On May 4, 2024, The Other Bird hospitality group is hosting their fourth annual Masquerade charity gala with the theme Circus, Circus, at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The event was created to both raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and to decrease the stigma associated with mental health challenges; while the specific theme changes annually, that it is a masquerade is the event’s signature.
Guests are encouraged to wear a mask of their own choice, though a limited number of masks, mainly from Italy, will be available to purchase for $20 each on the night.
Erin Dunham, CEO of the Other Bird, and Matthew Kershaw, executive chef at the Other Bird, run a number of charitable events throughout the year, but Masquerade is their biggest event, and CMHA is always the beneficiary.
It’s always CMHA because mental health support is a cause close to the hearts of both Dunham and Kershaw.
Why?
Because Dunham has bipolar disorder. She will no doubt be bringing her own experiences with bipolar disorder to her keynote address at Masquerade.
Kershaw says, “We have a keynote speaker every year, all of whom have had experience with mental health issues.”
Dunham, Kershaw notes, is not only his business partner but also, “My best friend. I think the world of her, I think she’s a superhero. We’ve been through all the things together, and bipolar doesn’t slow her down one bit.”
This becomes clear when Kershaw explains how he and Dunham met at his first restaurant: “Erin was finishing her MBA and needed a part-time serving job. A couple of years later, she was the CEO of the place.”
In addition, Dunham is a published author, artist, and mother (she is currently on maternity leave).
The ongoing theme of masks is itself significant, says Kershaw: “It’s about taking off the mask of mental health instead of hiding behind it.”
The funds raised on May 4 will go specifically to the evening programs provided by CMHA, according to the Masquerade ticket sales webpage. “Those who struggle have support during the day from various programs, hospitals, and groups. This support disappears after 5 p.m.”
Last year’s event raised $50,000 for CMHA, allowing the to hire a new full-time employee to staff their evening programming.
Despite the seriousness of their cause, the event will bring fun, food, and fancy clothes. “Some people dress tongue-in-cheek, some fancy,” describes Kershaw.
“Drinks are plentiful, and obviously, the food is wonderful,” Kershaw says (food and drinks are included in the ticket price).
“Expect entertainment in line with a circus experience,” describes Lohifa Pogoson-Acker, an entrepreneur, hairstylist, and social activist, who is on the planning committee for the event. “Whoever can bring creativity to their outfit, it will be well-appreciated! It’s going to be fun.”
“We want to give [attendees] a good experience on the entertainment side of things, but also be purposeful in terms of mental health so [attendees] continue to show up next year, and throughout the year, for mental health causes,” Pogoson-Acker notes. To that end, representatives from CMHA will be at Masquerade and available for discussion during the event.
“Coming out of the pandemic, the need is vast now, but the supports are not matching up to the needs. There’s always a gap. So programs, events like this are here to help to fill out that gap,” says Pogoson-Acker of the need for fundraising for CMHA and other mental health resources.
But back to the food: “When you arrive, you’re going to see some fun circus-carnival-themed foods,” says Kershaw. Think popcorn machine, cotton candy, corn dogs (“But fancy!” adds Kershaw), and funnel cake (“But fancy!” Kershaw adds again).
The entertainment is still under wraps, but featured performances will be by local artists.
There will also be a silent auction and a live auction. The silent auction will feature artworks by area artists, including Gord Bond and Kareem-Anthony Ferreira.
The live auction will offer up various experiences, from wine and travel to sports and other experiences. Kershaw says that the options to bid on will be “a little quirky, fun ones,” noting that last year’s iteration included a trip to New York City with Dunham and Kershaw (“She knows the bars, I know the restaurants!”), and a custom portrait painted of the winning bidder to go on the wall at Rapscallion, one of the Other Bird’s restaurants.
As well as the venue change (“We like to have a new venue every year,” Kershaw explains.) and the Circus, Circus theme, the other hoped-for difference will be in the amount of money raised. Both Kershaw and Pogoson-Acker noted that they are aiming to raise even more than $50,000 this year.
Says Pogoson-Acker, “Hopefully this year we can do more and reach more, but more importantly, we want to encourage people and inspire people to support the mental health community. We hope to do better and better every year and inspire others to do so as well — while having a great time!”
Masquerade: Circus, Circus will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are available to purchase online (click here) for $300 per person. For more information, go to www.masqueradegala.ca.
