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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 17, 2014 | 22 Artscene "Connected to your Community" Author speaks on history, politics and his career Richard Gwyn has had an interesting career as a historian, political commentator and radio and TV personality. With seven best-selling non-fiction books that delve into Canadian history and politics and several awards for his writing, the longstanding Toronto Star columnist continues to delve into his interests not only in national politics, but international as well. He'll be speaking about his life and career at the Oakville Conference Centre on Thursday, Jan. 23. The event, hosted by the Canadian Club of Halton Peel, begins at 7 p.m. and includes dinner. Admission is $35 for members, $45 for non-members and $20 for students. To reserve a spot, email Canadian Club of Halton Peel president Barry Wylie at barrywylie1@gmail.com. Gwyn, who was named an officer to the Order of Canada in 2002, will discuss his book Nation Maker: Sir John A. Macdonald 18671891, which is the second and concluding volume of his biography of Canada's first Prime Minister. Canada will be recognizing the 200th anniversary of the birth of Macdonald on Jan. 11, 2015. The Oakville Conference Centre is located at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. The 10-member soul group Tower of Power will be performing at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Thursday, Jan. 23. | submitted photo Tower of Power to bring on the soul Tower of Power (TOP) will be playing at The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Thursday, Jan. 23. Playing since 1968, the American R&B-based horn section and band will be performing next week at the 130 Navy St. centre with new lead vocalist Ray Greene -- Greene replaced former lead vocalist Larry Braggs on Dec. 31, 2013. "Needless to say, when I received the call... to join the group, I was excited, thankful and completely filled with joy. I have a profound respect and admiration for all of the great vocalists that have preceded me, especially Mr. Larry Braggs, who is the longest-tenured singer ever to grace the Tower of Power stage," Greene said on TOP's website. "I look forward to carrying on the legacy and becoming a part of the TOP family." Current members of the musical group include: Emilio Castillo, band leader and tenor saxophone; Stephen `Doc' Kupka, baritone saxophone; Francis `Rocco' Prestia, bass guitar; David Garibaldi, drums; Tom Polizer, tenor saxophone; Adolfo Acosta, trumpet/flugelhorn; Sal Cracchiolo, trumpet; Roger Smith, keyboards; and Jerry Cortez, guitar. In addition to the group's current 10 members, approximately 20 other musicians and vocalists have, at one time, held a spot in the band. TOP originated in July 1968 in Oakland, Calif., when Castillo met Kupka during a band rehearsal at the former's house -- as the anecdote goes, Castillo's father called him into the kitchen and told him, "Hire that guy; he's got something." After playing at The Fillmore musical hall in San Francisco in 1970, TOP was signed to San Francisco records and recorded its first album, East Bay Grease, which included all original music written by Castillo and Kupka. Local shutterbugs sign up for photography workshop The community is invited to sign up for a photography workshop that starts Wednesday, Jan. 22. Taught by William (Bill) Ellis, director of the Oakville Camera Club with more than 40 years of photography experience, the workshop is for both standard point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras (both auto and semi-auto modes). Ellis will present how to get the most out of a camera in terms the general public can relate to. The four-session workshop runs Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, from 7-9 p.m. at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre, 1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E. It will consist of presentations, as well as hands-on components discussing camera settings, exposure/exposure compensation, metering mode and scenes, composition and photo editing. The final session will include a discussion of participants' submitted photos and the use of software for picture correction -- every session will have time for a question-and-answer period. The cost to register is $200 and there is limited space. To register or for more information, call 905-257-4730, email info@joshuacreekarts.com or visit www.joshuacreekarts.com. Needless to say, when I received the call... to join the group, I was excited, thankful and completely filled with joy. I have a profound respect and admiration for all the great vocalists that have preceded me, especially Mr. Larry Braggs, who is the longest-tenured singer ever to grace the Tower of Power stage. I look forward to carrying on the legacy and becoming a part of the TOP family. Ray Greene Lead vocalist, Tower of Power The group's next album, Bump City, was recorded on the Warner Brothers label. This led to a string of TOP hits and albums, including the song You Got to Funkifize. Castillo, Kupka, Prestia and Garibaldi are considered four of TOP's founding members. Since its inception, TOP has recorded with hundreds of musically-diverse artists, such as Aerosmith, Elton John, Little Feat, Phish, Santana, and Heart. "Tower of Power has never stopped touring and recording. Always in demand, the band never fails to entertain and amaze their fans," stated a news release by TOP . "Tower is truly blessed to have a dedicated following that often travels to see the band." The musical soul group celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008 at a reunion show at The Fillmore. For more information, visit ww.towerofpower.com. Catch Handel's Messiah Sunday Residents who missed the performance of George Frideric Handel's Messiah because of bad weather conditions last month have another chance to see the show. Oakville's professional choir and orchestra Musikay will be performing the 18th century Christmas-time favourite on Sunday, Jan. 19 at St. John's United Church, 262 Randall St. The sing-along starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35 for regular admission, $30 for seniors, $15 for students and $70 for a family. Unused tickets from last month's shows will be honoured at this event. To purchase new tickets, visit www.musikay.ca. For more information, visit www.oakville-ensemble.ca.