Dolce Vita luxury magazine » Events

Navillus Gallery Grand Opening

Madeline Stephenson — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:12:33 +0000

As the lights in Yorkville’s upscale restaurants began to dim for the dinner rush, the Barton Myers-designed clock tower building on Davenport Road beams brightly to illuminate walls of masterful artwork. On Oct. 25, 2011, collectors, artists and inquisitive crowds gathered for the grand opening of Navillus Gallery, where food, friends and wine flowed freely. Founded by two seasoned art collectors and curated by Taylor Sullivan, Navillus Gallery is filled with a range of pieces that would fit into both formative and established collections. From baroque and Renaissance to impressionist and contemporary, guests of the affair admired a mix of works on paper, photographs and canvases while mingling with artists like Jasmina Danowski, Pasquale Cuppari and Catherine Mills. The gallery debuts with an exhibition called “Decadence and Austerity,” which puts forth a thrilling juxtaposition of two extreme themes. www.navillusgallery.com

Photos: 1. Ed Collins, vice president and portfolio manager, Wellington West Capital; Susan Collins, arts patron 2. Kevin Sullivan, writer/director, CEO, Sullivan Entertainment, Sandy Skotnicki, medical director of Bay Dermatology Centre; Trudy Grant, CEO, Sullivan Entertainment International 3. Guests at the Navillus Gallery grand opening 4. Norman Raschkowan, executive vice-president for Mackenzie Financial Corporation and Kate Raschkowan 5. Susan Bhatia, director of new business development of Dolce Publishing Inc., Michelle Zerillo-Sosa, co-founder and publisher of Dolce Publishing Inc., and Robin Turack 6. Rick Hiebert, art consultant and appraiser, Greg Latremoille, president, Private Client Group, Beutel Goodman & Co. Ltd. 7. Gregory S. Belton, chairman, HUB International and Taylor Sullivan, curator, Navillus Gallery 8. Salvatore M. Badali, partner at Odgers Berndtson, Dawne DuVernet, Peter-Paul DuVernet, counsel at Glaholt LLP Barristers and Solicitors.

133 Hazelton Opening

Michelle Levy — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:14:30 +0000

A gathering of society, business tycoons, celebrities and media celebrated the opening of
133 Hazelton. Champagne flowed and fabulous cocktail cuisine was served throughout the night. Located at the corner of Hazelton and Davenport in Yorkville and designed by Brian Gluckstein, the 35 residences and three townhomes of 133 Hazelton will be ready for occupancy December 2014. 133 Hazelton will be true to the Mizrahi Khalili philosophy, that it’s not just about an alignment of architectural elements, but also about how service meets needs. There will be a fitness retreat, an entertainment suite, guest accommodations and a 24/7 concierge, which will deliver the service of a boutique hotel. www.133hazelton.com

Photos: 1. Developer Sam Mizrahi and designer Brian Gluckstein 2. Fernando Zerillo, Susan Bhatia and Ajay Bhatia 3. Prima ballerina Veronica Tennant and Ted Burnett 4. Ariella Rohringer and Judy Osten 5. Heather and Max Gotlieb 6. Lauren Wise and Micki Mizrahi 7. Sam and Doris Lau 8. Michelle Levy.

Event coverage produced by Michelle Levy Productions

Rally for Kids with Cancer Charity Event [w/video]

Madeline Stephenson — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:28:23 +0000

With the support of fellow celebrities, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, honorary co-chairs Gene Simmons and new wife Shannon Tweed helped raise more than $3 million for Toronto’s SickKids Foundation at the fourth annual Rally for Kids with Cancer charity event.

This inspiring charity weekend that was launched in 2008 by Joel Hock of Solutions with Impact has since spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas. Top fundraisers included local entrepreneurs Oliver Bock of Solutions 2 Go Inc., who rallied almost $550,000; and event sponsor Warren Irwin of Rosseau Asset Management Ltd., who raised over $400,000. “Anything to do with children is extremely important and it should be important to everyone in the world,” says Bock. “Little by little, various cancers are getting more survivable for the kids, so it’s a great cause,” adds Irwin.

Rally for Kids with Cancer continues to drive home the importance of giving back. “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that although this is all glitz and glamour, it really is about kids who are suffering badly, immensely, with cancer, and we should all do our parts,” says Simmons. www.rallyforkids.ca

Photos: 1. Robert Herjavec of Dragons’ Den and actress Sofia Milos. 2. Isaiah Mustafa (The Old Spice Guy) and Joey Mazzuco, SickKids ambassador. 3. Actors Anne Heche and James Tupper. 4. CFL alumnus Damon Allen, Rookie Blue actor Lyriq Bent and Farley Flex. 5. Warren Irwin and model Rachelle Wilde. 6. Singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk and Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida. 7. Toronto Argonauts vice-chair Michael (Pinball) Clemons with wife, Diane Williams. 8. Constance Shaw of Cushman & Wakefield Ltd.; Shannon Tweed and Nicole Davis. 9. Gene Simmons, Warren Irwin, founder of Rosseau Asset Management Ltd.; Shannon Tweed. 10. Ferris Rafauli, president and founder of Grandeur Luxury Homes; musician Kardinal Offishall. 11. Kim Williams, actor Eric Roberts and Jim Williams, CEO and president of Williams Telecommunications. 12. CSI: Miami’s Jonathan Togo. 13. Joel Hock, founder of Rally for Kids with Cancer Foundation and president of Solutions with Impact with wife, Lisa Hock. 14. Rally for Kids with Cancer celebrities and drivers.

