Yep, that gem that was #summer14 is pretty much over.
Yesterday, we brought you 15 reasons to feel better about the summer ending. And you’ll note that one of them is the return of charity event season.
These days, when nights out seem to happen less often, you may as well do it properly.
As in, busting out the tux and new evening dress, mingling with other young professionals (YPs), and enjoying an open bar and all the other perks that come with a Toronto charity event.
Like, say, supporting a good cause other than the #icebucketchallange.
9th Annual Friends for Life Gala: FFL9 – Joie de Vivre!
Beneficiary: SickKids Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Canada
The Friends for Life Gala offers a double dosage of a good cause in its support of both cystic fibrosis and SickKids. Toronto YPs, and best friends, Erick Bauer and Steve Cameron, founded it in 2005. Bauer was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of six and Cameron was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 16. Their paths crossed as 16-year-old patients at SickKids hospital, where they would become ‘friends for life’ and later start the charity.
In addition to hearing first hand from both Eric and Steve as well as the beneficiaries of the charity (last year, there was barely a dry eye in the house), guests can expect to mingle with fellow YPs (these guys have a lot of friends), while enjoying complimentary cocktails, culinary creations, live entertainment, a silent auction, and a (very heated, judging from last year) live auction.
When: Friday, September 26th
Where: One King West
Operanation:
Beneficiary: The Canadian Opera Company
We’ve said it before; Operanation is the charity event of the fall season. For starters, you can never be too elegant, glamorous, or James Bond-esque for an event held within the stunning glass walls of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Secondly, the food is always delicious and satisfies both your sweet and savoury cravings with ample options. Finally, the event always features a special mash-up performance by the COC Ensemble Orchestra and well-known musicians like Nelly Furtado, The Arkells, and Broken Social Scene, to name just a few of the past performers.
When: Thursday, October 16th
Where: The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Boobyball: Big Top Booby
Beneficiary: Rethink Breast Cancer
Boobyball holds a special place in the hearts of Toronto young professionals. Why? It’s likely the first charity event you started attending in your YP life. And there’s always a fun theme. And with promises of an over-the-top circus motif – this year is no exception. This means a packed house (it sells out every year) of some of the city’s hottest YPs.
A circus theme also means things like grand marquees, festival food, contortionists, fortunetellers, tiger tamers, ringmasters…the list goes on. And you know what this means for you: the excuse to wear a costume.
When: Friday, October 17th
Where: Kool Haus
Bloor St. Entertains
Beneficiary: Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR)
It’s a bit of a pricey option, but Bloor St. Entertains is always a hot ticket for those on the slightly older end of the young professional age spectrum who have, well, ‘made it.’
Beginning at one of our favourite venues, The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the evening uplifts those late November spirits with a glitzy and ever so glamorous (you can’t go too big) party filled with the city’s finest. Of course, it’s also packed with performances, hot auction items, cocktails, and dinosaur bones.
But that’s not all. After the pre-party, guests grace their favourite Bloor-Yorkville boutiques and galleries for a culinary experience like no other, as the spaces are transformed into elegant dining areas. Just think of the connections waiting to be made among dinner guests…
As an added bit of icing on the cake, the evening ends right where it began – at the ROM – for an after party that will be well worth the Wednesday morning hangover.
When: Tuesday, November 25th
Where: Royal Ontario Museum
#NOTABLE
Images: Operanation- Tara Noelle, Cover- Eyecontact Photography
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.