When you have comedian Russell Peters as a celebrity guest DJ, some of Canada’s top TV talent, medal-winning Olympic athletes and pretty much every Toronto influencer in attendance, there is no way it is going to be a dull party. Last night, we hit the luxurious third floor ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel for the third annual Right to Play Ball. Famed Canadian fashion journalist, photographer and philanthropist Glen Baxter once again hosted the packed fundraiser – and all his fabulous friends joined him.
First things first: Right to Play is an NGO that uses sport and play to empower children and youth in disadvantaged communities throughout the world. Baxter currently sits on Right To Play’s Board of Champions and is the Founder and Chairman of the annual Toronto ball, a hot ticket event that raises money and awareness for the NGO. Baxter has joined Right to Play staff members and volunteers in trips to Africa and Asia and saw first-hand the work that the organization does with the children. His passion for the cause was glaringly apparent when he addressed the crowd to speak of the initiative, refusing to continue until all perpetually bantering guests silenced for a few minutes.
The evening kicked off with a private VIP reception with Peters, followed by a red carpet that was graced by Olympic athletes like the Sochi silver-medal winning figure skater Patrick Chan (stay tuned on Monday for our interview with him), Amanda Brugel (Seed) and Natalie Brown (Being Human), in addition, of course, to Peters himself. He was in good spirits and was happy to chat with the line of media waiting to get a few words in. Stay tuned later today to hear his thoughts on the charity, sports, what really goes on in his brain during a stand-up show, and his favourite thing about Toronto.
In addition to Peters and the Olympic athletes, charity ball regulars like Glen Baxter, Stacey McKenzie, Jenna Bitove Naumovich, Ainsley Kerr, Jay Strut, Jen Kirsch, Suzanne Rogers and Andrea Bolley (among many others), along with the ample amount of perpetual photo-snapping media, assured the crowd that this was the party to be at. In her signature dance party nature, McKenzie and friends ended up in the DJ booth alongside Peters.
Thanks to the music, which included no shortage classic, very singable favourites, the dance floor remained packed all night. The vodka and energy drink-packed bar could also have played a role. Though there was passed food all evening, nothing was more well received by guests than the midnight grilled cheese and poutine.
It was just warm (OK, not warm, but pleasant) enough for guests – smoker or not – not to not freeze their well-dressed butts off on the Shangri-La’s beloved terrace, which was tented and featured another bar with shorter wait times than the one inside.
In just two years, the Right to Play Ball has grown from 200 people at Peter Freed’s (Freed Developments) office on the private PH floor of the Thompson Toronto to the 350 fabulous guests that filled the Shangri-La ballroom this year.
For more information on Right to Play, check out the website – and don’t miss out next year.
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#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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