TIFF Party: Webers burgers, foul language and a charitable dunking at the star-studded APJ fundraiser
A hodgepodge of Hollywood elites and local royalty gathered at the Forest Hill home of Michael Budman and Diane Bald (otherwise known as Mr. and Mrs. Roots) for yesterday’s fundraiser for Artists for Peace and Justice, Paul Haggis’s charity for impoverished children in Haiti. To accommodate the concert-meets-cocktail-party-meets-live-auction format, the backyard was transformed into the champagne-and-caviar version of the Molson Amphitheatre: a sprawling concert stage, dozens of food stations and a grassy hill where guests soaked up the perfect sunny weather (apparently Budman even has ins with God). Rufus Wainright and Michael Bolton were the headliners, while A-listers like Colin Firth, Maria Bello, Adrien Brody, Olivia Wilde and Jason Sedeikus posed for pics with adoring fans. Here, a handful of highlights from the star-studded bash.
Best Roadside Eats While self-proclaimed lapsed vegetarian Rufus Wainright snacked on vegan pad thai, those of a more carnivorous bent went for Webers burgers, which were brought in for the event from Orillia (along with the grill and the restaurant’s head chef). Most impressive party perk of the fest? We think so.
Saltiest Tongue Turns out Paul Haggis isn’t afraid to use coarse language when necessary. The Crash director wasn’t tolerating dilly-daddlers when it came time to screen a presentation about APJ’s efforts in Haiti, yelling for partygoers to “Get the [bleep] over here!”
Biggest Splash Maria Bello became the undisputed star of the afternoon when she voluntarily plunged into the pool, fully dressed in a gorgeous Marc Jacobs suit, to raise $20,000 for APJ.
Best Song Michael Bolton serenaded a blushing Olivia Wilde with an impassioned rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman.”
Most Awkward Moment Co-host David Purdy’s jokey banter about host Michael Budman having smoked basil before the show (“You know why they call him Bud-man.” Ba-dum-dum.)
Most Famous Fan Boy Rufus Wainright was super-excited to spot Hilary Farr, the host of home makeover show Love It Or List It, among the party guests. Apparently, the once subversive, bad-boy rockstar is just an old married dude these days.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.
Courtney Shea is a freelance journalist in Toronto. She started her career as an intern at Toronto Life and continues to contribute frequently to the publication, including her 2022 National Magazine Award–winning feature, “The Death Cheaters,” her regular Q&As and her recent investigation into whether Taylor Swift hung out at a Toronto dive bar (she did not). Courtney was a producer and writer on the 2022 documentary The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, based on her 2014 Toronto Life magazine feature “The Yorkville Swindler.”
