VideoFACT Holiday Party

VideoFACT — the organization funded by MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic and MusiquePlus to assist artists in making music videos that likely won't be shown on those channels — held their annual bash at the Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant in the heart of Toronto's Chinatown on Thursday evening.

Believe it or not, there was Chinese food — lots of it. There were steam trays full of vegetarian spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, steamed pork dumplings, pan fried vegetarian dumplings, sweet and sour pork with pineapple, crispy chicken Cantonese style, stir fried noodles with bean sprouts and vegetable fried rice. I found it kind of salty, but entirely edible, and quite filling after loading two plates.

I was given two drink tickets, and there was a choice of soft drinks, wine, beer and liquor. You had to add a buck to your ticket if you wanted the hard stuff or an imported beer. Friends and associates gave me four more tickets, which was appreciated.

VideoFACT staffers put together a reel of their 10 favourite VideoFACT-funded videos that was shown on a large screen. I probably watched more videos at the party than I have all year.

Canadian Idol judges Farley Flex and Jake Gold were in the house, as was original Idol winner Ryan Malcolm. Shad, Divine Brown, Sean Jones, Greig Nori and members of Saint Alvia, The Trews and Vampire Beach Babes also made the scene.

I was given a gift bag on my way out that included a cellphone case (which I can give away along with the Blackberry I received at the Telus party), earrings and what may be the world's smallest matches.