The Canadian Champion, Friday, March 3, 2006 - Bi Republic excited about first headlining tour aft , ý Bandeins latest Canadian sigtiht band will head south to Austin,Tea swin onî to perform at the popular South By PHOTO COURTESY 0F VICTOR TAVARES CLOSE-KNfl BUNCH: The Most Serene Republic members (from Ieft) Andrew McArthur, Adam Nimmo, Ryan Lenssen, Emma Dutchburn, Adrian Jewett and Nick Greaves have kept busy in recent months wîith tours across Canada and Europe. Halton Youth Symphony to benefit from grant The Halton Youth Symphony is singing for joy now that the Ontario Trtllium Foundation has awarded it an $8,000 grant. The money bas already allowed the orchestra 10 introduce a more interactive Weh site design and will soon fond soft- ware t0 improve financial accountability and huild a database of past members and prospective donors. Most importanîly, the funds "I support a series of initia- tives designed to, bring stakebolders together onder a fresh vision and five-year strategic plan. "We're very gratefol to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for giving us this opportonity to lay a solid foundation for the next five years," said Brigitte Cormier, the orchestras vice-president and grants chair. "This will allow us t0 continue providing the bîgb level of commonity service that 50 many have come to rely on." The Halton Yooîb Symnphony includes two orchestras - a chamber orchestra for mosicians aged ine t0 14 and a foull symphony orchestra for those in high school. The group relies on donations by individoals, corpora- lions and foondcations. The contributions the sympbony bas received from past donors and sponsors have been essential t0 providing a symphonie backgrousnd for young musicians in Oakville and Halton. The sympbony's sesson inclodes a concert tomorrow at Holy Trinity Sehool in Oakville at 7 p.m. Ticket information is available ai www.haltonyoothsymphonycom or by phone at (905) 616-2760. By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF You're flot likely to 1usd Willie Nelson among tbe CD collec- tions of those in Tbe Most Serene Republic. Nevertbeless, lynics from bis time- less traveling classic - Just Can't Wait To Get On Tbe Road Again, The Life 1 Love bs Making Music Witb My Friends' - bave become awfully rele- vant for members of the up-and-com- ing indie-pop band. Recently returning from a swing througb Europe, the six friends - four from Milton - bit the road once again yesterday to begin a wbirlwind six-gigs- in-nine-days tour across Canada. Wbîle tbe local musicians certainly enjoyed tbeir tbree previous tours of tbe country theres added reason for excitement ibis time around - wsîb the Most Serene Republic now takmng on 'main attraction' status for tbeir upcoming series of gigs, wbich begin tonight in Thunder Bay "We're really looking forward to headlining a tour," said 20-year-old gui- tarist Nick Greaves, whose band is signed witb tbe Arts and Crafts label and whose CD Underwater Cinematographer can be found in mainstream music stores. "0f course there's more pressure now to bave a good show, but in a way theres less pressure as well since we've already gatbered our fans now a nd we're the ones tbey're coming 10 see. lîs our tomn now And while endurance may be an attnibute more commonly associated wiîb athletes, Greaves recognizes that the band's stamina wI definitely be tested for the next week-and-a-balf. "We've got to brace ourselves and remember that after doing four or fîve songs and being a little tired we'l1 still have about 10 or so t0 go. Yeab, itîIl dlef- initely be a challenge." However, you won't bear The Most Serene Republie members complaining about their hectic tour sebedule, wbicb over the next several days includes some rather lengthy road trips to Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regtna, Edm onton, Calgary and finally Soutb West Festival. Vancouver. so" c""5 ngupr "Touring Canada makes for somne Repubhic is the debut of their second long rides, but we love playing and the video, (O5h) God, wbîcb was shot last tours have ail been incredible so far," montb and is expected to air sometime stressed Greaves, who along with bis in the next few weeks. The Most Serene Republic mates has "Thaî'l be great to see," said played ai such Toronto hot spots as Greaves. Lee's Palace. Steve LeBlanc cant be reached at sle- Following ils Vancouver gig, the blanc@haltonsearch.com. Halton Women's Place Presents The 11It Annual Gala Dinner Dance & Auction , Saturday March 4, 2006 The Burlington Convention Centre 1120 Burloak 5:30pm Wine Reception 6:3Opm lrnne~r Performance« l Th b #e Teu## MC - S" nnisS K-LIT E FM Auctioneer - Dan Ferrone, Former CFL Star Tldte - $125 pergero (sit down dinner and open bar included) tM »TICKETS AVAILABLE! CAI Iàxyn Racher~ atfl 1200, ext ?22 to reserve your tickets! lhanks toosÀr Sàvs-A]ltana Pharma Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, oiiiigtmq0 . , etre, Burlingto Tennis for Charity, BMO Ybntain of tî-erd aO4 Tire Bu4lington àadian Tire Oakville, CJBC Wood Gundy, D CrQie aj(nada, GkLntfi*Foudation, 1 Kopriva, JAAC Corporate Events, Jennifers Kltchen,tiqudPfm "n Pollard Windows, Royal LePage - Burloak, Rude Native Bistro, Smith Mc- Kay/Stoney Creek Florists, Union Gas Limited Media Sponsors CH' 102.9 î>tabanbampný~ 7ii Haktoe Waedas Pkace ~We would like to invite you to ourCekouorehiirsa w.wsunêgfcn Free Hors D'Oeuvres, Decadent Desserts & Punch -Facity Tours Fiee Hase & MaIre-up Sessions e Dance Demnos U ve Mussc ..ail ai no cost to youl D- Rd PLeu corne enjoy! 10mto 4pm w.d NDS TeL (905) 319-5991 wwwcrouwindsgoifom WnFo weinformation picem onsatQ *yP C CI1t jedrcuitq.w Jl