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Culture

Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall

By Fraser Abe
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Astral CEO Ian Greenberg and Jason Priestly (Image: Jag Gundu)

The Astral Media 50th Anniversary party at Roy Thompson Hall illustrated once and for all that Astral should be known for a lot more than the ongoing Toronto garbage debacle. Brandon Walsh Jason Priestley, fresh off a Gemini nomination for best actor for his work on the HBO Canada series Call Me Fitz, the senior and more famous—except amongst tweenage girls—Mulroney, erstwhile prime minister Brian Mulroney, his wife Mila and director Norman Jewison all came out to see Curb Your Enthusiasm star Susie Essman emcee and Chantal Kreviazuk perform before the screening of the TIFF opening film, From the Sky Down. Check out the party after the jump.

It must have been a banner year for Astral—besides the sea of ladies with red soles, guests sipped on Brunello and munched on lamb and fresh oysters catered by Daniel et Daniel. Essman, keeping with the raunchy shtick she does so well on Curb Your Enthusiasm, joked that she mustn’t be in New York because everyone in Canada is “so fucking nice,” and that was before Ian Greenberg, CEO of Astral, welcomed “Chantal Krevziak” to the stage, proving everyone has trouble pronouncing the songstress’s name. Greenberg referred to U2 as “a little-known Irish band,” and though the rockers didn’t show for the pre-party (they were busy attending a screening at the Elgin Theatre), no one seemed to care—free wine seems to wash away most worries.

Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall
Astral CEO Ian Greenberg and Jason Priestly (Image: Jag Gundu)
Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall
Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall
Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall
Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall
Astral celebrates its 50th Anniversary at TIFF 2011 with Susie Essman and Chantal Kreviazuk at Roy Thomson Hall

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