Not so Empty Nesters – Crowsnest Theatre, The New Home for Events in the East End.

February 28, 2017 by  
Filed under Event tips, Event Venues, Ontario, Toronto

Comments Off

Exterior view of Crowsnest Theatre Courtesy of Crowsnest Theatre

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

 

MetaVRse:  Virtual and Augmented is the New Reality for Events

February 27, 2017 by  
Filed under Event tips, Ontario, Past Events, Toronto, Uncategorized

Comments Off

Getting bored of the same old – same old at events? What to blow away your guests and have your next events to be talked about for a while to come?  What we are about to tell you about is the newest and hottest must have at events this coming season and beyond.

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.

Metavrse-events-htc-vive

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

How To Market Your Event And Create Buzz With Social Media Walls

February 25, 2017 by  
Filed under Ask Deb, CitySocial, Event tips, Ontario, Toronto, Uncategorized

Comments Off

If you have been following our series of how to market and create the buzz on social media, here is our new video!

Do you ever find it hard to keep your guests interested, awake and engaged at your events? Social media walls could be used by anyone from wedding planners to corporate event planners to community leaders onsite at their events and meetings. Social media walls provide their attendees with a great way to interact.

A Social Media Wall shows content, not only from Twitter (Twitter Wall), but also from other social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or YouTube.

 

Top Tips On Social Media Walls:

 

  • Hashtags: Create an easy to remember, short relevant Hashtag. Ensure the hashtag  you create is on your Instagram posts and in your tweets. Ask guests to use the same hashtag when discussing the event on social media.This hashtag allows you to search who else is talking about your event. Tag all of your posts with it, and encourage attendees to do the same.
  • Tweet a lot and listen: Share those pre-planned Tweets, ask questions, pictures and videos as much as you can. Don’t forget that communication is a two-way conversation, so don’t just Tweet and Post and leave it there. Listen to the conversation and contribute when you can. RT or Favorite Tweets, Like and Share posts, answer questions and respond to comments. You’ll be surprised how it can encourage more interaction and build a connection with your followers.
  • Display branded content: If you are sharing a lot of official updates during the event, social media walls are a great way to maximize the lifetime and reach of all your branded social media content via TV displays around the venue. Connect your Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram etc. and your attendees will never miss an update while walking around the event. Share announcements, prize winners, next speaker in line etc.
  • Onsite Contests: Consider organizing a contest and asking followers to submit their own photos/videos — the winner could win a prize! Social Media Walls will make it more visual and will help you track the hashtag of your event and contest. You can display photos of prizes, tags and hashtags your attendees can use.

 

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Periscope and Google +.

How To Market Your Event And Create Buzz With Instagram

February 24, 2017 by  
Filed under Ask Deb, CitySocial, Event tips, Ontario, Toronto, Uncategorized

Comments Off

If you have been following our series of how to market and create the buzz on social media, here is our new video!

Everyone uses Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to advertise and market events, but why not try something new? Instagram. This social media platform is often under-used but most effective when it comes to promoting your event, building your brand identity and gaining a stronger following for your company. It is building in momentum and is a must have.

As Instagram is all visual, photos are always a great way to provide a visual to your event. An Instagram photo diary is a wonderful way to promote your events to your target market and audience. Instagram live is also popular.

 

Top Tips On Instagram:

 

  • Get Posting: Just like other social media platforms, the key to be successful on Instagram is being active. This means taking lots of pictures or videos and posting them for your followers to see. Consider setting a posting schedule and stay on top of that, whether it’s five times a day or five times a week. Study your past posts to see when they got the most audience engagement.
  • Create a Story: Let your followers and audience in on the details of the event.  You want to make them feel involved in the event right from the beginning. For timing it is important to create excitement before tickets are on sale. You can do this by making your posts tell a story, updating them regularly and let them in on the planning and preparation right through to after the event. Having regular updates will make people look forward to the next update and keep them wanting more!
  • Hashtags: Create an easy to remember, short relevant Hashtag. Ensure the hashtag  you create is on tickets, website, signs, email reminders, facebook event/posts and in your tweets. This hashtag allows you to search who else is talking about your event. Tag all of your posts with it, and encourage attendees to do the same.

 

Watch our video below for more complete information and tips on how to market your event and create the buzz on social media.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this video, share it and subscribe to CityEvents to gain valuable knowledge about planning your future events.

If you liked this video you may also like our video on How to market your event on Social Media Walls and Facebook.

LENA; An Experience At Saks Not To Be Missed

February 24, 2017 by  
Filed under Event Venues, Ontario, Toronto, Uncategorized

Comments Off

Lena Location (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

Lena Location (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

LENA is an Argentinian restaurant located in the heart of downtown. It’s historic architecture gives it a majestic feel and it is a very open and spacious place with floor to ceiling window. The octagon bar in the middle of restaurant and the vintage steel railings of the stairs give the space a special and unique design.

Lena is beautifully decorated with nice wallpapers, paintings and pictures, all with perfect lighting which makes the ambiance.

BAR LALA
The lower lounge, with a beautiful mix design of leather, stone and marble where they play latin beats, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. onwards. Perfect for socializing and trying out their signature cocktails.

Dining Room @ Lena (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

Dining Room @ Lena (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

The Dining Room
The Semi- Private room is perfect for the meetings, intimate gatherings or small parties of maximum of ten people .

At a Glance
Second floor area is consisted of 2 rooms that could be transformed to either a reception style or seated breakfast/lunch/dinner style.

  • Room 1 – 40 seated – 60 reception
  • Room 2 – 20 seated – 40 reception
Lena Dining Room (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

Lena Dining Room (Photo Courtesy of Maryam Reypour)

ADDRESS
176 Yonge St. (Yonge & Richmond)
Toronto, ON M5C 2L7

HOURS
Mon thru Wed: 07:30 – 23:00
Thurs & Fri: 07:30 – 00:00
Sat: 10:00-00:00
Sun: 10:00- 15:00
Bar Lala open Wed-Sat from 16;00

PHONE
(416) 507-3378

Next Page »