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The crème de le crème of Toronto high society gathered recently for the National Ballet of Canada’s 60^thanniversary Diamond Gala at the Four Seasons Centre, a night of dining and dancing that raised$1.25-million.

Lloyd Robertson and Principal Dancer Greta Hodgkinson

Outside the centre, mannequin style models wearing specially designed tutus posed in the blistering heat while the 1500 guests were greeted with chilled water bottles.  The red carpet was filled with the who’s who ranging from the Old Guard to some very avant garde party-goers.  Most of the women were wearing long ball gowns with some in sassy cocktail dresses.

Jorn Weisbrodt, Rufus Wainwright and Emmanuelle Gattuso

The night began with an overture from Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin that was on the programme of the National Ballet’s very first performance on November 12, 1951.  This was followed by a welcome from Artistic Director Karen Kain who looked stunning in navy.  The ballet portion of the night than began with an hour-long performance of very special short works, particularly sets of pas de deux.

Bernice Royce and Victor Royce, President & CEO of Rolex Canada

First up where Xiao Nan Yu and Jiri Jelinek performing a sexy, sassy, modern pas de deux from Amarant, a ballet that had premiered in Belgium in 2011.  Husband and wife Guillaume Cote and Heather Ogden then performed a World Premiere of the very romantic Polar Night choreographed by Robert Binet for this special occasion.  This was followed by the World Premiere of Silence Screams Venom, a riveting tour de force choreographed by Principal Dancer Guillaume Cote that featured Greta Hodgkinson and four male dancers and is certain to make him an exciting, upcoming choreographer in the dance world.  It was the talk of the after party and created great twitter buzz.  Sonia Rodriguez and Aleksandar Antonijevi (who is celebrating his 20^th year with the ballet this year) partnered for a vignette from the evocative and humorous ’90s contemporary ballet Herman Scherman.  The night then returned befittingly to the more classical and aptly selection excerpt from Diamonds From Jewels by George Balanchine.  This featured the entire corps de ballet dancing to the 1967 traditional ballet.

Dance installation

Afterward, guests mingled at a cocktail reception featuring the night’s signature drink a lemon martini titled Skyy with Diamonds, and hors d’oeuvres such as mini cupcakes and smoked salmon pinwheels from North 44°.

The dinner onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Some notables spotted included Lloyd Robertson, Cleophée Eaton, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Ross Petty (husband of Karen Kain), Rex Harrington, Roz Ivey, Veronica Tennant, Victoria Jackman, Lydia Prince, Galen & Alexandra Weston, Elvio & Marlene DelZotto ,  John Macfarlane, Victoria Webster, Thor & Nicole Eaton, Lynda Prince, Jian Ghomeshi, Jorn Weisbrodt and Rufus Wainwright and Albert Schultz.

Principal Dancers Jillian Vanstone, Greta Hodgkinson, Heather Ogden & Xiao Nan Yu

Moi

About 550 of the guests were then escorted to the Four Seasons Centre stage for a special dinner prepared by celebrity chef Mark McEwan.  Table for 10 tickets for this special privilege ranged from $15,000 – $25,000.

Photos by Gary Beechey

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

Arts & Culture, Style, events, fundraisers, money and happiness, networking, philanthropy, special occasions, spending money, spending money wisely Albert Schultz, Aleksandar Antonijevi, Alexander, Amarant Guillaume Cote, ballet, Cleophee Eaton, Diamond Gala, Diamonds, Elvio & Marlene DelZotto, Four Seasons Centre, Galen & Alexandra Weston, George Balanchine, Greta Hodgkinson, GUILLAUME CÔTÉ, HEATHER OGDEN, Herman Scherman, jewels, Jian Ghomeshi, Jiří Jelinek, John Macfarlane, Jorn Weisbrodt, karen kain, Llyod Robertson, Lydia Prince, Lynda Prince, MARK MCEWAN, national ballet of canada, North 44°, pas de deux, Polar Night, Polovtsian Dances, REX HARRINGTON, Robert Binet, Ross Petty, Roz Ivey, Rufus Wainwright, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Silence Screams Venom, Skyy with Diamonds, sonia rodriguez, Thor & Nicole Eaton, toronto, Veronica Tennant, Victoria Jackman, Victoria Webster, world premiere, XIAO NAN YU

The highly anticipated 11^th Scrubs in the City fundraiser for SickKids Hospital was held at the Evergreen Brick Works.  This year’s theme was the Secret Garden and the organizing committee headed by Event Chair Molly Fitzpatrick – and including Caroline Cohen, Lauren Habib, Jacqueline Johnson, Sandra Keeley, Lucinda Kogan, Stephanie Lewis, Sylvia Mantella, Amy Milne, Julia Mordini, Suzanne Rogers, Patty Seigel and Kirsten van der Griend – played up both the garden and the secret elements to the fullest at this wonderful community environmental centre.

