The Scene: Power Ball 13, a party where people drink a lot and eat meat in designer clothes
Forget the fashion—Power Ball 13, 2011’s edition of the annual Power Plant fundraiser, was all about the meat. Think a pig on a spit is decadent? Well, there was an entire bison. Flocks of formally attired party-goers crowded in front of the massive spit to ooh and aah over the roasting beast like enchanted Temple of Doom acolytes as Marc Thuet sliced meat into sandwiches. “We need meat!” cried Stephen Wong of design duo Greta Constantine as he and partner Kirk Pickersgill tucked into their fat-dripping sandwiches. Also spotted: Belinda Stronach , Jeff Stober , Kenneth Montague, Shinan Govani , Loretta Chin and more carnivores (and some herbivores, lest we forget). Check out the fashion, art and meat in a gallery after the jump.
In addition to the Greta Constantine designers, Canadian fashion was out in full force, including writer Sarah Nicole Prickett and Toronto Life contributor Victoria Webster , both sporting the same frock from event co-chair Jeremy Laing (“There’s only two of these dresses in the whole world!” laughed Prickett. “What are the chances?”). Blogger Anita Clarke , meanwhile, was seen slithering around in a Mark Fast catsuit, singer Clara Venice wore a head-to-toe Evan Biddell ensemble, and Neubacher Shor Contemporary gallery owner Anya Shor was in a feather-covered Marika Brose frock.
The ratio of high fashion to high street fashion was the same as always, with some taking some chances (a few gals were wearing elaborate headpieces from local line By Ropena , while 69 Vintage doyenne Kealan Sullivan donned an eye-catching sequined cap and shimmering black tunic) and the remainder throwing on any old thing. The lit-up wires of one of the art installations (we like to refer to it as “the laser room”) perked up everyone’s outfits nicely, albeit in a Tron sort of way.
We especially admire the brave few who, successfully or not, really took it to the next level (the theme was The Thirteenth Floor, after all), such as the woman wearing the green velvet muumuu and the huge gold horseshoe around her neck, or marketing maven Louie Manzo , who eschewed his usual stocking-over-the-face look for an elaborate silver wig accessorized with cat-o’-nine-tails (naturally).
Maybe we should all head to The Thirteenth Floor more often. Even it’s just for the meat.
74260 It is a pretty safe bet that if there’s a mass of fired-up meat, hungry artists will come. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2951.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2951.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2951.jpg 624 900 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_2951/ img_2951 0 0
74261 Better throw one of these on to stay safe from the ginger-infused vodka breath and hide the DIY barbecue-sauce lipstick. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2991.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2991.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2991.jpg 624 432 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_2991/ img_2991 0 0
74262 Not since the film <em>Mannequin</em> has fashion and retail merchandising been unified so successfully. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2996.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2996.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2996.jpg 624 915 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_2996/ img_2996 0 0
74263 Two angry birds and one spaced-out bird who is content just showing off her feathers. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2997.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2997.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_2997.jpg 624 464 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_2997/ img_2997 0 0
74264 The art of seduction. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3035.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3035.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3035.jpg 624 423 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3035/ img_3035 0 0
74265 Art installation: woman strangles self with fur. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3050.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3050.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3050.jpg 624 421 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3050/ img_3050 0 0
74266 Where’s Muscle Beach? Oh, not here. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3057.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3057.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3057.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3057/ img_3057 0 0
74267 TV in a refrigerator. Groundbreaking. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3072.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3072.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3072.jpg 624 870 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3072/ img_3072 0 0
74268 There’s always someone at a party trying to take home the decorations. At weddings, it was always our grandma with the centrepieces. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3080.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3080.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3080.jpg 624 427 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3080/ img_3080 0 0
74290 Naturally, someone decided to beat box. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Powerball1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Powerball1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Powerball1.jpg 624 414 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/powerball1/ powerball1 0 0
74270 Eyes, the other white meat. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3108.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3108.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3108.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3108/ img_3108 0 0
74271 Marketing guy Louie Manzo might claim that cat-o’-nine-tails go with just about everything. He’d be mistaken. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3137.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3137.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3137.jpg 624 445 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3137/ img_3137 0 0
74272 Belinda Stronach wore a dress that said she was there to party (and she looked great), while Jeff Stober may have taken the wrong turn on his way to Puff Daddy’s White Party. (Image: Erin Simkin) Belinda Stronach and Jeff Stober https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3146.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3146.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3146.jpg 624 941 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3146/ img_3146 0 0
74273 Justin Bieber sings one of his many famous songs. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3155.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3155.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3155.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3155/ img_3155 0 0
74274 Better than the Rotisserie Channel. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3172.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3172.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3172.jpg 624 421 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3172/ img_3172 0 0
