A Great Start to 2013!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to ring in 2013 at Guelph Dance's first New Year’s Eve Fundraiser and Party! Reminisce with us as we look back at the evening.

After skating at City Hall’s enchanted Market Square rink, it was nice to come in from the cold and see so many friendly, familiar faces! The 1^st floor was decked out with lights, music, hors d’oeuvres, and lots of energy. The 10 Carden space was transformed into a getaway space of silver and black. Only with Guelph Dance will you find an event that is equal parts classy and funky!

By 9:30pm, the dance floor was rockin’ with Guelph’s own The Royal Family, featuring Joni NehRita, Rufus John, Attila Toth, and Adam Bowman. With hits from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson, they knew how to get the crowd going! Luckily there was refreshing beer, nice wine, and even the signature Guelph Dance Drink available at the bar when the dancers needed a break. 

There were kids of all ages taking advantage of the photo booth as an excuse to dress up and be silly! The full photo shoot is available on our flickr site. The kids had a blast going from the skating rink to the movie room to the photo booth and back again. They even had their own hot chocolate mugs and old-fashioned popcorn bags to bring with them throughout the night. 

It was heartwarming to see the reflections and resolutions that our guests, friends, and volunteers shared graffiti-style in the 3rd floor lounge. Though we all faced challenges in 2012, there seems to be an overwhelming sense of hope for the year ahead. 

Everyone gathered on the 1st floor for the countdown to 2013, led by the band. Champagne, ginger-ale, and noisemakers were handed out for all to enjoy. Catrina von Radecki, Co-Artistic Director of Guelph Dance, said a few words of thanks, but the noise-making had already begun! So the lesson was learned: never give out noisemakers and expect that they will only be used at midnight! After a very festive moment at midnight, the band launched into a classic—Celebration by Kool and the Gang—which was the perfect anthem with which to start 2013!

We would like to thank the Guelph community for helping us celebrate a wonderful 15 years and the launch of our new name, Guelph Dance. We wish all the best to our readers for 2013!

Many thanks to some very important contributors, without whom the event would not have been possible:
10 Carden
Wellington Country Brewery 

The Royal Family: Joni NehRita, Rufus John, Attila Toth, and Adam Bowman
The Fundraising Committee: Kim Bolton, Shannon Rushe, Irina Olivares, Andrea LaMarre, Janet Johnson, and Lindsay Morris