With several benefits and galas happening in the city each week, attracting attendees and luring celebrity guests can be a hard sell. Not so for Vivienne Muhling. When Muhling, a board member at Performing Arts Lodges (PAL), began planning Monday's Scrabble With the Stars benefit she was not only swamped with requests for tickets, she was inundated with requests from local celebrities who wanted to take part in the tournament. "Every year I get more and more requests for invitations," Muhling said.
The event, now in its fourth year, has more than doubled in size. "Our first one was just 20 little tables in our own green room at PAL Place," Muhling said. "Then last year we were at St. Lawrence Hall and now we've been given this great Grand Banking Hall in the Suites at 1 King West." A total of 160 guests, including 40 celebrities, attended the event, hosted by comic Colin Mochrie and his wife, Deb McGrath. Jeanne Beker, Gordon Pinsent, and Sarah Polley were among those who went word for word with patrons at the fund-raiser, which also included a buffet dinner and a silent auction."I think the big attraction with us is the stars are all willing to give their services because it is an event that helps the arts," Muhling said. PAL, which operates PAL Place, a residential complex in downtown Toronto, provides affordable accommodation and healthcare for members of the entertainment industry. "For us it's very, very easy [to attract stars to the event]," Muhling said. "Some of our stars live here. The stars come out because this is for their people...the stars feel they are giving to their own."
The event, now in its fourth year, has more than doubled in size. "Our first one was just 20 little tables in our own green room at PAL Place," Muhling said. "Then last year we were at St. Lawrence Hall and now we've been given this great Grand Banking Hall in the Suites at 1 King West." A total of 160 guests, including 40 celebrities, attended the event, hosted by comic Colin Mochrie and his wife, Deb McGrath. Jeanne Beker, Gordon Pinsent, and Sarah Polley were among those who went word for word with patrons at the fund-raiser, which also included a buffet dinner and a silent auction."I think the big attraction with us is the stars are all willing to give their services because it is an event that helps the arts," Muhling said. PAL, which operates PAL Place, a residential complex in downtown Toronto, provides affordable accommodation and healthcare for members of the entertainment industry. "For us it's very, very easy [to attract stars to the event]," Muhling said. "Some of our stars live here. The stars come out because this is for their people...the stars feel they are giving to their own."
Comedian Colin Mochrie, known for his improv work on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, hosted the event with his wife, Deb McGrath.
Photo: andreasphoto.ca
Local celebrities in attendance signed their names to a Scrabble With the Stars poster.
Photo: andreasphoto.ca
