POWER BALL 5

Power Ball Five takes Toronto by Storm! The Power Ball "has become the Dionysiac high point in the Toronto social season." Sarah Milroy, The Globe and Mail. "In five short years, the Power Ball has become known as the funkiest fundraiser in town." Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star. The Power Ball is "a shotgun wedding of art and money, creativity and commerce." R. M. Vaughn, The Globe and Mail. "The Power Plant’s annual bash is among Toronto’s hottest tickets." Ryan Bigge, Fashion Magazine. "It was hard not to have a ball at the Power Ball… it was the best one they’ve ever had" Shinan Govani, The National Post. "The biggest art party of the year (is) the glittering fundraiser for The Power Plant… I will have a good time." Russell Smith, The Globe and Mail. Under the guidance of co-chairs Victoria Jackman and Stephen Tapp, and with presenting sponsors Bacardi and the National Post, the fifth Power Ball came into its own as Toronto’s art party extraordinaire. The party was successful at significantly raising awareness of the gallery and proceeds reached six figures. Wayne Baerwaldt, Stephen Andrews, Christine Davis and Laurence Heartz orchestrated a party loaded with art and entertainment. The entrance to the party had dancers, mock rooftop security and paparazzi, and the performance piece, Demonstration by Kelly Mark. In the galleries there were light projections by James Carl, Fastwürms, Camilla Gibb, Julie Voyce, Emily Vey Duke/ Coopers Battersby, and Atom Egoyan and video projections by Karma Clarke-Davis, Guy Maddin and Benjamin Nemerofsky Ramsay. Celebrity hair guru Jie created up-dos for guests in one space and Tops ‘n’ Bottoms used another space for a performance piece in which the artists dressed and undressed, watched through peepholes. Paul Alexander took photos, and Graham McKelvie did a dance piece on a Plexiglas floor above the south entrance. Cinema verité by John Greyson and Patricia Rozema preceded performances by the Montreal collective En Kool. DJs Geoff Kellaway, César Murillo, Will Munro spun discs, and ascending disco-punk diva star Peaches rocked out for a 40-minute set. Guest sipped complimentary Bacardi cocktails served up in style by the Martini Club. Committee members Ted Geatros and Sara Borins coordinated fourteen food—related sponsors and Presidential Gourmet pulled it all together to ensure no one went hungry. With 1200 guests, the party sold out and many thanks are owed to Lidia Andich, Thea Andrews, Jamie Angell, David Dawson, Lonti Ebers, Rebecca Eckler, Rachel Fulford, Bruce Kuwabara, Ceri March, Manny Neubacher, Seamus O’Regan and Sarah Scott who worked hard to sell tickets. The National Post ensured that the Power Ball got great media exposure and Nuvo gave a full-page colour post-event thank-you ad. The Publicity Group orchestrated the media campaign and Grassroots Advertising sponsored postering. Hahn Smith Design created the stylish poster, invitation and ads. C. J. Graphics donated their first-class print services. Frischkorn provided world-class audio-visual equipment and invaluable technical advise and support. Sharp loaned product and Chair-Man Mills provided rentals. Roche Bobois lent elegant furnishings for a Power Ball lounge. Fashion Magazine coordinated 1,000 beautiful gift bags for guests to take home. The Power Ball committee consisted of Stephen Andrews, Jackie Appel, Sara Angel, Peter Carruthers, Christine Davis, Erin Donohue, Ted Geatros, Laurence Heartz, Michelle Hunt, Victoria Jackman, Arsinée Khanjian, Charlotte Mickie, Kevin Pennant, Stephen Tapp, Adriana Urtasun and Lisa Wookey. Anette Larsson’s guidance made the event a financial milepost, Kathryn Ruppert organized ticket sales, logistical details and fulfillment of hundreds of memberships. The entire Power Plant staff made themselves available to work at The Power Ball above and beyond their ordinary duties. Katarina Berin was responsible for keeping everyone on track. Lastly, Power Plant members and friends bought tickets to the event, came and enjoyed themselves to the degree that the Power Ball is the talk of the town. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success. VEIW SPONSORS