Caroline Philips, Ottawa Business Journal
October 26, 2017
It was come one, come all to the greatest shindig in town. The AOE Arts Council hosted its carnival-themed signature soirée Thursday to raise funds and to celebrate the contributions that artists make toward creating a lively and vibrant Ottawa, where people want to live, work and visit.
The annual Artinis benefit drew a sold-out crowd of 200 to the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans for music, entertainment, food, drinks and games, in the Richcraft Theatre, followed by a sit-down dinner on the main stage in Harold Shenkman Hall.
The evening marked both the 10th anniversary of Artinis and the 30-year milestone for the AOE Arts Council, a non-profit arts group that represents more than 400 artists and arts organizations in this city.
The party organizers’ attention to detail was outstanding. So much of the decor was made by volunteers, including the ghost-like body casts of circus trapeze artists that were carefully constructed from packing tape. They hung down from the rafters during the dinner prepared by Ottawa chefs David Fortune (Bar Laurel), Ryan Edwards (Salt Dining & Lounge) and Francis Periard (St. Martha’s Brasserie d’Orléans).
Performers from Aerial Antics swung and twirled from above while cellist Joan Harrisonand guitarist Roddy Ellias provided live music. The crowd was also entertained earlier in the evening by the Rachelle Behrens Combo.
With Halloween practically knocking at our front door, guests had the option of wearing costumes. One creative couple put a Canada 150-spin on their garb by dressing as Confederate Zombies.