admin, Author at The Great Hall

The Great Hall Honours its history

Posted on December 28, 2017 by admin

The Great Hall is proud to be apart of Toronto’s rich history. A new plaque honouring the building’s history by outlining the different phases of life The Great Hall has had was recently installed outside the main entrance on Queen St by Heritage Toronto.

Originally built as the West End YMCA, The Great Hall’s restoration project has revitalized the original structures character by bringing the build back to its original High Victorian style. 1087 Queen West has gone through many changes since it’s original build in 1890. After the YMCA, the Royal Templars of Temperance purchased and renovated the building in 1912 and by 1933 the Independent Order of Foresters merged with the Templars and added the dance hall, now known as Main Hall. Shortly after, the Polish National Union moved in and managed the building from 1939 until 1987. It was after this group that The Great Hall transformed into the cultural and event venue of Queen St West.

To find out more, check out our history page here.

Behaviour’s Nice n’ Naughty Holiday Party

Posted on December 20, 2017 by admin

MPOSSIBLE Events blew us away once again with Behaviour‘s Nice n’ Naughty holiday party!

The Bavarian-themed market truly came to life this December at The Great Hall. The Main Hall was decked out with thousands of lights, multiple trees and snow! As some guests tucked away by the fire, others explored the food stalls where Citizen Catering was offering Bavarian delicacies.

Throughout the evening, guest chose from the naughty or nice specialty cocktail list and grabbed a chair next to Santa for a photo. Like the cocktails, the music went from nice to naughty as the night progressed and it didn’t take long for everyone to start busting a move, the snowman included.

Another wonderful holiday party to nicely wrap up the 2017 holiday season!

Mosaic’s Home Alone Holiday Party

Posted on December 13, 2017 by admin

As the decor items began to load in, we all knew this night would go down in The Great Hall‘s history books as one of the most clever holiday party ideas- Home Alone.

Mosaic brought the McCallister’s home to life this December in the Main Hall and Conversation Room and no detail was missed. From Kevin in his tree house placed perfectly on stage to Little Nero’s Pizza boy passing hot slices to guests throughout the night to a few boobie traps strategically placed in the venue, guests were fully immersed in the Home Alone experience. The whole McCallister family was with us through family portraits and quotes on the walls, to the photo booth taking pictures of guests in a recreated living room.

The Food Dudes passed delicious Kevin McCallister approved bites while guests picked a cocktail from the naughty or nice bar list. As the eggnog was flowing, so was the dance floor as guests sang along to all the holiday classics performed by the live band and DJ.

Mosaic’s corporate holiday party set the bar high but we can’t wait to see what else is in store for The Great Hall this holiday season!

STARS- TWO DAYS OF SOLD OUT SHOWS

Posted on November 29, 2017December 5, 2017 by admin

Devoted fans pilled into the Main Hall to witness Stars perform songs old and new at back-to-back sold-out shows November 22 and 23, 2017.

Stars devoted fans were smiling from ear to ear as the bands dynamic bond was palpable and the moments of lighthearted banter never ceased throughout the night. Beers were raised as the band took the stage and the crowd moved together in sync to the beat on the main floor and mezzanine of the Main Hall. The love of the band and their fans was evident to not only The Great Hall team but the media took notice as well.

To read more about this amazing show, check out Exclaims article here and the Live in Limbo article here.

The Weather Stations Tour Kicks Off at The Great Hall

Posted on November 21, 2017 by admin

The Weather Station kicks off with a sold-out hometown gig at Toronto’s The Great Hall this Friday.

The Weather Stations self-titled and fourth album was released on October 6th via Paradise of Bachelors, and will tour North America throughout the fall.

The Toronto Star’s article “Heavier sound brings sunnier days for the Weather Station” hit the stands yesterday states ” it’s shaping up to be the best-received release yet in a repertoire that has earned singer/songwriter (and sometime actress) Lindeman no small amount of acclaim.”

To find out more about this fantastic artist’s tour, click here!

