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Shining Stars at the Starlight Gala

Georgina Reilly, Murdoch Mysteries

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Anwar Knight | George Pimentel Photography

Anwar Knight | George Pimentel Photography

Georgina Reilly, Murdoch Mysteries

Georgina Reilly, Murdoch Mysteries

There’s no shortage of giving (and there shouldn’t be) when it comes to helping children who are seriously ill. Starlight is the only charity in Canada that helps these ill children both in and out-of-hospital from diagnosis and throughout the course of their time of need. Starlight has been helping Canadian children and their families for over 20 years. So it’s no wonder that 700 people including many celebrities came out a gala to support a charity that helps these most needy children.

“This year will mark our most successful gala to date. We’re absolutely thrilled with the amount of support and generosity from all attendees, volunteers, and celebrity talent. The money raised helps us to deliver our in-hospital and out-­of-­hospital programs and brighten the lives of seriously ill children and families.” said Starlight President, Christopher Barry.

BestofToronto.net’s Flora Tran says: “I liked how it was a circus theme, full of candies and circus-themed performers. It’s like a reminder for adults of what it was like as a kid and for the charitable guests and the sick kids to have a fun night.”

Attendees enjoyed a renaissance carnival theme with a circus ringmaster, fire eaters, a strong man, stilt walkers and a bearded lady. There was lots to enjoy including cotton candy, chocolate, popcorn and a 4 course meal. There was a large selection of auction items with an entire banquet room at Fairmont Royal York dedicated to silent auction. It was a popular room to be in with a great variety of amazing items to bid upon. The 18th annual gala’s presenting sponsors were Toys R Us and Babies R Us Canada.

Congrats on raising over $450,000 on this special evening! Proceeds go directly to Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada’s in and out of hospital programming to give kids the opportunity to laugh, play and be kids again.

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Taysha Fuller, Degrassi

Taysha Fuller, Degrassi

The auction room

The auction room

Some notable tweets from the evening:

ABOUT THE STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

Starlight is the only charity in Canada that helps seriously ill children in and out-of-hospital from diagnosis through the course of their care journey.

Starlight has been helping Canadian children and their families for over 20 years.

Watch this short video to watch the magic that happens when you donate to Starlight Canada.

For more information including ways to give please visit starlightcanada.org

Our photos below and also on Facebook

Open Wines Party at 2nd Floor

Melissa Grelo, Zolo World, Karine Delage
  • April 8, 2013
  • party
  • Comments Off on Open Wines Party at 2nd Floor
Melissa Grelo, Zolo World, Karine Delage

Melissa Grelo, Zolo World, Karine Delage

I was lucky to be allowed the opportunity to be at the Open Wines party at the new venue above SPIN at King West called 2nd Floor. Activities at the Open Wines party included playing with NFC bracelets and NFC wine glasses (which to my geeky delight, triggered an automatic tweet personalized to your twitter handle via the “Bird Box”), ping pong, choosing temporary tattoos from Tattly (Brooklyn, NY), as well as Chef John Placko’s donuts topped with whipped cream, dipped in liquid nitrogen and then sprayed with citrus which popped and turned into yellow spheres of icy cold goodness. By the way, you can come get involved with John Placko for a good cause at livebelowtheline.ca!

I’m partial to red wines so I really enjoyed the merlot. Thanks again for allowing me to be there!

Zolo's tattoo

Zolo’s tattoo

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Some notable tweets from the evening

Also check out our coverage of Bloor Street Entertains which also included fun with Open Wines.

ABOUT OPEN WINES
OPEN wines is an invitation to being open to whatever might come your way and connecting with people who share the same view on life. #BEOPEN

For more information visit openwines.ca

All of our photos here

Target Celebrates Opening with Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker

Tony Fisher, president, Target Canada, Bullseye Target's bull terrier mascot, Blake Lively | Photo: CNW Group/Target Canada

It was a red-carpet affair at Victoria Park and Danforth of all places, formerly a Zellers department store, in a plaza called Shoppers World. After a few Target soft openings, this marked the official opening of 24 Target stores across Ontario as the red carpet was laid out with notable celebrities including Blake Lively, Elisha Cuthbert, Kardinal Offishall, Karl Wolf, and Adam van Koeverden. Another surprise special guest was revealed to be Sarah Jessica Parker.

Elisha Cuthbert, Sarah Jessica Parker | Photo: George Pimentel

Elisha Cuthbert, Sarah Jessica Parker | Photo: George Pimentel

The opening party event had tons of fun booths throughout the whole department store available for exploration:
Cold drinks from the Starbucks store inside Target
Grilled cheese sandwiches grilled with household irons
Oysters opened with a power drill
Hors d’oeurves and wine served from Target shopping carts and a bathtub
Food, dessert and drink stations
Cake pops with chocolate fondue and other toppings
Manicures and hand writing analysis
Wii Dance on a big screen
Photostar photo booth opportunities with Bullseye, Target’s official bull terrier mascot (he behaves so well for photo ops!)

