Mad Hot Ballet: Dangerous Love gala raises $1 million for the National Ballet of Canada

“Mad Hot Ballet: Dangerous Love,” the theme behind 2013’s annual fundraising gala hosted by the National Ballet of Canada, promised an evening of “Mad Hot” sizzle and drama on-and-off the stage… and the heat was certainly delivered. The evening was hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, kicking off in the amphitheatre with an incredible selection of one-night only short works hand-picked by the National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Karen Kain. This hour long performance featured a guest appearance by Svetlana Lunkina, former principal dancer of the renowned Boshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia.

As the curtains were drawn, the crowd filtered out into the lobby, glass staircases and suspended bridges of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for the gala cocktail reception. We couldn’t ask for a better venue to sip prosecco and wine while enjoying all the fashion and deliberating about which was our favorite performance. We settled on “Carmen” (hey, it’s subjective after all). Carmen is the theme of the gala, anyway, with a sangria bar and Spanish-inspired tapas.

VIP guests enjoyed a gourmet meal crafted by Chef Mark McEwan of North 44 and waltzed on center stage with the performing artists from the National Ballet.

Meanwhile photographers and judges from FASHION Magazine were busy at work and a handful of sartorially inclined individuals won the evening’s contest for FASHION’s Best Dressed awarded by editor, Bernadette Morra. Maybe an honor that we’ll aim to achieve for next year’s gala? Until then, check out the event photos below.

Congrats to the National Ballet for raising $1 million that evening!

Principal Dancers Guillaume Côté, Heather Ogden and Jillian Vanstone, Jian Ghomeshi, Gala Co-Chair Bernice Royce, Greta Hodgkinson, Gala Co-Chair Victor Royce, Artistic Director Karen Kain, Sonia Rodriguez, Xiao Nan Yu and Aleskandar Antonijevic Photo: Gary Beechey

Principal Dancers Guillaume Côté, Heather Ogden and Jillian Vanstone, Jian Ghomeshi, Gala Co-Chair Bernice Royce, Greta Hodgkinson, Gala Co-Chair Victor Royce, Artistic Director Karen Kain, Sonia Rodriguez, Xiao Nan Yu and Aleskandar Antonijevic
Photo: Gary Beechey

Artistic Director Karen Kain, Jian Ghomeshi Photo: Gary Beechey

Artistic Director Karen Kain, Jian Ghomeshi
Photo: Gary Beechey

Shoshanah Kuper in red, descending the staircase to accept her award as FASHION Magazine's Best Dressed Winner for the evening

Shoshanah Kuper in red, descending the staircase to accept her award as FASHION Magazine’s Best Dressed Winner for the evening

Bernadette Morra, FASHION Editor-in-Chief

Bernadette Morra, FASHION Editor-in-Chief

FASHION Magazine Editor-in-Chief Bernadette Morra (centre) with (left to right) FASHION’s Best Dressed Winner Shoshanah Kuper with runners up Aleksandra Holowinia, Dayna Boal and Jennifer Dawson

FASHION Magazine Editor-in-Chief Bernadette Morra (centre) with (left to right) FASHION’s Best Dressed Winner Shoshanah Kuper with runners up Aleksandra Holowinia, Dayna Boal and Jennifer Dawson

Shoshanah Kuper, Bernadette Morra

Shoshanah Kuper, Bernadette Morra

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Words: Danny Tseng
Photos unless specified: Nick Lee

Some tweets from the evening:


Stunning dress (and very sculpted back) of first soloist Tanya Howard @nationalballet #madhotballet

The National Ballet of Canada’s Carmen

ABOUT THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
A non-profit organization, The National Ballet of Canada relies greatly on individuals, corporations and foundations who share a love of art and who appreciate the achievements of this world-renowned Canadian ballet company. Visit national.ballet.ca

Also check out our photos from last year’s National Ballet: Diamond Gala

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