TIFF 2012: Elton John swings by Holt Renfrew pre-Fashion Cares

Sir Elton John stood before the Weston family and scores of onlookers in Holt Renfrew‘s Bloor Street shoe department on Saturday morning and gave the crowd a highly-charged pep talk.

“I have been coming to Canada since 1970,” declared the singer, in a pink-spangled shirt and dark suit. “I have always found that Canadians give very much not only with their pockets, but with their hearts and their voices. And I’ve always been very touched. And it’s kind of ironic that I’ve ended up with a Canadian,” he said, glancing around to his Scarborough-raised husband David Furnish.

“I couldn’t be more happy,” he continued. “I love this country. You don’t shout about yourselves enough from the rooftops. You aren’t second cousins to America. You’re a great, great country.” Well you can imagine the cheers THAT brought. Then John, who is headlining tomorrow night’s Fashion Cares benefit, switched gears, convincing us to buy the $50 Sir Elton John and David Furnish decorative candle, with proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

When he finished his talk, John jumped down off the podium and threw his arms around Barbara Black who was nestled in the front row with husband, Conrad. It turns out the two couples are longtime friends.

The Blacks were among those who then headed around the corner to the new Four Seasons Hotel which doesn’t launch until Oct. 5 but cracked open its doors for the traditional George Christy TIFF lunch. The sixth floor reception area is bright and airy with a glossy central bar and lots of room to roam. And roam we did–right smack into Ewan McGregor, who was more than happy to pose for photos and discuss fly-fishing with Toronto publicist Jane Gill.

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