This Target store is one of 24 now open in Ontario and is located at:
Shoppers World Danforth
3003 Danforth Ave.
Open Monday – Saturday from 8 am – 10 pm
Open Sunday from 8 am – 9 pm

Check here for all the Target store locations open in Canada.
http://www.target.ca/en/locations/

Here’s Target’s video from the opening event:

Bullseye with Kardinal Offishall | Photo: George Pimentel

Bullseye with Kardinal Offishal | Photo: George Pimentel

Karl Wolf | Photo: George Pimentel

Karl Wolf | Photo: George Pimentel

Bullseye with Adam van Koeverden | Photo: George Pimentel

Bullseye with Adam van Koeverden | Photo: George Pimentel

Photo: George Pimentel

Photo: George Pimentel

Our own instagram shots from the evening
Drills and oysters, drinks in bathtubs and shopping carts and more @Karlwolfs with @bellosound at the @target_ca opening
.@target_ca opening party! Spotted Elisha Cuthbert @happyelishas @KARLWOLFs #target #shopping #celebs
Shopping at the .@target_ca opening party with .@Karlwolfs @karyzmaagency

Some notable tweets

More official photos:

2013 Canadian Music Week Music and Broadcast Industry Awards

Pierre Bouvier, A Simple Plan
  • April 7, 2013
  • awards, industry
  • Comments Off on 2013 Canadian Music Week Music and Broadcast Industry Awards
Pierre Bouvier, A Simple Plan

Pierre Bouvier, A Simple Plan | Photo: Grant W. Martin

The Annual Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards gives recognition to the pioneers and builders of the Canadian music and broadcast industry.  In the 31st annual awards event , a Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award was given to the band, A Simple Plan. This award gives recognition of Simple Plan’s global fundraising efforts and dedication to youth welfare, both individually and through the Simple Plan Foundation. Aware of the problems and struggles faced by teenagers, both through the connection to their fans and personal experiences, they believed the power of music could work as a tool in recovery, coping and helping to find a passion in life.

Since its auspicious beginning, the Simple Plan Foundation has assisted both young people in need and children facing life-threatening illness, raising and donating over $1 million to various youth-focused charities in Canada and around the world.

Other performances that evening at the Guvernment included The Watchmen, Colin James, and The Pursuit of Happiness.

Congrats to the latest inductees:
Colin James – 2013 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee
Ralph James – 2013 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee
John Donabie – 2013 Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame Inductee & Allan Waters Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award
Graham Henderson – 2013 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

For more details of the 2013 Winners and Nominees please visit http://cmw.net/awards/music-and-broadcast-industry-awards/

Pierre Bouvier, A Simple Plan | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Pierre Bouvier, A Simple Plan | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Colin James, 2013 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Colin James, 2013 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Mariana's Trench introducing Ralph James | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Mariana’s Trench introducing Ralph James | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Moe Berg, The Pursuit of Happiness, singer/songwriter | Photo: Grant W. Martin

Moe Berg, The Pursuit of Happiness, singer/songwriter | Photo: Grant W. Martin

left: Jully Black

left: Jully Black

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Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Mark your calendars for the 2014 Canadian Music Week, moving to May for warmer weather May 6 to May 10, 2014.  So next year’s Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East).
cmw 2014

Here are some of our other photos from the CMW Radio and Broadcast Awards

Canadian Special Events Star Awards Gala featuring Chantal Kreviazuk and Suzie McNeil

The 16th annual Star Awards Gala produced by Eclectic Events to close the Canadian Special Events Expo was a night that gave recognition to event planners who work so hard to create the fun events guests get to enjoy without a care in the world. Meanwhile it is well known behind the scenes that event planning is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. So it’s only fitting that special event planners get recognition for the magic that they create.

Great job by POP Kollaborative to present the special guest for the evening, Chantal Kreviazuk, who gave an intimate performance over the piano. The whole event was streamed live over the web by Eventstream.ca Other entertainment throughout the night included Mysterion the Mind Reader, Great Canadian Burlesque, Chaos Devine, deVah Quartet, Tyler Yarema and Suzie McNeil.

Carolyn Luscombe, Eclectic Events Intl

Carolyn Luscombe, Eclectic Events Intl

It was amazing to see how many of the special events we’ve covered in Toronto that were recognized at the Star Awards gala. In fact, BestofToronto.net has covered almost all the Star-Award winning special events in Toronto! It’s great to be part of the magic!

Special thanks to Eclectic Events for supporting BestofToronto.net from the beginning and also producing incredible events such as this one: planning events that entertain other event professionals.

