Mayor's Evening for the Arts raises almost $1.4 millon at record-breaking Toronto Arts Foundation fundraiser

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - The Mayor's Evening for the Arts raised almost $1.4 million in support of artists working in all areas of Toronto last night at the Metro Convention Centre. This celebratory showcase featuring the talents of both new generation artists and those renowned on the world stage, was attended by a sold-out crowd of 1,200 business, civic and cultural leaders.

Lending the name of the office of the Mayor of Toronto to help raise funds, the event was graced with the presence of Mayor John Tory and his wife Barbara Hackett; and in attendance were such luminaries as filmmakers Norman Jewison, Don McKellar and Atom Egoyan (Dinner Co-Chair); "Dragons Den" Robert Herjavec and "Dancing With the Stars" partner Kym Johnson; Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman; Principal Dancer, Guillaume Côté, National Ballet of Canada; guitarist Liona Boyd; actor, R.H. Thomson; as well as prize-winning authors Nino Ricci and Robert Rotenberg; Michael "Pinball" Clemons, Vice-Chair for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League; etalk's Ben Mulroney; as well as Jeff Melanson, TSO, Alexander Neef, Canadian Opera Company; and TIFF's Piers Handling, Cameron Bailey and Michele Maheux.

An impressive line-up of over 1,200 corporate and individual sponsors succeeded in making the evening a record-breaking success, headed up by Co-Chairs Susan Crocker, Chair of Toronto Arts Foundation; Toronto Arts Council Chair, John McKellar; Howard Sokolowski, President & CEO, Metropia Inc., Bonnie Brooks, Vice Chairman, Hudson's Bay Company and Atom Egoyan, Canadian filmmaker.

The gala that celebrates Toronto's vibrant artistic and cultural life was emceed by comedic improv stars, Naomi Sniekus and Matt Baram.

The performance line-up was stellar. Joining Theo Tams (Canadian singer and winner of the 6th season of the CTV reality show "Canadian Idol;") were talented young musicians from the Dixon Hall Music School; the sensational "Obeah Opera" celebrated at "Panamania" this past summer; "Kinky Boots" with its' Cindy Lauper' Broadway glitz; "Summerland" - the smash sell-out hit from 2015 Toronto Fringe Festival; "Dusk Dances;" OCADU artists with their take on cutting edge integrated media; a DJ Spin-Off featuring DJ Grouch, DJ Serous, Lil' Jaz and Zorawar Singh, and surprise finale comedy star Sean Cullen, among others. The evening also featured silent and live auctions enlivened by sought-after auctioneer C.J. Graphic's Jay Mandarino, and the Massey Hall Big Band.

Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Foundation, was thrilled with the efforts of the high-powered fundraising committee and the generosity of The Mayor, sponsors and guests. "Residents all over Toronto will benefit from tonight's fundraising efforts. The 2016 launch of our Arts in the Parks program will bring free arts events, including music, theatre and dance to over 50 parks across the city this coming summer. Our dinner guests really did make it happen!"

The 2015 Mayor's Evening for the Arts was presented by Bell, in the first of a two-year sponsorship commitment.

"Through the arts, we gain new perspectives that open our eyes, our minds and our hearts, strengthening the mutual ties that connect those who live, work and play in this diverse city," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "Bell is delighted to support the Mayor's Evening for the Arts and celebrate the creative energy that enriches our own experiences and deepens our understanding of each other."

Corporate Partners

Auction Sponsor: Air Canada

Emergence Sponsor: Innovation in Arts & Equity: RBC

Get On Board Sponsor: CIBC

Dinner Book Sponsor: Mantella Corporation

Centerpiece Sponsor: Liz Tory & Family

Wine Sponsor: Shoushin

Entertainment Sponsor: Slaight Communications

Emerging Artist Sponsor: TD Bank Group

Celebration Sponsor of Cultura Festival: Flor De Sal restaurant

Silver Sponsors: Mattamy Homes, Metropia, Rogers, VIA Rail Canada, Nadir & Shabin Foundation

Emerging Leaders Patron Table Sponsors: KingSett Capital, Susan Crocker & John Hunkin, TD Canada Trust, The Kololian Foundation

Print Sponsor:  CJ Graphics

Toronto Star, Cieslok Media, NOW Magazine, The Walrus, Toronto Life and Torontoist are the Toronto Arts Foundation Media Partners.

ABOUT TORONTO ARTS FOUNDATION

Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that encourages artistic excellence and increases access to the arts throughout the City of Toronto through private sector investment. Our vision Creative City: Block-by-Block is to connect every Toronto neighbourhood with the transformative socio-economic benefits of the arts. By supporting, celebrating, financing and advocating for Toronto's artists, we can improve the quality of life for all Torontonians.

Contact Information:

For more information on the Toronto Arts Foundation and The Mayor's Evening for the Arts please visit www.torontoartsfoundation.org

High-resolution pictures available on demand

SOURCE Toronto Arts Foundation

Image with caption: "Logo: Toronto Arts Foundation (CNW Group/Toronto Arts Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7864_PHOTO_EN_530280.jpg

Image with caption: "Business raises about $1.4 million for Toronto artists at Mayor's Evening for the Arts on October 26, 2015 (L to R) Filmmaker, Atom Egoyan, Producer; Veronica Tennant; Mayor John Tory and his wife Barbara Hackett (photo credit Townend / Sandler ) (CNW Group/Toronto Arts Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7864_PHOTO_EN_530244.jpg

Image with caption: "Business raises about $1.4 million for Toronto artists at Mayor's Evening for the Arts on October 26, 2015 (L to R) Mayor John Tory and his wife Barbara Hackett; Susan Crocker, Toronto Arts Foundation Chair; and Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Council & Foundation (photo credit Townend / Sandler ) (CNW Group/Toronto Arts Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7864_PHOTO_EN_530240.jpg

Image with caption: "Arts perform for business at Mayor's Evening for the Arts fundraiser on October 26, 2015 (L to R) OCADU's Bronwen Alexina; and Oscar Betancourt aka DJ Grouch (photo credit Sean Howard) (CNW Group/Toronto Arts Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7864_PHOTO_EN_530254.jpg

Image with caption: "Arts perform for business at Mayor's Evening for the Arts fundraiser on October 26, 2015 (L to R) Michael Caldwell, Meredith Thompson of Dusk Dances (photo credit Sean Howard) (CNW Group/Toronto Arts Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7864_PHOTO_EN_530252.jpg

For further information: Media Contact: Kim Galvez, Galvez + associates, 416-702-0901, [email protected]