But times seem to have changed. The two cultural institutions are attracting a younger (and, frankly, more fun) audience in Toronto thanks to initiatives like fusing different genres of music, mixing opera with fashion, and bringing the big screen into the symphony concert hall. It seems what was once viewed as boring has now become cool.

Tomorrow night (Thursday, May 17), hundreds of guests – some of the city’s most notable young professionals – will rock their best and unite for a hot-ticket mega-bash where opera is the star of the show. For fourteen years now, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) has redefined traditional notions of the opera with their annual Operanation event – a must-attend affair for Toronto’s art scene staples, editorial-worthy social scene regulars, and lovers of a sprawling, multi-tiered party that’s worth cancelling any Friday early morning meetings for. Part party and part performance, the event takes over the breathtaking (and forever photo-worthy) Four Seasons Centre for the Arts, the home of the COC. In today’s social media driven climate, a photo op on the venue’s stunning staircase is reason enough to buy a ticket for Toronto’s party regulars.

Of course, the party offers more than photo ops. This year’s theme, “Into the Stars,” will transform the glassy building into an ancient Roman celebration that cuts no corners (complete with a $150 price tag), inspired by the upcoming world premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian. You can expect flowing wine, gourmet midnight snacks, interesting installations, and a crowd who will take full advantage of the opportunity to go all out in the glam department.

Offering the perfect introduction for the opera-curious and a well-received treat for arts enthusiasts, a highlight of the event is always a high-energy mash-up performance between members of the COC Ensemble Studio and a contemporary popular artist. This year, some of the city’s finest opera talent will share the stage with by electro pop duo, Brave Shores. Best known for their hit song ‘Never Come Down,’ Toronto-based siblings Jay and Stefanie McCarrol have been playing music together their entire lives and recently released a new single, “Cult Kids.” Past performers have included Kiesza, Dragonette, Nelly Furtado, Sam Roberts Band, Arkells, Yelle, and Broken Social Scene. Breaking down artistic boundaries, Operanation will feature artists of varying disciplines, including poet Fan Wu, dancer Brandy Leary, and illustrator and muralist, Madison Van Rijn.

While a sea of white hair wasn’t an uncommon sight among symphony-goers for decades, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has attracted a younger crowd in recent years, thanks to its performance of live scores to popular Hollywood movies for audience members of all ages. These have included Harry Potter, Home Alone, and Jaws, to name a few. A few years back, the TSO’s 2016 New Creations Festival even featured a mash-up with popular DJ Skratch Bastid.

Last month, the TSO welcomed the Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen, who is practically as well known in the fashion world as he is in the classical music world. On April 5-7, Chen joined the TSO on stage as the featured soloist for Sibelius Symphony 5. The musician doubles as an Instagram star and has been called “the hottest violinist alive.” He is sponsored by Giorgio Armani, and has been featured in Vogue Italia.

In Toronto, proof of millennials’ growing interest in classical music is revealed both in frequent TSO-tagged Instagram posts and in the numbers. The New Classical FM radio – a classical radio station that reaches people in the GTA and southern Ontario – has experienced a 42 per cent increase in their listeners who are under the age of 35 in the past two years. According to audience-membership organization Numeris, this younger audience is tuning into the station for about 6.8 hours a week.

These days, being cultured is valued among millennials and worth dropping dollars on. Looking cultured on social media is just as important: a visit to either Roy Thompson Hall – the stomping grounds of the TSO – or the ballet and opera-filled Four Seasons Centre isn’t complete without an inevitable Instagram post. The way we’re heading, the #opera and #symphony hashtags are only going to increase as more millennials discover the value offered by both – and that’s definitely not a bad thing.

The post How Opera and the Symphony Have Become Cool in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Sick Kids All-Star Gala

This year’s event is on Friday June 16th 2017. It will be the third annual All-Star Gala in support of the SickKids foundation. 1,250 celebrities, young professionals and pro athletes are expecting to show at Toronto’s historic Arcadian Court.

The semi-formal event will feature complimentary cocktails, luxury live and silent auctions and live entertainment by DJs and musicians including Legacy Band. Past athlete attendees include PK Subban, Morgan Rielly, Peter Holland, James van Riemsdyk, Devante Smith-Pelly, Luke Gazdic and Brian Conacher.

Tickets are $142 each all-in and are available at http://sickkidsallstargala.com. Early bird tickets are on sale now for $113 all-in.

The Fight to End Cancer

Our favourite charity event of the year is quickly approaching. The Fight To End Cancer’s (FTEC) official 2017 Fight Team have been training hard for the main event that takes place on May 27th at the historic Old Mill.

The event will raise money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation through fundraising, raffles and sponsors. Ten brave men and women, with little to no previous boxing experience, will be stepping into the ring for the 6th Annual Fight To End Cancer Charity Gala.

For tickets, please visit their website.

Laughter is the Best Medicine III

Michael Garron Hospital Foundation have signed Kevin Nealon, Jim Gaffigan and Will Arnett to the line-up for Laughter is the Best Medicine II comedy gala, presented by BMO Financial Group that will take place on May 13 at the Beanfield Centre, historic Automotive Building, Exhibition Place.

This year’s gala is nearly sold out, with more than 1,200 guests anticipated. Among them will be Toronto’s leading philanthropists, as well as leaders in healthcare, business, sports, politics, fashion and entertainment. Celebrity chef and restaurant mogul, Susur Lee, has designed the evening’s menu.