La Société French Bistro Grand Opening

Simona Panetta — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:20:37 +0000

Charles Khabouth’s Ink Entertainment makes its mark again with a crowd-pulling destination for Toronto’s socializing pooh-bah. The June grand opening of the French bistro La Société was a mere prelude to its instant success, drawing September stargazers to coalesce for TIFF-inspired dishes and celebrity dinners. “On any given night, when you go in, every seat or almost every seat is taken at dinner,” says Khabouth. La Société’s rich décor and quality imported furniture is apropos to Parisian design sensibilities, which spill throughout mahogany interiors designed by Munge Leung. www.lasociete.ca

Photos: 1. Nightclub impresario Charles Khabouth with La Société partner Danny Soberano. 2. Musician manager Jake Gold with F-List creator Leesa Butler, à la mode. 3. National Post society columnist Shinan Govani and Tony Longo, La Société floor boss and Ink Entertainment’s director of food and beverage. 4. Holt Renfrew’s director of communications Moira Wright and guest. 5. Dancer-choreographer and So You Think you Can Dance Canada judge Blake McGrath. 6. Socialite Ainsley Kerr. 7. Joe Brennan and Daniel Greenglass of Toronto’s J.F. Brennan Design/Build 8. Shinan Govani with friends. 9. Magazine editor Suzanne Boyd and media mogul Moses Znaimer. 10. Christian Vermast of Chestnut Park Realty with Dr. Graham Smith and Stylist Wendy Natale. 11. CP24’s Melissa Grelo and Charles Khabouth. 12. Roots co-founder Michael Budmna and Diane Bald, Roots design director. Photography By George Pimental

Downtown Porsche Grand Opening & Women’s Track Day

Laura O’Marra — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:19:24 +0000

At 68 Parliament St., Helen Ching-Kircher, CEO of Downtown Fine Cars, unveiled one of Porsche’s largest new dealerships in Toronto. The state-of-the-art facility features a modern design that complements the sleek and stylish nature of the Porsches it houses. At a later date, Porsche invited women to Mosport International Raceway to test their driving skills alongside professional drivers. Funds raised were donated to Mount Sinai Hospital’s women’s breast cancer unit.
www.dfcauto.com

Photos: 1. Downtown Porsche raises the roof by celebrating its grand opening in high style. 2. From Left to Right: Nick Rajewski (regional manager of Porsche Cars Canada), Trevor Arthur (director of sales, Porsche Cars Canada), Dixie Kicovich (executive director, Porsche Cars North America), Dave Kurtz (vice president area south, Porsche Cars North America), Louis Martin (marketing specialist, Porsche Cars Canada), Joe Lawrence (president and CEO, Porsche Cars Canada), Thomas Illner (director of after sales, Porsche Cars Canada), Roberto Fazio (director of finance, Porsche Cars Canada), Christine Elliott, (Ontario PC MPP, Whitby-Oshawa), Helen Ching-Kircher (president and CEO, Downtown Fine Cars Group) with husband Peter A. Kircher, John Cappella (director, network development) and Jean Gagnon (regional manager after sales). 3. Philip Leong (vice president and director, RBC Dominion Securities), Cindy Liu (director, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto), Helen Ching-Kircher and Kuo-jan Wang (director, general Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto). 4. Galen Flaherty, Christine Elliott, Helen Ching-Kircher and Peter A. Kircher, and Quinn Flaherty. 5. Crowds gather at Mosport International Raceway for Downtown Porsche’s annual all-ladies racetrack day. 6. Jasmin Rawlinson (director, marketing Porsche Cars Canada) and Helen Ching-Kircher. 7. Helen Ching-Kircher with Dolce Vita Magazine publisher Michelle Zerillo-Sosa.

Rock of Ages Gala

Laura O’Marra — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:18:08 +0000

The Royal Ontario Museum hosted the inaugural Rock of Ages Gala on June 2, 2011, raising funds to acquire the rare and unique Kirwin collection of ores and minerals. The collection will be used as a teaching resource for the scientific community and public, while being housed in Toronto’s facilities. www.rockofagesgala.com

