The Art Gallery of Ontario’s Art Bash, Sept. 25, Toronto
Art Bash, the Art Gallery of Ontario’s splashy annual fundraiser, was just a little bit more celebratory this year with the gallery marking its 125th anniversary. In 1910, Harriet Boulton Smith bequeathed The Grange to the AGO, and it remains part of the gallery to this day. Stephan Jost, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner director and CEO, toasted Boulton Smith and the other Canadian families (many of whom were in attendance) who have helped make the gallery the cultural force it is today. Former MPP Harry Jackman and his son Hal Jackman, former Ontario lieutenant-governor, were among the supporters mentioned. Hal Jackman’s daughters, Trinity, Consuelo and Victoria Jackman, served as co-chairs of the event and spoke about the key role that the gallery and its collection has played in their lives. Liza Mauer and Beth Horowitz, co-presidents of the AGO board of trustees; Gary Berman, president and CEO of presenting sponsor Tricon; and Andrew Federer, AGO board of trustee vice president and vice chairman at RBC Capital Markets, all spoke during dinner. The evening raised $1.4-million in support of the museum’s collection, exhibitions and community access programs. More than 1,000 guests attended the celebration: half at the swish dinner in Baillie Court and half at the party portion, which went well into the night.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra Gala, Sept. 24, Toronto
The previous evening, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s gala was held at Roy Thomson Hall, with the exceptional pianist Lang Lang as the star attraction. Funds raised will support young people’s access to music, including the TSO’s school concerts, which have reached nearly 2 million students throughout the program’s 100-year history. The highlight of the night was Lang Lang’s delightful performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto under the baton of TSO music director Gustavo Gimeno. Just as wonderful was the encore by Ryan Huang, Lang Lang’s 15-year-old Toronto mentee and member of the Lang Lang Young Scholars Program. It was also announced during the evening that the TSO will renew its partnership with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Following the formal program, a dinner was given for the organization’s key donors, during which roughly 30 TSO musicians quietly emerged to perform a lively excerpt of Bizet’s Carmen. Serving as co-chairs were Fête Chinoise founder Deborah Lau and St. Joseph Communications CEO Tony Gagliano. TSO CEO Mark Williams and board chair Tom Smee were also in attendance.