Taking the High Road

The wonderful people at High Road Communications Toronto, have very generously donated a collection of DVDs to our raffle and silent auction!

We won't give away the titles, but this is a really nice collection with a lot of variety!

High Road is a Communications and PR firm. According to their mission statement; "It’s about the passion to drive your company onward. We shape innovative communications strategies for your brand. And we deliver on them."

This is not the first time High Road has given to the community. Recently one of their CEOs, Mia Wedgbury, created and contributed a piece of art to the Sketch auction. Sketch is a Toronto art studio devoted to street youth.

Thank you so much High Road Communications!

Nails By Natalie

Nails By Natalie of Toronto has very generously donated gift certificates for two people to enjoy a manicure and pedicure!

After all, the only thing better than a mani and pedi is enjoying them with your favourite person!
This pair of gift certificates will be added to our grand prize raffle so you'll have to be at the show to win them! If you just can't wait that long you can book your appointment with Nails By Natalie at 14 Isabella St., Toronto (416) 961-nail (6245).

Thank You So much Nails By Natalie!

Our first out-of-province Mardi-Bras Bra

We are over the moon to announce that we just got our first out-of-province Mardi-Bras Bra from Deanna Partridge-David of Deedeebird Art & Illustration. Deanna took part in last year's event and we are truly delighted to have her back again.

The bra, which came all the way from British Columbia, looks great. We'd love to show it to you, we really, really would. But that would spoil the surprise. It is gorgeous! Do you want to see it? Well, you'll have to come to Mardi-Bras on July 10th to see it and all the other fantastic Mardi-Bras Bras from our talented Bra Artistians.

Deanna dedicates her wonderful creation to Ruth, her husband's aunt. Ruth is a breast cancer survivor who is participating in studies to further breast cancer research. Good for Ruth and for Deanna!

Thanks to Deanna of Deedeebird Art & Illustration for her excellent creation which is sure to be a crowd favourite!

Get Spun

Everyone knows that keeping yourself in good health, reducing fats, not smoking and getting lots of exercise is a great way to reduce your risk of developing cancer.

To that end, I'm particularly excited to have Get Spun on board as the latest Mardi-Bras benefactor! They have generously donated a gift pass for a full month of unlimited spinning classes! Get spun is one of the friendliest work out facilities I've been to. They offer cycling, pilates, and gravity classes for all fitness levels. You can even pay per class if you're not sure and want to try it out first!

Thanks so much Christie Ness and the super staff of Get Spun Toronto!

Photos!

It's been expressed that a few people were having trouble finding the photos from last year. Can't have that, they're too fantastic to hide!

Here are two links to the blog posts with the photos from last year's Mardi Bras.

Hope they inspire all kinds of new and wonderful things for this year!

Imaginism Studios

This week I picked up a very beautiful and generous donation from the incredible artists at Imaginism Studios!

Six, specially selected prints from their collection for our silent auction! I'm not going to give away which ones were donated, you'll have to come see them at Mardi-Bras! In the meantime, have a browse through their online gallery, I'm sure you'll enjoy their work as much as I do.

...well, ok. Here's a sneak peak:


Thank you so much Kei & Bobby of Imaginism Studios!

Banjo Puppets

Banjo Puppets, a favourite from last year's silent auction, has generously offered to sponsor us again for Mardi-Bras 2009!

Joel, will also be at the One Of A Kind show and sale from April 1 to 5! Check out the artisan profile.

The little friends he created for us last year were so popular and so well made, we can't wait to see what he's got prepared for this year!


Thank you so much Banjo Puppets!

Gladstone Hotel

Mardi-Bras wouldn't be as large as it's become this year without the very generous support of one of Toronto's finest establishments, the Gladstone Hotel!

Business and leisure travellers flock to experience the Gladstone Hotel’s artist-designed accommodations, local cultural events, diverse, friendly staff and great food and drink presented in a truly Torontonian neighbourhood environment. Restored and revitalized in 2005, Toronto’s historic landmark Gladstone Hotel has established an international reputation as a unique urban hotel providing an authentic experience of local creative culture. The hotel has become a social and cultural incubator facilitating new ways of experiencing art, culture and community.

One of the top 10 art hotels in the world!

