LibbyThe All-Star Gala is back and bringing all of Toronto’s best out for a truly great cause. Hosted by CTV’s ETALK anchor Tyrone Edwards, the charity event is buzzing with a who’s who of sports heroes, local city icons and an inspiring young patient ambassador, Charlie Thomas.
The Olympic Games is the theme for this year’s bash, so expect a few surprises that revolve around this prestigious sporting event. With past players making pop-in appearances, it’s anyone’s guess who will hold court for the June 10th event, Bianca, is that you?
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE ALL-STAR GALA
With live music by R&B pop artist Jesse Gold and a live DJ, the crowd is in for a night of dancing (high tops go with an LBD, right?). Promising to be one of the top galas in Toronto this season, all net proceeds go towards infant congenital heart disease research and care at the Hospital for Sick Children. This year 11-year-old Charlie Thomas, who suffers from dilated cardiomyopathy, a congenital heart disease, will be the gala’s guest of honour.
We tracked down Cam Healy and James Blackburn, founders of the All-Star Gala on what guests can anticipate this year.
SickKids has been at the forefront of paediatric care for decades. While it is of course a worthy cause overall, is there a specific reason why infant congenital heart disease is the benefactor for this evening?
Since the beginning of our event production career, we very much wanted to devote the know-how, network and resources we’d accumulated toward a cause that meant something to us and to our community. With personal connections to people in our lives who’ve been impacted by this disease from birth and whose lives were saved by the Family Heart Centre at SickKids, we reached out to the SickKids Foundation in 2014, pitched the idea of the All-Star Gala and have been fortunate to have received their full support and assistance since the inaugural gala in 2015.
What can attendees expect from the gala?
The semi-formal Olympic-themed soirée will feature a cocktail style reception with an open bar, live performances by well-known musicians and DJs, a silent auction, and a raffle!
After a few years of Covid weariness, how does the All-Star Gala plan to bounce back?
After a few years of Covid, people are craving social events and engagements. That’s why we are so excited to be able to provide that again while contributing to a worthy cause.
Is there anything else you can tease/include to tempt or surprise?
At this year’s gala, we will be presenting our 11-year-old Guest of Honour, Charlie with a surprise gift!
GLAM SQUAD FOR A GOOD CAUSE
A silent auction stuffed with luxury items and sports memorabilia will no doubt net thousands for the important cause. An all-night open bar may inspire more than a few bidding wars too. Semi-formal attire sets the tone. Held in the picturesque parkland that dots Ontario Place, the Toronto Event Centre is a prime location to dust off your dancing shoes, all for a good cause of course.
Get event details and purchase your tickets through sickkidsallstargala.com.
All images courtesy SickKids All-Star Gala.