For TIFF 2012, View the Vibe will be documenting our gallivanting around town with – surprise, surprise – videos, pictures, and words our own. We’ll also be keeping you up-to-date with a series of pieces about what’s transpiring around the TIFF scene, from the parties you wish you could crash to the events at which your name appearing on the list is fathomable, the best bets for celebrity spotting over cocktails to where you might find a star side dish with your meal. And thus, we continue our series with Part Two: The Confirmed TIFF Parties…Be sure to check this often as we’ll keep updating it as more events are confirmed/details are changed.

Ah, TIFF. That hoity toity time of year when the objects of abject affection, also known as celebrities, make the six-or-so hour flight from the comforts of plasticized Hollywood to our humble metropolis. Event rental companies run a deficit of red carpets for the grand affairs throughout the festival. Concierge phones wreak of desperation, as tourists and citizens call in anguish attempting to elicit information on hotel guests. (PS, you’ll never get an answer.) And the limousine becomes as ubiquitous as the orange and green Beck taxi.

Alas, tis a wondrous time of year. Toronto’s energy – oft wrought with the standard proclivities that befall large cities – reaches an apex of exuberance. And for those 10 shining days, the world’s eyes are upon us. We – the city – are the stars. And, in good turn, we thusly place our own eyes on the parties to catch but if only a fleeting glimpse of the real celebrities. So, good vibers, here are the TIFF parties to watch…

Wednesday, September 5th

The 2012 Producers Ball
An annual celebration, the Producers Ball takes place at the illustrious Shangri-La Hotel on the eve of TIFF… just a couple days before the Shangri-La’s grand opening. This one’s about celebrating homegrown talent, and shines the light on Canadian producers, directors, and celebrities.

SKYY Blue Alley
As the official vodka of TIFF 2012, SKYY vodka will be hosting the official-unofficial TIFF kick-off party to the festival. Location remains private but surely, this will be a spectacle of a night. Follow along with #SKYYVIP.

Young Filmmakers Party
Audio Blood Media takes the Brant House by storm for TIFF’s annual Young Filmmakers Party. This TIFF party features musical guests Bran Van 300, The Sky Heroes and Hands & Teeth, and will be helping support the Riverton School.

Thursday, September 6th

TIFF Pre-Opening Gala Cocktail
As with last year, the first official TIFF party will be held at the Ritz-Carlton. This exclusive cocktail mixer is a prelim breather for those about to set forth on the night’s festivities. It’s more of an industry party than a cocktail for stars, though some still show up to get their drink on.

TIFF Opening Night Gala
Normally held at the Liberty Grand, this year TIFF’s opening night party is at Maple Leaf Square. (Yes, that space outside the ACC that sees the entrances to Real Sports, e11even, and Aria.) This ‘gala’ is always star-studded, and this year it follows the opening night presentation of Looper. It’s invite only, folks, but you’ll likely get some amazing glimpses if you show up outside the makeshift party compound. (From the Toronto Star.)

Nikki Beach at Spoke Club
The luxury beach club brand Nikki Beach is back at TIFF this year (remember last year’s gorgeous takeover of Malaparte?) from the 6th to the 11th, bringing with it stylings from the South of France to furnish the Spoke Club. This pop-up party attracts a wide variety of celebs during TIFF, and is posh respite. Here you can make dinner reservations and stay the night for the party, and sample the daily Cocktail du Jour.

Amy Sacco’s Bungalow 8 Pop-up at the Thompson Hotel’s Rooftop
Bungalow 8, Amy Sacco’s exclusive club brand, is back at TIFF this year, after last year’s co-hosting of the CAA industry party in the Burroughes Building. We’ve heard it will run the first few days of the fest, but who knows, maybe it will last the duration of the festival. (From the Hollywood Reporter.)

TIFF Overdrive at the Drake Hotel
For the duration of TIFF 2012, The Drake Hotel will be in Overdrive. Featuring special celebrity themed cocktails, some special menu items, a new decor thematic (including celluloid stills around the hotel), a special art projection by the famed Peaches, and, being the Drake, some more surprises in store. Launch night is the 6th, and will feature special DJs as well as a mobile tattoo shop in case you’d like to harken back to the days of the true bad boys of cinema.

Poverty Row/Paramax Films/Monde Quest Party
After last week’s announcement of ‘The First’, a film about Hollywood icon Mary Pickford, the studio trio of Poverty Row, Paramax, and Monde Quest will host a party at Malaparte on TIFF opening night celebrating the iconic Pickford (who, FYI, was Canadian).