Hilary Farr

Burt’s Bees Massages

Toronto’s medical community was joined by the business and social elite as well as celebrities like Hilary Farr (host of Love It or List It), to support this worthy cause.  Hosted by Mary Kitchen, Entertainment Anchor for CityNews, the night was full of pampering, culinary delights as well as plentiful surprises.  From the Burt’s Bees massages and Mombacho Cigars to the decadent hors d’oeuvres to the surprise concert by Shawn Desman to the flower cookies to the aerial performance to the raffle and silent auction to the non-stop groovin’ by DJ Floh Back Productions.

Flower Cookies

This was truly a night for fashionistas as all gathered together in their sexiest and sassiest outfits for this year’s cocktail party.  The event began with a VIP reception but quickly transitioned to a very happening party full of adventurous, trendy partygoers.  As guests mingled, aerial performances and some unexpected characters made an appearance. The biggest thrill came when Shawn Desman performed a high energy concert that really revved up the crowd.

Arial performances (image provided by Scrubs in the City)

Performance by Sean Desmond (image courtesy of Scrubs in the City)

The décor was very well thought out with the photo booth being a rose wall and the dessert being flower sugar cookies in all colours, just like a rose garden.

Over the past decade, over $1.7 million has been raised by Scrubs to support the the highest priority needs at The Hospital for Sick Children. This year’s proceeds went to The Urgent Care Unit.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

events, fundraisers, health, philanthropy, special occasions, spending money wisely, women leaders AMY MILNE, BURT'S BEES, Caroline Cohen, DJ FLOH BACK PRODUCTIONS, EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS, HILARY FARR, Jacqueline Johnson, JULIA MORDINI, KIRSTEN VAN DER GRIEND, ladiesfund, LAUREN HABIB, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT, Lucinda Kogan, MARY KITCHEN, Molly Fitzpatrick, Patty Seigel, Sandra Keeley, Scrubs in the City, SECRET GARDEN, SHAWN DESMOND, SickKids, Stephanie Lewis, Suzanne Rogers, SYLVIA MANTELLA, tudawood, URGENT CARE UNIT

The 15th Annual Butterfly Ball in support of Boost for Kids Foundation was held at the ever trendy Evergreen Brick Works, raising more than $125,000 in just one night.

Debbie Fenwick, Priscilla Low & Maureen Greenstein

Over 300 of Toronto’s most glamorous, fashionable, powerful philanthropists, socialists and trendsetters came out to support this very important fundraising initiative for Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention. The Presenting Sponsor of the Event was Rogers and Honourary Chair was Suzanne Rogers, who was dressed in a stunning white and pink princess ballgown.

The twenty-person 2012 Butterfly Ball Committee included Victoria Webster (last year’s Honourary Chair), Vanessa Mulroney, Jennifer Saunders, Lynn Factor and Lesley White, among others. The VIPs in the crowd were numerous and included Celebrity Chef Cory Vitiello and Sommelier Anton Potvin.

John Tory, Butterfly Ball MC

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by a sit-down dinner, catered by Celebrity Chef Mark McEwan. There were welcoming remarks by MC John Tory, Honourary Chair Suzanne Rogers, followed by a special live performance by A Girl in the Sky. DJ Danny Floh entertained until there was a very successful live auction coordinated by Auctioneer Jay Mandarino. Sunrise cruise, trips to the Bahamas, raptors tickets and lots of private dining were auctioned off at well above their reserve prices. A highlight of the night was when Boost support Police Chief William “Bill” Blair, C.O.M., personally came on stage to donate special emergency unit training packages that promised to have lots of fun toys as well as lunch.

The event was artfully decorated with the butterfly theme throughout the setting of Evergreen Brick Works, a location which proved to be a big hit. The cocktail reception was boisterous and fun and so was extended slightly beyond the original set time. Dinner was simply exquisite and a first course of phyllo cup with woodland mushrooms following by a choice between braised beef short rib or pan seared halibut. Dessert was an extremely popular banana strudel with chocolate ice cream and sponge toffee.

