Farewell formality and step into Viva Variety’s underworld of happiness, where raucousness and rambunctiousness are the norm and nothing is to be as expected. It’s a gala like you’ve never seen before.
The exclusive fundraising event is so mysterious, guests won’t know the secret Swan Valley location until right before the unforgettable evening of immersive entertainment, culinary delights, and pure, unadulterated fun. It’s all for a good cause, of course, raising funds for Variety — the Children’s Charity.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting our brand-new gala charity event, which will be a fantastic evening of entertainment and celebration while raising crucial funds for WA kids who need it most,” said Katie O’Donnell, acting CEO. “With our heritage being founded in showbusiness, we’ve carefully designed this event to give our guests a truly unforgettable ‘Variety’ experience whilst making a positive impact in our community.”
Who Is Variety – The Children’s Charity?
Variety has a long history in Australia, organising some of the country’s most recognisable fundraising initiatives like the Variety Bash and the Variety Gold Heart campaign. But how much do you know about how it all started?
Back in 1929, there were 11 men who were involved in the show business industry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They would meet up each week at a social club called ‘Variety Club’ and, on Christmas Eve that year, a baby girl was left abandoned on the doorstep of the club. A note was left that read:
“Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of showbusiness people and pray to God that you will look after her. Signed, a heartbroken mother.”
The 11 men searched far and wide; however, the mother was never found. They informally adopted the baby and named her Catherine Variety Sheridan. Bringing her up as their own, they paid for Catherine’s education and upbringing. The club saw this as an opportunity to continue to give back and started to raise funds for other disadvantaged children.
And, just like that, Variety – the Children’s Charity was born.
Fast forward to today, and that same philosophy of helping disadvantaged children remains strong and is embodied in the organisation’s mission of empowering kids living with a disability, sickness, or experiencing disadvantage, to live, laugh, and learn. Now, the charity has branches all over the world, with a division chaired right here in Perth.
In the 2021/22 financial year, Variety was able to directly help 12,061 kids in need throughout Western Australia.
Viva Variety — A Different Style Of Gala
Black-tie charity fundraisers have become quite ubiquitous and they all fit a similar mould. Viva Variety is smashing that mould and, challenging the status quo. While there will be nods to the traditional formal gala in the nothing-less-than-a-suit dress code and charity silent auction, almost everything else will take on a completely different flavour. Even the dress code has a raucous twist for those who dare. They’re calling it ‘Mad Glitz,’ drawing on inspiration from the set of a Mad Max movie — think dystopian dynasty fused with rustic glamour. Let your creativity run wild as you interpret this; from cascading jewels to metallic flourishes, festival finery to black tie with a twist. Dare to be different.
Your directions to the secret venue will come at the nth hour, leading you down the rabbit hole to the wonderland beyond. Take yourself on a cocktail degustation journey while lounging under the stars, before feasting on Anna Polyviou’s dessert art with both your eyes and appetite. Start the evening in the Giniversity Botanical Lounge where you can swill divine gin pairings then retreat to the whiskey den for something a little more understatedly luxe, sipping your way through the extensive Limeburners range. And, no, your fantasy world won’t be interrupted by a donation drive — each ticket already includes a tax-deductible $300.00 donation to Variety – the Children’s Charity, with an option to supercharge your donation at checkout and up the ante on your support while still leaving the night free to let your hair down.
Event Information
Date: Saturday, 29th April
Time: 6:00 pm – midnight
Location: To be advised
Dress: Mad glitz glamour
Public presale tickets go on sale on Wednesday, 8th March, at $1,000.00 each. The event is strictly limited to a capacity of 250, so tickets will sell fast.
