Comments Off on Contest: Win VIP tickets to the St. Royals concert on Dec 12th
Enter our Facebook contest for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the St. Royals 16-piece Superband at The Mod Club on Thursday, December 12th from 7-11pm
Special Guest Ania Soul
DJ set by Lissa Monet
Winners of this BestofToronto.net giveaway will get a meet and greet with the St. Royals band and access to the VIP section.
Comments Off on At the Frocktail Party 2013 in support of JDRF
The Frocktail Party is an annual event synonymous with philanthropy, fashion, and style. Founded in 2009 by Jessica Oliver, Ali Reid and Jen Foster in hopes of making a real difference to those diagnosed with Type 1, Frocktail has raised over $140,000 for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) since its inception.
On the 28th of November at the Arcadian Loft, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a fabulous selection of fashion-forward frocks, accessories, menswear, and luxury experiences with 100% of auction proceeds directly benefiting the JDRF. The fabulous auction prizes were generously donated by: French Connection, Marciano, Hudson’s Bay, Zac Posen, Want Boutique, Intermix, eLuxe, Danier, Greta Constantine, LINE, Jeremy Laing, Rent Frock Repeat, Peacock Parade, Brose, Lida Baday, Calla, Mendocino, DVF, Rachel Sin, Andrews, Tanya Taylor, David’s, Pink Tartan, Trout Rainwear, Jessica Jensen, Shay Lowe, Four Season’s Spa, Drake 150, Gladstone Hotel, and Spa at the Elmwood. Pre-loved gowns straight from the closets of celebrity and Torontonian tastemakers were also part of the selection, including: Rachel McAdams, Nelly Furtado, Cheryl Hickey, Tanya Kim, Cynthia Loyst, Ben Mulroney, Jessica Mulroney, Suzanna Rogers and Jenna Bitove.
The evening was complete with gourmet catering from Oliver & Bonacini, complemented by luscious drinks from Iceberg Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Peroni, and wine from Obikwa and Collavini. Attendees were also offered complimentary shoe shines from John Allan’s, a car service credit from Uber, on-site manicures by O.P.I. and Winks eyelash boutique pampered guests with eyelash services.
To sum it up, The Frocktail Party was truly a seamless concoction of glamour and philanthropy!
This 5th annual charity party was their most successful to date with $70,000 raised to a combined total of over $200,000 raised for JDRF.
ABOUT JDRF
For over 40 years, JDRF has been a global leader in the search for an end to type 1 diabetes (T1D), through both research funding and advocacy. During that time, JDRF has always talked about a cure as a singular destination: a return to normal physiology.
Photos: Nick Lee
Manicure bar by O.P.I
right: Shay Lowe
right: Shay Lowe
left: Erika Komori
right: Kirk Pickersgill
Eryne Ordel mingling with construction workers outside
Comments Off on The Limited Edition Dom Pérignon 2004 vintage by Jeff Koons
Last night at the Trump Hotel the limited edition Dom Perignon 2004 vintage was revealed in collaboration with balloon art on display by New York’s Jeff Koons. This is the second milestone of its collaboration with Jeff Koons.
In terms of tasting notes, the 2004 gives aromas of almond and powdered cocoa that gradually develop into white fruit with hints of dried flowers. It finishes with toasted notes.
So for those that want to make a statement this holiday season, this highly-sought after piece will surely be a unique and impressive gift. you can be assured these limited quantities won’t stay on shelves long.
To quote UK’s Henry Matson of Farr Vintners, the fact that the 2004 is so different to the 2003 is a key selling point. “We can say to our customers they should buy the 03 to drink, but the 04 will last. Vintage variation like this will totally sell a vintage.”
The 2004 Vintage will be available at the LCBO beginning Dec. 7, 2013. The retail price is $247.95.
Dom Perignon 2004 vintage revealed at the Trump Tower in the Suits Lobby Lounge
Jeff Koons with the limited editions of Dom Perignon
Some photos from last night’s launch at Suits Lobby at the Trump Hotel
Jeff Koons with the limited editions of Dom Perignon
The “Balloon Venus” exhibit by Jeff Koons can be viewed at the Trump Hotel in front of the Suits Lobby Lounge
Dom Perignon 2004 vintage revealed at the Trump Tower in the Suits Lobby Lounge
Comments Off on Next generation of opera singers celebrated at the COC’s Centre Stage gala
The next generation of Canada’s talented opera singers were celebrated at the Canadian Opera Company’s inaugural “Centre Stage” gala on November 26, 2013. After 155 preliminary auditions across Canada, nine short-listed singers competed to win cash prizes and opera glory at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Accompanied by the COC orchestra and conducted by Music Director Johannes Debus, each singer gave their best performance in two arias each.
