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A preview of the Reel Artists Film Festival at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

  • February 6, 2014
  • arts, Past Events
  • Comments Off on A preview of the Reel Artists Film Festival at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

In it’s 11th year, the Reel Artists Film Festival returns with an artfully curated selection of 19 international feature-length and short documentary films devoted to visual arts, taking place at TIFF Bell Lightbox from February 19th to the 23rd.

Presented by the Canadian Art Foundation, RAFF boasts being North America’s only film festival centered around visual art and artists. One of the main features is the film about New York’s renowned artist Kehinde Wiley (featured in GQ, WSJ and more) and he will be in attendance at the opening night festivities.

Click here to check out the Reel Artists Film Festival video for some great highlights – check out the one about the giant rock!

Visit canadianart.ca/raff for the full program guide.
www.canadianart.ca/raff/category/events/

RAFF OPENING NIGHT FESTIVAL
RAFF’s opening night festivities take place Wednesday February 19th, 2014 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox with a cocktail dinner reception, screening, talk and celebration. The festival kicks off on this evening with artist Kehinde Wiley (pictured above) and the world premiere screening of Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace. Wiley will be in attendance along with producer Jessica Chermayeff, editor Ana Vanaselic.

Opening night tickets are $175 in advance only available at www.canadianart.ca/raff/opening-night or by calling 416-368-8854 ext 101.

FESTIVAL PASSES AND SINGLE TICKETS
Festival Passes: Advance-sale only from January 23, 2014 Festival passes are $75 (Redeem this pass for a single ticket to each festival screening, excluding the Opening Night Screening and Celebration. Select your films in advance or on the day of the screening at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each film, in person or over the phone).

Single Tickets: On sale from January 23, 2014 Single tickets are $12 general admission; $8 for students/seniors with valid ID; rush tickets will be sold at TIFF Bell Lightbox Box Office 15 minutes before each screening.

All tickets are subject to availability.

“We are thrilled to present this year’s standout list of documentary films to our dedicated audience, and to welcome such renowned artistic talent to the festival,” says Jacqueline Howe, Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Art Foundation and Publisher of Canadian Art magazine. “Having the privilege to hear these artists discuss their work with the filmmakers and other visual art experts truly furthers RAFF’s goal of inviting the wider public to engage with contemporary art.”

Lead image: Still from Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace. Image Credit: David Smoler

The one year bash at Buonanotte

Set in the middle of the entertainment district on Mercer Street next to Second City, there’s the hotspot rustic Italian restaurant called Buonanotte.

With the original location in Montreal, Buonanotte focuses on good Italian cuisine set to a backdrop of an entertaining atmosphere where Fridays and Saturday nights make it a place to be with it’s own club scene. And it was the place to be at their big “UNO” party last week celebrating one year in Toronto.

Great food upon great libations were shared including lamb chops, a pasta and risotto station, charcuterie, cocktails and so much more throughout the night.

OPERATING HOURS
Open for lunch service from Monday to Friday 11:30am to 3:00pm. Dinner service is from 5:00pm until closing. Closed on Sundays except for their Sunday brunch parties called “La Domenica”

ADDRESS: Located on 19 Mercer Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1H2
TELEPHONE: 416-599-7246

Thanks to Mike Chalut for the invite! See below for more photos.

For more info about Buonanotte Toronto visit www.buonanottetoronto.com

DJ Fizza, Mike Chalut

DJ Fizza, Mike Chalut

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DJ Fizza

DJ Fizza

More photos

In Photos: The inaugural Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA)

Coco Rocha

It was a night to give recognition and celebrate outstanding achievements in Canadian fashion last Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. I was expecting a bit of a media frenzy and that’s quite what it was on the red carpet with cameras blazing and interviews all around. It wasn’t the worst I’ve seen so it was manageable. Everyone was fairly accessible particularly Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha who obliged photo ops and many other interruptions with grace.

Comedian Gerry Dee was the host for the awards show and top winners included Coco Rocha for Model of the Year and Dean and Dan Caten, the famously stylish design duo winning Outstanding Achievement.

Coco Rocha wearing D Squared with Dan and Dean Caten of D Squared

Coco Rocha wearing D Squared with Dan and Dean Caten of D Squared

Sarah Stevenson is making a name for herself winning honours upon honours with her TFI New Labels win last May and now awarded by CAFA with the Emerging Talent Award ($10,000 cash prize). Congrats, Sarah!

Here’s the full list of winners for the inaugural 2014 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards:
Womenswear Designer of the Year: Jeremy Laing
Menswear Designer of The Year: Travis Taddeo
Outstanding Achievement: Dean & Dan Caten (DSQUARED2)
Accessory Designer of The Year: Dexter & Byron Peart (WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie)
Canadian Style Award: Joe Mimran (Joe Fresh)
Image Maker of the Year: Chris Nicholls
International Designer of the Year: Dean & Dan Caten (DSQUARED2)
Stylist of the Year: George Antonopolous
Model of the Year: Coco Rocha
Emerging Talent Award: Sarah Stevenson

r: Shawn Hewson (Bustle Clothing)

r: Shawn Hewson (Bustle Clothing)

Elisha Cuthbert wearing an Atelier Swarovski necklace

Elisha Cuthbert wearing an Atelier Swarovski necklace

D Squared

D Squared

Chloe Rogers wearing Mary Katrantzou

Chloe Rogers wearing Mary Katrantzou

THE AFTER PARTY

Dancing at the CAFA after party

Dancing at the CAFA after party

The after party was packed with fashion enthusiasts with all 4 sides of a busy bar and eats running late into the night with the DJ pumping the tunes. Sephora gave out a variety of custom lipsticks and had touch-up booths.

