At Earth Day Canada’s annual fund-raising gala Wednesday night, the organization not only rode on the success of its environmental programming, but also the positive feedback from last year’s new venue, the Drake Hotel, and the event's “strolling" format.
Deciding not to mess with a good thing, event producer and Kids in the Hall alum Mark McKinney kept last year's strolling dinner element in place, offering a spread of food from chefs Michael Stadtländer of Eigensinn Farm and the Drake’s Anthony Rose. McKinney also added wine tasting stations and television screens that aired the main-stage happenings in other rooms around the venue.
“We’ve really tried to differentiate our event from other fund-raisers, especially by moving away from a sit-down dinner,” said Earth Day Canada president Jed Goldberg. “[McKinney] wanted it to be a little more casual and a little more hip. We tried to create an atmosphere where people really felt like it was a party.”
A V.I.P. cocktail hour divided guests between the venue’s lounge and Sky Yard, a rooftop patio where special guest Denis Hayes—who coordinated the first Earth Day in 1970—praised Ontario’s new energy legislation and addressed the current state of the environment. As the remainder of the guests poured in, food became the main attraction, with several stations highlighting local, artisanal offerings, including a popular veal plate from Stadtländer. Passed hors d’oeuvres like roasted trout sandwiches and skewered strawberries kept guests grazing.
Comedian Sean Cullen hosted the evening, performing a stand-up routine and helping out with the live auction, which included items such as a dinner party with local chefs and a solar hot water system. Author and activist Maude Barlow received an award for her environmental work, and a surprise performance by singer-songwriter and record producer Daniel Lanois rounded out the evening, which drew more than 500 guests.
Event sponsors included Cascade, Yellow Pages Group, the BLM Transportation Group, Flour Power, Green Energy Act Alliance, Panasonic, and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