Glitz and Glamour Breast Cancer Benefit
While not exactly a TIFF party per se, this one’s on opening night and the proceeds go to a good cause, so we decided to include it in case you can’t weasel your way into one of the other TIFF shindigs. The glitzy, pinky fundraiser will feature a Tree of Hope where guests will hang bras baring the names of loved ones afftected by breast cancer, and the National Women’s Soccer team (Olympic bronze medalists) are joining guests on the pink carpet and are going to do a penalty kick off to raise more funds for the cause

Chuck’s Night Off
Chuck Hughes – the lovable host of Chuck’s Day Off and owner of Montreal hot spots Garde Manger and Le Bremner – is hosting a special TIFF dinner at Brant House on September 6th to kick off TIFF 2012. Aptly called Chuck’s Night Off, the event will feature a menu inspired and crafted by Hughes himself for all the ravenous guests.

TIFF 2012 at Toronto’s Trump Hotel
What better way to celebrate TIFF in the city than by experiencing it at The Trump Hotel? A TIFF VIP treatment will takeover the 31st floor, where Stock Restaurant, Bar and Lounge will pop with live DJs and delish food. Also featuring “Old Glam Hollywood” pin-up girls and tastings of the Stock Chocolate Lab’s pastry creations by David Chow. Don’t forget about the TIFF-inspired creperie setting up in the Trump Hotel’s Suits Lobby Lounge. Runs from the 6th through the 16th.

Cinema Grand Opening
UNIQ’s newest venue, Cinema (an apt title and launch time, don’t ya think?) officially opens on TIFF opening night. Taking over the space previously occupied by Maro, Cinema will be hosting a few TIFF themed parties throughout this year’s festival, so keep an eye on them because these are ones where some A-listers might make a quick pop-by, but all us regular folk can meander in as well.

TIFF Kick-Off at The Bovine
The Bovine Sex Club goes TIFF with a launch party hosted by SIFA Entertainment with special acts: The Penske File, Bombing Neverland and more. This is one of those TIFF parties that harkens back to its ‘independent’ roots.

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Friday, September 7th

TORO After Dark
Easily one of my favourite parties last year – we went both for the Artists for Peace and Justice event on the Friday as well as the Saturday night – TORO After Dark is a classy schmooze-fest if ever there was one. (You know TORO Magazine right?) The After Dark party is back this year, and so far all we know is that it’s taking over The Hoxton.

Artists for Peace and Justice Film Noir
This exclusive TIFF event is invite-only. If you’re lucky enough to be there on Friday night, La Societe Bistro will serve up TIFF-inspired food and cocktails during a film noir-themed evening. This APJ TIFF Party is co-hosted by Paul Haggis, George Stroumboulopoulos, and Natasha Koifman.

ACCT TIFF Gala at The Shore Club
Hosted by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, this TIFF party honours, not surprisingly, Canadian film and television. It certainly won’t be a challenge running into a Canadian celebrity on this red carpet… (*cough* maybe Ryan *cough* maybe Rachel *cough*)

Fred Falke Live hosted by She Does the City
Everyone’s (or at least the ladies’) favourite lifestyle guide to all things city, She Does the City, is hosting this TIFF event at The Hoxton, where renowned DJ/Producer Fred Falke will take to the tables and spin them out of control all night long. PS It’s a 4am last call.

Sony Movie Channel and AXN Launch
Apparently Canada’s getting the Sony Movie Channel – a station dedicated to showcasing the array of Sony Pictures’ films – and AXN – with, appropriately, is all action – and they’re doing an industry launch day at the Windsor Arms.

ARGO Premiere Party
Directed by Ben Affleck (who also stars in the film alongside Bryan Crantson and John Goodman), ARGO is one to watch at TIFF this year. The party will be supposedly be held on Friday the 7th, but that’s all we’ve heard so far.

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Saturday, September 8th

Silver Linings Playbook Premiere Party
Silver Linings Playbook is premiering at TIFF this year, and with a cast including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert de Niro, you can imagine the after party will be quite the affair. Especially since it’s going down at the SOHO House. (This location/date is rumoured right now, but we’re hoping to get proper confirmation shortly.)

Hello! Canada’s Hello Hollywood at the Ritz-Carlton
No shock here, Hello! Canada again holds a classy affair during TIFF 2012. This TIFF party takes place on the 8th at the Ritz-Carlton, so bet on the star power being quite forceful.

