Happy Holidays!

Ho ho ho!
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!
All the best for 2009!

We've got exciting events in January.
Make sure you sign up!

Keep Gatherings in mind for both your event planning and event staffing needs.
Cheers

The Final FastLane of 2008

The final FastLane of 2008 took place last night at The Spoke Club, in trendy King West. Over 100 attendees filled the 3rd floor event space while enjoying cocktails and making new business connections. This month, FastLane welcomed TwentySomething TV and HiTech Tattoos as there special on-site guests.

FastLane, hosted each month by CityEvents and Gatherings Event Planning, is the newest apres work networking event for young professionals in the City. Aimed at individuals between the ages of 25-40, FastLane features new venues, new themes, and new networking opportunities every month.

FastLane will be back in 2009, for 8 more great events, with even more venues, themes and more networking!!! The first FastLane of 2009, will be held at The Adelaide Club on Tuesday January 13th. More information to come.

For those of you that may need your FastLane Fix, don't forget to join the "FastLane Facebook Group" for updated photos, event news and meet other FastLane guests.

An extra special thanks goes out to the hardworking teams at CityEvents and Gatherings Event Planning for all there hard work over the past year promotion, marketing and selling tickets to all our FastLane events.

We look forward to seeing you all in the FastLane for 2009!!!
Renata Altrao & The Gatherings Team

FastLane: November 11th @ The Spoke Club

FastLane- For People with Drive

After 7 successful FastLane's this year, join us for the final FastLane of the 2008 Season.

FastLane is where urban professionals meet to network, discuss trends with industry professionals and develop new skills. FastLane is a networking event which targets industry professionals, between the ages of 25-40. FastLane will feature new networking opportunities, as well as the chance to develop your skills through a variety of mediums. The price of your ticket includes 1 complementary beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and appetizers throughout the evening, prizes and a gift bag, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with the industries best. This months FastLane will take place on Tuesday November 11, from 6-9:30pm at The Spoke Club, located at 600 King Street West.

Date

Tuesday November 11th
6-9:30pm

Where

The Spoke Club
600 King Street West, 4th Floor
(King & Portland)

Cost

$25.00 Early Bird
$35.00 At the Door
$100.00 for Groups of 5 People

You are purchase your tickets at http://fastlane.eventbrite.com/ or call 416-551-0241.

An Evening of Eleganc with The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble

This past Friday, October 3rd, The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble celebrated Alicia Alonso and The National Ballet of Cuba at An Evening of Elegance.

The black-tie Gala fundraising Gala was held at The Silversti Residence at 140 Garner Road East in Hamilton. The evening was full of "elegance" and began with a champagne reception & hors d'oeures in the residences lobby with enchanting harp music in the background. Guests socialized with the crowd and had a chance to bid on items in the silent auction. A lavish 5 course meal was served in the residences ballroom and the evening concluded with Ballet performance by the principle dancer of The National Ballet of Cuba and other musical entertainment.

All funds raised through An Evening of Elegance went directly back to The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble and there continued success.

About The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble

The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble is highly recognized as a creative and vital force in promoting the growth of the arts within our community and abroad. Since our inception in 1991 numerous accomplishments have been made. Best known for there classic repertoire of The Nutcracker, the Ballet has also produced and hosted numerous innovative events featuring some of Canada’s most accomplished dancers such as Rex Harrington and Evelyn Hart. The productions have also featured world renowned ballet companies such as The National Ballet of Cuba and The Kiev Ballet Company.

FastLane Goes To The Theatre on October 7th

FastLane Goes To The Theatre on October 7th

After hosting 5 trend-setting networking events in Toronto, CityEvents and Gatherings Event Planning have joined up with the Nightwood Theatre for a night of FastLane Networking in the Distillery District.

FastLane has quickly become one of the most sought after Young Professional Networking events of its kind in the city. FastLane offers an opportunity for you to connect with people and expand your business without feeling like you’re giving a presentation or pitch. FastLane fosters new connections quickly and maintains a fun social environment. Closed business has been made at past FastLane events!!

On Tuesday October 7th FastLane will be heading to the famous Distillery District for an evening of Networking, Food and Entertainment.

Your evening begins at 5:30pm...

5:30pm: Start your evening with a guided tour of the historic Distillery District followed by a delicious meal at Archeo, one of the Distillery’s best restaurants. Your Mediterranean fare comes with an appetizer, main course and a glass of wine (or a beverage of equal value).
6:00pm: Networking opportunity with fellow FastLane attendees over dinner
8:00pm: Wild Dogs performance (seating will begin at 7:45pm).
9:30pm: Post-show ‘talk back’ with actors and creators

For tickets call Gatherings Event Planning at 416-551-0241 or email info@GatheringsEventPlanning.com.

Tickets are $60.00 before September 23rd and $70.00 after September 23rd. Remember to buy your tickets Early to avoid disappointment.

