Inside the first ever Bliss Ball: Jennifer Hudson, Martin Sheen, Selita Ebanks and 500 of Toronto’s best-dressed donors fête the Dilawri and SickKids foundations
Last Saturday night, Toronto’s historic Fort York was transformed into an enchanted spot fit for a diva. A diva and 500 of the city’s most well heeled (and well dressed) donors that is. Grammy and Oscar winning singer, actress and belter Jennifer Hudson headlined the first ever Bliss Ball marking 10 years of philanthropic work by the SickKids Foundation and the Dilawri Foundation. Also featuring Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page, who acted as host, Emmy award winning actor Martin Sheen who acted as auctioneer and supermodel and ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel Selita Ebanks who did her best Vanna White alongside Sheen, the night was star-studded, to say the least.
As guests took in a spectacular Mark McEwan feast and Le Clos Jordanne wine underneath a specially-erected and shimmering tent, the night’s various speakers and performers (Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush Hager and YouTube sensation Maria Lourdes Aragon were only a few) continuously drove the foundations’ message home: to protect the health and well-being of children locally and globally, and to alleviate financial burdens to families with sick children. (With over a million dollars in support of the Patient Amenities Fund at The Hospital for Sick Children, we’d say that message came through loud and clear.)
Post feast, guests crowded around as Jennifer Hudson voice took to centre stage and performed a set of Whitney Houston covers, a few J.Hud originals and our favourite: the Oscar winning Dreamgirls solo, “And I’m telling you I’m not going.” Though we’re not sure Hudson knew exactly which party she’d flown in to support, we’ll still give her the ole’ high five. After all: so many octaves, so little time!
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