And to read more of this article, click here!

Heather & Scott Tied The Knot!

Posted on November 12, 2017November 12, 2017 by admin

The ancient Greeks believed that weddings that take place during a full Moon will be the most prosperous and happiest. It was no accident that Heather and Scott tied the knot at The Great Hall on November 4, 2017, under the full moons bright glow.

The Main Hall hosted all the monumental moments of the evening. At the beginning of the evening, Heather and Scott’s 160 guests enthusiastically filled the seats in the Main Hall to witness their beautiful ceremony against the theatre’s backdrop before moving to the Conversation Room to join in a toast to the newlyweds.

An array of delicacies were served for dinner back in the Main Hall on both the main floor and mezzanine level. Five unique food stations consisting of oysters, sushi, perogies and more were thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. As the dessert stations began to roll in, the music turned up and the dance floor began. Guests from the mezzanine quickly took notice and joined the wedding party on the dance floor and stayed there for the rest of the evening.

Cheers to Heather and Scott! May this next chapter be prosperous and full of happiness.

The Great Hall at The Heritage Toronto Awards

Posted on October 25, 2017November 12, 2017 by admin

The Great Hall was proud to receive an honourable mention at The 2017 Heritage Toronto Awards this Monday, October 24, 2017. The beautiful renovations to our historic Victorian venue containing four unique spaces has not gone unnoticed. Being recognized as an influential landmark on Queen Street West and within the Toronto Heritage community was an honour.

The winners of the 2017 Heritage Toronto Awards were announced during a ceremony hosted by award-winning journalist Christopher Hume. More than 500 guests attended the awards alongside The Great Hall team. The best from Toronto’s city-building community attended this flagship networking event to discuss restoration and it’s positive effect on the city. In its 43^rd year, the Heritage Toronto Awards recognize extraordinary contributions to the conservation and celebration of Toronto’s heritage.

The Great Hall would like to congratulate all the award winners of the night and thank Heritage Toronto for the recognition.

Events: The Great Hall Hosts Grace Loves Lace’s Canadian Debut

Posted on February 23, 2017April 13, 2017 by admin

Grace Loves Lace Toronto Concierge
Cult Australian favourite wedding dress designer Grace Loves Lace is coming to Canada for their exclusive debut, a Toronto Concierge event, only at The Great Hall, March 10-19, 2017.

It’s no surprise that North American brides-to-be have fallen hard for the luxurious, effortlessly unique yet surprisingly affordable wedding gowns Grace Loves Lace offers, just as much as Aussie ladies. Setting up shop on The Great Hall’s corner of West Queen West — a hot spot for Toronto style and creativity — was a clear choice for the fashion-forward brand.

From across their native Australia, to their new showroom in Venice, CA and on the wedding style circuit, Grace Loves Lave is recognized for creating bridal sanctuaries in bright spaces with high ceilings, their signature clean white, hardwood and timber floors, and vintage-inspired details. The Great Hall’s secluded Drawing Room makes a perfect fit for this GLL design statement with its dark wood floors, original Palladian arch and mullioned windows overlooking West Queen West, wrought iron chandelier and original 1889 architectural details. The Drawing Room’s sleek gourmet kitchen and grand bar will also be set with the sparkling wine, rose tea and nibbles that are a finishing touch to Grace Loves Lace concierge events.

Ontario brides are invited to submit their requests for a complimentary one-on-one Grace Loves Lace styling session appointment in Toronto online now. You and your guests will also have an opportunity to check out The Great Hall’s other three newly restored event venues, made for weddings, social occasions and other celebrations with groups from 10 to 300.

Be sure to register today for Grace Loves Lace Toronto Concierge, #GLLxTO, at The Great Hall. Then, let’s find “the dress” and get married, Toronto!

www.graceloveslace.com.au #GLLxTO
Dresses shown in photos include, from left to right, Grace Loves Lace’s Sofia, Gia, Arlo (with Roberta lace cape) and Soho styles. See more of their modern French lace creations right here.

