People
Toronto Through the Eyes of Ashleigh Dempster and Amanda Blakley
Ashleigh Dempster and Amanda Blakley need little introduction. The sassy, smart and enviously stunning pair run The Society, a Toronto-based members-only club for the creative set (or, of course, those who really want to run in that circle). From the annual Boobyball and S.M.U.T Soiree to their Yogart series, the cultural curators have transformed the way people can experience and engage with the city.
Since they began The Society a few years ago, the club has grown from only a few members to hundreds. Their events have grown too, from intimate dinner parties to scotch tastings at Raptors' games, and exclusive polo or sailing lessons with experts in the field. The lovely ladies have even used their curating skills to expand the club to New York City. It all means we've only just begun to hear about the clever events they can concoct.
I caught up with the pair to discuss how they met, why they love Toronto and their favourite places to eat in and around the city.
How did you two meet?
We met in Bangkok through a mutual friend in the spring of 2001 and later that summer we traveled to Laos together. We shared some outlandish adventures during our travels and after returning home found a cute little apartment off College street and became roomies.
Why did you come up with the idea for The Society?
The simple answer is that we were socially bored and culturally stifled. The more long winded response is that we were searching for a bit more meaning in our night's out. Sick of going to the same bars and spending our small disposable incomes on bar tabs and shopping - we saw an opportunity to create unique cultural experiences that were equal parts affordable, approachable but still cool and relevant to our lifestyle.
What kind of events does The Society throw? What's been your favourite so far?
We call our events "Cultural Encounters" - everything has a cultural focus but with a unique twist making it relevant and approachable for a young, interesting and interested member base. They can range from offbeat literary salons in the park, to graffiti art tours on bicycles, or classical music in an underground warehouse. Favorites to date? Hmmm... hard to pick but The Great Debate with Mark Kingwell in Toronto and the foodie crawl (in SUV's) around Manhattan would be at the top of our list!
Neither of you grew up in the city, but moved here later on in life. What's the best part of moving from a small town to a big city?
Access. We're both small town girls at heart but the access you have in a large city can't be beat. Both of us are always on the hunt for new and exciting experiences. A big city provides a level of exploration for the culturally curious that a smaller town just doesn't offer. We love checking out new gallery exhibits as well as performances at the TSO, National Ballet, COC. We also eat out far too much!!
Being the party-planning ladies you are, what are some of your favourite hangout spots in the city?
Outside of work events, we crave low key and cozy places. Anything that's fun, chill and makes you feel like you are at your friends home! We love Le Petit Castor for their poutine, roasted chicken at Rosedale Diner and Amber for late nights!
Describe how you would spend an ideal weekend in the city?
Sleeping as late as possible then heading out for a long lazy brunch followed by a fun activity in the afternoon, i.e. tennis, picnic in the park, shopping, a matinee, etc. We rarely go out on the weekends so the evenings are usually spent over a dinner party with close friends.
What are your favourite places to eat?
For brunch, Harbord Room, Saving Grace, School and Mildred's Temple Kitchen.
For lunch, Terroni at Yonge & St. Clair, Patachou, Le Paradis as it's right next door to our office or Caffe Doria.
For dinner, Julie's Cuban, Senior's Steakhouse, Le Select, Table 17, Delux, OddFellows, TOMI-KRO and Capocaccia.
When you think of Toronto, what three words come to mind?
Emerging. Creative. Unassuming.
How do you get around the city?
In the summer we drive Vespas from Motoretta. Come fall, we put the Vespa's to bed for the cold weather and ride our matching black Dutch Batavus bikes from Curbside Cycle.
What makes Toronto a good place to party?
The people. The more we travel the more we realize how incredibly friendly and warm this city is. We're a refreshing, non-jaded bunch who work hard and play hard. Lately, we've noticed that the parties are loosening up a bit too which is fun. Yes, you can be in a pretty cocktail dress at a fancy party but that doesn't mean you can't cut some major rug on the dance floor!!
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From their website:
"In order to Join The Society, you must be referred by a current member. "
No wait - somewhere else it says you must be referred by TWO members.
Uhhhhh no thanks.
Seems like a highschool clique to me. Are there that many insecure people in this city?
Cool girls on Vespas? Where do I sign up?
Excuse me - who do they think they are? This is reality, not Gossip Girl TO edition.
We call our events "Cultural Encounters"...please
Actually these two do need an introduction.
