Power Ball 7 is definitely not your father's fund-raiser. Although its target market is the deep-pocketed establishment set, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery's annual blowout as gained a reputation as the Dionysiac high point of the Toronto social calendar. This year's event, set to the theme of the seven deadly sins, did not disappoint. Attendees were treated to an orgy of extravagance and debauchery—including the opportunity to bare their chests for a photo, subsequently printed on a wearable button.
Seven Canadian fashion designers, including Paul Hardy and r.u., contributed their talents to bring the theme to life. Gala committee member and co-chairwoman Suzanne Cohon charged each designer with creating an ensemble inspired by one of the sins. The dresses were worn by Cohon (Envy) and the other organizers, as well as celebrity guest Vivica A. Fox (Greed). Birks did its part by festooning Fox in $1 million of diamond line bracelets, chokers, and rings.
As the evening got under way, guests were guided by staff from the Butler Did It to a seated dinner with decor by Jeffry Roick of McNabb Roick Events. Roick created a lush atmosphere with fragrant white blooms in large glass containers and brown linens on square tables. Gold chargers and dark brown linen napkins from Chair-man Mills finished the look. Caterer Daniel et Daniel collaborated with sponsor Campbell Company of Canada to incorporate the latter's Gardennay soup into the menu. Other dinner options included seared foie gras drizzled with a chili-infused chocolate sauce and a medallion of lobster and breast of quail served with cocotte potato, baby carrots, and quail eggs.
The post-repast entertainment was spread throughout the venue in various rooms and tents, each dedicated to one of the seven sins. A six-foot welded steel peacock by sculptor Allison Norlen was the centrepiece of the Pride cocktail tent. Meanwhile, a representation of a vagina by artist Martin Creed served as the entrance to the Lust party space. Just outside, Paige Gratland operated what she called her "tit-pin machine," producing the aforementioned buttons, which proved to be one of the evening's big attractions.
In the Envy room, two-dimensional renderings of the designers' gowns were on display. Attendees had the chance to vote for their favorite as they waited to get their hair and makeup done courtesy of Salon Jie.
The Gluttony room, hosted by artist/promoter Will Munro, was lit in orange and featured an enormous video display from Westbury National Show Systems. The display showed live footage of guests with unusual and ambiguous graphics of people, buildings, and other images in red and orange from Holo FX laid over the top.
Dance music was supplied in the Sloth dance area by DJ Luis Jacob, who kept the crowd up late into the night.
—Patrick Allossery
Seven Canadian fashion designers, including Paul Hardy and r.u., contributed their talents to bring the theme to life. Gala committee member and co-chairwoman Suzanne Cohon charged each designer with creating an ensemble inspired by one of the sins. The dresses were worn by Cohon (Envy) and the other organizers, as well as celebrity guest Vivica A. Fox (Greed). Birks did its part by festooning Fox in $1 million of diamond line bracelets, chokers, and rings.
As the evening got under way, guests were guided by staff from the Butler Did It to a seated dinner with decor by Jeffry Roick of McNabb Roick Events. Roick created a lush atmosphere with fragrant white blooms in large glass containers and brown linens on square tables. Gold chargers and dark brown linen napkins from Chair-man Mills finished the look. Caterer Daniel et Daniel collaborated with sponsor Campbell Company of Canada to incorporate the latter's Gardennay soup into the menu. Other dinner options included seared foie gras drizzled with a chili-infused chocolate sauce and a medallion of lobster and breast of quail served with cocotte potato, baby carrots, and quail eggs.
The post-repast entertainment was spread throughout the venue in various rooms and tents, each dedicated to one of the seven sins. A six-foot welded steel peacock by sculptor Allison Norlen was the centrepiece of the Pride cocktail tent. Meanwhile, a representation of a vagina by artist Martin Creed served as the entrance to the Lust party space. Just outside, Paige Gratland operated what she called her "tit-pin machine," producing the aforementioned buttons, which proved to be one of the evening's big attractions.
In the Envy room, two-dimensional renderings of the designers' gowns were on display. Attendees had the chance to vote for their favorite as they waited to get their hair and makeup done courtesy of Salon Jie.
The Gluttony room, hosted by artist/promoter Will Munro, was lit in orange and featured an enormous video display from Westbury National Show Systems. The display showed live footage of guests with unusual and ambiguous graphics of people, buildings, and other images in red and orange from Holo FX laid over the top.
Dance music was supplied in the Sloth dance area by DJ Luis Jacob, who kept the crowd up late into the night.
—Patrick Allossery
At Power Ball 7, Westbury National Show Systems installed a video wall depicting a live feed of guests with graphics by Holo FX laid over the top.
Designer dresses suggesting the seven deadly sins were put on display in a two-dimensional presentation.
Planner and event designer Jeffry Roick of McNabb Roick Events created a pre-party gala dinner with lush arrangements of white blooms, greenery, and golden table accents.
Green was one of the dominant colours in the Envy room, where guests could get their hair and makeup done courtesy of Salon Jie.
