Pat's Party Rental

A big thank you is in order to the good folks over at Pat's Party Renal of Oakville. They have generously discounted the rental cost of the stage, table and chairs we need for the show!

I have rented with them a few times in the past, they're always a pleasure to deal with and have a substantial catalogue to meet all of your party equipment needs. Dishes, tables, chairs, linens - no problem, would you like a 7' inflatable palm tree to go with that? Check out their website for more information.

Thanks so much Pat's Party Rental of Oakville!

Bublichka Originals by Patte Rosebank

We got a package from the First Lady of Awesometown, Patte Rosebank last night.

Patte is an actress, singer, voice talent and costume designer, specializing in, pretty much anything you can imagine. Her biggest influence is Bob Mackie whose costumes she saw on The Carol Burnette Show every week since she was little and as a result, has a pathological passion for rhinestones, sequins and feathers, so it's no surprise she's now making costumes primarily for burlesque performers and drag queens! Patte has also worked in television and has credit for a very special coat worn by Luba Goy of the Royal Canadian Air Farce.

Patte's latest and greatest achievement is a brand new, magnificent ensemble, covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystal rhinestones and 36 feet of heavy ostrich feather boa, for Miss Mitzy Cream to wear in her new number at the Toronto Burlesque Festival! (July 11-13 at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto)

For Mardi Bras, Patte has designed and created this completely new and original pair of pink ribbon rhinestone pasties for our silent auction! (c'mon, secretly we've all wanted to try doing the twirl) Her very generous gift includes bottles of spirit gum, spirit gum remover, and a DVD of twirl instructions, so the lucky winner of these little beauties will be able to stick them on, twirl them, and then remove them again!!

You can't really tell from the photo, but when the light hits them, they sparkle like crazy! And the nude background fabric underneath those rhinestones make the pasties blend into the wearer's skin.

Thank you so much Patte Rosebank!

Up for a little celestial destiny?

In addition to all the fabulous-ness we have planned for Mardi-Bras that I've already mentioned, we have a Tarot card reader, Leanne Forsythe contributing her insight.

Since childhood, Leanne has felt a special calling to the imaginative power of archetype, and has devoted much time and study in her adult life to further understand the mysteries of our universal story. She considers the time she spends reading the cards as a spiritual practice, intended to shine a light on situations in our lives that can confound us if we do not recognize the richness and complexities that surround our circumstances.

For those who understand the cards, the Tarot tells the story of how feelings, intellect, our personal world and our external environment are working together to weave a picture of how the past, present and future are at work in the present moment.

She hopes that the cards will reveal your personal connection to this universal practice, and that you will receive the illumination and wisdom you need to face the obstacles and challenges that life gives to all of us.

Please spend some time with Leanne and the Tarot to help us beat breast cancer at Mardi Bras!

Beach Combing! - Mardi Bra #5

Our east coast contribution to Mardi Bras has arrived from Sarah O'Malley of Halifax!

Sarah is originally from Thunder Bay Ontario, and would very modestly tell you that she worked "in film in Toronto", but her rather impressive art department credits include big names like the X-Men Movie along with a multitude of popular television credits! (You can't fool us Sarah, we know you're brilliant, and an impressive little bowler, actually.)

Without revealing too much about Sarah's Mardi-Bra and spoiling the surprise, we can tell you that her chosen theme is very indicative of her love of her home on the east coast and the Atlantic Ocean. It's a charming piece of work and we're very greatful to have Sarah in on fight against Breast Cancer!

Thank you so much Sarah of Halifax!

Taste - The 4th Sense!

We have a new name to add to our list of very generous sponsors! Taste - The 4th Sense of St. Jacobs has given us a gift certificate to add to our silent auction!

These guys carry the best infused oils, hot sauces, mustard...anything delicious really. I love going into their stores, they have several in Ontario. They let you try everything before you choose, which is good and bad. Good, because I get exactly what I want every time and discover things I never would have though of on my own. Bad because I can't leave there without two big bags full of wonderful stuff when I was only coming in for mustard! (not so bad really, either way I win!)