Julie Danaylov from A2D2, Entertainer of the Year

Julie Danaylov from A2D2, Entertainer of the Year

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Pop Kollaborative

Pop Kollaborative

Here’s the full list of Star Award winners. Well deserved, everyone! Congrats!
Best Achievement in Technical Support

canfitpro, Toronto, ON
canfitpro International Fitness and Club Business Conference and Trade Show
Best Buffet Table Design

Embassy Grand Convention Centre, Brampton, ON
Stayin Alive Disco Gala
Best Conference

aNd Logistix Inc. Toronto, ON
Mortgage Forum 2012
Best Corporate Team Building Event

POP Kollaborative Inc. Calgary, AB & Toronto, ON
Tag You’re It
Best Cultural Event

Pride Toronto, Toronto, ON
Pride Week 2012
Best Entertainment Production

POP Kollaborative Inc. Calgary AB, Toronto, ON
MOMENTS – Scotiabank 100th Grey Cup Gala
Best Event Catering (it’s a TIE!)

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth’s RE Le Traiteur, Montreal, QC
Bal du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, Toronto, ON
The Night that Never Ends 2012 Friends of Tiff Inaugural Gala
Best Event Produced by an Assoc, Board or Committee

Eclectic Events International, Inc, Toronto, ON AND ISES Toronto
Steampunk – Yesterday’s Future
Best Event Produced for a Charitable Organization (Community Based)

Cava Rose, Montreal, QC
Vintage Circus themed Valentine’s Day Ball
Best Event Produced for a High Profile Charitable Organization

Reach for the Rainbow, Toronto, ON
26th Annual Crystal Ball
Best Event Produced for a Corporation (by a 3rd party independent planner)

Mina Martini Inc., Montreal, Quebec
Le Bal en Black
Best Event Produced for a Corporation (by an in house team or planner)

WestJet Airlines, Calgary, AB
A Cirque-Tacular Christmas
Best Festival

brand.LIVE Group, Vancouver, BC
Honda Celebration of Light
Best Fund Raising Event (includes fundraising) (it’s a TIE!)

BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver, BC
BC Cancer Foundation’s 2012 Inspiration Gala

Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON
Rally for Kids with Cancer
Best Media Event

The Mint Agency, Toronto, ON
Diner en Blanc Toronto
Best Opening Event

Krista Slack + Aylett
Grand Opening of the National Urban Park in Downsview Park
Best Public Entertainment Event

John Donnelly & Associates and City of Surrey
Surrey Canada Day
Best Sporting Event

Solutions with Impact, Toronto, ON
Strike Out Cancer
Best Table Center

Social Butterfly Event Design, Toronto, ON
Christmas at Tiffany’s
Best Theme Decor Under $25,000 (it’s a TIE!)

Karma Design Studio, Toronto, ON
Phantom of the Opera

OneWest Events Inc. Calgary AB
A Night in Manhattan
Best Theme Decor $25,000-$40,000

The Display Connection Inc, Toronto, ON
Wharf at York
Best Theme Decor $40,000 -$75,000

Gaps Prop Shop / Spoilt Red Productions, Calgary, AB
YYC to NYC, Bright Nights, Big City
Best Theme Decor Over $75,000 to $100,000

Decor & More Inc, Oakville, ON
Daffodil Ball
Best Theme Decor Over $100,000

e=mc² events, Calgary, AB and Decor and More Inc. Oakville, ON
Black and White Christmas in the City
Best Trade Show

Ontario Hospital Association, Toronto, ON
HealthAchieve
Best Trade Show Booth or Pavilion

Black Chalk Marketing, Toronto, ON
“Hook Me Up” Tour
Best Wedding Over 75K

Lynn Fletcher Weddings Inc. Calgary AB
Bling Exponential
Best Wedding Under 75K

LAVISH Events Inc./ OneWest Events Inc. Calgary AB
Butler-Bott Wedding
Most Outstanding Logistical Achievement

e=mc² events Calgary AB
TIFF Inaugural Gala – The Night That Never Ends
Entertainer of the Year

A2D2 Inc Toronto ON
Most Outstanding Event Under $100K

5th Element Events Toronto ON
Canadian Hospitality Foundation’s Scholarship Dinner & Gala
Most Outstanding Event $100-300k

Hala Events & Communications Inc. Toronto ON
Book Lover’s Ball
Most Outstanding Event Over $300

POP Kollaborative Calgary AB, & Toronto ON
MOMENTS – Scotiabank 100th Grey Cup Gala
Event Professional of the Year

Lynn Fletcher – Lynn Fletcher Weddings

For more information visit http://canadianspecialevents.com

Suzie McNeil

Suzie McNeil

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Also be sure to check out our coverage of the opening night party for the CSE Expo Opening Night Party: “Unexpected”.

Photos below and also on Facebook here

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