Dig out that ‘Boy Toy’ belt, slap on some neon and prepare for a night that celebrates the decade of legwarmers, big hair (crimped, if you please) and spandex as WinSport’s Legacy Gala brings back the ’80s for one night.
And it won’t just be clothes that are a throwback to the decade of excess, six iconic ’80s bands will be hitting the stage to entertain those at the gala. Guests will be able to have fun that night with the actual Wang Chung, have their breath taken away by Berlin, get their Safety Dance on with Men Without Hats, and enjoy hits from Animotion, Naked Eyes and Trans-X.
This is the second year for the gala, which raises money that goes directly to fund programs and bursaries for young athletes training at Winsport and the Olympic Oval in Calgary and the facility Canmore. Every dollar from the gala supports the young athletes as they strive for a chance to stand on the podium. As well as ticket sales, there will be raffles and a live auction to help raise funds.
Olympic athletes who have found a home training in Calgary and have translated the hard work they’ve put in at Winsport into wins for themselves and Canada will be on hand for the gala, including Catriona Le May Doan, David Pelletier, Justin Kripps, Gilmore Junio and five-time Olympic women’s hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser. (All of whom posed for the awesome Breakfast Club-inspired poster.)
No gala would be complete without food and Calgary chefs have been scheming to come up with appropriate ’80s-themed dishes for the event. Joining WinSport executive chef Ronnie Gillman are Cam Dobranski from Brasserie and Winebar Kensington, Nicole Gourmet’s Nicole Gomes, Liana Robberecht from the Petroleum Club, Hotel Arts’ Duncan Ly, Il Sogno’s Brian Diamond, Jan Hansen from Heritage Park, Kyle Groves of Catch, Candela Lounge’s Rogelio Herrera, Andrea Harling from Brava Bistro, Gary Hennessy of Smugglers Group and Wandy Ly from WinSport.
The gala goes ahead on Sept. 25th at WinsSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre. The reception kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 when the concert then starts. (Concert doors open at 8.)
There are three types of tickets: VIP reception and concert floor access, which includes all food and drinks, for $250; concert floor access with all drinks included for $100; and, for the concert only (seated), tickets are $50. All can be purchased here.
