The sixth annual gala fund-raiser for the National Ballet of Canada, called "Mad Hot Wonderland," was held at the
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday with the goal of raising $1 million. The event began with a performance of excerpts from the ballet's current season, including many from the production of
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. A reception for 1,892 followed the performance, as well as dinner and dancing for 650 V.I.P. guests. The event ultimately surpassed its fund-raising goal, bringing in $1,124,500.
The guiding idea for the event was “mad tea party,” explained Jennifer Zimmerman, manager of special events at the National Ballet. At the reception, guests wore their craziest hats for a chance to win a seat at the V.I.P. dinner. Servers circulated with mini cupcakes and scones, and cocktails were served in teacups. "We wanted everyone to leave feeling like it was an original event that was really a party, and that there wasn’t a sell to it,” said Zimmerman. The event did not have a silent auction. Instead, guests could purchase raffle tickets from staffers dressed up as Alice, who dispersed themselves throughout the party.
After the reception, which took over all three floors of the Four Seasons Centre, the V.I.P. guests were ushered back into R. Fraser Elliot Hall to dine on the same stage where the performance had taken place an hour and a half before. “Our biggest challenge is moving that many people,” Zimmerman said. Employing a new tactic this year, a staffer dressed as a white rabbit went from guest to guest, warning each not to be late for a very important date, and encouraging guests to head to the dinner space. Another challenge for staffers was breaking down the staging for the performance and setting up the dinner tables in just over an hour. The tables matched the reception theme, with checkerboard designs and mismatched gold and silver cutlery. Celebrity chef Mark McEwan prepared the meal.
Sponsors included CIBC, The Globe and Mail, and CTV.
