On Thursday, June 21, Liberty Village was bustling with the 3rd annual Sinai Soiree held at Maro, which brought over 400 well-dressed and ready to party young professionals to the city’s west end for a night of cocktails, savoury comfort food, scantily clad models and, of course, a good cause. The dreary weather didn’t hinder the mood inside for the must-attend event, which benefitted women’s health and cancer research.
The night of “opulence and intrigue” was hosted by Future Sinai – a division of the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary that includes a group of young professionals with a demographic of 20 to 30-year-old YPs who work to advance, promote and fundraise for Mount Sinai Hospital. This year, Future Sinai collaborated with Leadership Sinai, a division of the Mount Sinai Foundation that reflects a demographic of 30 to 45-year-old professionals, to increase the profile of the event to the Greater Toronto Area. Judging from the crowd, they managed to do just that.
YP event circuit favourite The Food Dudes provided a little comfort food for the rainy evening, including their famous quesadillas, baby grilled cheese, deep-fried macaroni and cheese and sliders. The eats were complemented with signature cocktails supplied by Skyy vodka. An artist rotated among the crowd, drawing self portraits of guests who were eager to put their mingling on hold and sit still for a few minutes for a rendering of their cartoon-esque selves.
As a sexy and sultry addition (and much to the delight of the gentlemen), images and videos on large screens along with live models showcased lingerie from Italian fashion house Cosabella and Jessica Mulroney’s luxury shapewear line ResultWear. With models donned in lingerie dancing on the bars and mingling with the crowd in the skin tight black shapewear (typically meant to be worn underneath dresses to enhance a woman’s best assets), the impromptu fashion experiences broke the mold of the classic runway show and stimulated the senses of the guests. Furthering the sensory experience was the “Invent Your Scent” lounge, hosted by Aromachology.
When eTALK’S Ben Mulroney took the stage in front of a packed house, he had quite the challenge of hushing the crowd, who were busy excitedly catching up and mingling with their peers. He handled it like a professional, stating that he had had two kids and could be “very, very patient” or could also be a “long-winded shmuck.” He informed the crowd that 90 years ago, four women raised $12,000 to purchase land for the first Mount Sinai location, which was at 100 Yorkville, the current Teatro Verde store. It’s original facade still remains.
Future Sinai co-chairs Ashley Steinhauer and Lauren Winberg’s passion and dedication to the cause was clearly evident as they revealed that the evening raised $65,000 for cancer research. “My great grandmother was a Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary volunteer in the 1960s. It is an incredible feeling to know that we are connected through our passion for philanthropy. I know she’d be proud of what Mount Sinai has become and where Future Sinai is going to take the next generation,” said Winberg.
The Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary was founded in 1953 to assist Mount Sinai Hospital with raising funds and community awareness to provide the best patient care. Through its special events and fundraising programs, the Auxiliary is one of the largest single donors to Mount Sinai Hospital.
The event was a decided success and guests stayed well into the evening, with the $20 cab vouchers supplied by Crown Taxi welcomed by the “well hydrated’ guests when it was time to call it a night.
Photo credit: Omar Leslie