Party decor

Fashionistas came out in full force with summer cocktail dresses in bright coloured the favoured look for the evening, despite it being an unseasonably chilly evening. Solid colours in citrus shades were the most popular with often daring pairings such as white dresses with bright orange stilettos. Men were very suavely dressed with most in traditional formal suits but some favouring the latest trend of dapper pocket kerchiefs sans ties with formal dress shirts.

To donate to this special organization that protects children, please click here.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

fundraisers, philanthropy, special occasions A Girl in the Sky, Anton Potvin, Bill Blair, Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, boost for kids foundation, Cory Vitiello, DJ Danny Floh, Jay Mandarino, Jennifer Saunders, John Tory, Lesley White, Lynn Factor, MARK MCEWAN, Police Chief William Blair, Rogers, Suzanne Rogers, The 15th Annual Butterfly Ball, Vanessa Mulroney, Victoria Webster

Moi @ Movember

The hip, happening locale of Brassaii took on a serious note with a special fundraiser for Movember organized by Arie Sibonney.  Movember is a “month for men across the country grow their wildest ‘mo’ (while women tolerate it) in an effort to acknowledge the victims of prostate cancer and raise awareness towards finding a cure.”

Anne Marie and Arie Sibonney

The Mo-Extravaganza brought together Toronto’s “Taste Makers, Artists and Fashionistas” with the unified purpose to celebrate life and help bring awareness and raise funds towards finding a cure for Prostate Cancer.

“We are thrilled and so thankful to be working with such supportive and generous people,” Sibonney told DelectablyChic! in an exclusive interview. “All of our sponsors, the media and the folks at Brassaii have gone above and beyond for this great cause.”

Deelux Mobile Spa Movember Manicures

For Sibonney, this event was truly a labour of love. He stated, “Cancer has plagued virtually everyone I know in one form or another. Be it from losing someone close or having their own battles to endure.”

It’s Sibonney’s sincere and infectious passion for the cause that grew the event from its original small dinner into a very happening and milestone event.

Movember guest trying on her fake mustache

The Event was filled with many unique elements. Guests – male and female – sported real and fake mustaches, making the night a hairy one. Since the cause was close to many people’s hearts, the ambience was one that was fun-spirited but meaningful at the same time.

A Movember Lounge

The fabulous hotspot had all rooms open for guests of this event including the cozy outdoor patio. The cool part of Brassaii is each area has its own texture, music and ambiance, making it feel like multiple parties within one.

The list of sponsors included Absolut Vodka, Porsche, Brassaii, Yogen Fruz, Deelux Mobile Spa, Downtown Porsche and Fine Cars, Celebrity Limousine Service, 1 litre water company, Richard Emmanuel Photography, Special F/X by Fritz, et. al. The Funarama Photo Booth was a huge hit, as well as a source for many prizes for best pics. The event also showcased a special Mo’tini and other cocktails created for the evening by Brassaii’s Mixologists.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

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By T. U. Dawood

Foodies gathered in Toronto to try leading local restaurant food in a festival/food style type environment with proceeds going toward Second Harvest and its fight against hunger in Toronto.

Red Velvet Cupcakes - Paulines Pastries

Second Harvest is a charitable organization that for the past 26 years has been “picking up donated, perishable food, which would have otherwise gone to waste, and delivering it to more than 200 social service agencies in Toronto.”  It is known for “its efficiency, conscientious administration, and high return to the community for every dollar donated.”

Held both indoors and outdoors at the Royal Ontario Museum, “Toronto Taste” presented by The Daniels Corporation attracted 1,500 foodies to sample gourmet food and beverage prepared by 60 of the city’s top chefs and 30 beverage purveyors.  From this gathering, approximately $300,000 was raised, which will enable Second Harvest to provide 600,000 healthy meals for Torontonians in need.

Chef Michael Smith

Culinary personalities from across the country in attendance included Food Network Canada’s Celebrity Chef Roger Mooking (Everyday Exotic), Michael Smith (Chef at Home, Chef at Large, Chef Abroad) and Mark McEwan (Top Chef Canada, The Heat). Dishes were also prepared by acclaimed chefs such as J.P. Challet (Ici Bistro), Scott Conant (24 Hour Restaurant Battle, Scarpetta), Donna Dooher (Mildred’s Temple Kitchen), Dufflet Rosenberg (Dufflet), Chris McDonald (Cava), Rob Gentile (Buca), David Lee (Nota Bene), et al.