Events: The Collections™ RE\SET Fashion at The Great Hall, February 6 & 7, 2017

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by admin

The Great Hall is proud to serve as the host venue and a production partner when THE COLLECTIONS™ presents RE\SET Fashion, in collaboration with Robin Kay, on February 6 and 7, 2017. Held over two nights, RE\SET will feature a curated group of Canadian designers showcasing influential fashion throughout our recently restored historic Toronto venue at 1087 Queen St. W.

RE/SET is designed around three main objectives: to allow designer to connect with buyers, media and consumers; to re-form the traditional designer presentation model in a fresh direction, and to rethink Canada’s fashion identity while inspiring awareness.

Notable RE\SET designers include: Vogue’s Designer to Watch and DHL Exported winner, Sid Neigum; Forbes’ 2017 Art and Style ‘30 Under 30’ design duo, Beaufille; Toronto-based duo, Markoo; contemporary womenswear Hilary MacMillan; signature avant-garde brand, Pedram Karimi; satirical contemporary street brand WRKDEPT, and menswear lines Thomas Bálint and Klaxon Howl. RE\SET will also present a two-day showroom featuring ready-to-wear designers Namesake, Tara Rivas for TMR, S.P. Badu, Triarchy, accessory designers Dean Davidson, Krane, Cuchara, Dolorous, Uncuffed Leather, and shoes by Zvelle.

“The Great Hall has long been committed to supporting, nurturing and showcasing world-class artistic talent,” said Steve Metlitski, president of Triangle Development and owner of The Great Hall.

“Canada’s fashion industry is an integral part of our country’s arts and culture, and we are thrilled to provide the backdrop for Canada’s top design talent to showcase their collections this season.” READ FULL RE\SET PRESS RELEASE

Join the RE\SET Fashion event conversation by following or tagging @resetFSN and #resetFSN and via our The Great Hall Instagram, Twitter and Facebook feeds.

If you are interested in a production site or booking one of our four restored heritage venues, simply email bookings@thegreathall.ca.

Weddings: Corynn Fowler Photography Styled Shoot, Conversation Room

Posted on February 1, 2017April 13, 2017 by admin

At The Great Hall, we are fortunate to host both many weddings and celebrations, and, also, a growing number of engagement, wedding and wedding fashion and industry photo shoots. Recently, we welcomed Corynn Fowler Photography, a wedding, engagement and lifestyle photographer based in Toronto and Collingwood, to our Conversation Room, for a styled shoot with her friend Amy from Bridal Hair Collective.

Here’s some of what Corynn had to say about that shoot day:
“We were working at The Great Hall, one of Toronto’s stunning new venues this season. It has just been renovated and re-opened as a beautiful, classic old Queen St. West building, with an elegant and minimalist vibe inside the airy white rooms. It has tall windows and even taller ceilings, as well as a spectacular old stage theater complete with balconies and velvet drapes that filter in the most dreamy dramatic light.

I had no idea what a treat I was about to experience my first time shooting here, and immediately hopped-to scheduling more time to shoot at this amazing venue with the most inspiring light and a fabulous team of talented Toronto vendors. This is the first part of 3 shoots from our work at The Great Hall, and I already can’t wait to share the rest with you!” SEE FULL STORY

Credits:
Photography:katebackdrop
Hair: NewHairLine
Makeup: HairBro
Dress: SAJA from Lunss.com
Venue: The Great Hall, Conversation Room
Florals: Leaf and Bloom
Jewellery: Lilliane’s Fine Jewellery
Model: Rachel from Carolyn’s Talent

Interested in The Great Hall as a wedding or social event venue? For more information or to book a site visit, please email weddings@thegreathall.ca including your preferred wedding dates, approximate number of guests and any other key questions or requirements.

If you are looking at reserving one of our four restored heritage venues for a wedding or engagement photo shoot, trunk show or other professional booking, direct your request to bookings@thegreathall.ca. We look forward to collaborating with you to find your ideal event space.