~ LUX Magazine Summer 2008

One of the top 10 hotels in Toronto and “best artistic experience”

~ Guardian UK 28.12.07

Personally, I'm very excited about the atmosphere the Gladstone gives this event! They have great photos on their website, so I'll only post a few here, but check out the gorgeous old wood bars and rich drapery! It's elegant, colourful, the staff have been so wonderful and accommodating, I would recommend them for any occasion.

Thank you so much to all the folks at the Gladstone Hotel!

The First Mardi Bra!

You may remember Paper People Clothing from last year. Jenn was our first contributor to the artisan bra show and she's done it again! Paper people clothing has contributed the first Mardi-Bra of 2009!

They've also redesigned their website since last year and it looks awesome. Check it out

Thank you so much Jenn of Paper People Clothing!

Bublichka Originals by Patte Rosebank

We are off to an excellent start for the second annual Mardi Bras!

Last year we received a very unique contribution to the silent auction, by Patte Rosebank of Bublichka Originals. This year Patte is back, and not only will she be featured as our opening performer to the show, she has created another Mardi Bras exclusive:


Awesome! Patte even includes the spirit gum and complete instructions on "twirling". You'll be the talk of the office party with a set of these!

Thanks so much Patte Rosebank!

July 10! Save the Date!

Admission and Grand Prize Raffle!!

Mardi Bras tickets are now available!!

Admission tickets are $20 and include the Artisan Bra Show, and reception plus a ticket to our GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE!

Raffle Tickets can also be purchased separately - $10 each or 3 for $20

You could be the lucky winner of :

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

OR

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

We do have more prizes to confirm, and they will be announced here, so check in often and send your friends!

All proceeds from Mardi Bras and the Raffle benefit The Princess Margaret Hospital Weekend to End Breast Cancer 2008!

To purchase tickets to Mardi Bras and the Raffle, or to make a donation for a tax receipt, please comment to this blog or contact Julie (jrfaulkner10@gmail.com) or Carolyn (carolyn.elston@gmail.com).

Getting Sorted Out

Ok, anyone who's not new to our lists will already know, we hit a wee snag with the initial planning, but we're back on track for the party! So make sure to correct all of your calendars:

Mardi Bras is officially on,

Saturday June the 7th, 2008

7pm-1am

Bra show starts at 8:30

250 Wellington St W

Toronto

Tickets are $20 - Buy in advance or at the door!

Dress is Formal

All are welcome! This is a benefit so please, spread the word! We have a ton of fun things planned. There will be music, raffles, snacks, a cash bar, silent auction, door prizes and for the main event, (da da-daaa!!!) At 8:30 our glamorous models will take to the runway in a dazzling fashion show of the most unique and original bras created by elite artisans from all over Canada! These fabulous creations will added to the silent auction so you'll have an opportunity to take home an original, hand crafted piece of artwork to add to your collections!

All proceeds from Mardi Bras go to the Toronto Weekend To End Breast Cancer, benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital and The Campbell Family Institute.

If you'd like to become one of our artisans or models, please drop me a line, jrfaulkner10@gmail.com or comment to this blog and we'll get back to you with the specs. All of your work is welcome and appreciated.

If you have a product you like to donate to our silent auction or door prizes, please contact Carolyn, carolyn.elston@gmail.com or comment to this blog and we'll get back to you. We can't provide tax receipts for gifts, but we can provide proper participant letters for you to use at tax time and we'd be delighted to add you to our links and credited list of sponsors (see blog sidebar for current generous sponsors!) All gifts are welcome and appreciated!

If you'd just like to come to the party for a good time, you will not be disappointed!

If you're not up for a party, please consider making a donation to the walk. With your generous support the WEBC raised a record 17.3 million dollars last year, providing research, support services and a path to an eventual cure. Pledges can be made at the secure online sights:

Julie - Here

Carolyn - Here

Sandy - Here

(The links are also on the sidebar)

If you're not comfortable pledging online, but would like to help, please comment to the blog or email us and we'll make arrangements for post or pick up.

Thanks to everyone who is already donating your time, artwork, gifts and pledges! I sincerely believe we can see a cure for cancer in our lifetime, and by taking part in this very worthwhile event, we're all becoming a part of a much needed solution!

It's ON!