| EVENT REPORT 10.30.09 3:47 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Baycrest Foundation Stages Ballroom Dance Competition for Annual Gala |
|
Taking a cue from Dancing With the Stars, the Baycrest Foundation enlisted six community leaders and created its own ballroom dance competition for the organization's annual gala, held at the Sheraton Centre on Thursday. Michael Rosen, Baycrest's director of special events and corporate sponsorships, used lighting and lots of sparkle to create the feel of a television studio for the event, dubbed the Dancing With Our Stars Gala.
"We wanted it to be fresh, sparkly, and clean. There are no programs on the tables, no gifting, not a lot of flowers. Really what we've done is we've created a television show within a hotel ballroom," said Rosen who called on Gary Topp of Toppnotch Services Inc. to produce the event. The company constructed a stage and dance floor for the competition and worked with Metalworks Productions Inc. on the audiovisual and lighting for the event. "The whole idea is sparkle. When the lights go, it's going to be wild," Rosen said. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Six community leaders, each paired with a professional dancer, participated in a ballroom dance competition during the gala.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Celebrity judges included comedian Colin Mochrie, actor Deb McGrath, and dancer and choreographer Marc Kimelman.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | The Anita Rossi Band provided the music for the dance performances.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Event organizers used lighting to create the feel of being in a television studio.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Pink roses and crystal candelabra topped tables throughout the dining room.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | White sofas, mirror-topped tables, and sequined pillows from Lounge Rentals added sparkle to the dancers' lounge.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Models dressed in bodysuits covered in lip imprints and the logo "Kiss Dementia Goodbye" sold raffle tickets for the chance to win a Rolex watch.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Blue lighting filled the reception area where guests could participate in a silent auction throughout the evening.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | A display at the entrance to the event set the tone for the event.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
 | Hors d'oeuvres included mini burgers, spring rolls, and tuna tartare in phyllo cups.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the dance competition, the foundation recruited six community leaders—Toronto Argonaut co-owner David Cynamon, philanthropist Wendy Switzer Myles, Deloitte vice chairman Garry Foster, RSM Richter vice president Robert Harlang, artist Tootsie Halbert, and Rose Corporation C.E.O. Sam Reisman. Participants were paired with a professional dancer from Toronto Dance Inc. and spent two months training for the event.
"These people have all been involved with Baycrest for many years. They're all dedicated to the cause," said Ruth Morayniss, director of marketing and donor communications. "Mark Gryfe, the president of the Baycrest Foundation, came up with the idea because he loves Dancing With the Stars and he thought we should do our own version. The staff embraced it and we went for it."
To raise funds, the dancers posted personal video appeals on YouTube that conveyed why they felt compelled to support Baycrest, an academic health sciences centre known for its care of aging adults. The dancers also sent out regular e-blasts with links to footage from their practice sessions to increase awareness and enlist support from friends and business associates. Collectively, the six dancers raised more than $1 million in pledges.
During the event, guests had the opportunity to vote by text message for their favourite performance. MyThum Interactive Inc. tabulated the audience votes, which were then compiled with the scores from three celebrity judges—comedian Colin Mochrie, actor Deb McGrath, and choreographer Marc Kimelman. Television and radio personality Ralph Benmergui hosted the evening.
Designing Trendz handled the decor. Pink and blue linens topped tables throughout the room and round crystal candelabra, accented with pink roses, served as centerpieces. Tall glass candleholders topped cocktail tables in the reception area, where guests could bid on silent auction items like Canali and Hugo Boss suits and an evening gown from Hugo Nicholson. Models wearing bodysuits covered with lip prints and the tagline "Kiss Dementia Goodbye" sold raffle tickets for the chance to win a Rolex watch. Guests who purchased the $100 tickets received a lip-shaped gloss on a silver ribbon.
Event sponsors included RioCan, Royal de Versailles, Rolex, Deloitte, KIK Custom Products, RBC Capital Markets, RSM Richter, Scotiabank, Cineplex Entertainment, Fabricland, Great Gulf Homes, the Rose Corporation, Onex, and Harry Rosen.
Correction: This story has been updated to credit Toppnotch Services Inc. with the event production.
—Susan O'Neill
RELATED TOPICS
The Baycrest Foundation, Dancing With the Stars, RioCan, Royal de Versailles, Rolex, Deloitte, KIK Custom Products, RBC Capital Markets, RSM Richter, Scotiabank, Cineplex Entertainment, Fabricland, Great Gulf Homes, the Rose Corporation, Onex, Harry Rosen
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
OCAD Gala Kicks Off Mystery Art Sale
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
Developer Hosts Green Cocktail Party, Mini Trade Show to Unveil Eco-Friendly Homes
New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves
Dark and Moody Accents, Animal-Inspired Decor Appear on Tabletops at Diffa's Dining by Design
MORE STORIES ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS
How to Recreate a Reality Show for a Group
MORE STORIES ABOUT RIOCAN
Big Band Era Inspires Mount Sinai's 55th Anniversary Ball
MORE STORIES ABOUT ROYAL DE VERSAILLES
Scarlett Ball Adopts Speakeasy Theme With Flappers, Newspaper Boys
MORE STORIES ABOUT ROLEX
Porsche Partners With Prada, Rolex for Panamera Launch
MORE STORIES ABOUT DELOITTE
Umbrellas and Rainwear Fill the CFC's Annual TIFF Barbecue
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Panorama Lounge
On the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre in downtown Toronto’s fashionable Yorkville district, Panorama is one of Canada’s most unique venues. Hosting seated dinners for as many as 120 people and cocktail receptions for as many as 300, the venue features panoramic views both to the north and south, outdoor tented patios, and contemporary modern decor. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Northern Valet
Northern Valet is a customer-service-oriented parking solutions company. Northern Valet provides a luxury service founded on efficiency and customer care, providing the basis for customer satisfaction vital to growth and repeat business. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Streampoint Solutions Inc.
Streampoint Solutions aims to make your event registration simple! Streampoint Solutions has experienced unparalleled success in servicing the conference, workshops, and special event community. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
