The Canadian Stage Company looked to rock 'n' roll and 1950s diners as inspiration for its annual fund-raiser at the Guvernment/Kool Haus on Thursday, which marked the 20th anniversary of the company. More than 500 guests attended the Great Ball of Fire, which took its theme from CanStage's upcoming musical production Fire, based on the life of Jerry Lee Lewis. Marion Hart of MH Event Management worked with a volunteer committee co-chaired by Marcia Lewis Brown and Lee Allison Howe and CanStage artistic producer Martin Bragg to pull the event together.
The 52-table dining room in the Kool Haus received a full '50s diner-style treatment, with giant Coke float centrepieces and record charger plates setting the scene. The cocktail reception in the Guvernment had more subtle decor, with black-and-silver cruiser tables and a screen showing episodes of I Love Lucy.
"Logistically it's been a challenge, because we're using all of the Guvernment and Kool Haus," Hart said. "We're having cocktails in one room, dinner in another, and then back to the first room for dancing, so it was figuring out how to get people moving between the rooms." The solution? Designing Trendz fashioned a tunnel using 600 metres of red and white velvet fabric to connect the two areas. An Elvis impersonator appeared at the front of the tunnel at dinnertime to direct guests to the dining room.The music and entertainment for the evening included several Elvis tunes and a mix of present-day and retro covers by local band Soular. To accompany the more than 60 silent-auction items (named after '50s song and movie titles) and four live-auction packages, Stephen Ranger of Ritchies revealed two surprise items for guests to bid on: a private performance by CanStage actress Patricia Zentilli and an original song written by composer Jonathan Monro.
The 1950s theme carried into dinner, with diner-uniformed servers passing upgraded TV-dinner fare including tenderloin with lobster mash and five-bean salad with jellied tomatoes. The dessert station included banana splits, Coke floats, Jell-O shots, and Cracker Jacks. Adding to the atmosphere, many guests dressed in vintage formal wear.
All proceeds from the event, presented by the Harbour Group RBC Securities, went to CanStage, which announced a restructuring effort last month to alleviate its deficit. Margaret Sirotich, senior communications manager at CanStage, said the event typically raises $250,000.
The 52-table dining room in the Kool Haus received a full '50s diner-style treatment, with giant Coke float centrepieces and record charger plates setting the scene. The cocktail reception in the Guvernment had more subtle decor, with black-and-silver cruiser tables and a screen showing episodes of I Love Lucy.
"Logistically it's been a challenge, because we're using all of the Guvernment and Kool Haus," Hart said. "We're having cocktails in one room, dinner in another, and then back to the first room for dancing, so it was figuring out how to get people moving between the rooms." The solution? Designing Trendz fashioned a tunnel using 600 metres of red and white velvet fabric to connect the two areas. An Elvis impersonator appeared at the front of the tunnel at dinnertime to direct guests to the dining room.The music and entertainment for the evening included several Elvis tunes and a mix of present-day and retro covers by local band Soular. To accompany the more than 60 silent-auction items (named after '50s song and movie titles) and four live-auction packages, Stephen Ranger of Ritchies revealed two surprise items for guests to bid on: a private performance by CanStage actress Patricia Zentilli and an original song written by composer Jonathan Monro.
The 1950s theme carried into dinner, with diner-uniformed servers passing upgraded TV-dinner fare including tenderloin with lobster mash and five-bean salad with jellied tomatoes. The dessert station included banana splits, Coke floats, Jell-O shots, and Cracker Jacks. Adding to the atmosphere, many guests dressed in vintage formal wear.
All proceeds from the event, presented by the Harbour Group RBC Securities, went to CanStage, which announced a restructuring effort last month to alleviate its deficit. Margaret Sirotich, senior communications manager at CanStage, said the event typically raises $250,000.
Coke float centrepieces
Photo: BizBash
The dining room was divided into four sections—Milk Duds, Tootsie Roll, Ice Cream Sundae, and Coke Float—to help guests find their seats easily.
Photo: BizBash
Servers dressed in retro diner uniforms served hors d'oeuvres like blinis with caviar on blue-lit trays.
Photo: BizBash
Tall glasses filled with shiny beads and topped with hydrangeas, Coke bottles, and straws created giant Coke float centrepieces.
Photo: BizBash
Table settings consisted of records as charger plates, red water goblets, satin napkins, and paper tubes filled with guests' gifts—authentic Life magazines from the 1950s.
Photo: BizBash
Retro Coke pails filled with flowers and bottles topped some of the dinner tables.
Photo: BizBash
A tunnel from the cocktail reception to the dining area was made from 600 metres of red and white fabric.
Photo: BizBash
Tall poster boards with images of '50s icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Muhammad Ali decorated the cocktail reception area.
Photo: BizBash
A fire decal at the front entrance referenced the event's name, the Great Ball of Fire.
Photo: BizBash