FastLane is Hosted By: CityEvents and Gatherings Event Planning

CBYE's Fundraising Gala to Honour Prima Ballerina Alicia Alonso

CBYE's Fundraising Gala to Honour Prima Ballerina Alicia Alonso

Gatherings Event Planning has been hired as the third-party planner for The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble's Fundraising Gala, An Evening of Elegance, on Friday October 3rd.

An Evening of Elegance will Honour 88-year-old Prima Ballerina Assoluta and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Alicia Alonso. Alonso will be celebrating 60 years as founder, principal dancer and artistic director of The National Ballet of Cuba, which is recognized as one of the most exciting and innovative ballet ensembles in the world. Neither time nor adversities have fazed the Prima Ballerina Assoluta. Alonso's single-minded determination and her visionary, creative leadership has been the guiding, inspirational force behind the continued success of The National Ballet of Cuba on the world stage since its creation.

The Black-Tie Fundraising Gala Event, will take place on Friday October 3rd at 7:00pm, at The Silvenstri Residence, located at 140 Garner Road in Hamilton. Tickets are $500 each and include cocktails, dinner and a performance by The National Ballet of Cuba’s Principle dancers. Your Gala ticket also includes VIP entrance to the October 4th or 5th performance of Giselle.

We are also currently seeking Sponsorship for this event, and we invite you to join our “Friends of Ballet” circle for 2008/2009 season and support An Evening of Elegance with our sponsorship packages.

FRIENDS OF THE BALLET- An Evening of Elegance

BRONZE ($1,000)
- 1 ticket to An Evening of Elegance, 2 VIP tickets to Giselle, logo or name recognition as a “Friend of the Ballet” on marketing material
- Income Tax Receipt

SILVER ($1,500)
- 2 tickets to An Evening of Elegance, 2 VIP tickets to Giselle, logo or name recognition as a “Friend of the Ballet” on marketing material
- Income Tax Receipt

GOLD ($5,000)
- 2 tickets to An Evening of Elegance, 8 Corporate Box Seat to Giselle, 2 VIP tickets to Nutcracker, 2 VIP tickets to Henzel & Gretel, logo or name recognition as a “Friend of the Ballet” on marketing material, announcement at Gala & recognition as a “Table Sponsor” with Banner on table
- Income Tax Receipt
- Plus, VIP status at The National Ballet of Cuba in Havana during their next vacation (if they so desire a trip to the Ballet while visiting Cuba, you will be hosted by The National Ballet of Cuba)
Gala tickets to An Evening of Elegance can also be purchased at $500 each and includes VIP entrance to the October 4th or 5th performance of Giselle.

For more information on the sponsorship package or to purchase tickets for An Evening of Elegance Fundraising Gala call 416-551-0241 or email info@GatheringsEventPlanning.com

A Few "Gatherings" for Spring and Summer...

I wanted to update everyone on a selection of the past events that Gatherings Event Planning has worked on this past Spring and Summer. Its been quite a busy one...

Toronto Hydro "Take a Load Off" Spring Campaign

For the launch of the 2008 Spring Campaign, "Take a Load Off Toronto", Gatherings Event Planning transformed the Toronto Hydro building on Carlton Street into a laundry room. The new campaign was launched to promote the use of clotheslines in the City of Toronto which in turn limits the amount of power a single dryer uses. We hung several clotheslines from the buildings walls and filled them with colourful t-shirts and shorts and built an indoor laundry room, complete with energy efficient washers and dryers. The main press launch occurred on April 18th, with speaker Dalton McGuinty hanging his very own t-shirt on the clothesline to officially kick-off the campaign.

danceology Grand Opening

With a large Grand Opening Party scheduled, danceology contacted Gatherings Event Planning to do the PR for the event. The danceology studio is located in the heart of Liberty Village. This former warehouse space has been transformed into Toronto’s newest modern and fresh dance space. danceology provides a social dance opportunity, where its mission is to connect Toronto through dance and enhance the lives and relationships of all its members through movement and harmony. The Grand Opening saw over 120 people and various media, all helping to toast the new studio and its success.

Clarkson 200th Celebration

The Village of Clarkson in Mississauga celebrated their 200th Anniversary on Saturday June 21st, with an all day Village-wide celebration. Activities included horse and buggy rides, petting zoo, children's games and facepainting. Entertainment included, Judy- The Manners Lady, Beauty Queen Grace Martin, The Metis Fiddlers, Virgil Scott, Krista Blondin's Janis Jopplin Tribute and many more. Guests were Mississauga's Mayor Hazel McCallion, Councillor Pat Mullins and CityTv's Francis D'Souza.

And of course...

FastLane

Gatherings Event Planning and CityEvents hosted 3 successful and sold-out FastLane events in May, June and July.

The staff at Gatherings Event Planning have been busy working hard all summer long planning many events for the Fall. We're all looking forward to another busy event season...