Hi all!

So as many of you know, there has been some events in the past weeks that have greatly effected the bar industry. From these hard times, there has been a movement within our community across Canada, and I, like many of you, want to be involved in making this industry a safe and inclusive place for everyone.

As many of you also know, I am moving to St. John's Newfoundland at the end of the month, and I had wanted to do a guest bartending shift before I left to see all of the incredible and talented people I have had the honour to work with over the last 12 years here in Toronto.

The way I see it, this is an incredible opportunity to do both!!

BASH - Bartenders Against Sexual Harassment will be an incredible night at Part & Labour featuring some of Toronto's best female bartenders, each featuring their own signature cocktails. We will all be donating 100 of our tips, 100 of the proceeds from a raffle, and some of the bar proceeds to the Sexual Assault Action Coalition please read below their mission statement so you know where your hard earned dollars will be going.

Some of the incredible talent confirmed for the night will be:

Chantelle Gabino - Parts & Labour

Christina Veira - La Banane

Jessica Mili - Bar Begonia/Civil Liberties

Aja don't call it a comeback Sax - Mercatto

Evelyn Chick - Pretty Ugly

Holly Caverly - Aviation Gin/Lbs

oh and me! Veronica Saye - The Merchant Tavern - NFLD

So far the raffle prizes are shaping up to be don't misses, including some handmade Aviators from Portland donated by Aviation Gin, and a TTS membership from Casey and Oliver, plus lots of booze, private yoga sessions, gift certificates and more.

You'll be enjoying libations using some incredible brands like:

Lot 40 100 Canadian Rye Whisky

Havana Club Rums

Beefeater London Dry Gin

Jameson

Altos Tequila

Aviation Gin

Tromba Tequila

Mount Gay Rum

Botanist Gin

Ace Hill Beer

.....and so much more!!

Big thanks to all of these incredible brands!! And if you would like to donate anything for raffle or product, please contact me here on Facebook, or via email veronica.saye@gmail.com.

Here are some details about the Sexual Assault Action Coalition, which has been instrumental in bringing these issues to light that are very close to home.

The Sexual Assault Action Coalition is a for survivors by survivors and our allies run organization. We are grounded in feminist roots; we value justice, equity, inclusion, respect, compassion, dignity and healing. We work within an intersectional, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, Trans inclusive framework. We are a survivor and ally run coalition that operates from a peer-based model prioritizing the voices that are disproportionally affected by sexual assault and sexual violence: Women of Colour, Women, Trans and Non-Binary Folks. We gather in safe spaces and are committed to the holistic recovery and the reformation of our legal system for survivors now, tomorrow and everyday.

We fundamentally believe every survivor of sexual assault and sexual violence has a right to a future that is not dictated by their past.

The sexual assault action coalition has created the Dandelion Project- a peer based community project that aims to train bars and restaurants around sexual assault, anti-harassment policies and procedures. The trainings will be adapted to individual bars and restaurants to meet the needs of the community, their patrons and the staff. Currently the Sexual Assault Action Coalition is starting to design and draft the overall training procedure and manuals and secure funding for the project. The goal of the Dandelion project is to two-fold: 1- help create safe and supportive spaces for staff and patrons and 2- hold the government accountable to the implementation of Bill-132: Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act which is now legislation. All workplaces as of September 8th 2016 must have anti-harassment and anti- sexual violence polices and procedures in place as per the amendments to the Ontario Health and Safety Act.

If your bar or restaurant would like to sign up for Dandelion Project Training please email the Sexual Assault Action Coalition at sexualassaultactioncoalition@gmail.com

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL THERE, BRING YOUR FRIENDS! LETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER!!