Amanda Lang, senior business correspondent for CBC News and Canada’s answer to Maria Bartiromo (though, sadly, it’s too late to have Joey Ramone write a song about her), played host to Toronto’s society set to celebrate the launch of pal and “Hairless Prophet of Doom” CNN Chief Business Correspondent Ali Velshi’ s book How to Speak Money: The Language and Knowledge You Need Now. Guests—which included Moses Znaimer, John Tory, Kevin O’Leary, Andrew Coyne, Howard Wetston, Michael Budman, Suzanne Boyd, Shinan Govani and a slew of BNN hosts—were greeted at her sprawling Forest Hill manse by her chocolate lab Bella before diving into Yorkshire pudding wrapped roast beef, miniature rack of lamb and sliders. Find out what ridiculous jacket Znaimer wore, how Boyd feels about Velshi and check out our gallery of the scene after the jump.
Znaimer, never one to miss an advertising opportunity, sported a collegiate leather MZ Media jacket, emblazoned with the Olympus and Zoomer logos (chic!), while Boyd praised Velshi’s financial skills, noting “he probably learned this stuff in grade 8.” The mood was kept light by Lang who insisted “parties are more fun without speeches” (we tend to agree) and Velshi, who scarfed down a slider, joking “does this body look like I don’t eat? I’m expecting twins.” (He actually asked us to photograph him eating—he was really adamant about it.) As guests shuffled off to their own homes (or in the case of Tory and Znaimer, we presume castles), we started to think we should probably learn how to speak money too.
117520 (Images: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Suzanne-Boyd-Ali-Velshi-Amanda-Lang1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Suzanne-Boyd-Ali-Velshi-Amanda-Lang1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Suzanne-Boyd-Ali-Velshi-Amanda-Lang1.jpg 656 400 [] https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/suzanne-boyd-ali-velshi-amanda-lang-2/ suzanne-boyd-ali-velshi-amanda-lang-2 0 0
117509 Moses Znaimer and Ali Velshi exchanging literature (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9038-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9038.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9038.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154600","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9038/ img_9038 0 0
117508 Moses Znaimer: fan boy. Even at society functions, people wait their turn to speak with the author (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9041-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9041.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9041.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.6","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154617","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9041-3/ img_9041-3 0 0
117507 Stikeman Elliott partner Marie Garneau has her eyes and ears open (like a good party-goer should) (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9047-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9047.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9047.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154676","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9047/ img_9047 0 0
117506 Toronto Public Affairs Office Scott Walker from the U.S. consulate (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9052-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9052.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9052.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154720","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9052/ img_9052 0 0
117503 Suzanne Boyd looking beautiful as usual (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9059-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9059.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9059.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154735","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9059/ img_9059 0 0
117502 PR firm Navigator’s Martha Durdin preparing to do—presumably—a live reading from her new book (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9065-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9065.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9065.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154880","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9065/ img_9065 0 0
117501 Moses Znaimer’s completely shameless, Planet Hollywood-style, orchidaceous leather jacket (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9072-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9072.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9072.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154954","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9072/ img_9072 0 0
117500 Scotiabank executive VP Luc Vanneste (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9075-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9075.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9075.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329154997","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9075/ img_9075 0 0
117499 National’s Julia Johnston in conversation with real estate giant Capreit’s Corinne Pruzanski and host Amanda Lang (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9091-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9091.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9091.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329155239","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9091/ img_9091 0 0
117498 Society columnist Shinan Govani trying to get some dirt from Amanda Lang (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9100-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9100.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9100.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329155299","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9100/ img_9100 0 0
117497 John Tory, while in the business of kissing babies, is seen engaging in the double kiss (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9115-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9115.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9115.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329155720","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9115/ img_9115 0 0
117496 Chair of the OSC Howard Wetston (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9157-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9157.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9157.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"1.2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329155928","focal_length":"85","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9157/ img_9157 0 0
117495 Bro tap for John Tory (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9178-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9178.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9178.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156083","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9178/ img_9178 0 0
117494 Roots co-founder Michael Budman Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9182-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9182.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9182.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156121","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9182-2/ img_9182-2 0 0
117493 Amanda Lang’s mother Adrian Macdonald (and wife of Hon. Donald Macdonald) (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9186-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9186.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9186.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156125","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9186/ img_9186 0 0
117491 Author and guest of honour Ali Velshi (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9198-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9198.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9198.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156160","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9198/ img_9198 0 0
117490 Proud papa Murad Velshi (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9235-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9235.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9235.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156679","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9235/ img_9235 0 0
117489 Hostess with the most(est) Amanda Lang (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9255-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9255.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9255.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329157067","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9255/ img_9255 0 0
117488 Andrew Coyne chatting up the ladies (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9283-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9283.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9283.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329157159","focal_length":"85","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9283/ img_9283 0 0
117484 Entrepreneur and reality TV star Kevin O’Leary (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9220-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9220.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9220.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156526","focal_length":"85","iso":"5000","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9220/ img_9220 0 0
117486 PR professional Deb McCain hangs out with Amanda Lang and some book lovers (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9321-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9321.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9321.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329157423","focal_length":"85","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9321/ img_9321 0 0
117485 The lovely Amanda Lang (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9323-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9323.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9323.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329157433","focal_length":"85","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9323/ img_9323 0 0
117492 Executive vice-president of the CBC's English services Kirstine Stewart (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9189-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9189.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9189.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329156146","focal_length":"85","iso":"2500","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9189/ img_9189 0 0
117487 Man of the hour Ali Velshi asked us to take this photo (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Amanda Lang and friends toast Ali Velshi’s new book https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9299-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9299.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_9299.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.2","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1329157291","focal_length":"85","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0166666666667"} https://torontolife.com/city/amanda-lang-and-ali-velshi-party-2012/slide/img_9299/ img_9299 0 0
Why is Fraser Abe writing?