| EVENT REPORT 09.01.09 1:37 PM |
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Driven by Volunteers, Inaugural Oceana Ball Adopts Water Theme
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 | Models in mermaid costumes at the Oceana Ball
Photo: BizBash |
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Planning a black-tie gala at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex is big undertaking, particularly for a volunteer committee of students and young people organizing a first-time event without the help of an event management firm or a PR agency. “We have a few corporate members on board but most of us are students,” said Vanessa Drautz, co-chair of the inaugural Oceana Ball, held Monday in support of the Herbie Fund at the Hospital for Sick Children. “We really wanted to put a first-class event together. We wanted to do something to contribute.”
Drautz worked alongside committee chair Brittney Kuczynski and fellow co-chairs Alireza Rafiee, and Michelle Spezza to plan the event in conjunction with Vicky Braverman, development coordinator for community involvement at the SickKids Foundation. “I support them from a fund-raising side, but the details like the decor and food, I don’t get involved in that,” said Braverman, who reported that the Herbie Fund—a volunteer-based organization that helps bring kids from all over the world to the Hospital for Sick Children for life-saving surgeries—relies solely on fund-raising efforts.
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Hospital for Sick Children, SickKids Foundation, The Herbie Fund, Citytv |
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| THE WALKTHROUGH 05.19.09 5:41 PM |
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Thuet Rebrands King West Eatery as Conviction—Staffs With Rehabilitated Ex-Cons
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 | The dining room at Conviction
Photo: BizBash |
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Chef Marc Thuet and his wife and business partner, Biana Zorich, have unveiled a new dining concept called Conviction at their flagship restaurant space at 609 King St. West. This is the second time the couple has rebranded the space, originally named Thuet and then Bite Me. The new eatery, which opened May 9, is partially staffed by rehabilitated ex-convicts and is intended as a social experiment designed to empower disadvantaged individuals.
“It’s not rocket science. People with steady jobs and a steady income are less likely to wind up back in jail. The ones who are truly interested in turning their lives around will become some of our best employees. They’re on a mission to prove something, to prove that they can succeed," Thuet said in a statement in which he openly discussed his past experience with addiction and alcohol abuse. "I think this place has the potential to change more lives. It wasn’t that long ago that it helped save me."
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CityTV |
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| EVENT REPORT 12.03.08 1:47 PM |
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Gemini Awards Return to Toronto for Live Broadcast With Jason Priestley as Host, Gehry-Inspired Set
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 | Gemini host Jason Priestley
Photo: Courtesy of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television |
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After two years on the road, the Gemini Awards returned to Toronto Friday for a live broadcast from the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Jason Priestley’s participation as host of the 23rd annual event—which recognizes the best in Canadian television—generated a lot of buzz about this year’s show, according to producer Lynn Harvey of Enter the Picture Productions. “The deliciousness of having a celebrity host adds to it,” said Harvey. “Suddenly things we couldn’t get before Jason Priestley came to town, we’re suddenly getting.”
Although Harvey declined to elaborate on what those things might be, she did say Priestley’s involvement provided a boost for the awards, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television History. “Obviously there’s a lot more attention being paid because we have a high-profile host. He’s a guy people have great feelings about, and he’s just lovely, warm, sweet, fun, accommodating, and charming,” said Harvey, who has produced about 30 live shows throughout her career, including the Geminis, Junos, and Genies.
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RELATED TOPICS
Gemini Awards, Jason, Priestley, Telefilm Canada, Canwest, CTV, Citytv, Zip.ca, Independent Production Fund |
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