Bob Blumer, creator and host of Food Network Canada’s Glutton for Punishment and Surreal Gourmet, hosted the tasting and the live auction.

Second Harvest's Bob Blumer Hosts the Live Auction

Mark McEwan, one of Canada’s top chefs, spoke to DelectablyChic! in an exclusive interview about how much he looks forward to this gathering every year.  He stated, “I have high end restaurants and I feed fancy people so much of the time that it’s amazing that here Toronto so many people don’t have a meal to eat and we need to do something about.  Second Harvest is a great charity that knows how to ensure people in need get fed.”

Mark McEwan

McEwan loves to run elbows with other chefs at Toronto Taste, admitting in the early days, he used to be much more competitive about it.  These days, his energy is focused in expanding his work and he has just negotiated a deal to have his restaurants in airport terminals.

Top Chef Robert Mooking spoke at length exclusively with DelectablyChic!, talking about the melting pot of food available in Toronto – “You can get authentic ingredients from anywhere in the world here in Toronto” – and revealed his brand new hot spice products.

Roger Mooking

“I’ve spent the past four years trying to create a spice rub and hot sauce that will enhance all types of meat, fish, poultry and vegetables,” he shared, “This is my first public showing of my Spice Rub and Hot Sauce.”

“My Spice Rub is not about heat but about flavor,” he adds, “and my Hot Sauce has heat and flavor.”

T U Dawood & Ann Nicholson

Andrea Nicholson, one of the few female Top Chefs in the world, spoke to DelectablyChic! about her journey rising in a male-dominated profession and how much she enjoys the texture of food.

Photo Credit: T. U. Dawood

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

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By T. U. Dawood

Greta Hodgkinson Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic

The National Ballet of Canada celebrates a milestone this year.   Principal Dancer Greta Hodgkinson has been with the company for over 20 years and in recognition of this, the Company has included a celebratory dance for her in this summer’s mixed programme Celebrating Greta: Mozartiana & Other Dances & In the Upper Room.

Hodgkinson, who is originally from Rhode Island, was invited to become a member of The National Ballet of Canada at the age of 16. By 19, she was a second soloist, by 21 a first soloist and by 22, a principal dancer and today at 37, is beloved by dance fans for the depth and emotion she brings to her performances.

Greta Hodgkinson and Zdenek Konvalina in Other Dances Photograph by Bruce Zinger

For her special dance, she requested to perform Jerome Robbins’ exquisite pas de deux Other Dances, a rarely performed dance which was originally created for Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1976.  Rights to the choreography were secured and the performance sandwiched between George Balanchine’s classical Mozartiana and Twyla Tharp’s contemporary “In the Upper Room.”

The order of performances was wisely made as Mozartiana features classical choreography and In the Upper Room revels in a fast-paced contemporary explosion.  Thus, Other Dances is a natural middle ground with its edgy feel to a classical base.

Mozartiana opens with a Preghiera (Prayer), followed by a Gigue, Minuet, Theme and Variations and a finale.  In the opening movement, the ballerina is accompanied by four young girls and the next segment showcases a male soloist dancing a fun-loving Gigue. This transitions to four female corps dancers performing a Minuet to be followed by the ballerina now dancing with a male lead and then a series of variations.

Ballet at its purist and a wonderful start to the evening.

Other Dances is true Jerome Robbins and features four mazurkas and one waltz by Frédéric Chopin.  Hodginson’s partner is fellow Principal Dancer Zdenek Konvalina. The opening mazurka which involves both dancers is classical although at times slightly plodding.  Hodginson’s solos are done with great emotion and her movement to Chopin’s music is very memorable.  Konvalina’s solo segments showcase Robbins’ innovative touches and the high level of difficulty to many of the moves, reminding one that they were originally created for the great Baryshnikov.  The final mazurka is a merrier pas de deux and uplifting end to Other Dances. An inspired choice on Hodginson’s part, Other Dances was a joy to see and the audience truly celebrated this prima ballerina as she honoured us with a performance from her heart.

