Comments Off on TIFF Next Wave: Battle of the Scores
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival is created by young movie lovers for young movie lovers. For the 2nd annual TIFF Next Wave held from Feb 15-17, Battle of the Scores kicked off the opening night festivities featuring 6 high school bands across the city curated by the Next Wave committee at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Each of the bands performed their own unique scores to an original short film created this year by young, emerging filmmaker Ben Roberts. The winner was determined by a panel of professional judges from Toronto’s music and film community including film composer Adrian Ellis and director, actor, choreographer Corey Bowles. There was also an additional prize based on the audience’s votes via texting short codes. The evening was hosted by Sam Sutherland, author of Perfect Youth: The Birth of Canadian Punk and segment producer at MTV News.
Each band did a great job being given only 3 weeks, each showcasing their own interesting style and each accompanied by a unique segment of the original short film. It was entertaining night and it’s great to see TIFF place an importance on being accessible to the next generation of young movie lovers. Congrats to the winning band, Post!
TIFF Next Wave committee
Post
Winning band of the night, Post, with the Next Wave hosts
The rest of the festival showcased 10 international films, a John Hughes marathon, a 24-hour film challenge for aspiring high school film teams, and a Talent Lab for youth aged 14-18.
Comments Off on Dragon Ball 2013 Year of the Snake
It was an incredible night with all the stops pulled out for the 24th annual Dragon Ball in support of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care with 1,200 patrons.
Highlights include photo opportunities with snakes, the HSBC ice sculpture serving martinis, a raw oyster and clam bar by Raw, a sushi bar, delicious treats by Tundra Restaurant (pleasant surprise seeing you again, Eraj!). There was so much food during the reception that it could have been dinner itself but there was also a 3-course dinner as well. It was great to see the legendary Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga, a regular supporter of Yee Hong. Frank Scarpitti, the mayor of the City of Markham, singing songs in Cantonese. The raffle featured big prizes such as a Lexus CT 200h hybrid and a Caribbean cruise for 7 nights. There was also a large room dedicated to a casino and many items up for bidding in the silent auction. There was a live auction before dinner, too. The evening was hosted by Francis D’Souza and Sangita Patel of City (recently rebranded from “Citytv”, by the way).
I think Lesly Tayles, Vice-President of National Bank, explained Yee Hong’s importance best when she told her story of an English-speaking nurse who said to a Chinese-speaking elder that she couldn’t help if the patient couldn’t speak English. This summarizes the need for providing care with the right cultural and linguistic care and that’s what Yee Hong does with it’s 15,000 seniors.
Kudos to the organizers, sponsors and many volunteers of Yee Hong, as you can tell a lot of effort goes into putting together a gala of this calibre.
Hosts Francis D’Souza, Sangita Patel of City
Lesly and Mike, National Bank
Frog leg delicacies topped with cavier from Tundra Restaurant, Hilton Hotel
The Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, singing in Cantonese
Yee Hong is a caring community where seniors enjoy a continuum of culturally and linguistically appropriate care. With a client-centered and personalized approach, Yee Hong is currently serving 15,000 seniors and their families across the GTA through its 4 nursing homes, social services and community based programs, as well as medical and rehab services.
With strong roots in the Chinese Canadian community and our respect for seniors, we enable seniors of different backgrounds and needs to live their lives to the fullest – in the healthiest, most independent and dignified way. For more information, please visit www.yeehong.com
Yee Hong Facts
Four Yee Hong Centres in Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga, serving 15,000 seniors and their families each year.
805 long-term care beds with 4,000 on the current waiting list, the longest in all of Ontario
Offers culturally appropriate long-term care services to seniors of different backgrounds, including Chinese, South Asian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, Filipino and Portuguese
150 social housing units
308 life lease units
Francis D’Souza, Sangita Patel of City
Francis D’Souza, Sangita Patel of City
1,200 patrons at Dragon Ball
The Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, singing in Cantonese
Each centerpiece of Dragon Ball took 20 hours to make, courtesy of Yee Hong seniors
Comments Off on Motionball 2013: Winter Wonderland Gala
Those that were there knew how lively it was at the annual Motionball gala in support of Special Olympics Canada, with this year’s theme of “Winter Wonderland”. How befitting considering the large snowstorm that had arrived that evening. But that didn’t deter the 2,000+ guests from attending this sold-out charity gala that took over the 41,000 square foot Muzik night club.
The event featured tons of great live music and a silent auction. There was also an Iceberg Vodka bar and a mixology bar hosted by Weslodge.
It was great to see retired Toronto Argonaut, Adriano Belli, who brought out the one and only Grey Cup. Another Argo who attended was wide receiver, Mike Bradwell, with MTV News anchor, Aliya Jasmine Sovani. The evening was hosted by CP24’s Melissa Grelo and TSN’s Cabral “Cabbie” Richards. Other notable guests included Damon Allen and Randal Edwards.
The dance floor at Muzik was large, the crowd even larger and that’s where most guests congregated to dance to some great entertainers including CrashDex featuring Jerzee, performance by a 44-piece symphony orchestra, and DJs Skratch Bastid and Efsharp.
Great news that the event beat it’s target and raised $300,000 for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation!