Grammy-nominated and multi-Juno award winning Rufus Wainwright was a charismatic emcee.
“I applaud all the young artists we heard in the competition.”, said COC General Director Alexander Neef. “They performed with great passion and commitment, and the quality of the emerging talent we heard made us all very enthusiastic about the future of opera in Canada.”
At the end of it, the audience got to vote from their seats for the audience’s choice winner while a panel of judges deliberated on the Top Prize winner.
While the judges were making their decision, Rufus Wainwright surprised everyone with delightfully entertaining musical performances of his own accompanied by the COC orchestra.
In the end it was soprano singer, Karine Boucher, from Quebec City who won both the Audience Choice Award and the Top Prize Award. Congrats, Karine!
Proceeds from the evening were raised in support of the COC and will go towards the company’s Ensemble Studio. The COC artistic staff will confirm the lineup of the 2014/15 Ensemble Studio over the next few weeks.
Here are some photos I took during the cocktail reception of the Centre Stage gala.
Amy Burstyn-Fritz, Jörn Weisbrodt
Jörn Weisbrodt
left: Jeffrey Remedios, right: Alexander Neef (Canadian Opera Company, General Director)
Jeffrey Remedios
Check out the video of the Centre Stage gala including Karine Boucher’s winning performance:
Photos from the competition by Michael Cooper
Third Prize Winner bass-baritone Iain MacNeil, First Prize and Audience Choice Award winner soprano Karine Boucher and Second Prize winner tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure
(l-r) COC General Director Alexander Neef, Third Prize Winner bass-baritone Iain MacNeil, First Prize and Audience Choice Award winner soprano Karine Boucher and Second Prize winner tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure | Photo: Michael Cooper
(l-r) COC General Director Alexander Neef, Third Prize Winner bass-baritone Iain MacNeil, First Prize and Audience Choice Award winner soprano Karine Boucher, Second Prize winner tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure, and COC Music Director Johannes Debus | Photo: Michael Cooper
The Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio Competition Gala, November 26 2013
1164 – Ensemble Studio Competition finalists and winners with the COC’s General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus (centre)
| Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalists and winners with judges and (centre) the COC’s General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalists and winners with Centre Stage host Rufus Wainwright | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalists and winners with COC General Director Alexander Neef (at podium) and Centre Stage host Rufus Wainwright | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition Second Prize Winner tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalist bass-baritone Nathan Keoughan | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalist mezzo-soprano Francesca Corrado | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalist soprano Lara Secord-Haid | Photo: Michael Cooper
Rufus Wainwright | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition Third Prize Winner bass-baritone Iain MacNeil | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition First Prize and Audience Choice Award winner soprano Karine Boucher | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalist mezzo-soprano Rachel Wood | Photo: Michael Cooper
Ensemble Studio Competition finalist tenor Jean-Michel Richer
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT AND THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
And in related news, the Canadian Opera Company is commissioning a new opera to be composed by Rufus Wainwright and playwright Daniel MacIvor.
“We began the process of creating a new opera for the Canadian Opera Company several years ago, and I’m very proud to say that we are now at the stage where we can make the news public,” says COC General Director Alexander Neef. “Bringing a world premiere to the COC’s mainstage is a significant undertaking for the company and we’re proud to say that all the elements are now in place to make a strong project. Rufus and I have been talking about what Hadrian would look like for at least three years now and I’m very excited about the musical and dramatic direction that this piece will take.”
Hadrian will be Wainwright’s second opera. “I’m thrilled to be setting out on this epic journey with the COC and look forward to once again diving into the deep end, a requirement on all fronts in the world of opera,” Wainwright says.
Hadrian is scheduled for World Premiere in COC’s 2018/2019 Season.
For more info visit the Canadian Opera Company website here www.coc.ca
Comments Off on Photos from the Chivas 1801 soiree in Yorkville
Chivas is known to throw a flurry of events throughout the city. Their signature soiree of the year, labelled “Chivas 1801“, held at Sassafraz in Yorkville seemed like it was going to be proper, sophisticated and uptight but it turned into a bit of a fun party where guests got to loosen their ties and kick up their heels.
Celebrating some of the finer things in life: Mambacho cigars were paired with Chivas, GotStyle showed off their swanky sport jackets and gave out pocket squares, Mankind did some on-site grooming, Bellosound laid down the grooves accompanied by a saxophone player and DJ Starting from Scratch brought the guests to the dance floor to round out the night. And of course there were fine Chivas cocktails to be had including plenty of their 18 year old variety.
It was a great way to end the series of Chivas events for this year.
Guests in attendance included former Blue Jay Roberto Alomar, former Maple Leafs Curtis Joseph, and MuchMusic’s Liz Trinnear.
