“Of all the galas in all the towns in the all the world, we hope you walk into ours.”
Setting a tone of confidence, the words above were scribed on the invitation to Canada’s National Ballet School’s annual fundraising gala. Promising a night of the best 1940’s era inspired music, gourmet food, a casino and a highly anticipated performance, the event took a cue from the classic Casablanca movie, the organizers infused a Moroccan theme to the gala. Presented by TD Bank Financial Group, the event was also hosted at one of our all-time favourite venues, The Carlu.
The expectations were also high for the National Ballet School. Expected to raise up to $850,000 from the fundraising gala alone, the night is also critical for the approximately 70% of students who require financial assistance to further their training. With some young students coming from across Canada to train at the Toronto school, the fundraiser serves to help ease the financial stress so students can pursue their dreams.
With the historic, art-deco building serving as the backdrop to the Morocco themed event, the décor helped play up the drama with hanging lanterns and Moroccan inspired design details. The guests in attendance only helped to elevate the gala’s Casablanca theme. The 1940’s inspiration brought guests in gorgeous long gowns, long satin gloves, fur stoles and glamorous jewellery. With the beautiful décor and guests bringing some serious style, Canada’s National Ballet School’s annual gala is one to stand out on Toronto’s party map.
Check out some of the photos from the event below. For more information on Canada’s National Ballet School, including how to help students, click here.
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1TS_7949-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2AS_0187-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2AS_0243-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Ainsley-Kerr-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Archie-McIntosh-Gay-Mitchell-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Cindy-Caron-Thorburn-NBS-Board-Member-Craig-Thorburn-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dan-Freeman-Matt-Farley-Rory-Tufford-Rob-Dekoning-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/David-Baker-Ally-Calder-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Delaney-Juanita-Montalvo-NBS-Casablanca-Gala-Co-Chairs-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Frances-Carmichael-Vice-Chair-NBS-Board-of-Directors-Jack-Cashman-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Guests-attending-NBS%E2%80%99-Casablanca-Gala-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Guillaume-C%C3%B4t%C3%A9-NBS-alumnus-and-The-National-Ballet-of-Canada-dancer-Heather-Ogden-The-National-Ballet-of-Canada-dancer-Tanya-Howard-NBS-alumna-and-The-National-Ballet-of-Canada-dancer-Robert-Eichvald-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Jack-Petch-Chair-NBS-Board-of-Directors-Mavis-Staines-NBS-Artistic-Director-CEO-Veronica-Tennant-NBS-alumna-Peter-Lamb-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Jeannine-Volp-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Karen-Johnson-Sarbjit-Basra-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Kim-Tanenbaum-NBS-Casablanca-Gala-Committee-Member-Angelina-Bakshi-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Kristen-Berry-Charles-Berry-NBS-alumnus-Casablanca-Gala-Committee-Member-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Monika-Joslin-NBS-Director-Development-Bradley-Powell-NBS-alumnus-Kim-Tanenbaum-NBS-Casablanca-Gala-Committee-Member-Dan-Tanenbaum-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Sara-Diamond-President-OCAD-University-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Shaun-Amyot-NBS-Artistic-Faculty-Member-Craig-Thorburn-Cindy-Caron-Thorburn-NBS-Board-Member-Amanda-Johnston-John-Baker-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Stephen-Delaney-NBS-Casablanca-Gala-Co-Chair-Kiki-Delaney-Robyn-McCallum-Ian-Delaney-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Students-of-Canada%E2%80%99s-National-Ballet-School-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Sydney-Bandiera-Joel-Levy-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Tanya-Howard-NBS-alumna-and-The-National-Ballet-of-Canada-dancer-150x150.jpg)
![National-Ballet-School-Gala-Fundraiser-](http://www.torontoisfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Tara-Bartolini-150x150.jpg)