2017 Versailles Gala – Opera Atelier

Arlene Dickinson (Dragons Den)

The Versailles Gala; Shangri La Hotel, June 7, 2017
“Magic” was the theme of the 2017 Versailles Gala, Opera Atelier’s most lavish and signature annual fundraising event, held on June 7 this year, at the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto. The city’s cultural movers-and-shakers, including Arlene Dickinson from the series the Dragon’s Den, were in attendance for this exclusive evening of performances, dinner and live and silent auctions.

For the VIP cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres of spring rolls, spicy sesame chicken, bruschetta, and mushrooms on toast were passed around while a string trio played classical music.

Lead by founding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg since 1985, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances internationally as well as at home in Canada.
A ballet performance by the School of Atelier Ballet during the reception was a precursor for more to come during the evening. Period costumes from various ballets were on display in the ballroom lobby as were the auction items. The Top Shop, located at the Hudson’s Bay, donated a private shopping by appointment. Attendees were also showing off their best attire at the Versailles Gala. The red draped ballroom was lit dramatically with black table linens with white flowered branches as the centerpiece. Dinner was comprised of an arugula and roast beet salad, slow-roasted hangar steak and B wall honey mouse, a ginger creme beulee with vanilla sponge for desert. All guests certainly indulged in this magical night! Funds from the Versailles Gala 2017 will be used to support their education and outreach programs which have been offered free of charge since the Opera Atelier’s inception. For more information, please visit their website: http://operaatelier.com/