Global Event Warming BACK

Home to more than 100 cultures, nothing says Toronto more than an event infused with the entertainment and flavours of the city’s diverse multicultural roots.

For authentic global mapping, consult trade commissions and embassies for protocols, traditions and community contacts. Multicultural festivals also make rich talent-scouting sources for entertainment and specialty catering. Browse ethnic-distinct neighbourhoods and markets as a brainstorming playground for décor accents and gift ideas.

To help give your guests a passport to Toronto’s global world, check out these local resources:

Bollywood Beginnings

The South Asian theme is hot, especially when articulated with just the right note of colour and over-the-top style.

Bollywood Mandaps and Décor Solutions (www.bollywoodmandaps.com) not only offers a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse of opulent props and custom-stage design (a Bombay-based partner specializes in set design for Bollywood movies), but has also limitless ideas to capture the ambience and high entertainment value of the event.

For full-scale choreographed musical productions, Sanskriti Arts Ensemble (www.soulndance.com) has the moves in both classical Indian dance as well as Bollywood-style extravaganzas. Launch the entertainment program with a high-energy demonstration performance that lets the artists entice audience members on stage.

Hello Japan

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (www.jccc.on.ca) provides a marvelous combo of both venue rental and performers. Through its cultural programming outreach, planners can call upon dance and musical talent including Taiko drummers and Odori dancers along with craft artisans for lessons in the intricacies of origami and Japanese brushpainting.

A blend of modern and Japanese architecture, the centre, located in the Don Mills and Eglinton area, embarks this month on its third expansion phase which will add four new multipurpose spaces to its existing nine. Currently the 110,000 sq. ft. facility can accommodate 900 guests total throughout. The largest event space, Kobayashi Hall, offers a staging area with floor and retractable seating for 509.

Middle Eastern Exotic

From sensual Raks Sharki (belly dance) to Egyptian folkloric dance traditions, the Habeeba Hobeika Eygptian Dance Company (www.habeeba.com) choreographs customized performances that mesmerize with movement, colour and sound. Performing in stunningly elegant Egyptian dress, the company’s professional dancers, as a troupe or soloists, tell the tales of Pharaohs, mystical gods and the rhythmic heritage of Middle Eastern folk traditions.

Lia Hua Chinese Dance Troupe.
Photo courtesy of Community Folk Art Council
Talent Roster

An easy connection to 5,000 multicultural artists representing over 200 ethic groups within Toronto begins with the Community Folk Art Council (www.cfactorono.com). This longstanding not-for-profit body both organizes community events that showcase the rich diversity of Toronto’s heritage communities and puts event planners in one-stop shopping touch with just-the-right performance group, from traditional dancers, musicians, singers and craft artisans.

Flavour on Contact

Named after the Aztec goddess of maize, Xilonen Catering and Consulting (www.xilonencatering.ca) puts the authenticity into Mexican fiesta (yum, margaritas!). Launch the culinary experience with a tutored tequila tasting and Antojitos Mexicanos, which are canapé-sized appetizers including tacos, quesadillas and molleles with a variety of fillings. The company’s expertise also extends to event planning with inside connections for ambient Latin-American décor, costuming and performers including strolling mariachi bands.

Sushi Masters

The party’s always around the table when set with interactive sushi chefs and a plentiful supply of delicious ingredients. Dr. Sushi (www.drsushi.com), a mainstay on the event scene for over 15 years, sends in skilled sushi chefs in traditional happi-coat dress complete with their own wooden serving hut. Sushi rule of thumb: A one-hour reception with 500 people requires two sushi masters.

Caribbean Cool

Jerked chicken wings, mini rotis and decadent rum punches along with full entrée offerings are just the start of the Irie Food Joint’s (www.iriefoodjoint.com) Caribbean catering hospitality. The Queen Street restaurant can also transform offsite events into a tropical paradise with Caribana-style décor, costuming and entertainment. Add into the mix the DJ talents of Carl Allen (radio host and the restaurant’s marketing director) for reggae-infused rhythms and a happening jump up party.

Cultural Footsteps

Skip the themed food stations in a ballroom and treat guests to a hands-on multicultural neighbourhood experience. Shirley Lum of Taste of the World (www.torontowalksbikes.com) leads customized “grazing” tours (via foot, bike or vehicle) of the city’s foremost multi-ethnic neighbourhoods with stops in markets, shops, restaurants and bakeries for full sensory noshing and a fascinating historical perspective of our cultural diversity.

Moveable Details

Consider adding in a transportation component with a splash of multicultural flare. Rickshaw Runners of Toronto Media (www.rickshawservices.com) offers a fleet of 30 rickshaws and pedicabs, working year-round, to transport guests from point A to point B in unique style. Set the scene by decking the “vehicles” in colourful banners, décor and branded logos. Each can hold two to three people at a time.