Comments Off on Thanks for our Award for “Favourite Event Industry Blog” and here’s our new logo
I’ve already broadcast this on Facebook and Twitter but in case you haven’t heard, I just wanted to share exciting news that we won the 2013 Canadian Special Events Reader’s Choice Award for Favourite Event Industry Blog.
Thanks again to everyone who voted for us It was an unexpected win but very encouraging!
It was thrilling to see it all come together at last week’s CSE Star Awards gala where our event professional friends were rewarded for events we were lucky to cover: 100th Grey Cup gala, Diner en Blanc, Steampunk, Book Lover’s Ball, and more.
Thanks for the iPhone photo of the award, Rena Cugelman.
So grateful to be awarded the 2013 Canadian Special Events Reader’s Choice Award for Favourite Event Industry Blog!
Here’s our new logo you may have already seen in the watermark of our photos. Great job, Flora Tran!
Looking forward to getting better and better!
-Nick
Comments Off on The Artist Project Opening Night 2013 Party
In it’s 6th year, The Artist Project is an annual independent art fair that boasts 4 days of over 200 artists. Art lovers gathered to enjoy a huge collection of art from the independent artists in attendance at each of their booths. I went for the first time last year so I was looking forward to revisiting this large scale art fair unlike any other in Toronto. The opening party had a DJ at the Art Lounge, a variety of bites and cocktails to sample. It was great to spot friendly faces including our amazing musically-talented Clara Venice with Claire Taylor, The Artist Project’s show director, and Suresh Doss, creator of SpotlightToronto.com.
Art Lounge
Jeremy Guy
Clara Venice with The Artist Project’s Claire Taylor
L: Simmie Antflick
Check out the 2013 winners of The Artist Project here
Check out this great video by artist, Sam Shuter, getting ready for The Artist Project.
About The Artist Project
For 6 years, The Artist Project features 250 carefully juried, independent contemporary artists. From seasoned collectors and first time art buyers, to gallerists and interior designers, visitors will find this art fair a rare opportunity to meet and purchase work directly from Canadian and International artists. For more information and for complete highlights of the show visit theartistproject.com
Hapa Izakaya
Slava Vodka
Tequila Tromba
Our friend, Clara Venice, with Claire Taylor, The Artist Project’s show director
Comments Off on Kitchen Sisters in support of Sistering
A few Sistering chefs (l-r): Trish Beard, Dini Densmore, Carol Gray, Maureen Watson
The intimate and beautiful dinner setting at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Chef Lynn Crawford hosting Kitchen Sisters
Chef Lynn Crawford
It’s no coincidence that the 3rd annual Kitchen Sisters event was held on International Women’s Day in support of Sistering, an organization that supports poor, homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto. They do this by providing hot meals, emotional support and more. The program is in such high demand (currently at 400 meals a day) that the kitchen needs to be renovated to accommodate the demand. So Kitchen Sisters is a fundraising event that pays for these much-needed renovations. So on March 8th, 2013 there was an intimate 100-person gathering at the cozy Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village for an exquisite dining experience with a 4-course feast as follows:
Wine was donated by Colio Estate Wines, Ponte, Stem Wine Group and Philippe Dandurand Wines.
Congratulations to Sistering for raising the $400,000 needed to renovate the Sistering Kitchen! Next year’s Kitchen Sisters event will be at the new kitchen!
Here is our video with Chefs Lynn Crawford (Food Network television chef and Ruby Watch co. restaurant), Anne Yarymowich (Frank at the AGO), Donna Dooher (Mildred’s Temple Kitchen) speaking about Sistering and International Women’s Day.
Some notable tweets from the evening at Kitchen Sisters
Sistering has been providing hot meals and other practical and emotional support to poor, homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto since 1981. “Food Sleuth” Marion Kane (writer, broadcaster), a supporter of the organization, collaborated with Toronto’s finest women chefs to create Kitchen Sisters.Ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances: Sistering has been supporting homeless, under-housed and low-income women in Toronto since 1981. Core services offered are basic needs for daily living, housing assistance, counseling, advocacy and employment programs. For more information, please visit www.sistering.org.
Chef Lynn Crawford
The Sistering chefs that were in attendance (l-r): Trish Beard, Dini Densmore, Carol Gray, Maureen Watson
Comments Off on A pair of giant Pandas are coming to the Toronto Zoo
One of the two giant pandas coming to the Toronto Zoo. Photo from FedEx’s Panda Express blog.
Fed Ex’s Panda Express plane where the giant pandas are being shipped. Photo from FedEx’s facebook page
As of writing, Er Shun and Da Mao are currently on their 15 hour flight to Toronto. Flying from Chengdu, China, stopping over in Vancouver to refuel and finally in Toronto where they will be transported to the Toronto Zoo. While they arrive on this Monday, March 25th they need a month to be quarantined and will finally be ready for public viewing starting in May 2013.
