appear on the stage," he said. "I also had a chance to meet many comedy writers, producers and performers from Canadian TV and film, including the Royal Canadian Air Farce, Corner Gas and The Hour." Raitt regularly performs sketch comedy and improv throughout the Greater Toronto Area. He also teaches comedic skills through his association with The Second City, but said he is hoping to focus more on writing the next while. He said he has ideas for a novel and several plays that he'd like to get down on paper. Spencer Phillips Spencer Phillips, an Oakville resident and St. Ignatius of Loyola graduate, took home an Ontario Independent Music Award this year. The awards recognize unsigned talent across the province, with this year's ceremony taking place in Toronto. Judges included members of Ontario media, as well as label representatives and members of the radio and retail industries. "It's great to get some recognition for some of my creative work, especially since it is my first nomination for any award," Phillips said. "A lot of times independent music doesn't get the same recognition that major music gets. There's a great independent music scene and a lot of talent in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, so it is good to showcase and give accolades to these new and emerging artists that are coming up." Phillips, known by his stage name Suspence, won in the Best Urban category. He is currently working on his debut album, which he hopes to release in 2009 through his independent record label, Hot Jewlz Entertainment. Phillips, who was born in Jwaneng, Botswana, is travelling to South Africa for two-and-a-half weeks in March. He is slated to perform at a citywide festival in Cape Town on March 21 to celebrate Human Rights Day. He is also planning to visit schools to teach students about music. Lisa Horvath Oakville photographer Lisa Horvath exposed her talent to a new audience at two exhibitions that ran in Uzbekistan in late October. Her works were featured in the 4 Tashkentale 2008, a large-scale forum of masters of modern photographic art. The event takes place in five exhibition halls in the capital city of Tashkent, as well as in the city of Bukhara. There were 83 photographers taking part from 22 countries this year. Her work was also part of the Second International Festival of Actual Video and Photo Art, also held in Bukhara. She was one of three photographers from Canada featured in the shows. "It is very exciting because this is a big way to the international scene and just to have the recognition of the photos is rewarding," she Spencer Phillips See Artists page 23 Mississauga: 2185 Dundas St. W. 2 Blocks W. of Erin Mills Pkwy. (905) 607-2247 Workshop & Showroom: 370 Denison St. E., Markham (905) 475-2488 Whitby: 111 Dunlop St. W. at Brock St. (905) 668-2770 If you're going t shop anyway make it cou t ' i to hop anyway, k count. h UNICEF cards and gifts are available right in your neighbourhood. Shop today and make a real difference in the lives of children with the things you buy. Shop for Cards & Gifts at UNICEF Kiosks: ­ All Stores Oakville Place ­ 240 Leighland Ave. Yonge Eglinton Centre ­ 2300 Yonge St. College Park Shops ­ 444 Yonge St. Shop for Cards at these retailers: (Selected locations) (Selected locations) (Selected locations) Shop online at shopunicef.ca or by phone at 1 888 777-0380.