| EVENT REPORT 02.28.08 5:15 PM |
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| Community Crusade |
| Community leaders from Queen Street West joined 500 guests for the second annual C.A.M.H. Foundation fund-raiser, which included costumed models, a variety of finger foods, and entertainment by Serena Ryder and K-OS. |
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Despite frigid temperatures, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (C.A.M.H.) packed close to 500 guests into the Drake Hotel last night for its second annual "Queen Street Unmasked" fund-raiser. Marion Hart of MH Event Management planned the party with members of the C.A.M.H. Foundation campaign board (including event chair Ana Lopes) with the goal of involving the Queen Street West neighbourhood in the redevelopment of the C.A.M.H. facilities.
Working with the modern decor of the Drake's interior, Hart opted for simple flowers, lots of food, and high-profile entertainment and guests to create a hip and exciting vibe. "It's really the people who make this event," she said. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Costumed models mingled with guests while selling raffle tickets.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | Guests packed the main-floor bar at the Drake Hotel.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | The mystery raffle room was filled with brightly coloured gift bags and masks with clues hinting at what the prizes were.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | A server in a makeup mask served the night's signature cocktail, a lavender orchid martini with edible flowers.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | The simple floral centrepieces were made from daffodils and sprigs of pine.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | Cucumber rounds on spinach leaves topped with smoked salmon were part of the extensive finger-food selection.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | The Drake Hotel staff had their faces painted with makeup masks as part of the evening's theme.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | Servers passed takeout containers of spicy fries in large baskets.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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 | Host George Stroumboulopoulos talked up the crowd in the party's main room.
Photo: Malcolm Taylor |
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As a new feature this year, the fund-raiser introduced private dinners by top chefs at 11 venues surrounding the Queen Street West area, including Brassaii, the Stephen Bulgur Gallery, and a private penthouse on Soho Street. Hart said coordinating the valet and chaffeuring services for the 280 guests attending the private dinners—who had their cars valet-parked before traveling to the Drake by limo and bus—proved to be a logistical hurdle. "This event is pretty close to what Bloor Street Entertains does, but here it was a challenge because of the locations of all the dinners," she said. "We wanted to make it as easy for guests as we could."
Staffers, with their faces painted with masks, greeted partygoers in the front lobby, took their coats, and ushered them into the main room, where servers handed out the party's signature cocktail: a lavender orchid martini made with gin, Chambord, lime juice, and ginger ale and garnished with edible flowers. A main-floor grazing table at the end of the bar included snacks like oysters, jumbo shrimp cocktail, maki sushi, and smoked salmon on cucumber rounds. Easels placed around the room displayed coloured drawings of the C.A.M.H. redevelopment project, and an area in the back allowed guests to have complimentary photos taken. Television screens throughout the hotel showed the party's hand-drawn logo by local artist Jeff Jackson.
Upstairs, a mystery raffle room held coloured gift bags filled with $10,000 worth of prizes, and elaborately costumed models—who arrived sporadically throughout the evening—walked around the venue selling raffle tickets. On the lower level of the hotel, a sundae bar by Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream offered three unusual flavours (including vanilla cardamom), whipped cream, pistachios, sauces, and cookies. As the evening progressed, servers proffered hot snacks in large baskets, including spicy fries, grilled cheeses, and chicken wings, and mini desserts like key lime pie and white-chocolate mousse cake.
An hour and a half after the doors opened, host George Stroumboulopoulos took to the microphone with more details about the evening and touted the C.A.M.H. project—which is opening its first set of new buildings in April—as "a piece of property integrated into the community, not a separate entity." A live art auction held downstairs featured eight pieces from local artists, including the renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky. The evening also included a performance by singer Serena Ryder and a guest DJ gig by K-OS.
—Erin Letson
RELATED TOPICS
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, C.A.M.H. Foundation, George Stroumboulopoulos, Bloor Street Entertains
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