Aleksandar Antonijevic in The Upper Room Photo by Bruce Zinger

The final performance of the night was a rousing adaption of In the Upper Room. Set to music by Philip Glass, this was pure dance poetry and a truly contemporary ballet full of exuberance and energy and a cascade of overlapping movements, at times whimsical but always absorbing.  Infused with jazz and pop elements, this relentless performance received a long standing ovation.

The trio of performances opened June 15^th and runs through the 19^th with Hodgkinson dancing her celebratory dance with Konvalina all four nights.  The other two selections will feature a rotation of dancers.  On opening night, the lead roles in Mozartiana will be performed by Principal Dancers Sonia Rodriguez and Aleksandar Antonijevic and First Soloist Keiichi Hirano.  In The Upper Room will be performed by Principal Dancers Sonia Rodriguez, Jiří Jelinek, Piotr Stanczyk, First Soloists Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard, Stephanie Hutchison, Patrick Lavoie, Tina Pereira, Rebekah Rimsay, Jillian Vanstone, Second Soloist Jordana Daumec and Corps de Ballet members James Leja and Brendan Saye.

Mozartiana is a gift from THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE, THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA.

In The Upper Room is a gift from Walter Carsen, O.C.

Zdenek Konvalina is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

events, philanthropy, special occasions, spending money, women leaders Brendan Saye, Celebrating Greta, delectablychic!, First Soloists Keiichi Hirano, George Balanchine, Gigue, Greta Hodgkinson, In the Upper Room, James Leja, Jerome Robbins, Jillian Vanstone, Jiří Jelinek, Jordana Daumec, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Minuet, Mozartiana, Natalia Makarova, Other Dances, Patrick Lavoie, Piotr Stanczyk, Preghiera, preview your life, Rebekah Rimsay, sonia rodriguez, Stephanie Hutchison, Tanya Howard, The National Ballet of Canada, theme, Tina Pereira, tudawood, Twyla Tharp

By T. U. Dawood

Do you want to give aid to natural disasters around the world but are really unsure what happens to the money and if it will truly make a difference? GlassFrog is a registered nonprofit organization in Canada that is “committed to swiftly deploy shelter, food and water to meet the immediate basic human needs to those impacted by a disaster” with a motto: Transparency.  Collaboration. Accountability.

A Haitian Child

The organization which was founded in December 2010 by Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Nicole Verkindt focuses “on providing complete transparency in our dealings, pursuing opportunities for collaboration in creating our solutions, and a dedication to taking full accountability for the results of our actions.”  Verkindt launched the venture out of frustration after working with NGOs in post-earthquake Haiti and facing red tape, bureaucracy and cronyism.  Clinton Foundation has recently become a supporter and partner of GlassFrog.

Courtney Langer of Burberry & guest

To mark the launch of this important organization and fundraise for their first project, a special event was held at Airship37 in Toronto, a 5000 square foot event venue in the heart of the Distillery District.   The ambiance was Speakeasy and there was previously unreleased art and original photography by Carlos Scott Wilson, Nicole Dee, Peter O’Neill and Bryan Ulrich on exhibit, as well as live music performances by The Heavyweights Brass Band and Stacy Ricker, and some delicious desserts from slice pies.

Slice Pies

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with lots of connections to Haiti.  The fabulous art included Haitian inspired work, the hors d’oeuvres and snacks included Haitian coffee and there were plenty of opportunities to convey messages to those in need in Haiti.

T U Dawood & Jaspuneet Mohie

They have promised to release a post-event expense report in line with their commitment to transparency.

Verkindt seems an extraordinary trailblazer and someone who’s genuine commitment to doing things the right way is truly inspiring those around her.  Her team is talented and dedicated and the event drew a fun and supportive crowd.  A fabulous start to what can possibly elevate and change the way aid is used in the future on a worldwide scale.

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What is a “GlassFrog”?
While most living organisms are opaque: the skin of a glass frog is transparent. Its internal organs are completely visible from the outside. Nothing to hide.

A glass frog’s defining characteristic is it’s translucent skin, which allows observers to view the inner workings of its digestive tract and major organs. Since we wanted our organization to embody everything “transparent”, this attribute was a major source of inspiration.

Photo Credit: T. U. Dawood

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

events, philanthropy airship37, Bryan Ulrich, Carlos Scott Wilson, delectablychic!, glassfrog, ladiesfund, Launch Party, Nicole Dee, Nicole Verkindt, Peter O’Neill, slice pies, Stacy Ricker, The Heavyweights Brass Band, tudawood