Photos: 1. Sal Badali (chair, ROM Board of Trustees) with Bill Simmons (U of T assistant vice president, university development) 2. Douglas Kirwin (geologist, Kirwin Ore Deposits Collection) with Monica Lin (director of advancement at U of T) 3. Sonny Gordon (chairman, board of directors Dundee Corporation) with Ned Goodman (president and CEO Dundee Corporation) 4. Kimberly Tait (associate curator, mineralogy at the ROM), Dianne Lister (president and executive director, ROM board of governors) and Catherine Beckett, Rock of Ages gala organizing committee member 5. Nadim Allidina and Pam Sethi (Barrick Gold Corporation) 6. Chantal Gosselin (vice president, Goodman Investment Counsel) with Patrick Anderson (chairman and CEO, Dalradian Resources Inc.) 7. Warren Irwin (president and chief investment officer, Rosseau Asset Management) with Constance Shaw 8. John Jentz (managing director of investment banking, Clarus Securities Inc.) with Robert Dixon (vice president of institutional equity sales, Clarus Securities Inc.) Photography By Sabrina Bollenbach

PACE Polo for Heart fundraiser

Laura O’Marra — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:17:17 +0000

The thunderous sound of hooves accompanied renowned polo player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras as he galloped with the Maharaj of Jaipur and the Royal Indian Polo Team at the 2011 PACE Polo for Heart fundraiser. From June 17 – 19, 2011, players of the ‘Sport of Kings’ rode side-by-side, raising money and awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and Southlake Regional Health Centre’s cardiac care unit. With two international polo matches a day, the event generated $100,000 for each charity. www.poloforheart.org

Photos: 1. Ellen Reeves (executive director, Pace Polo for Heart), David Sculthorpe (CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario), Mike Egan, co-chair, Pace Polo for Heart, Princess Diya Kumari and the Maharaj of Jaipur (Narendra Singh) and Sheila Clark, co-chair, Pace Polo for Heart . 2. The Brookfield Financial team with title sponsor Pace Credit Union 3. Justin Fogarty of Heenan Blaikie LLP with friend 4. Canadian Mountie with Ralph Lauren model and polo player Nachos Figueras 5. Angela Palmieri-Zerillo (director of operations and marketing, Dolce Publishing) with daughter Allegra. Photography By Valeria Mitsubata.

Pencils of Promise – 3rd Annual Summer White Party

Simona Panetta — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:28:04 +0000

On June 11th, 2011, Pencils of Promise (PoP) drew some serious attention to Axe Lounge in Southampton, New York for its 3rd annual White Party. Hosted by the PoP NYC Junior Board, Charity Happenings and Social Life Magazine, this rocking event had 250 guests tearing up the dance floor, raising over $20,000 to continue PoP’s efforts of building schools and providing education for children in developing countries. www.pencilsofpromise.org

Photos: Adam Braun with Adam Tichauer, co-organizer of White Party and member of PoP’s NYC Leadership Council; Pencils of Promise (PoP) founder Adam Braun with a group of good friends; The silent auction includes a cap signed by Justin Bieber; Guests dance the night away for a good cause; Adam Braun with Julia Fehrenbach (co-organizer of White Party event) and Nick Onken, PoP photographer. Photos by Marisa Erin Photography.

Suzanne Rogers Presents Marchesa

Michelle Levy — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:02:02 +0000

Suzanne Rogers Presents Marchesa was arguably this year’s most exclusive, must-attend event on Toronto’s social calendar. Held at the Carlu, the glamorous black-tie gala started with an elegant champagne reception, followed by a breathtaking runway show, scrumptious dinner and a rare live auction. The event raised $950,000, with proceeds going towards children’s charities that include the Herbie Fund, the Children’s Aid Foundation, the Rose Home for Children in New Delhi and the Sarah Ferguson Foundation.

Photos: Edward Rogers and uber-film producer Harvey Weinstein; Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson; Ben and Jessica Mulroney; Ophelia and Mike Lazaridis (Research In Motion founder); Rosemary and Richard Coq (Proform Industries); Courtenay Wolfe (president and CEO Salida Capital); Michael and Michelle Levy; Roman and Karen Arbesman with Heather and Max Gotlieb; BT Toronto co-host, Dina Pugliese; Marchesa co-founders Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman with Suzanne Rogers (centre); Vanessa and Mark Mulroney; Sylvia and Robert Mantella (Mantella Corporation); Gina and Paul Godfrey (founders of Herbie Fund ); Jenna Bitove Naumovich. Photos by George Pimentel / Michelle Levy Productions.

Canadian Stage Theatre Ball 2011

Michelle Levy — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:46:27 +0000

This year’s Canadian Stage Theatre Ball “Notte Italiana” was the first fundraising gala to be held at the new Ritz-Carlton Toronto. The evening included a fabulous menu, raffle and unique live and silent auctions. Over $300,000 was raised to help Canadian Stage ensure the ongoing excellence of the company’s artistic programming, artistic development activities, and education and youth initiatives. www.canadianstage.com

Photos: Patrons Sarah, Peter and Diane Gillin; Maureen Parkinson (committee member) and Tenny Nigoghossian (Canadian Stage executive director of advancement); Steve Doss, Sandra Keeley, Andrée Appleton (committee member); Matthew Jocelyn (Canadian Stage artistic and general director) and Patrick Keeley (Theatre Ball chair); Artist Charles Pachter. Photos by Gary Beechey / Michelle Levy Productions.