BECAUSE I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE.
oh no, two people proactively tried to improve life in the city! the HORROR! how DARE they!?
They're trying to pass off Toronto as New York. Being a Toronto socialite is not something to be proud of, be an international one sure, but trying to pass off a social circle of elite minded individuals who don't all belong to be there is funny. Especially with the membership fee rising in the last couple of years, and before you just had to sign up and pay....now it's sign up after 2 people refer you and then pay. and then pay per event.
I do say it's smart of them. Tapping into a market of women who wish they lived like the women of New York and like to spend their money on useless things to give them a sense of status. So bravo for them.
Funny how the two ladies say it was a way to maximize their "small disposable incomes" when they're passing off the group as a place for people with a lot more than just a small income. And anyone with the small disposable income could not even join if they tried because they shouldn't be swimming in that social "class"
Kudos for making a business on the validation and belonging "fit-in" that society longs for, but we are neither Paris or New York and behind the cover of charity work your society indulges in the money hungry status obsessed population that excludes the rest of us to further credit you for assuming the role of rich snobs.(charity work for tax write-off purposes and making you feel like you care about the rest of the world and makes you more "sensible" i.e Austen..."oh look how much I care and am gracious") - go live in a poverty driven country and offer your hands to build schools, now thats more admirable and noble
Rosedale's young people making a name for themselves... What else needs to be said here?
agreed - this just sounds like an annoying clique full of privileged bores.
blogTO, please cover the people who are actually doing something useful or at least relevant in this city, not just the tweens riding around on their matching vespas and touring Manhattan (in SUVs, of course!). Gross.
Is this where frat and sorority members go once schools done? I agree that Toronto is full of more worthy people to cover. The old lady collecting bottles outside my door right now being one of them.
Interesting that they met in Thailand and Laos. I've been to both places pretty extensively, and have a lot of affection for the people in those countries for their patience, unpretentiousness, modesty, good humour. The Society and those countries seem like two different ideas, like mousetrap on a clock radio, or a teacup in a boozecan, or a cat on a hockey rink.
These ladies can't be as unbearable ("enviously stunning"? what is that?) as they're presented in this weird profile. I see two smart marketers who run a tour business, or a dating service.
If you click on 'The Society - Toronto' website listed at the beginning of the article, it will lead you to a flash-based site. Where to click ?! Oh!
Mouse-over the mirror over the hearth and you get to 'Abort the site'.
Oh wait. No. It's about the site. Damn.
As a member of Toronto's society, I take issue with the appropriation of the word for private purposes. Add a layer of ownership to the private party, please. 'The ______Society - Toronto'. Not a blanketed 'The Society - Toronto'
Love,
One of the millions that compromise Toronto's society.
'compromise Toronto's society' -- no wait, that's this little private party usurping the word 'society' in connection with Toronto.
I meant comprise.
Hello, City Hall?
Gaaaaaaack. Soon they'll be moms married to traders and driving their whelps to Havergal kindergarten. And what exactly do these two bimbos DO for a living?
haha at the BlogTO description for Amber... how fitting.
I find it pathetic with all of the negative comments about The Society. Who cares if these girls have a new idea and get tons of people signing up. They clearly have a good business case if they're able to have such a strong membership following. Good for them!
Alright, so they have a club for people by rich people. Fine. Whatever.
There are other questions that could have been posed to the "sassy, smart and enviously stunning pair" that would have made this more interesting reading for those of us who don't have the clams to join a club for rich folks.
Many questions and--Great Scott!-- you managed to miss them all!!!
Can't say I've heard or care to hear who they are. They say they were culturally bored? i seem to recall hearing only boring people get bored... also "The Society" what is this Eyes Wide Shut? Just two status morons seeking more status morons. "They clearly have a good business case if they're able to have such a strong membership following. Good for them!" Two Spirited Giant Thumbs Down!
I don't have the hate-on for this group, like some others here seem to. I'd actually have been interested in joining. Alas, I don't know any members to refer me.
But logistically, I don't understand the point of blogto providing publicity for closed-door groups that people can't join. Could you tell us about the groups we *can* join?
Toronto's "unassuming" alright. It's the most segregated, clique driven, cold hearted anglo-saxon population in all of canada.
I'm surprised these ladies from "small" town have anything to like about Torontonians. Most small town folks i know despise T.O.
On a positive note, i'm glad they're trying to bring torontonians a little out-of-their-shells a bit.
