TOP ARTISTS TO BE CELEBRATED WITH UNFORGETABLE EVENING OF GLAM AT 2012 MARTY AWARDS

Monday, 21 May 2012 10:10

A&E

MISSISSAUGA, ON -The Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) is set to honour the city's top artists with an extraordinary evening of allure at the 18th Annual 2012 MARTY Awards! The trophies are glistening, the cameras are set and the red carpet is ready to roll out as the Mississauga arts community honours the city's top artists at this highly acclaimed event. The MARTYS will take place on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the Living Arts Centre located at 4141 Living Arts Dr. in Mississauga.

Produced by MAC, the MARTYS are the pinnacle of hype and publicity for Mississauga's thriving arts community. The MARTY Awards celebrate the artistic achievements of the city's established artists while encouraging and supporting emerging artistic talent. The MARTYS have been described as an important launch for many Mississauga artists' careers. Past finalists and winners have moved on to find their place in the international artistic community. This year there are a grand total of 90 artists in the running for the awards, including big names like Suzie McNeil, Liberty Silver and Carlo Coppola. The calibre of artistic talent is exceptional. Some MARTY Award nominees are recipients of JUNO, Emmy and Grammy Awards!

Categories include emerging and established literary arts, media arts, performing and performing group arts, visual arts as well as the creative community award. Each category will honour an emerging artist and an established artist. Winners will receive a cash prize, extensive media coverage and recognition at the MARTYS. There will also be two awards given out to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Mississauga: the Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award. The winners of these special awards will receive an original award.

Lastly, the People's Choice Award will also continue in 2012. The general public had the chance to cast their vote online between April 9, 2012 and April 30, 2012 for their favourite artist. The winner of the People's Choice Award will be presented at the MARTYS celebration on Thursday May 31, 2012.

This prestigious awards show will kick off with some networking on the red carpet commencing at 6 p.m. and the awards show will begin promptly at 8 p.m. with an opportunity to schmooze and mingle with the who's who of the local arts scene in Mississauga. The atrium will be surrounded by the music of the Damon Pfaff Band.

Hosted by renowned author and television personality, Kathy Buckworth, the event will feature an exhilarating lineup of entertainment! Kathy will be joined on stage by the Davor Jordanovski band, the Mississauga Festival Chamber Choir, and the Axé Capoeira dancers. Axé is a Martial Art Academy dedicated to promoting healthy living, fitness, a sense of community and over all fun! The word Axé, pronounced "Ashay", means "positive energy" or "good vibe" and that's exactly how we want you to feel at this year's MARTYS!

At $25 a piece, tickets are selling fast! To avoid disappointment, order your tickets today by calling 905-615-4278 or emailing info@mississaugaartscouncil.com. MARTY Award winners will receive a cash prize, extensive media coverage and recognition at the MARTYS. For a list of this year's nominees' photos and bios, please go online: www.mississaugaartscouncil.com.

Please visit our official 2012 MARTYS Facebook page for your daily scoop on nominees' and performers' spotlights and daily updates leading up to the prestigious event here.