Crashdex feat. Jerzee Photo: Jason Kwan
right: Damon Allen
44 piece Symphony Orchestra Photo: Gus
Check out the video of the founder of Motionball, Paul Etherington speaking to CTV News.
ABOUT MOTIONBALL
motionball is a not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation (SOCF), targeting a “next generation” of supporters – Canada’s professional crowd who are not defined by their age but rather their mind-set. To keep up to date with Motionball, click here.
The Book Lover’s Ball is rated as one of the top 100 events according to BizBash in 2012. It’s a book lover’s dream, being able to rub elbows with 60 Canadian authors in attendance in support of the busiest urban library system in the world. Not only do guests get to rub elbows at the reception but each author is assigned to a dinner table, so that’s getting quite intimate. For 2013’s Book Lover’s Ball, the evening featured 5 “chapters” of entertainment, each based on a different novel. Highlights included a fashion show by Lucian Matis for “River of Stars” by Guy Gavriel Kay. The 5th and final chapter was a Dianna DiNoble lingerie-based fashion show based on “S.E.C.R.E.T.” written by Dragon’s Den senior producer, Lisa Gabriele, under the pseudonym, L.M. Adeline. It’s a book inspired by 50 Shades of Grey with it’s own publishing rights already sold to 30 countries.
The evening was hosted by Cityline’s Tracy Moore and Melanie Ng. Notable guests included Conrad Black (yes, the infamous media baron also happens to be an author and has an upcoming TV show), Arlene Dickinson, Jian Ghomeshi, Lloyd Robertson and Amanda Lang.
Check out the 2 galleries below: Reception and Entertainment
ABOUT THE TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
The Toronto Public Library Foundation was established in 1997 as a registered charity. Our mission is to provide essential resources for the enhancement of the Toronto Public Library and to allocate funds to priority needs not supported by municipal funding.
Urgent needs for the Library include: improved and expanded collections, enhanced programs and services, upgraded technology, and revitalized community spaces to respond to the changing needs of the people of Toronto.
Since its inception, Toronto Public Library Foundation has raised over $55 million in support of Toronto Public Library priority needs.
The Foundation’s long-range goal is to build an endowment fund that will generate sufficient income to support enhanced library programs, collections and services in perpetuity.
An investment in the Library is an investment in Toronto’s success today and for generations to come.
Comments Off on Canada’s National Ballet School Gala: Monte Carlo Meets Gatsby
Canada’s National Ballet School hosted their annual fundraiser gala with this year’s theme of “Monte Carlo Meets Gatsby” pairing roaring 20’s Great Gatsby attire and Monte Carlo styled casino. I spotted Margaret Atwood and asked her why she didn’t attend the Book Lover’s Ball just the night before. She replied that she wasn’t invited this year. Was she joking? Anyway, luckily for guests of the NBS gala, this most-honoured Canadian author was kind enough to provide photo opportunities for adoring guests.
Other notable guests included Canada’s own World Champion figure skater, Kurt Browning. It was great to see all the well-attired guests come out to support Canada’s National Ballet School, a crucial foundation to Canada’s art scene.
“Because talent is the sole criterion for entry into NBS’ Professional Ballet Program, our annual fundraiser is crucial in generating awareness and securing support for our extraordinary students—of which almost 8 out of every 10 require funding.”, says Mavis Staines, NBS’ Artistic Director . “The annual gala performance highlights the determination and the artistry of our emerging young talent. Our patrons are part of a thrilling process–what better way to demonstrate appreciation than through the beauty of dance”.
Margaret Atwood
Guest, Karen Kain, Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez, Veronica Tennant
Stephen Voisin, Joan Lozinski
Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez. Doesn’t Kurt Browning looks like a younger Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire?
ABOUT CANADA’S NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL
For over 20 years the annual gala has helped NBS ensure that the most talented youth find a place at the School regardless of families’ financial circumstances. Established in 1959, Canada’s National Ballet School is a global leader with an international profile for producing the finest and most gifted dancers, both from home-grown talent and from youth recruited abroad. For more information visit www.nbs-enb.ca
Stephen Voisin, Joan Lozinski
Kim Gosteli, Melissa Lorett
Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez
right: Judy Lawrie
middle: Charissa Chandaria
Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson
Graeme Gibson, Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood
left: Dr. Greg O’Donohue, right: Stephen Voisin
Mindham Fine Jewellery, Raffle Prize
Mindham Fine Jewellery, Raffle Prize
Judy Lawrie, Gatsby Gala Committee
Karen Kain, Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez, Veronica Tennant
Robyn Callum, Gatsby Gala Co-Chair Stephen Delaney
Dale Peters, Deborah Rosati
More photos by Tom Sandler
Olivia Tracey, Mavis Staines Photo: Tom Sandler
Mavis Staines, Karen Kain Photo: Tom Sandler
Judy Lawrie, Gala Committee Photo: Tom Sandler
Magda Gonzalez Gatsby Gala Co-Chair, Juanita Montalvo Gatsby Gala Co-Chair, Stephen Delaney, Robyn McCallum Photo: Tom Sandler
Canada’s National Ballet School staff Photo: Tom Sandler