My highlights included seeing some familiar friends Stacey McKenzie, Elena Semikina, Ken Taylor, and Veronica Chail and so many others. I remarked that Jay Strut’s pose for my photo was scandalous and he casually replies “tell me something I don’t know“.

Shout outs to my friends, Brittney Kuczynski, Vicky Milner, and Jennifer Bassett and many more who worked hard behind the scenes to bring CAFA to fruition. All the best success with bringing continued recognition for the fashionably talented in Canada!

Here are my photos from the red carpet reception and CAFA after party.

Check out this great video recap by my friend, Kalen Hayman.

For more info about the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) visit www.cafawards.ca

A look at the Toronto Region Board of Trade for special events

With an understated name like the “Toronto Region Board of Trade”, you wouldn’t know at first glance that it’s a premiere event space in the financial district of downtown Toronto, but when you dig deeper actually it is so much more. It’s located in First Canadian Place which is my favourite of all the Toronto financial district plazas. And since September 2008, the reputable restaurant and catering experts, Oliver & Bonacini, have continued their exclusive service partnership with the TROB.

So a couple weeks ago guests, wedding, event planners and media were invited to sample the event space being greeted with sparkling wine mixed with dissolved cotton candy as well as liquid nitrogen popcorn. Of course there was much more inside.

THE FOOD
O&B brought their portfolio of restaurants:

  • Representing Toronto Region Board of Trade, Alan Van Heerden, Chef de Cuisine, serving Poached Salmon Sliders
  • Representing O&B Caters, Jamie Meireles, Corporate Chef, O&B Events, serving Korean Flank Steak
  • Representing Malaparte, Guillermo Russo, Chef de Cuisine, serving Seared Rice Cakes and Pork Belly
  • Representing Arcadian, Michael Robertson, Executive Chef, Arcadian, serving Smoked Lake Huron White Fish

EVENT SPACE
As an event space, the Toronto Region Board of Trade boasts over 30,000 square feet of modern decor. The updated design was done by designer “Designum Design,” the same designers who updated the other trendy event space, Arcadian Loft. Recent renovations include:

  • Ballroom: raised ceiling, great sound proofing, built in AV, lighting
  • Renovated 4th floor washrooms
  • New 3rd floor washrooms
  • Stairwell addition from 3rd floor to 2nd floor
  • Upgraded look with paint, wallpaper and lighting

QUICK FACTS
30,000+ square feet
Seated capacity: 350
Reception capacity: 400
Chef: Alan Van Heerden, Chef de Cuisine, Toronto Region Board of Trade

Claiming to be one of the most affordable modern event venues in downtown Toronto, it’s worth taking a look at for meetings and special events.

Recent events that have taken place include the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) and Toronto Region Board of Trade gala dinner (with a sprinkling of Mayor Rob Ford controversy).

For more info visit events.oliverbonacini.com/Venues/Toronto-Region-Board-of-Trade.aspx

SEE ALSO

A wedding setup in Austin's Gallery

A look at One King West for weddings and events

In Photos: Advertising Week’s Ad Ball

Advertisers, marketers and communication experts (and those just getting into the field) get together in Toronto for ideas and creativity in the industry for the ICA’s “FFWD Advertising & Marketing Week”. With a series of events including galas and awards, it draws in top influencers from companies such as Google, Facebook, Yahoo and many more.

So “Galaxy” was the theme of this year’s Ad Ball held at Uniun last night and it turns out “ad men” know how to throw a smashing party (last year was pretty great, too).   Here are the photos:

2nd from left: Steve Levy (Chief Operating Officer, Ipsos Reid), Mark Childs (Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Canada), Gillian Graham (CEO, Institute of Communication Agencies), Stephen Graham (Chief Marketing Officers, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)

2nd from left: Steve Levy (Chief Operating Officer, Ipsos Reid), Mark Childs (Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Canada), Gillian Graham (CEO, Institute of Communication Agencies), Stephen Graham (Chief Marketing Officers, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)

Advertising-Week-Ad-Ball-BestofToronto-2014-012

Chicken tacos

Chicken tacos

Advertising-Week-Ad-Ball-BestofToronto-2014-042

More photos:

By the way, the annual list of the “Most Influential Brands in Canada” were revealed by Ipsos Reid surveying 5,008 Canadians. Here’s the top 10:
1. Google
2. Microsoft
3. Apple
4. Facebook
5. Visa
6. Coca-Cola
7. Samsung
8. YouTube
9. MasterCard
10. Procter & Gamble

It’s interesting to note that the only non-US brand is Samsung and Google maintains it’s lead from last year.

For more info visit advertisingweek.ca

ABOUT THE ICA
The Institute of Communication Agencies or the ICA (www.icacanada.ca) is the professional business association which represents Canada’s communication and advertising agencies. The ICA’s mission is to champion commercial creativity, amplify the industry’s economic impact, and to embrace and drive change. As such, the ICA promotes thought leadership, higher standards and best practices. It serves as the largest source of information, advice, education and training for Canada’s communication and advertising industry. ICA’s member agencies and subsidiaries account for over 75 per cent of all national advertising in Canada, with an economic impact worth more than $19 billion annually. More information about the ICA and its initiatives can be found at www.icacanada.ca or follow on Twitter @adweekcdn or @icacanada.

SEE ALSO
Ad Ball 2013: Gatsby’s Roaring 20′

Google Tops Canada’s Most Influential Brands

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