The Power Ball is always the event demarcating the start of summer—this year it did so with plenty of bells and whistles. While a bit more sparse guest-wise compared to years past (Luminato’s opening soiree held at the same time stretched some guests rather thin), this only resulted in more room for movement. Held, as always, in the Power Plant gallery at Harbourfront Centre—with rampant construction resulting in a sigh-inducing taxi ride for attendees—eye-catching art installations from the likes of Jon Rafman dominated each of the rooms, with a popular one including a modernized throne from Game of Thrones and a taxidermied cat and dog duo. 

Out back, guests tripped out watching an artist melting down multicoloured crayons on a sheet of glass secured over a camera, with the images projected onto a screen. Mesmerizing. Marc Thuet catered the entire affair, with comforting eats including huge burgers slashed into wedges, and a help-yourself hot dog bar that saw elegant guests quickly morph into rabid beasts. 

Fashion-wise, the men brought it more than the women this year, with many embracing the “Old World/New World” theme thanks to powdered faces and curled wigs. Others channeled the twenties with beaded flapper dresses while some opted to embrace the past/future with elaborate hairdos spewing bits of motherboard and old TV antennae. As the night roared on, the dance floor gained more traction before guests spilled out into the night, clutching bags of candy for the ride home.