Invitations to the Grand Pas de Deux 2009: My Funky Valentine gala—held Saturday at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and benefiting Canada’s National Ballet School—indicated a dress code of black tie and sneakers for the men, and hot pink and bling for the women. The suggestion puzzled some guests but fit into the evening’s colour scheme and funky theme, said the school's event manager, Mina Cicconi.
“I was thinking about what in contemporary culture kicks up a stir, and for me it’s street style. So the dress code came from that,” Cicconi said. “I got a few calls about it from people unsure about what it meant, but in the end everyone has come around.” The school's 20th annual gala drew about 500 people—wearing all shades of pink—who kicked up their sneakered heels to the sound of Lenny Graf’s Swing Band in honour of philanthropists Kiki and Ian Delaney.
Upon arrival, guests could have their picture taken on a small stage with some of the student dancers or a male model Cicconi hired to dress up as Cupid. Inside the dining hall, floor-length hot pink linens topped tables surrounded by Ghost chairs. To add some bling, the clear chargers at every place setting had a hot pink napkin held with an oversize faux diamond ring, and place-card holders held miniature Valentine’s Day cards.
Simple pink floral arrangements and clear pillar candleholders topped tables throughout the room, with the exception of the head table. McNabb Roick Events, which handled the decor, used a unique centrepiece featuring a tree with hanging votives and pink and white orchids. A circular pink and white bar added to the theme.
After a dinner of roasted red pepper and fennel bisque, roasted beef tenderloin filet mignon with Gruyère risotto, and a rosé ice wine gelee for dessert, guests watched four performances by students of the ballet school. Seamus O’Reagan, cohost of Canada AM, hosted the event for the second consecutive year. The gala raised $700,000 for the N.B.S.
The event also included a live auction featuring items like a helicopter ride over Toronto, a Caribbean getaway, a So You Think You Can Dance Canada package, and a last-minute addition of a Soulpepper Theatre package, which consisted of season tickets and one of the shoes that artistic director Albert Schultz wore in the production of The Odd Couple.