Check out their website for more info.

Memory Ball

For the sixth year, Memory Ball – which quickly sold out (sorry) – returns on Saturday April 1 to unite Toronto’s young professionals, community leaders and local philanthropists to raise money for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Organised by the society’s Young Leaders Council, many of whom act as caregivers to their family members who suffer from the disease, the event will take over the Palais Royale Ballroom with an open bar, appetizers, a DJ, photo booth and no shortage of inevitable dance-offs. To date, the event has raised a grand total of nearly $310,000 over a five-year period for the cause.

Black & White With Touch of Pink

The Black & White with a Touch of Pink Gala is back on Friday, April 7 for a jam-packed event full of all the elements that go into the makings of a night that will leave your feet and head hurting the next day (and one that’s totally worth it).

This means live music by The Doubts and DJ Pierre Bois, an open bar, food stations by local restaurants (like Loaded Pierogi, Miku and Barque), a splurge-worthy silent auction and instant-win prize games. Hosted by CTV News Toronto Health Reporter, Pauline Chan, the event is designed to raise support, funds and awareness for the innovative programs and retreats delivered by the Pink Pearl Foundation for young women fighting cancer.

AGO Massive Party

The Art Gallery of Ontario’s annual Massive Party is never one to miss – if you can get a ticket before they sell out. Full of costume-clad guests, interactive art and flowing drinks, the event – held this year on Thursday, April 27 – is always a hotbed for they city’s art elite. This year’s theme, Machine Age Massive, invites guests to explore the relationship between human and machine as they view and interact with the work of some of the city’s most esteemed contemporary artists. The artists will create three distinct installation-filled spaces within the party – Industrial, Digital and Space. Naturally, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and DJs are a given. Now in its 13th year, Massive Party raises important funds that support the AGO’s public programming, learning activities, and the care and conservation of their collection.

Operanation

Drawing the cultured set of opera-lovers, socialites and pavement-pounders, the Canadian Opera Company’s (COC) Operanation returns on Thursday May 25 to transform the beautiful Four Seasons Centre into sensory-filled, multi-level celebration. With its fusion of fashion, music, fashion and art – all packaged together in the gorgeous glass box of a venue – Operanation is always one of the best events of the year. It’s also an excuse to go as glam as your heart desires, with the stunning staircase offering a no-fail backdrop for photos. As usual, a highlight will be a mash-up performance with the COC’s Ensemble Studio and a celebrity musical guest.

One hundred per cent of Operanation proceeds support the COC’s acclaimed Ensemble Studio, the nation’s premier training program for young Canadian opera professionals.

Power Ball

Power Ball is back on Thursday, June 1 to transform each room of the sprawling Power Plant gallery into a cocktail and art installation-filled sense of discovery. As the Power Plant’s major fundraiser, this not-to-miss party also occupies breezy outdoor real estate, allowing guests to kick off the warmer season lakeside. This year’s theme, Stereo Vision, promises to deconstruct the hidden, varied alternate aspects of our world that may exist parallel to our own. Just announced, the event will feature Mexico City-based architecture and design studio Pedro&Juana as the artists for the coveted VIP portion of the evening, who will collaborate with performance artist Francesco Pedraglio for a sensory experience that will surely dominate social media.

Gardiner SMASH

The Young Patrons Circle at the Gardiner Museum is making major statements with their own art party – and one that’s gaining quick traction. Following the success of last year’s sold-out debut of SMASH, curated by Justin Broadbent, the party returns for its second installment on Thursday, June 22. Filled with interactive art at every turn, SMASH: Voyeur*ish explores our human curiosity in an immersive experience that’s inspired by the works of artists like Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Damien Hirst and Banksy. Party perks include Entertainment by DJ Killa Kels, gourmet bites by the Food Dudes and ample prop-filled photo opps.

The post Not-To-Miss Fundraising Events this Spring 2017 in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Like previous years, guests can expect Dragonette to collaborate with the COC’s Ensemble Studio and more specifically rising star soprano Ambur Braid. The combination of the opera world with a contemporary music act. Previous years have featured artists YELLE, Broken Social Scene, Austra, and Arkells.

Along with Dragonette, the evening will host a wide range of artistic installations and concessions under the theme of “Queen of the Night”, a character from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a COC show that will run in early 2017.

Local artist and chocolatier chocolates x Brandon Olsen will have a display featuring his unique flavours and patterned designs. Check out his Instagram with pictures of more of his creations.

For the first time, the windows of the Four Seasons Centre will be painted. Toronto illustrator Gillian G is currently painting the windows on the University Avenue side of the building and will finish the piece during a live art show during Operanation 2016 on May 19th, 2016.

A raffle will take place throughout the evening that features temporary tattoos with raffle ticket purchase. There will be 3 designs of tattoos that have been designed by 3 local artists. Tattoo artist Curtis Montgomery, multidisciplinary artist Shary Boyle and clothing designer Tanya Taylor have each designed unique “Queen of the Night” inspired tattoos.

Finally, Toronto artist Samara Shuter created a colouring book inspired by the design of the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Characters from the popular opera, including the famous Queen of the Night, as well as other general iconic images from the operatic world will also be included in the book that will be a parting gift for attendees in their gift bags.

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit their website.

The post Dragonette and other Local Artists Entertain for Operanation 2016 appeared first on Toronto Guardian.