PS-What is it with canadian girls who don't enjoy cooking? I've never seen a more "anti" cooking and pro "eating out" bunch in all places i've traveled around the world. No offence.. but just curious.
I'm a Canadian girl and I like cooking. Toronto is full of girls like me who are real, who like to stay in and make a meal from scratch and hang out with friends and avoid any and all pretentious crap "soirees" that cliquey shallow people go to.
You'll just never meet us because we aren't "out there." ;-)
You're not out there Jennifer? That's a shame. How else could us like-minded people meet for some cultural conversation? The Anti-society club?
though we are completely unsurprised to read this sort of reaction to this post, we really can't see what all of the fuss is about.
sure, it seems assuming and prescriptive - because it is. it's called the f'ing society. the fact of the matter is this is a brand catering to a distinct consumer target. and catering well, we'd venture to guess.
sure you may disagree on a fundamental level with the type of person this club is appealing to. these status-oriented, somewhat affected individuals looking for experiences they deem to be cool, because they're too busy/lazy/uninspired to create those experiences themselves. but so what? they're not you. this aint your life.
don't hate the playa hate the game, guys. don't fault two smart women who identified an opportunity and developed a business model that delivers. it's all around us. it's in every single brand, service or experience that doesn't appeal to directly to you. it's called capitalism.
for the record we can't help but notice the irony in all of this. a group of people passing judgement, assumption and malice onto another group. are you better than the people in the society because you don't prescribe to the bullshit? doesn't that make you elitist in yourself?
life will become a rather tiring thing if you let every differential of values/truths/interests piss you off so much. people who don't see life the way you do are a universal truth. the smart business woman would make money off of them.
...and the not-so smart business woman would forget to plug her own business - the best blog evah! the news
www.brasandranties.com
I am not a Society member but know several gals and guys who are. Between my full time job in finance, my charity work, ME time and my own social calendar, I often find I just don't have time in my schedule to take part in many of the events that are planned by The Society. But with that said I think it is fabulous that there are people in our city who take risks and introduce people to new experiences. Having the opportunity to learn how to play polo or to go to a special exhibit are great and to do so at a cost that everyone can afford, well that is just remarkable.
I say hats off to Ashleigh and Amanda for offering something new and exciting to do in a city that has otherwise been taking over by the '905ers'. It's about time we had some new options available to us - so thanks so much for providing them and to those who ‘don’t get it’ or are just not able to get over their own insecurities and try something new, well the loss is yours. Not ours.
At least this they are doing something interesting. Fresh new businesses and business women are what is needed in this country.
Aside from totally agreeing with the above poster I'm also astonished there is so much negative writeup on this. When I found out about The Society I actually thought it was a great idea and am considering joining. Yes, I work very hard so why should I not play hard as well? Ashleigh and Amanda are trying to do something different, to open up new experiences that otherwise I wouldn't have tried or thought of (for example their Polo Event - none of my friends would ever suggest trying something like that and even if they did, its not something that you can easily get access to or just try once for the heck of it). Bottom line is "its just another club". Golfing is expensive too and often times you have to be a member to play at some of the more premium golf courses but no one challenges that business. And quite frankly, in a city as diverse and open-minded as Toronto there are zillion of other clubs far more disturbing, bizarre and pointless than a bunch of so-called rich kids getting together for yoga and art! The membership is for people that are interested in this kind of thing... no one is forcing anyone to join!
I think these girls and those in The Society are what I call pretentious bullshit. I find too many people in their 20s and 30s aspiring to this phony sense of lifestyle. Reading this article and a recent one on them in Toronto Life magazine made me angry. I wish media would stop profiling people like them!
I'm not offended by their existence, just the fact that blogTO decided to post something that is irrelevent to the majority of its readers. The author's ass-kissing is embarassing so I like everyone else wonder what her true intentions were in writing the article. And no one on the site has bothered to defend it either.
I don't expect the same journalistic integrity here as a newspaper but I have still lost a bit of respect for those that run this site.
I agree with badbhoy's comments above. In addition to the author ass-kissing the two wannabe socialities, I think blogTo is allowing them to gratuitously promote other city venues (and possible future business partners). It's all this bullshit "I scratch my back, you scratch mine"
Kudos to Amanda and Ashleigh for providing unique experiences to a very diverse range of Torontonians. Events like independent film screenings hosted by young directors, literary lectures by Toronto-based authors and some great parties featuring up and coming artists, Samba squads, and much more are completely unique to the city. Many people just talk about doing stuff, these two actually make it happen. No need for the negativity.
