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Koffler Rocks feat. Randy Bachman, The Sadies and Melanie Fiona

Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman

Randy Bachman

It was a sold-out rocking evening gala dubbed “Koffler Rocks” featuring pop, rock and R&B performances with Canadian indie sensation, The Sadies, Melanie Fiona and the one and only Randy Bachman (of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who fame, of course) . What a memorable night to benefit the Koffler Centre of the Arts. The evening was hosted by New York Times best selling author, Michael Wex.

Taking place on a perfectly gorgeous, warm and sunny May evening at the Wychwood Barns, attendees were treated with a dinner reception and premium host bar.  There was also a silent auction including a Randy Bachman autographed guitar.  Donors who contributed $5,000 and up were treated to a private reception with exclusive photo opportunities with Randy Bachman. Performance tickets cost only $100.

Everyone sang along to the rock classics that Randy Bachman performed including Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. Then indie rockers, The Sadies,,  brought out a fast-paced alternative country rock set followed by some vocal prowess delivered by Grammy award-winning R&B singer, Melanie Fiona.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the Koffler Centre of the Arts which aims to bring people of all backgrounds through arts and culture. The Koffler Gallery, a part of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, has a history of exhibitions of Canadian contemporary art and interdisciplinary programs in film, literary, music, dance, theatre and more.

Special thanks to Simmie for connecting us with a great evening!

Randy Bachman’s set list:
Tambourine man
Like a Rolling Stone
Sweet Caroline
I’m a Believer
Breaking Up
You Got a Friend

Simmie and her son

Simmie and her son

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Dessert

Dessert featuring chocolate lava cake, key lime pie and strawberries

Melanie Fiona

Melanie Fiona

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Nick, Randy Bachman, Mona Filip (curator, Koffler Gallery), Tanya Hsu

Nick, Randy Bachman, Mona Filip (curator, Koffler Gallery), Tanya Hsu

ABOUT KOFFLER
The Koffler’s mission is to bring people together through arts and culture to create a more civil and global society. Our unique mix examines the arts across different disciplines and cultures in a way that strengthens identity while encouraging an appreciation of difference.

To learn more visit kofflerarts.org.

DCMF Fundraising Event for Melanoma Awareness

David Cornfield's son and widow, Sari Cornfield
  • May 2, 2013
  • charity, gala
  • Comments Off on DCMF Fundraising Event for Melanoma Awareness
David Cornfield's son and widow, Sari Cornfield

David Cornfield’s son and widow, Sari Cornfield

To start off Melanoma Awareness month in May, the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund held their annual event on May 1st, 2013. This year it was at the Six Degrees Event Centre in midtown Toronto. It was a cozier, more intimate space than last year’s event at Liberty Grand – a welcome, refreshing change of scenery.

Guests wore black, the colour of Melanoma Awareness month, and enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeurves, and fine food stations catered by Encore Catering and mystical entertainment with a magician. There was also caricature drawings, henna tattoos and a silent auction.

We watched a heartfelt video and heard a tear-jerking speech from David Cornfield’s widow, Sari Cornfield. At only 29 years old, David was diagnosed with the common and serious skin cancer called melanoma. He fought an incredible battle with the disease including removing a brain tumour and also making partner at a top accounting firm. He died at the young age of 32. Read the full, touching story of David here.

The evening featured a cheque awarded to the The Princess Margaret Hospital for $15,000.

The DCMF presenting a cheque for $15,000 to the Princess Margaret Hospital

The DCMF presenting a cheque for $15,000 to the Princess Margaret Hospital

David's son getting a henna tattoo

David’s son getting a henna tattoo

Magic tricks

Magic tricks

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Check out the touching and award-winning viral video that is still a classic: “Dear 16-year-old Me”. The video now has over 6 million views.

Wishing all the best success to the DCMF in their continued efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of melanoma.

ABOUT THE DCMF
The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund was established in 2007 and is devoted to saving lives from melanoma by promoting awareness of this potentially deadly disease. We were thrilled to officially launch the Fund and its new logo at our Friends and Family Event on June 16th 2008.

Melanoma is a common and serious skin cancer which, if not treated early, is usually fatal. The good news is that the risk of melanoma can be significantly decreased by reducing exposure to UV radiation, and that the prognosis for melanoma patients can be improved by early detection. The bad news is that despite increasing public awareness of the dangers of UV radiation, many people still do not understand the seriousness of the damage caused by exposure to UV radiation, particularly damage caused during early years. Further, not enough people are aware of the early signs of melanoma, or the importance of self detection. As a result, melanoma is often ignored until it’s too late. However, we believe that through David’s story, we can bring change.

