General Themes

Trio Zazi welcomed guests at the entrance, giving a performance from floating platforms.

The Blue Sky cocktail reception, sponsored by BMO, kicked off the gala. The blue carpet, white furniture, and white draping matched both Bell and BMO's brand colours. Two dome lights lit the space.

Guests purchased raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the Samsung galleries, on display in the cocktail area.

The 116-foot-long stage and runway was backed by large screens. A circular lighting truss lit the centre stage. V.I.P. guests got prime views of the performances from raised platforms.

Two pools of water lined the runway. The screens parted like curtains between performances and speeches.

Menus were folded into pyramids and invited guests to "Open and Reveal the Night."

The centrepieces changed colour with the lighting truss and the images of day, night, and dawn skies on the screens.

Pavlova roulade with candied blueberries was served for dessert.

Acclaimed Ukrainian dance troop Freedom Ballet performed after dinner.

Dancers incorporated masks, a reference to people with mental illness, into the performances.

Mary Pallattella, Capital C's creative director of events, said the event "came to life" based on an image that she found of an alluring alleyway. The alley image inspired the save-the-date and the video invite; it also inspired the setup at the entrance to the event. Guarded by a gangster character (more on him later), the entryway had a graffiti sign that read "No Killjoys." There was also an illuminated image of 1920s icon Louise Brooks.

Milan Sukunda, associate creative director at Capital C, always plays a character at the company's parties; this year, he was an ornery gangster who greeted guests at the door. If they forgot the event's password, Sukunda made them say: "Milan is awesome. He is so much smarter than [Capital C C.E.O.] Tony [Chapman]."

A ritzy area called the Moon Lounge had layers of glowing, reflective elements. Mylar balloons on mirrors reflected light, which bounced off sequins on glittering linens. Playing off the company's logo, the area also had a big mirrored "C" in which guests could sit. Capital C designed the event, and Devan handled decor.

In the Moon Lounge, noted Toronto jazz singer Errol Fisher performed with his band. Channeling glitzy lounges of the 1920s, seashells and drapes spruced up the stage.

In the lounge area, café tables with sequined linens were topped with globes and rings of baby's breath. At the tables, guests sat to have snacks prepared by chef Domenic Chiaromonte of C2 Catering Couture. The menu included pulled-pork "cigars," "moneybag" ravioli, and "moonshine chowder."

To the right of the glitzy lounge, a gangster-themed area area had a lineup of famous gangsters including Al Capone. There were outlined feet on the floor that guest could stand on to be photographed as part of lineup.

Near the lineup, Chicago-style pizza was served on a table that had a faux cement top with shoe tips sticking out of it. The "encased body" was another cheeky nod to the gangster lifestyle.

In another area, the team recreated Al Capone's Philadelphia jail cell. Prison bars and ghostly images of the notorious gangster were projected onto the windows. There was also a voice in the background that was meant to sound like the spirit of Capone haunting the cell; a corner toilet was the final, jail-cell-inspired touch. Apex Sound and Light handled audiovisual production.

One space channeled a taxi-dance hall, which was a type of nightclub that had "dime-a-dance" entertainers in the 1920s. Guests of the era could pay 10 cents to dance with a girl for 90 seconds, so Pallattella hired models to wear period costumes and dance with employees. The dance hall also had big, black-and-white photos of women from the 1920s.

There was, of course, a speakeasy area. It doled out drinks called "Chappy's Hooch," named for company C.E.O. Tony Chapman. At the entrance to the space, a hostess held a violin case filled with shots. Inside, LED lights filled whiskey bottles, and beer was served in old gasoline cans.

A quartet played from a central stage during the cocktail reception. The women wore fake mustaches, top hats, and suspenders to add to the decor.

Dinner was served in the Governor's Room.

White roses and crystals dangled from candelabra, forming the centrepieces for the dinner tables.

At the whimsical POGO Gala after-party, oversize Moooi chandeliers and paper flowers hung from the ceiling.

To match the 'Inspire' theme, William Fulghum Design Associates decorated the ceiling with oversize Moooi chandeliers and paper flowers.

Other paper elements include vases.

Grey lounge areas sat in the centre of the Artifacts Room.

Guests bought raffle tickets for the chance to win Tiffany & Company jewelry.