“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

On April 5th, 2017 The Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) held their 13th annual Award Luncheon at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The luncheon is held each year to help raise money and awareness to support the services the CHKC provides free of charge to its clients.

This year, The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services and MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, received the prestigious award for her continuous support and dedication to bettering the lives of those in the deafblind community. Since becoming the Minister of Community and Social Services, her work to assist deafblind Ontarians has been groundbreaking. Most recently, she will focus on the development of new frameworks that will result in a consistent, fair and accountable approach to funding.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D., President of The Asper Foundation, Governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and sitting board member of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CHRM) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ms. Asper’s speech reminded everyone in attendance of the importance of inclusivity and charity. As a special thank you Vim Kochhar, founder of Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and chair of CHKC, presented Gail with a cheque for $15,000 to go towards the CHRM to continue to be the most accessible museum in Canada.

Hon. Dr. Helena Jaczek (left) with Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D. (right) with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the 13th Annual Awards Luncheon

Thanks to Steve Blackburn, you can check out photos from the afternoon on his website steveblackburn.com

Learn more about the Canadian Helen Keller Centre www.chkc.org

Information on past awards and the host organization, Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons www.cfpdp.com

Written by: Paula McDines

This two-level multi-space venue just south of Richmond St. on Victoria St (75 Victoria St.). opened in the spring of 2016 with the idea to bring small town mentality of Creemore, Ontario into the heart of Toronto’s downtown.  Don’t forget to grab a case of their crafts and some local swag on the way out.

With seven big screens sprinkled throughout the spaces, A/V accommodations are available as well as free wifi in addition to sommelier services and customizable menus (with vegetarian options!).

Batch Main Level Bar, photo courtesy of Batch.

Full venue buyout of the will get you 177 seated or 250 reception style.

Or opt for just the main floor and get up to 122 seated/180 reception style.

Downstairs has a ping pong table and arcade games with a separate bar and a window into the busy kitchen, this more secluded area will seat 50 or stand 70.

Lower level where everyone gets to sit at the Chef’s table. Photo courtesy of Batch

Visit their website: http://batchtoronto.com/#home

Contact Andrew.scott@batchtoronto.com, 416-254-6881 for all booking inquiries

Or fill out the inquiry form here: http://events.batchtoronto.com/#contact

Written by: Paula McDines

Barrel Room is a great space with room for either a breakfast rendezvous or a full seated dinner of groups of up to 32, or have a reception style gathering for groups of a 47. The Barrel Room comes equipped with a 60” flat screen television, but you do have to be conscious of shrinking the guest list if a/v is required. The room is backdropped with an upcycled beer cask wall and exposed brick.

The Drink Tank offers an airy space with slightly smaller capacity. Up to 24 people can be seated or 30 people for reception style mixers, private get-togethers or business breakfasts. The Drink Tank gives guests a great visual of the brewmasters at work in the on-site brewery, perfect for a beer lager enthusiasts or an ale-themed event.

The entire restaurant will get 173 guests seated or a large soiree with 340 standing. For any option, a cocktail services can be provided,  with limitations on draft, and you can also tailor the beverage selections to enhance your guests’ experience! Match that with a customizable menu – including vegan and vegetarian- and you have a great event on your hands.

A look in at the cozy space at Liberty Commons. Photo by: Cindy Le

For all booking inquiries contact:

416.364.1211

events@oliverbonacini.com

oliverbonacinievents.com

Written by: Paula McDines

 Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. – Helen Keller  

This year, The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services and MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham will receive the 13th Annual Canadian Helen Keller Centre Award at the April 5th luncheon at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.  Minister Jaczek has been chosen for this due to her enduring help and dedication to the betterment of the community. 

This year also falls on an important milestone for deafblind communication. On April 5th, 1887, Helen Keller was finally able to understand that everything has a name. When her teacher, whom later became her life-long companion, Anne Sullivan spelled ‘water’ into the hand of the young girls he life began to take shape. Helen Keller later went on to become the first deafblind person to earn a degree, she graduated with honours from Radcliffe College in 1904.

To help raise money to support the important services that CHKC provides free of charge to its clients, each year an annual luncheon is planned to help raise funds and awareness and to also recognize those who have supported the deaf-blind community and their families.

