Gala-free Giving
Do you recognize these people?
Marketing Molly...
…rushes home from the hairdresser to get changed, scowling against snow that threatens to destroy her flat-ironed hair. She can’t afford a taxi – the $500 gala ticket took a chunk out of her budget, but maybe she’ll be seated beside a good networking opportunity. Hopefully, someone else at the table will have read one of the nominated books so she can pick up some quick talking points for the after-dinner reception. She has only one black-tie outfit that she wore last year, so she’s borrowed a dress from her neighbour who is, alas, fifteen pounds thinner. It means not eating much, but that’s okay, since she never finishes the undercooked wedge of beef they’ll serve anyway. She’s got to be careful about the wine, though; after a few glasses too many last year, she found herself buying two raffle tickets at $100 a pop. She did win a book she’d already read a year earlier, but maybe she can re-gift as her sister’s Christmas present.
Banker Bob...
…tries to stop his sportscar from fishtailing in the snow. He should have wintered it already, but between the volatile markets, the volunteer board work and the divorce proceedings, he just hasn’t had time. Another Thursday night, another gala table to buy. He’d had a number of cancellations this time because of the weather, requiring him to threaten, bully and cajole table replacements. He’d never promised so many hockey tickets in such a short amount of time. None needed for the Senator, though, who would command a dog sled down from Ottawa if needed to avoid missing a photo opportunity. Bob wishes he were just settling in with a nice bottle of wine at Canoe, instead of going nowhere fast on Adelaide. But who knows, maybe wife number three will be found at a nearby table, and one must do one’s bit for the arts.
Artist Anita...
…got the gala invite through her part-time job at the festival. The little sticky note attached says, “We really hope working artists will attend.” Anita can get over the insult of being invited as “flavour” for the rich folks, if they didn’t also require her to pay five hundred bucks to do so. Come support “your community”? Her part-time programming position barely covers rent, canvas and paint; she donates the time she could be working a second job to volunteering for under-funded arts projects. Supporting books and art is what she does year round, not on just one highly self-congratulatory evening. Besides, how many times can she hear “oh, your work, sounds, well, so interesting” before she bites the hand that’s wafting in front of her, as the person’s eyes dart around looking for someone more important to talk to?
...doesn’t sound like much fun, does it?
Well, Molly, Anita and Bob – we have good news for you. Our Gala-free Giving is affordable and easy!
Giving to Diaspora Dialogues doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. It doesn’t have to mean dressing up in borrowed, too-tight clothing. It doesn’t have to mean spending a precious weeknight with people you don’t really know, and who kind of bore you anyhow.
Donate just $20 to help Diaspora Dialogues continue to bring you programs that are affordable and accessible to all. Every year, we:
- Help more than 100 culturally diverse and First Nations writers and artists find a community and an audience
- Produce over 20 events for 10,000 audience members
- Provide youth programs that offer opportunities for young writers in at-risk neighbourhoods
Donate just $20 to help us avoid the many thousands of dollars of administrative and fundraising overhead costs involved in producing a gala.
Donate just $20 and stay home with a good book, or a plate of shared pasta with friends, and still feel good about helping provide opportunity for Canada’s artists and audiences while you get a tax receipt.
We can think of twenty more reasons, but this is long enough already.
Give now – no galas attached.
Contact Jordan at 416-944-1101 x 277, or click on the Canada Helps button below.
