Community Rocks 2018 Features a Disco-Themed Party

Community Living Toronto held their Community Rocks 2018 fundraiser on Nov. 10, 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, located on the CNE grounds. The disco-themed party was hosted by Ben Mulroney, and featured a concert by Montreal’s own Sam Roberts Band. The evening was filled with glitter, delicious bites, classic disco hits, and a whole lot of dancing!

Community Living Toronto was established in 1948 and helps support individuals with intellectual disabilities exercise their independence and choice, while working towards participating and integrating into their community. They also facilitate skill development, as members are welcomed to enroll in a wide variety of classes that work towards helping them achieve their goals and dreams. This is a truly amazing organization doing work to better the lives of thousands, while actively contributing towards Toronto’s greatness.

Art facilitator Harold told me that registration for art classes opens December 17, 2018 and that this year, they’ve added a creative writing workshop under their music program so participants can learn about songwriting.

The Community Rocks 2018 party featured a gorgeous disco dance floor located in the centre of the room, that had hanging disco balls, streamers, balloons, and neons lights. DJ Raptor Mark and DJ Lindsay played disco favourites and kept the dance floor packed the entire night!

Not only did the music keep the energy high, but this year the Hit & Run dance company was invited to the party, and their love of dance is infectious! They literally had guests dancing in the aisles of the theatre, encouraged impromptu dance choreography, and made everyone smile wherever they went throughout the night.

Sam Roberts Band melted hearts with their performance this year. Sam Roberts himself invited guests to get out of their seats and move up to the front of the stage to enjoy the music. He then took the time to dance with people at the front, ask them their names, and how they were enjoying their evening. It might seem like a small gesture, but the interactions brought such excitement to fans of his, and kept the amazing energy going even after the end of their performance. Not only are they a fantastic band, but also great human beings as well.

Not only was there an abundance of music and dancing, but also delicious food. Seventh Heaven Event Catering made sure that guests had a wide variety of eats throughout the evening. The pizza bar was clearly a crowd favourite, as fresh batches of pizza were constantly brought out. Seventh Heaven also made sure that hor d’oeuvres were circulating throughout the event space, and my personal favourite was the tomato soup with grilled cheese, which were both mini! So cute, and comforting, all in one bite (and sip)!

After the savory deliciousness, the dancing, and the live rock concerts, guests were invited back into the main event space and treated to amazing desserts. There were dessert stations all along the periphery, with every kind of candy and baked good you could desire, but I couldn’t get over the ice cream truck that was brought inside for sweet and creamy soft-serve! Chocolate and vanilla twist is my favourite, and goes really well with ABBA.

The glazed donuts available at the dessert stations were also pretty fantastic, and take second place for my indulgent treat of the night.

It’s important to remember that all the glitter, treats, and fun of the night were in support of an incredibly important cause. For that reason, it’s so exciting to hear that the 2018 fundraising goal of $600,000 was exceeded by almost $20,000! If you’re looking to support a local community organization that’s making a difference in the lives of so many people, I urge you to check out Community Living Toronto. Alternatively, if you want to support the organization in a more hands-on approach, check out Community Living Toronto’s volunteering opportunities throughout the GTA.   

If you’re just looking for a fun filled night out with friends, and could really use an injection of positivity in your life, I highly recommend attending the next Community Rocks party. All the guests are so happy to be there, and it’s impossible to not leave with a smile on your face. You’ll not only have an amazing time and see a super intimate rock concert, but you’ll also be contribute towards bringing independence and self-worth to so many individuals. This really is a party with a purpose.