Special guest speaker at this year’s event is Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D., President of The Asper Foundation and sitting Board Member of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg Manitoba. Ms. Asper currently is currently the Chair of the Board of the National Arts Centre Foundation, is a member of the Board of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and is a Governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

2016 attendees wait for the Award presentation in the Concert Hall of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

As of July 2001, the doors opened to Canadas first and only residential training centre for persons with vision, hearing, and combined vision hearing impairment, The Canadian Helen Keller Centre is a place for the deaf-blind community to go for affordable housing, access to services, and training to live independently.

CHKC has been giving the award since 2005, past winners include York University; George Brown College: Canadian National Institute for the Blind; The Honourable David C. Onley; IBM Canada; The Honourable Vim Kochhar; ICICI Bank Canada; Microsoft Canada; Reverand Robert L. Rumball; Jim Sanders;  and Joan McTavish.

http://www.chkc.org/

Intervenor teaches a CHKC client the “two-hand touch” method of communicating

Written by: Paula McDines

Exterior View Courtesy of Crowsnest Theatre

After over seven years and $11 million, Streetcar Crowsnest is the newest east end home for events. Located right at the corner of Carlaw Ave. and Dundas St. E., Crowsnest is going to be booking for their upcoming season very fast, keep reading to find out why.

The Crowsnest has three different areas to that can be booked individually or all together for meetings, performances, community events, classes, workshops, rehearsals, kids programming, and social and corporate functions.  It has State-of-the-Art technical inventory (sounds and lighting included in rental prices!) and completely wheelchair accessible.

The largest of the spaces, The Guloien Theatre is 2,600 square feet and can fit 200 seated or 350 standing. The impressive $1 million catwalk that sits high above the theatre ground makes for easy rigging of decor and lighting or other installations.

Next is the 1,250 sq. ft., 52’ x 22’ Scotiabank Community Theatre. This space can accommodate up to 90 when in lecture/theatre mode, plus more once the modular seating is taken away. The full glazed window directly facing Carlaw makes for beautiful ambient lighting day or night. Included in the Scotiabank Community Theatre is a full lighting and sound grid system.  There is also a larger bridal suite and a few dressing room areas downstairs all with lighting and facilities.

The smallest of the spaces, Lobby Bar, can be used for receptions in conjunction with the other spaces, or solo for gatherings and exhibits. Floor-to-ceiling windows cover the north and west walls and there is a fully functioning, fully licensed wet bar.

The whole space was designed as a “floating box” so no sounds will escape and disturb neighbouring residents or other spaces within, party on! An attached yet-to-be-named restaurant (same owners as Table 17 Catering) will be open which holds 65 seats inside and up to 50 seats on the corner patio. Outside catering is allowed, with a 20 per cent landmark fee, as there is a warming kitchen for use.

For availability and tours contact:

Fiona Christie, Event and Sales Manager

647.341.7390 x 1004

Fiona@CrownTheatre.com

345 Carlaw Ave. Toronto, ON M4M 2T1

Written by: Paula McDines

On November 8th, 2016,  CEO and Co- Founder, Alan Smithson, introduced the world to Toronto-based Virtual and Augmented Reality Innovation Agency, MetaVRse.

Here are some new and exciting things that will make your next event a little different. Our favourite was the  360° Photo Booth.

MetaVRse Emulator ELITE is the world’s most advanced DJ performance system, a.k.a. It’s the future of DJ’ing. With the world’s largest capacitive touchscreen, the Emulator ELITE is the updated and more tactile version of the original Emulator. If you want to really wow the crowd, have the DJ perform on this machine, guaranteed “rave” reviews for your event.

For a fully immersive guest experience, MetaVRse 360° Photo Booth will take up to 10 people to a world specifically branded to your event. With a fully customizable photo background and booth exterior, the specifically designed “green room” takes a picture or video using a futuristic 360° camera to capture the scene. Afterward, your guests can view their experience on touch screens or VR Headset and have it sent to them so the experience can be shared with their friends via social media.

Testing out a virtual world with MetaVRse’s VR Headset and handheld remotes at the November 8th 2016 Toronto unveiling.

VR Headsets is how much of MetaVERses fantasies become augmented reality, and its application is only limited to your wildest activations. The headset act like goggles, letting the wearer see a scene or video in full 360° view. Explore the entire scenario by simply moving your head, more immersive techniques allow you to walk around, and with handheld remotes the 3D world becomes interactive.

Contact website for even more exciting tools to integrate into your next event http://metavrse.com/

Written by: Paula McDines