Ryan Ward and Laura Tremblay in Evil Dead | Photo: David Hou
The musical based on the cult classic Sam Raimi film is back and special performances have been slated for Halloween today (October 31) at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.. If you dare, be sure to sit in the Splatter Zone, the ultimate destination for flying limbs, rolling heads and gushing blood. Splatter zone tickets are so hot that all Splatter Zone seats for the first four weeks of the run were sold out within 20 minutes of being on sale. To accommodate ticket demand, the Splatter Zone capacity has been expanded to include 60 seats.
So if you haven’t seen it already, be sure to check it out in all of it’s bloodbath hilarity. Even if you don’t think you like musicals, check it out anyway and you’ll be pleasantly surprised! The songs are brilliant, the actors really get into their roles and the blood splattering onto the audience in the Splatter Zone is a hoot. If you don’t believe me check out the glowing review by the Toronto Star, for example.
Playing at the Randolph Theatre just south of Bloor and Bathurst (Honest Eds) there are 8 showtimes per week:
TUESDAYS-THURSDAYS AT 8:00 PM
FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AT 7:00 PM & 10:30 PM
SUNDAYS AT 3:00 PM
Tickets range in price from $19.99 – $79.99 (plus service charges) depending on date, performance and seat location. For ticket info and more details visit www.evildeadthemusical.com/toronto
Photos by David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Photo: David Hou
Ryan Ward as Ash | Photo: David Hou
Ryan Ward and Laura Tremblay in Evil Dead | Photo: David Hou
Comments Off on At the Venetian Ball 2013 featuring Paul Anka
It was another extravagant night of masks and intrigue at the 20th Venetian Ball gala. More than 1,000 guests came to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to support and celebrate 20 years of one of Toronto’s top charity galas raising funds and awareness for Villa Charities, providing care for seniors, in particular individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues.
Guests were greeted at the reception by Montreal’s electronic harpist M’Michelle, accompanied by DJ Alex Beaudoin-Tousignant while whetting appetites with a plethora of antipasti offerings. The evening’s host, Dina Pugliese (Citytv’s Breakfast Television), welcomed guests to their seated dinner consisting of a grand Italian-inspired five-course meal while enjoying the dance performance by the Columbus Centre School of Dance.
After dinner Canada’s own singer-songwriter Paul Anka took to the stage to perform unforgettable classics including My Way, Diana, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, and She’s a Lady. It was great to see him really interact with guests while performing, getting right in there and engaging with guests and earning two standing ovations. If that wasn’t enough there was a lavish array of dessert choices from 10 stations from some of Toronto’s top pastry chefs accompanied by fine espresso and cappuccino.
Live auction items included a one-week stay at Marchesi Fumanelli’s Squarano Estate in San Floriano, Italy, and a Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2014 vacation package in Monza, Italy, along with a Rolex Daytona watch.
Kudos to Villa Charities and the Venetian Ball committee for another gala of grandeur that always hits the mark as one of Toronto’s top charity galas.
ABOUT VILLA CHARITIES
For over 40 years, Villa Charities has been providing culturally sensitive care and improving the quality of life for seniors, assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities or mental health issues pursue their life dreams and goals and sharing the cultural programming that continues to inspire our community.
The Villa Charities family of organizations includes: Villa Colombo Services for Seniors, Columbus Centre, VITA Community Living Services/Mens Sana Families for Mental Health, Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace, Casa Abruzzo, and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre.
Check out the latest Villa Charities video which premiered at the gala giving a glimpse into the many essential programs and services provided by Villa Charities and features members of the community supported by these programs.
Comments Off on Delicious bites at Eat to the Beat for breast cancer support
Where can you sample delectable fare in the presence of 60 beautiful female chefs? At Eat to the Beat of course. This year’s 18th edition was bigger than ever and it was all for a worthy cause. Funds raised went to benefit Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada, a non-profit organization which offers support to those afflicted by the disease.
Roy Thompson Hall’s outer lobby was transformed into a cornucopic feast with sweet and savoury dishes created by 60 of the city’s most talented female chefs. They offered bite sized delights that were perfect to whet your appetite. Coupled with the food was a variety of delicious wines, spirits, and beers to quench your thirst.
It was a treat to see so many vibrant faces in one space sampling lots of diverse cuisine while listening to jazzy tunes.