Check out the recipes section on their website. They even have a subscription list so you can get their amazing recipes right to your inbox!

Thanks so much Taste - The 4th Sense and the Salivation Corporation!

Sci Feye Candy - Mardi Bra #4!

Sarah Cresswell of Sci Feye Candy has just emailed me the photos of her Mardi-Bra and it's BEAUTIFUL!! Not to drop a spoiler, but probably the most elegant of the Mardi-Bras so far! She's also including a beautifully beaded, matching choker and garter belt to the ensemble. (tres sexy!)

Based in Scarborough, Sarah works on a custom order basis and from the looks of her website, she can make just about anything you can imagine! Personally, I'm liking the leg-holster-bags in the accessories gallery. Sarah started Sci Feye Candy after graduating from the Fashion Techniques and Design program at George Brown College. In addition to getting Sci Feye Candy up and running, Sarah currently works part-time at Plastik Wrap in Toronto.

Thank you so much Sarah and Sci Feye Candy!

Dee Dee Bird - Mardi Bra #3!

Deanna Partridge-David of Dee Dee Bird Art & Illustration emailed this weekend with the photos of her beautifully crafted contribution to the Mardi-Bras runway show! I would love to tell you all more than that because this is one truly unique and surprisingly functional piece, but I'm keeping the big reveal for the show so you'll just have to come see it!

In the meantime, I can tell you a little bit more about Deanna and Dee Dee Bird!

Deanna is a graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design in Vancouver, with a BFA in Animation. She worked as an animator, and puppet fabricator for several years and her credits include the Gemini Award winning "Poko". She is presently on an animation hiatus since she and her husband Graeme had a son named Max. Max is now 2 years old, they live in Coquitlam, BC, where she runs her home-based business creating original art and illustration for children... Well, actually her bio says she creates art for children, but Deanna's work has so much personality, humour and charm, it's enjoyable by everybody. Personally, my favourite piece in her gallery is "Awesome Bunny Photobooth 3", (see below) but it was tough to choose.

On a more personal note, Max’s great-aunt Ruth is a breast cancer survivor, and Deanna's contribution to Mardi-Bras was made, very lovingly, in her honour.

Thank you, so much Deanna and Dee Dee Bird!

Cherrylicious! - Mardi Bra #2!!

I received a fantastic email from Lisa Farinaccio of Cherrylicious Designs today, she has completed her Mardi-Bra for our fabulous, glamorous, one-of-a-kind show!! This makes Mardi Bra #2 runway-ready!

(It's all terribly exciting isn't it?)

Lisa Farinaccio owns and operates her own company, "Cherrylicious Designs". She specializes in One of a Kind purses, clothing and custom orders. Her formal training includes a diploma in Fashion Design from George Brown College and private coursework in Costume Design. She went on to making mascots, costumes for Stage West Dinner Theater and is now a proud member of the illustrious Mervish Productions Wardrobe Department!

Lisa is also one of our very gracious silent auction sponsors and included some pictures of the hand bags she's made for us! The over-sized purse is made with hot pink cotton and pink ribbon patterned lining. The tote is made from denim, also with pink ribbon patterned lining and a hot pink ribbon applique on the front of the bag.

I love that lining. Too cute!

Thank you so much Lisa and Cherrylicious Designs

Shuffle up to Mardi-Bras!

More big news on Mardi-Bras!

A good friend of mine, who prefers to remain anonymous and be referred to simply as "The Queen Of the Universe", has donated a brand new iPod Shuffle to the Mardi-Bras Grand Prize Raffle!!

Everyone who comes to Mardi-Bras will receive a complementary Grand Prize Raffle Ticket, if you can't make it to the party but still want a shot at our fabulous prizes, tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20.

Email Julie, (jrfaulkner10@gmail.com) Carolyn, (carolyn.elston@gmail.com) or comment to the blog and we will set you up!

Mardi-Bras Raffle Prizes:

An evening of cultural enlightenment including Tickets to a 2008 performance of the Tapestry Opera Company

A brand-new, never been opened copy of Guitar Hero 3 for Wii

A super cute, super mini IPOD SHUFFLE!