Comments Off on Photos from Toronto Life’s “Most Stylish” Party
It was a beautiful night with Toronto Life’s 2nd annual exclusive bash called ‘Most Stylish’ with the most stylish people on the opening night of TIFF at Shangri-La Hotel. The ballroom and the large tented terrace were open and packed. The bites were savoury and the drinks were flowing. Everything was definitely top notch and we will remember it as one of the best events of 2013.
Comments Off on Photos from that evening called Diner en Blanc
Growing from last year’s inaugural event, this 2nd iteration of the Diner en Blanc in Toronto had 1,600 participants come together at a secret location for an elegant pop-up picnic all dressed in white. Guests are brought to meet-up points and made aware of the venue at the last hour. It was in a parking lot at Queen Street just east of Church Street. I had recently lived nearby so it was interesting to see familiar grounds turned into a magical white evening.
So it was less of a traditional picnic setting compared to last year in the grassy seclusion of Fort York but more of an busy urban experience. Some participants have voiced their opinions about the choice of venue but of course a great time was still had by all with the twirling white napkins, candles, sparklers, music, dancing and positive vibes all around. The addition of the street performers was a nice touch this year. Naturally passersby on the street stopped, stared, snapped photos and asked what was going on.
Diner en Blanc originated in Paris over 20 years ago and now assembles nearly 15,000 people every year in various sites of prestige including the Pont des Arts, the Effel Tower site, the Louvre Pyramid, the Trocadéro Esplanade, Place Vendôme, Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the periphery of the Place de l’Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and the The Carousel du Louvre.
In it’s 19th year, this was the biggest Canada Fan Expo as the thousands of geeks and those interested in geek culture congregated at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre over the 4 day festivities for everything science fiction, gaming, comics, anime, sports and of course, cosplay.
Highlights from this year’s Fan Expo included:
Over 100,000 fans attended, 22% more than last year
First time both the North and South Buildings of the MTCC were full of Fan Expo
Mayor Rob Ford arm wrestling the one and only Hulk Hogan. Ford won. See video below.
This was the first year that “Sports Expo” was added including photo ops with athletes such as Roberto Alomar.
Over 900 retailers and exhibitors which is 200 more than 2012
Hands on previews of the Microsoft XBox One and the more distant Sony Playstation 4.
Next year is the Fan Expo’s 20th anniversary so you can be sure it will be even bigger. The date’s already set as Aug 28-31, 2014. For more info visit www.fanexpocanada.com
Alice Cooper
David Hasselhoff
At the AMC’s Walking Dead booth
Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker from the AMC’s Walking Dead
Comments Off on The Sam Roberts Band to headline the COC’s Operanation 10: “A Night of Temptation”
UPDATE: Operanation Party tickets are already 85% sold! VIP and Early Bird tickets are sold out. Get yours now!
Montreal’s own Sam Roberts Band has been announced as the headliners to perform at Operanation 10. They’re a multi-platinum, six-time Juno award winning rock band that will definitely put on a great show. They will be performing a unique mashup collaboration with the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio.
In it’s 10th anniversary, Operanation is the COC’s highly-anticipated annual fundraising gala at the magnificent Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on the evening of October 24, 2013.
“Operanation began 10 years ago as a fundraising initiative and has since expanded to become an extraordinary platform for the Canadian Opera Company to reach new and younger audiences,” says COC General Director Alexander Neef. “Operanation demonstrates how versatile opera can be by pairing our classical singers with exceptional modern musicians to create a truly unique party performance. We’re thrilled to welcome the Sam Roberts Band to our opera house to commemorate this very exciting 10th anniversary.”
The addition of the Sam Roberts Band continues the tradition of rock and opera at Operanation where last year Jian Ghomeshi did a smashing collaboration with The Arkells and Ambur Braid, soprano from the COC Ensemble Studio. Operanat10n: A Night of Temptation party tickets are $150 per person and available online at www.operanation.ca or by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231. This gala always sells out so be sure to get your tickets. Over 1,000 guests are expected to attend and early bird tickets are already sold out.
Sam Roberts Band | Photo: Nick Lee
ABOUT OPERANATION
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, visit operanation.ca, @operanation, or facebook.com/Operanation.
Comments Off on Canada Braai Day: Sept 21st in The Distillery District
On September 21st, Two Oceans and Nederburg wine will play host to all the festivities of Canada Braai Day at The Distillery District. The festivities will be hosted by CBC’s Dwight Drummond and Anne-Marie Mediwake.
A braai, is the Afrikaans term for barbeque, and it’s a South African custom that brings together friends and family of all demographics and religions.
There will be live entertainment, prizes and traditional braai fare by The Distillery’s Chef de Cuisine, Catering, Charles Kerr. There will also be food pairings of the menu items with South African wines: Durbanville Hills, Flat Roof Manor, Nederburg, Obikwa, Place in the Sun and Two Oceans.
Festivities will take place at the Ibiza Patio in the Distillery District on September 21st, 2013 from noon to 8pm. It’s a celebration of great food, wine, friends and family in the spirit of South African.
