The Shenkman Arts Centre will be celebrating it’s 15th anniversary on Sept. 8 and the public is invited to take part. The festivities will get underway at 11 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. with lots of free activities for the whole family including dance workshops in hip-hop, contemporary, Bollywood and Kathak dance, bucket drumming and bubble art.

The highlight of the proceedings will be a performance by Empress Nyiringango, an award-winning, self-taught Rwandan-Canadian singer based in Ottawa who will be showcasing her unique blend of jazz, blues and traditional Rwandan music.

Visitors to the Shenkman Arts Centre will also be able to take a guided tour, offered in both French and English. Additionally, the Ottawa School of Art, located on the main floor of the Arts Centre will be holding it’s annual open house on the same day.

Visitors will be able to see live demon-strations and chat with some of the school’s instructors. You will also be able to register for one of the many courses the school is offering this fall and winter.

The Ottawa School of Theatre, located next door to the School of Art, will also have staff on hand to chat with visitors about their programming and various theatrical classes which are offered in both French and English.

Last, but by no means least, the Gloucester Pottery School, located in the lower lobby, will be open to visitors who wish to learn more about their programming.

While at the 15th anniversary celebration visitors can also check out the facility’s three art galleries.

The Trinity Gallery located on the lower level is hosting an exhibit by Ottawa mixed media artist. JungHee Lee-Marles entitled “Interconnections”.