In response to the criticisms for our decision to feature these two entrepreneurs what I will say is that while they may not have created a business that appeals to the majority of this site's visitors, they certainly do appeal to some and that should be good enough for us. If we only featured topics that appealed to the majority we would be limiting ourselves to a very short list of topics.
I am happy to hear that blogTo is content with the upcoming decline in vistor- and readership to its site as a result.
'The Society' seems like it should be a parody, right down to the name. If I were to ever make a mockumentary it would be based on this! Haha
BTW, here's the BlogTO review of Amber:
"Amber is a bar in Yorkville you either love or hate. Sure, it has a nice patio but please check that ego at the door. Who goes here? Mostly people who think they're important but are too afraid to head west of Ossington for fear they'll not be given the VIP treatment to which they've become accustomed."
With all due respect Henry I appreciate your feedback but you haven't exactly given us a good reason why we shouldn't have covered The Society. Your suggestion that we have allowed them to "gratuitously promote other city venues" is a bit ridiculous. We already have "promoted" these venues on the site by reviewing them in the past and its not as if "venues" like Julie's Cuban or TOMI KRO are the Evil Empire.
Also, just for the record, there is no "I scratch my back, you scratch mine" going on here. We have no advertising or other business relationship with the Society.
I understand your point but I do feel that you're missing one thing. It's not about the appeal it's about the availability. Any reader who is unaware of this business still couldn't join if they wanted to after reading this. Any reader who CAN join is obviously fully aware of it already and could care less about the article. This is why it looks dubious.
Like any post on the site, if someone isn't interested in the topic they can just skip it. Honestly, I understand that some people get upset about anything that comes across as "exclusive" and a club like this can certainly ruffle some feathers. But the aim of the entire Toronto Through the Eyes of Series is to include perspectives from different types of people in Toronto. Rich. Poor. Rosedale. Parkdale. Whatever. Writing about or mentioning private or exclusive clubs should not be a taboo topic IMO. Should we also pretend that Verity and the Spoke Club don't exist?
Tim, I don't know a good reason for covering these two women in the first place. Perhaps just to infuriate people like me who have a distaste for pretentiousness. These two women have been covered enough elsewhere.
My comments regarding "gratuitous promotion" and "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" were really aimed at the two women and not blogTO. By them referring to the different venues, the two women are providing these venues positive press which the two women will use to their advantage in their business dealings with them, no doubt.
Well...That may be true...But judging by the way this comment thread has been going I doubt these two will be sending this post on to all their friends and clients.
Like I said, I understand your point. I personally don't think anything of this, but hoped to offer you another perspective.
This post is akin to other articles blogTO has made, whether it be an exclusive art show, concert or fashion show.
The difference with the spoke club, is you can join if you pay and meet their requirements and there are different ways to join a member for the day etc. you don't need to be referred by 2 people you probably will never be able to meet.
BUT this is a club started by women who CLAIM they did it for their small disposable income to go farther (yet again, no person with a small disposable income could join or likely run in the circles to find 2 people to refer them)
At least The Spoke Club is exclusive in its own right and HONEST about it, rather than pretending that it's NOT exclusive and all the steps to even join are omitted by Sarah who "forgot" to mention that you have to pay and be referred. What poor dishonest writing. If she "didnt" know then she's a bad writing and researcher too.
The point of writing is to give your readers as much knowledge and coverage as you can to your credibility. This is DISHONEST to be represented to the masses without all the information, when it is something accessible only by a few.
want to do an article about exclusive clubs, do an article on them, as exclusive clubs....not as something thats amazing and advance but wait no.... YOU 98% of the readers of blogto and the SOCIETY of toronto as a whole can not belong to... no society you cant join the society!!
Why so much debate over profiling these pseudo-socialites and their hilariously named club that appears to be an attempt at providing lazy rich kids "cultural experiences" without actually getting down in the muck where culture actually lives and breathes? Doesn't a simple "fuck off" suffice? They're sick of spending their money on bar tabs and shopping? They can't do "culture" without making it part of some vapid quest for status? Puke.
I need to say a few things. WHY on earth are these two average women being posted around the city? I think they probably grew up without any attention, and this is their desperate way of trying to get some. And the fact that people keep publishing this is utterly rediculous. Look at them - wannabees, and ordinary. And they know it. All they are trying to do is become something they cannot. Please don't post such rediculous content from now on. So many people doing so many important things - God this is annoying.