| EVENT REPORT 03.09.09 1:41 PM |
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| Greece Was the Word |
| The upcoming production of Shirley Valentine inspired the Greek theme for the Canadian Stage Company's ball. |
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Organizers of the Canadian Stage Company’s annual Theatre Ball aimed to create the feel of the Greek islands for Thursday's fund-raiser, dubbed "A Night in Mykonos," complete with authentic food, dancing—and of course, ouzo. “Traditionally, the theme of the event is based on one of the productions the company is doing that season,” said event planner Marion Hart of MH Event Management. “This year it’s based on the show Shirley Valentine, which opens later this month and is about a housewife who goes to Greece and is reinvigorated. With the production taking place in Mykonos, it was easy to come up with decor ideas.”
About 400 supporters of the theatre company arrived at the Arcadian Court armed with boarding passes and wearing white Grecian dresses and linen suits. Flight attendants welcomed guests into an area called the departure lounge and guided attendees past a human statue and toward an antipasto bar and the silent auction tables. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Incoming artistic and general director Matthew Jocelyn (left) posed for photos with outgoing artistic producer Martin Bragg, who is stepping down after 17 seasons with the Canadian Stage Company.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | A model dressed as a Greek statue stood near the entrance.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Outgoing artistic producer Martin Bragg hosted the event and served as the auctioneer for the evening.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Greek flags adorned an archway leading into the dining room.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Organizers hung strands of white lights above the dining tables.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Simple terra-cotta pots filled with planted azaleas and blue and white linens and china added to the Greek theme.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | The silent auction included eight tickets to an Il Divo concert and a private tour of the Bata Shoe Museum.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Event organizers used a fishing boat and beach chair to create a Greek-themed vignette.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | The facade of a home reminiscent of those found in Greek villages stood in the corner of the dining room.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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 | Organizers dressed the dining room in blue and white decor for the Greek-themed fund-raiser.
Photo: Gary Beechey |
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Outgoing artistic producer Martin Bragg conducted the live auction featuring Cartier jewelry, access to a private residence in Los Cabos, Mexico, and a day with one of the company’s directors, Donna Feore. The big prize of the night, a trip to Athens, Greece, was raffled off after the dinner of grilled seafood skewers brushed in lemon butter, lamp chop, oregano-marinated chicken breast, and baklava.
Although the prizes were extravagant, the ball organizers decided early in the planning stages to downsize this year’s event due to the economy. The committee chose a smaller venue with fewer tables to sell to corporate sponsors, and spending was scaled back. “We still have to raise money for the company, and in a year like this we have to be seen as being prudent,” said Tenny Nigoghossian, the company’s executive director of advancement. “But we knew we could do it in a way so that people would still have fun and enjoy the event they have loved for years.”
—Amy Lazar
RELATED TOPICS
Canadian Stage Company
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