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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 4, 2016 | 32 John Bkila Sub-Editor jbkila@oakvillebeaver.com Moonshine Café puts independent artists centre stage by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" T he Moonshine Café's anniversary this year is more than just a milestone of being an Oakville business for 10 years -- it's also a celebration of a decade of supporting the local and independent art scene. Owners John Marlatt and his wife Jane MacKay had the latter in mind when they first opened the 137 Kerr St. café in 2006. "That was the concept when we started, was to be a listening room for music. We don't have a television set," said Marlatt, noting even the background music that plays in the café is by featured independent artists. "We've always enjoyed live music," he continued. "We were running events out of other bars and always found... the music was not the focal point. And that kind of evolved into independent artists, mostly original music, to be featured." The Moonshine Café holds live music shows every night, as well as jam and open stage nights, which means, since its inception, it has featured thousands of local and international, independent music artists. It has showcased bands from Oakville, Burlington, the U.S. and U.K., and Cuba. "The music scene is a really close-knit group; a `six-degrees-to-anybody' type of business," Marlatt said of how Moonshine attracts international artists. "We have a very good reputation in the music community and sadly, there aren't tons and tons of places anymore for (independent) artists like that to play... they are few and far between now." Now-famous headliners to have walked through the café's doors include: Canadian rockand-roll band The Sheep Dogs; Juno awardwinning, Aboriginal recording artist Susan Aglukark; award-winning Canadian guitarist and instrumentalist Johannes Linstead; eight-time Juno award-winning Canadian musician Tom The Moonshine Café owners John Marlatt and wife Jane MacKay are celebrating 10 years this year as an Oakville business. As a big supporter of local and international independent musicians and artists, Moonshine has seen thousands take to its stage and fill its walls with art. The local hangout has given independent artists of all vocations a venue to showcase themselves -- John and Jane's goal since they opened The Moonshine Café in 2006. | photos by Justin Greaves ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/ Cochrane; and Cuban-Canadian singer/songwriter Alex Cuba. But music isn't the only art form featured at The Moonshine Café, noted Marlatt. The local hangout hosts, monthly, a folk club, kids jam for youths aged 13-17 years old, and an Oakville Improv showcase -- it also used to host a poet's society night. In addition, the café's walls are covered with works from local artists. "I just think arts are important," Marlatt said of why music and the arts are such an integral part of The Moonshine Café. "It's expressive, it's creative. It's not something to be overlooked...." Marlatt added he's happy his venue has become a place where musicians and artists can share their talents with the public. "There are great numbers of people playing instruments, painting and the like, and not a ton of places for them to be able to showcase their talents and express themselves," he said. And as for celebrating The Moonshine Café's 10th anniversary this year, Marlatt said it felt pretty good. "It's pretty satisfying," he noted. "Ten years is that kind of milestone that's like a long, short time." Big Movies, Small Prices! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville general: $8.50 Children (3-13): $6.50 seniors (65+): $6.50 tuesdays: $5.00 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @filmCaCinemas DeaDPOOL february 12 HOw tO be singLe february 12 zOOLanDer february 12 risen february 19 eDDie tHe eagLe february 12