74275 Marc Thuet and his meat pile. (Image: Erin Simkin) Marc Thuet https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3185.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3185.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3185.jpg 624 875 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3185/ img_3185 0 0
74276 We admire anyone willing to drown themselves in emerald-green velvet. With a horseshoe that big, she’s just showing off. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3191.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3191.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3191.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3191/ img_3191 0 0
74277 Kealan Sullivan, owner of 69 Vintage, wearing a knit space helmet. (Image: Erin Simkin) Vintage 69 owner Kealan Sullivan https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3207.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3207.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3207.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3207/ img_3207 0 0
74278 Some people wore masks. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3220.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3220.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3220.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3220/ img_3220 0 0
74279 Power Plant patron and art-world gadfly Kenneth Montague (right) shares a secret (or, perhaps, sings a ballad) with/to a friend. The gentleman on the left was put into a trance, whatever it was. (Image: Erin Simkin) Kenneth Montague https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3244.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3244.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3244.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3244/ img_3244 0 0
74280 A beautiful exit. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3250.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3250.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3250.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3250/ img_3250 0 0
74281 Everyone tries to be cool at Power Ball. It is 100 per cent inclusive. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3252.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3252.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3252.jpg 624 422 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3252/ img_3252 0 0
74282 <em>Monsters, Inc.</em> (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3257.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3257.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3257.jpg 624 437 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3257/ img_3257 0 0
74283 The art equivalent of foreplay. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3301.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3301.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3301.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3301/ img_3301 0 0
74284 When in doubt, strut? (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3307.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3307.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3307.jpg 624 891 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3307/ img_3307 0 0
74285 This lovely lady dashed off not once, but twice, before we could grab our shot. We imagine she was in a hurry to water the plant that seemed to be sprouting on her head as we spoke. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3316.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3316.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3316.jpg 624 453 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3316/ img_3316 0 0
74287 Teacher and recent cover girl for <em>Toronto Star’s</em> Best Dressed list channels Minnie Mouse. We assume the famous vermin has a new movie coming out. (Image: Erin Simkin) Maria Barsali https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3353.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3353.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3353.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3353/ img_3353 0 0
74288 Wetting the floor of an empty room is treated as art at events like this. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3359.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3359.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3359.jpg 624 469 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3359/ img_3359 0 0
74289 We saw Michael Awad in a lot of photos with various young ladies. We guess all it takes is a great Sergeant Pepper jacket and a show at the Power Plant Gallery. (Image: Erin Simkin) Michael Awad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3373.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3373.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3373.jpg 624 484 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3373/ img_3373 0 0
74269 Let them eat cake. (Image: Erin Simkin) Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3104.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3104.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IMG_3104.jpg 624 908 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/img_3104/ img_3104 0 0
74532 (Image: Erin Simkin) The Scene: Power Ball 13 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/The-Scene.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/The-Scene.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/The-Scene.jpg 656 479 [] https://torontolife.com/city/the-scene-at-powerball-13/slide/the-scene/ the-scene 0 0
Uchhhh a bunch of scenesters and wannabes. These people are so gross.
I attended Powerball for the first time this year and it was lame. What a snooty bunch of people who were ridiculously dressed. Thank-fully my tickets were free, otherwise I would be quite upset to fork out $165 for this nonsense.
I just don;t get all the snarky comments (in the pictures). Is it “uncool” to say something nice for a change?
Actually, some of those comments were quite funny. But yes, a compliment or two wouldn’t of hurt.
The photo captions are brilliant!
Oh boy, thanks for reiterating why I’ve forgone the bore that is power ball for the last 5 years. Last time I went Mr. Stober hadn’t taken over the majority of real estate on Queen West West and it was actually artists who made up the majority of the attendees to this then $100 event. I dig the sarcasm in this article, from the images to the title. Fashion and food, clever. *Wink, Wink*
This may not have been one of the best Power Balls (I’ve attended about 6 of them) but it certainly wasn’t “lame”. Plus the money goes towards helping the Power Pant Art Gallery operate on an international level. So to all those critiquing the people (probably because they have their own issues with money, class, self esteem etc), remember this IS a fundraiser. Those “gross scenester wannabes” (what a silly over-used comment BTW) are paying good money (which, ahem, you might not have) in order to keep a great gallery going. Chew on that.
bla bla bla……if it’s not some idiotic fundraiser, its someone running a marathon…….Toronto IS LAME, wannabe NOT about helping others. It’s about being seen. period
Hire ME to write your captions. These are abysmal.