2009-11-24 17:14:21 -

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/24/09 -- Editors Note: Four photos are included with this press release.



Attention: Assignment, Photo, Fashion, Entertainment, Lifestyle editors


Bloor Street Entertains, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research : 's (CANFAR) flagship event, is one of Canada's largest and most anticipated fundraising galas. On Wednesday November 25th, stores, museums and galleries in Toronto's most exclusive shopping area will open their doors for dinner, turning chic showrooms and unique spaces into five-star dining rooms. The dinners will be followed by The Party at the Royal Ontario Museum. Now in its thirteenth year, Bloor Street Entertains : assists CANFAR in its front-line efforts to fund research related to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and has raised nearly $4 million.



"The number of Canadians living with HIV/AIDS is still growing and a quarter of these people are unaware that they are HIV positive," says Kerry Whiteside, Executive Director of CANFAR : . "With World AIDS Day quickly approaching on December 1st, Bloor Street Entertains encourages Canadians to be both informed and integral in finding a sustainable end for the AIDS pandemic."



In Canada, 50 to 60 per cent of grade nine students wrongly believe there is a cure for AIDS. Statistics like these highlight that now, more than ever, CANFAR's fundraising and educational initiatives are necessary for the health and well-being of Canadians.



THE MAIN DISH


This year's Bloor Street Entertains is co-chaired by dynamic fashion darlings, Joe Mimran (designer and founder of esteemed Canadian brands Club Monaco, Caban and Joe Fresh) and Kimberley Newport-Mimran (designer and founder of Pink Tartan fashion label). CANFAR's flagship event will see more than 700 dinner guests sampling fare from some of Toronto's most distinguished chefs, while dining in a decadent setting.



More than 1,500 festive revellers will attend The Party to bid on exclusive one-of-a-kind items in the silent auction and enjoy a glamorous evening filled with spectacular entertainment and vignettes in support of HIV/AIDS research in Canada : . Musical guests performing at The Party this year include Elise LeDrew, Suzana Da Camara, Paula Brancati and Jarvis Church.



"We've been fortunate to have growing support and enthusiasm from each sponsor, chef, retailer and volunteer for Bloor Street Entertains," says Joe Mimran, co-chair. "The excitement of eating a five-star meal within a world-class showroom is only matched by the thousands of dollars we're hoping to raise to support HIV/AIDS research in Canada. This is a night to give and a time to honour all those who fight to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic."



Limited dinner tickets are still available at $600 per person or $6,000 per table. Tickets to The Party are $100. Both include open bar, desserts, and entertainment and can be purchased by calling 416-361-6281 x31. For more information, visit www.BloorStreetEntertains.com : .



ABOUT BLOOR STREET ENTERTAINS


CANFAR's Bloor Street Entertains is Toronto's premier HIV/AIDS annual gala fundraising event. This unique fundraiser brings together black-tie gala guests as they enjoy delectable dishes from the city's top chefs in various shops and museums in the Bloor-Yorkville area, and other partiers at The Party in The Royal Ontario Museum. Since its inception in 1996, Bloor Street Entertains has raised more than $3.4 million for AIDS research.



Bloor Street Entertains is once again generously presented by BMO Financial Group, and was named the top fundraising event in Toronto by BizBash Magazine's Top 100 Toronto Events in both 2007 and 2008. This gala event debuted in 1987 as Food for Thought, with dinners hosted in the private homes of CANFAR supporters.



ABOUT CANFAR


This is CANFAR's 22nd year of leading AIDS research in Canada. Founded in 1987, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research raises awareness to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV and AIDS. The only organization in Canada that operates for the sole purpose of privately funding HIV/AIDS research, CANFAR finances institution-based AIDS researchers at educational, hospital and health facilities, research institutes, and established community service organizations across Canada. To date, CANFAR has provided approximately $16 million to HIV/AIDS research projects.



CANFAR: Ending AIDS through research. www.CANFAR.com :


For more information on CANFAR and Canadian Statistics on HIV/AIDS, view our fact sheet at the following link: media3.marketwire.com/docs/CANFARFactSheet.pdf :


To view the accompanying images, please visit the following links:



www.marketwire.com/library/20091124-Fashion.JPG :


www.marketwire.com/library/20091124-HoltRenfrewTable.JPG :


www.marketwire.com/library/20091124-Imagin8.JPG :


www.marketwire.com/library/20091124-GalenAlexandra.JPG :


Add to Digg : Bookmark with del.icio.us : Add to Newsvine :



Contacts:
For additional information about Bloor Street Entertains,
please contact:
Weber Shandwick
Rebecca Webster
416-642-7975
rwebster@webershandwick.com :

Weber Shandwick
Michelle Zucchero
416-642-7885
mzucchero@webershandwick.com :