Olympic gig big for planner
[attach]1280[/attach]Bram Goldstein isn’t your average event planner. He’s an event hero.
In less than 10 years, the midtown resident has made a name for himself as one of the leading planners in Toronto’s entertainment scene, planning everything from corporate shindigs for Microsoft to shows and concerts, with such artists as the Barenaked Ladies.
“You get the ability to bring something to life for a client,” Goldstein said earlier this month.
And how many people can truthfully say, they love their job?
Not too many, but Goldstein sure does.
“My day is a highlight because I’m doing what I love,” the 35-year-old says. “Clients allow me to create.”
And his current project could win a gold medal.
Goldstein’s company, Big Entertainment has teamed up with the RBC 2010 Olympic Torch Relay to present a music and art show alongside the torch’s run across Canada.
The shows started in Victoria on Oct. 31, 2009 and will continue right until the Olympics begin in Vancouver on Feb. 12.
Over 100 shows have been performed cross Canada since October.
Goldstein came up with the show’s idea.
Every time the torch has come into a city, whether it’s St. John’s or Winnipeg, Goldstein’s company has been there to stage a fun-filled, twice-daily party for the city’s residents.
The family-friendly show features music to get the crowd revved up and a live onstage painting session by Jessica Gorlicky or Fritz Branschat.
The artist paints an Olympic-inspired painting in less than eight minutes, and music plays in the background.
Goldstein often MCs the shows, further beefing up the crowd’s energy for the historic event.
“It gets the crowd singing, dancing and cheering,” he says. “We hype up the crowd.”
Prior to setting up his own company he did event management and production for such organizations as the Toronto International Film Festival. He worked for a time with Universal Films in Toronto and Los Angeles doing event marketing.
The chance to work on such a national project, one that affects all Canadians, as the Olympics has been literally like winning gold, Goldstein says.
Just as RBC’s Olympic slogan has been “Create a Better Canada” with the relay, Goldstein feels his inclusion has made a difference in the people coming out each day to see the Olympic torch be carried through their respective city.
“It’s been amazing, so well-received,” Goldstein says. “This show (and the relay) has been about as big as they’ve seen in their lifetimes.
“It makes me proud to be Canadian.”
And no doubt proud to be an event planner.
“There are so many reasons why I love it,” he says.
Planning is both challenging and exciting, he adds.
But Goldstein has faith and the experience to back him up.
“I am really good at what I do,” Goldstein says. “I bring the best possible ideas, the best possible entertainment and the best possible shows to an event.”
