By Roxy Rowe (Staff Writer)
TORONTO, ONT – What do Harry Potter, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Romeo and Juliet, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler and have in common? They were all spotted strolling around the Toronto Reference Library on a snowy Thursday evening in February.
The fictional favourites came off the library’s bookshelves to help celebrate the Book Lover’s Ball’s 10th anniversary. The annual event celebrates the best in Canadian Authors and raises much needed funds for the Toronto Public Libraries. The evening marked the first time a gala event was ever held at the Toronto Reference Library.
“The overwhelming support from Book Lover’s Ball attendees over the past decade has enabled the Toronto Public Library Foundation to help Toronto’s Library thrive by ensuring Torontonians have access to the best programs, services and resources possible,” said Heather Rumball, President of Toronto Public Library Foundation. “We’re thrilled to be offering our guests a 10th Anniversary Book Lover’s Ball celebration like never before.”
Literary enthusiast mingled with almost 60 of Canada’s top authors over a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres by famed Toronto chef Jamie Kennedy, then dined among the rows and stacks of rare books with fellow book lovers and celebrity authors which were seated at each table.
Noted author-guests included Maureen Jennings (Murdoch Mysteries), 2014 Writer’s Trust Award winner Miriam Toews (A Complicated Kindness), Claire Cameron (The Bear), Michael Winter (Minister Without Portfolio), Andrew Pyper (The Killing Circle; The Demonologist), musician Carl Dixon (Strange Way to Live) and Guy Gavriel Kay (Under Heaven).
A special After Party appropriately called ‘After Dark, The Plot Thickens’ dazzled the crowd, featuring live music, dancing, cocktails and canapés on the main floor.
The Book Lover’s Ball has raised over $3.6 million in support of exemplary collections, ground breaking programs and services, and innovative community spaces.
