Quarter Life Crisis at Power Ball

On June 14, young professionals revisited their quarter-life crisis at Toronto’s annual Power Ball fundraiser at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. The theme paid homage to the gallery’s 25th anniversary, with the event sold out for the third year in a row and attracting 1,700 guests and 450 VIPs. It raised $350,000 for the gallery. 

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The balmy evening was perfect for the outdoor VIP party, held at the sprawling deck next to the gallery and overlooking the lake. The VIP party was hosted by The Society and sponsored by Soho House and Grey Goose and boasted ample deck space, multi-levels and rustic-feeling outdoor furniture (complete with blankets). 

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The VIP area was full with young professionals, media and influencers alike, most regulars on the Toronto event scene, who mingled over the sounds of favourite Toronto DJ Dan Buckman of Bello Sound and a musical performance by Dragonette. To please the palette, there was no shortage of food at the VIP party (the meatballs were a decided winner), or Grey Goose cocktails, which were enjoyed by guests as they took advantage of the breezy waterfront, a scene that almost made us forget we were still in Toronto.  

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The party then moved next door, where the crowd of partygoers had already started to filter in, mingling under a canopy of trees in the outdoor area. Multi-coloured piñatas hung overhead (which, by the time we left, remained in tact) and a Land Rover sat on display, inviting guests to doodle on its exterior with multi-coloured fluorescent markers. Guests could enter to win a weekend away courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover.

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An outdoor cabana hut dished up corn on the cob and a massive bison provided roast bison burgers courtesy of Petite Thuet. A tent on the east side of the outdoor area was a favourite spot for party guests, as they mingled to some of our favourite tunes, including hip hop classics that took us back to our high school days. A large screen featured a 3-D Hugo Boss fashion show that entertained throughout the evening, with guests seemingly equally as thrilled by the 3-D glasses as they were in their youth. 

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Inside, the quarter-life crisis theme was evident throughout the multi-room party, one that rivalled some of Toronto’s favourite YP charity galas. Each room lent itself to discovery and room for youthful play, including a mock talk show (complete with a hotline offering advice on how to get over one’s quarter-life crisis), a photo booth, art installations and art, some of which patrons could touch and feel. A main room featured a smoothly flowing lineup-free bar, stop animation art and, the best part, a massive adult-sized swing. Ensuring that the quarter-life crisis theme did not come with the accompanying over-intoxication, guests remained well fed inside as they chowed down on mac and cheese, poutine and a selection of desserts.

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With all the competing, juxtaposed stimuli and energy levels that reflected those of frosh week, Power Ball couldn’t have celebrated the gallery’s 25th birthday and quarter-life crisis more appropriately. Until next year…