Fed Ex has also committed to shipping bamboo for the giant pandas 3 times a week from their Memphis hub to the Toronto Zoo.
The last time pandas were in the Toronto Zoo was for a 100-day visit back in 1985. During that time it was a huge draw to the Toronto Zoo. “To have the rarest, most loved animal in the world on exhibit in your place for a while, it’s like the art gallery having the Mona Lisa, it’s a marvelous feeling,” said the chairman of The Toronto Zoo at the time, Ron Barbaro, to CBC’s The Journal on July 16, 1985, just hours after the pandas arrived. Read more about it on CBC.ca here
The Toronto Zoo will have the giant pandas for 5 years before they ship out to the Calgary Zoo for another 5 years.
Check out our coverage of the Manulife Black and White gala at the Shangri-La hotel to fundraiser for the Toronto Zoo with honourary chair, Laureen Harper, wife of prime minister Stephen Harper. Also in attendance were the CEOs from the Toronto Zoo and Calgary Zoo and Fed Ex Canada president, Lisa Lisson.
left: Clement Lanthier, Calgary Zoo CEO, right: John Tracogna, Toronto Zoo CEO
Also check out the Fed Ex video about Panda Express.
The panda’s names Er Shun and Da Mao translate to “double smooth” and “successful Achievement”, respectively, in Mandarin Chinese.
I’m loving the tweets from this unofficial twitter account @TorontoPandas. Keep up the great work, guys!
RT if you're ready for us to arrive in #Toronto. Trying to get a @FedEx tracking number for you.
Comments Off on MATIS by Lucian Matis FW2013 at World Mastercard Fashion Week
Canadian designer Lucian Matis presented the Fall/Winter 2013 collection MATIS by Lucian Matis, targeted towards the career woman with just a splash of trend. It’s considered an affordable brand ranging in price from $95 to $750. Sizing is available in XS to XL for dresses, casual and dressy tops, suiting, and knitwear to suit all body, age and fashion types.
“I was inspired by the clash of the wild and civilized world. I wanted to bring together the untouched and untamed beauty of the jungles with the stark order of the world of humanity,” explains Matis of his inspiration for Fall/Winter 2013, “I brought together the bright colors of the plants and animals of the Amazon, mixed with the wild patterns and prints; like leopards, feathers, and shimmering forest pools. In contrast, I took civilized and defined patterns like plaid and cable wool to bring a sense of control and power. This collection showcases the fierce and wild Venus whilst simultaneously exhibiting the strength and control of the female virtues.”
Fierce. Strong. Female empowerment themes just like the David Dixon show. Scroll down below for the full gallery for MATIS by Lucian Matis.
Also, watch for the unveiling of the Baileys Irish Cream collaboration with Lucian Matis during World Mastercard Fashion Week on Friday, March 22th, 2013 at One King West. The dress is made from the glass of Baileys Irish Cream bottles. Can’t wait to see it!
The dress made from the glass of Baileys Irish Cream bottles will debut on March 22, 2013.
Watch the behind the scenes video on the making of the glass dress.
ABOUT LUCIAN MATIS
Romanian-born, Toronto-based fashion designer Lucian Matis began designing at a very early age. Prior to moving to Canada in 1999, Matis studied art at the Sibiu Art Institute in Transylvania. Matis graduated in 2003 from Ryerson University’s esteemed Fashion Design Program where he received multiple awards. His first professional collection was presented at L’Oreal Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2007.
Matis gained national attention and a vast fan base through his participation on the first season of Slice Network’s Project Runway Canada. He has since been featured in several in-depth profiles on Fashion Television, eTalk, ET Canada, Breakfast Television, CityLine, Marilyn Dennis, Global News, CBC, and more. His work has graced the pages and covers of numerous national and international publications, including FASHION, FLARE, ELLE Canada, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, and Women’s Wear Daily.
His designs have been worn by numerous internationally renowned celebrities, including Nelly Furtado, Sarah Gadon, Andrea Martin, Mia Martina, Coco Rocha, Petra Nemkova, just to name a few. Lucian Matis is available through custom orders through www.lucianmatis.com.
For more information visit including where to buy across 70 stores in North America www.matisbylucianmatis.com
As of writing, Er Shun and Da Mao are currently on their 15 hour flight to Toronto. Flying from Chengdu, China, stopping over in Vancouver to refuel and finally in Toronto where they will be transported to the Toronto Zoo. While they arrive on this Monday, March 25th they need a month to be quarantined and will finally be ready for public viewing starting in May 2013.
