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| Photo courtesy of Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art |
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art
“Light-filled and elegant” and a “wonder in glass and stone” are just a few of the high-sung praises heralding the reopening of this museum gem. And with a bookings calendar already jam-packed, planners correctly forecast the success of the remodeling and expansion.
The new third-floor event space and restaurant—Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner—is a picture in minimalist design with French oak floors and glass and limestone walls. By day, a retractable divider separates the 44-seat restaurant from the Terrace Room event space where a trio of glass window walls and two terraces draw the outside in with spectacular uptown views of the downtown skyline. After-hours, call upon the expanded lobby area for cocktail starters and add in a private tour of the third-floor Contemporary Gallery. Customized seasonal event menus. No charge for room rental. Event capacity: 120 seated; 300 reception-style
111 Queen's Park, 416-362-1957 #201, www.gardinermuseum.ca
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| Marilyn Monroe — A Hollywood Standup |
Hollywood Standups
Need a celebrity but haven't the blockbuster budget to hire a star? This new company has the exclusive Canadian licensing to over 250 Hollywood stars, animated characters and pop icons (to their likenesses on cardboard that is) and can hook you up with a life-size presence at rates beginning at $35 per cut-out. Produced on sturdy cardboard with photo-quality picture and pop-out easel, most stand-ups are between 5-ft. and 6-ft. tall. Also available, 12-in. to 16-in. tabletop versions beginning at $12 per cut-out.
Choose from several categories including Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart, movies such as Austin Powers and the Wizard of Oz and cartoons including Betty Boop and Sponge Bob. New to the portfolio: characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean, Superman (the new movie) and Cars, the new Disney flick. No minimum order: 416-491-2333, www.hollywoodstandups.com
BeauMed GelFast Hand Sanitizer
We're all trying to do our part in preventing pandemic outbreaks (or at least that nasty head cold), so how timely-and sensible-is a giveaway gift of a portable hand-sanitizer for your conference or trade show guests (all that hand shaking!). Compact, lightweight and shaped like a small measuring tape, this nifty hand sanitizer dispenser easily clips to a pocket or belt for quick and discreet “cleansings” between greetings. Developed in accordance to the Center for Disease Control guidelines, and tested at top North American hospitals, the waterless gel solution is 70% alcohol.
Available from BeauMed, a new company by the event pros at Rainbeau Creative Concepts, the starter unit filled with one cartridge comes in black, silver and white. Additional gel cartridges available. The dispensers can be custom-printed with logo or event name with a minimum 100-unit order.
416-391-4553, rainbeau@bellnet.ca
TSEvents 2006-07 Resource Directory
The new edition of the event industry's “bible” is hot off the press with lots of great updates, new suppliers, info and ideas to share within its 408 wire-bound pages. Start your event planning with this one-stop shopping source listing of over 2,000 of Toronto's top event suppliers, from caterers and décor specialists, to unique venues and entertainment.
Suppliers are conveniently organized in 100 easy-to-reference categories including a new section on multicultural and specialty cuisine caterers. Check out the Planner's Digest department including new and noteworthy venues, décor trends and silent auction tips. $49.95 plus tax and shipping. 416-410-4132 www.tsevents.com 