Of course, there were lots of colourful, creative costumes to keep spirits high. Dainty outfits such as the themed Queen of Hearts were ones to watch out for. There were giggles galore as they perused the walkways getting patrons to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items. Proceeds go to funding Willow’s free programs and services.
See all the photos for the sumptuous food we feasted upon and the drinks we sipped. It’s an annual event that charitable foodies can’t miss.
Valrhona Araguani chocolate tart, whipped dulcey ganache, sesame snap and caramelized banana – Lindsay Haddock, Scaramouche
Well-deserved People’s Choice win for Lindsay Haddock of Scaramouche! The chocolate tart with whipped dulcey ganache was delicious!
Lindsay Haddock from Scaramouche with her People’s Choice winning dessert: Valrhona Araguani Chocolate Tart Whipped Dulcey Ganache, Sesame Snap & Caramelized Banana | Photo courtesy of Eat to the Beat
Photos: Nick Lee
Harvest soup with walnut pesto
Trista Sheen, Crush Wine Bar
Truffle and blue cheese arancini with spinach walnut pesto – Nicole Rumball, All the Best Fine Foods
Comments Off on At the Canadian Opera Company’s 10th Operanation gala
UPDATE: The 10th anniversary of Operanation raised over $130,000 for COC’s Ensemble Studio!
The sold-out annual fundraising gala for the Canadian Opera Company took over 3 storeys at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on a busy week of events centered around Toronto’s fashion week. But even with all the frenzy of events, this gala is never one to miss.
In this year’s signature Operanation rock-opera performance, the Sam Roberts Band entertained the crowd accompanied by the COC’s Ambur Braid to the audience’s delight.
There was plenty of good food including the gourmet mac and cheese bar with an impressive variety of fresh, delectable toppings including real bacon bits, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, chili flakes and more.
It’s an annual gala that offers one of the finest experiences in the city and it’s easy to see why starting with the incredible venue, top notch entertainment and great food showcasing great Canadian talent.
Limited edition KAELEN X Sam Roberts Band – Operanation T-shirts by New York’s KAELEN are available for purchase online from the Canadian Opera Company here or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W). There are only 50 shirts in this limited collection and all proceeds go to support the COC’s Ensemble Studio.
Ambur Braid, Sam Roberts
Jeremy Laing (fashion designer), Alexander Neef (Canadian Company Company’s general director)
right: Cameron McPhail, Baritone, Canadian Opera Company
Stacey McKenzie (supermodel), Rolyn Chambers
Our full gallery here:
One of the 50 limited edition KAELEN T-shirts for Operanation signed by Alexander Neef (COC General Director) and others
right: Cameron McPhail, Baritone, Canadian Opera Company
ABOUT OPERANATION
Established in 2005, Operanation is the Canadian Opera Company’s premier fundraising event. For arts patrons as well as the opera-curious, Operanation presents a unique experience, equal parts party and performance, with special collaborations between classic and modern music and complementary art forms ranging from visual arts to fashion. Attracting over 1,000 guests, Operanation takes over three floors of the COC’s opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Funds raised for Operanation are directed towards the COC’s Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. For more information on Operanation, please visit www.operanation.ca
ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The COC enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. Under its leadership team of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC is increasingly capturing the opera world’s attention. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation by creating new productions within its diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. Designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the Four Seasons Centre opened in 2006, and is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada. For more information on the Canadian Opera Company, please visit its award-winning website, coc.ca.
Comments Off on Photos from the DX Intersection Gala 2013
Opening up 3 floors of the Design Exchange, the annual DX Intersection gala is a top must-attend event and you have to attend to really appreciate it. For a gala focusing on design, art, and entertainment, it’s appreciated when the food and cocktails are on-par or better than other similar galas. This year was a supermarket-themed event with fresh flowers and fruits given out. Highlights included:
Live musical entertainment included Azari and Third
Art installations by Castor Design, Common Good, and Design Exchange Gamechangers of 2013, Byron and Dexter Peart of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie
The Historic Trading Floor’s ceiling was the canvas for a video installation, blending traditional video projection and lighting, with 3D mapping technology
Molecular cocktails by Bevlabs
Top notch food by Food Dudes, Parts and Labour, La Carnita and Home of the Brave, with Milke Bau and Solid Design & Build
and much more
Proceeds from the annual fundraising evening go to support DX Youth and Educational Programming. For more information visit www.dx.org
Art installation by Castor
middle: Kirk Pickersgill, Stephen Wong (Greta Constantine)