  1. Promote awareness of melanoma and the importance of prevention and early self-detection
  2. Provide funding and support for education and research into the causes, controls, and cure of melanoma and melanoma related disease
  3. Support melanoma patients and their families during their battle with melanoma by providing access to information and other resources

For more information or to make a donation to the DCMF please visit dcmf.ca

Photos from Saddle Towne

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The Airship 37 venue in the Distillery District as I knew it was turned into a country hoedown with party-goers in cowboy hats, plaid, and cowboy boots dancing to country music. The Jim Beam booth featured Jim Beam girls doing a blind Taste Challenge versus Jack Daniels. Other drinks included Iceberg Vodka and Amsterdam beer and there was plenty of cupcakes available for the taking from Bite Me Bakery. It turned out to be a fun, rowdy country party right in the city.

Sarah Hansen, Bill Hennessey

Sarah Hansen, Bill Hennessey

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r: Richard Brooks

r: Richard Brooks

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Check out the video from the evening

If you aren’t already, be sure to keep up with Oxford Beach for many of the most well-attended events in Toronto such as the recent POGO gala after party and the largest St. Patrick’s Day St. Party’s Day.

Some tweets from the evening at Saddle Towne

More photos below and also on the Facebook album here

Cooking at Cutco’s Foodies Forever Event

  • April 30, 2013
  • food
  • Comments Off on Cooking at Cutco’s Foodies Forever Event

On an unusually hot evening in April, we got invited to attend the Cutco Foodie Forever Event. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the friendly ladies from Cutco.
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We took no hesitation of trying the hors d’oeuvres as we mixed and mingled with food bloggers.
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The main event of the evening included cooking a healthy dinner along with simple knife lessons from Cutco. Everyone was grouped into small teams and taken into the kitchen.
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When Sabrina cuts an orange, everyone watches

When Sabrina cuts an orange, everyone watches

For dinner we tossed up some kale citrus salad, savoury quinoa, and a baguette with hummus. It was light and healthy, however not filling for a regular meat eater like myself.
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As we settled down around the table, two different white wines were being served – 2011 Sauvignon Blanc and Aligote. Of course, this was the most exciting part of the evening. Sauvignon was my personal favourite of the two as it was refreshing and complemented well with the salads on the table.
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As for the dessert we made tangy poppy seed fruit salad. Cutting these fruits were quick and simple using Cutco knives. Just place the tip of the butcher’s knife on the melon and push along the edge.

Tonight’s guest speaker was Lorraine Thornhill – Lifestyle and Personal Development Coach who shared her experience of switching to a gluten free diet. Lorraine carries an “eat to live” attitude when it comes to making food choices. Her number one rule to live by is to pay attention to details on the nutrition labels. Most foods are based on the first two ingredients on the list and the rest mainly contribute to longevity of shelf life.

Sabrina Zh (BestofToronto.net), Lorraine Thornhill (Lifestyle and Personal Development Coach)

Sabrina Zh (BestofToronto.net), Lorraine Thornhill (Lifestyle and Personal Development Coach)

The evening concluded with a raffle. There were a lot of great prizes and a lot of winners. One lucky blogger walked away with a Google Nexus 7 Tablet.
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Cutco: www.CookingWithCUTCO.ca
Chateau des Charmes: www.chateaudescharmes.com
Lorraine Thornhill: www.lorrainethornhill.com

Photos by Sabrina Zh

AWHL Gala 2013

Anne-Marie Mediwake, CBC
Anne-Marie Mediwake, CBC

Anne-Marie Mediwake, CBC

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For over 25 years, the AWHL (Assaulted Women’s Helpline) has strived to provide completely free 24/7 support to women who have been assaulted. This is available in up to 154 languages, and is completely anonymous and confidential. 49,000 women call the helpline every year in the Greater Toronto Area.

So the goal of this annual gala is to raise funds for the helpline and awareness. At this year’s 10th annual gala, CBC News anchor Anne-Marie Mediwake was the host. The evening started with a cocktail reception and viewing of the silent auction items. Then there was a 3 course dinner, live auction and entertainment provided by “The Intentions”. All proceeds of the AWHL gala go directly back to the Assaulted Women’s Helpline.

Anne-Marie Mediwake, CBC

Anne-Marie Mediwake, CBC

Some tweets from the evening

Check out the great video from Kardinal Offishall and Shawn Hook “A Way Out” made for the Assaulted Women’s Helpline.

For more information including how donating just $25 can save a life, visit awhl.org

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