Screen Australia Cocktail Party
Screen Australia is the Commonwealth Government screen agency providing support to Australian film, television, documentary and digital media makers. This year, they’re associated with six films at the festival – including Dead Europe, The Sapphires, and Storm Surfers 3D – and are hosting an industry cocktail TIFF Party at Cube on the 8th.

Official Premiere Party for Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp
This documentary is gaining some noteworthy buzz. It’s no wonder, it traces the the tumultuous life of Chicago pimp Iceberg Slim, and includes interviews with Snoop Dogg (or Lion), Ice T, Chris Rock, and Quincy Jones to name just a few. This is one of the TIFF parties you can get into, and it happens at Maison Mercer and will feature a performance by Ice T.

Oxford Beach House on the TIFF Rooftop
Oxford Beach is celebrating in notable TIFF style on Saturday night at, of course, the TIFF rooftop. It’s touted as an exclusive one off event with Toronto’s social elite. Is that you…?

#StyleCasting: Fashion, Film, and Tech
Hosted by Fashionotes.com, Digital LA and Dynamitenetwork.com, this TIFF-themed event at The Studio is great for budding folk in fashion, film, and tech… I guess that explains the name of the party…

TIFF Party at Club V
Here’s a TIFF party in the heart of glamorous Yorkville. With a TIFF-inspired photography shoot on-site and guest celebrity appearances, this party will be DJ’d by MJ Milz and Planet OtnoroT. TIFF Party at Club V (what a creative name, right?) has an extended 4am liquor license, and ladies drink for for free until 11pm.

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Sunday, September 9th

Nikki Beach Brunch at Spoke Club
Here’s the bountiful brunch you’ve likely heard of. On the 9th, you can make reservations to dine in Miami meets South of France chic style at the Spoke Club takeover. Get on it, it’s one of the only brunch parties to grace our fair TIFF.

Norman Jewison’s Annual Canadian Film Centre BBQ
CFC Founder Norman Jewison hosts an annual BBQ during TIFF, and this year’s no exception. CFC will be celebrating the world premiere of their short film Frost at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the more than 50 alumni they have participating in TIFF this year. We’ve also been told there’s a lot o’ food, like Embrujo Flamenco, Pachuco, Per Se Catering, Sequel, and the list goes on. (Not mention cocktails with Crystal Head Vodka, Patron XO Cafe, and beer by Mill Street.)

Fashion Cares 25
The 25th anniversary of the prestigious Fashion Cares gala fundraiser will also sadly be its last. But, in true glam fashion, Elton John and Friends will perform during this fantastic fundraiser, which will see A-list pull, an amazing show, the city’s glitterati out in full force, and of course, lots of support being raised for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

The Official Fashion Cares 25 After Party at Maison Mercer
Of course, it wouldn’t be Toronto if the big party didn’t have an appropriate after party. In honour of Elton John, Linda Evangelista, and Dean and Dan of DSQUARED, the Fashion Cares after party on TIFF Sunday will be a happenin’ one. Featuring the Scissor Sisters, Janelle Monae, Sky Ferreira, Jully Black, Keisha Chante, and Jarvis Church, the after party should be a must-stop for those looking for the alternative to just-TIFF action.

CAA Party
A little birdie informed us that this year’s CAA TIFF Party will be on the Sunday night at a new appropriately-named venue. (It was hosted in conjunction with Amy Sacco/Bungalow 8 at the Burroughes Building in 2011.) The Creative Artists Agency is one of the biggest talent agencies, so expect a lot of star power at this event. Last year saw the likes of Clive Owen, Michael Fassbender, and Matthew Goode among others.

Cinedigm TIFF Party
Cinedigm – a distributor of indie films both national (US) and international – will be hosting their cocktail TIFF party at Hotel Le Germain in association with UniFrance Films. It’ll be a classy li’l affair, and likely brimming with some indie talent.

Greetings from Tim Buckley Official Cast Dinner
The official after-party/cast dinner for this tale (starring Penn Badgley) about Jeff Buckley trying to make amends with his father Tim’s legacy before a tribute concert takes place at Bloke & 4th.

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Monday, September 10th

Festival Music House
The indie Festival Music House takes over the Mod Club again this year to showcase some homegrown Canadian talent to celebs, directors, producers, industry folk, and the like. This year sees performers like Dan Mangan, Kathleen Edwards, PS I Love You, and Grand Analog to name just a few. It’s one of the few parties that remains true to TIFF’s roots of showcasing the up-and-comers. (Sorry y’all, this is invite-only.)

Mongrel Media TIFF Party
With about 20 films debuting at TIFF this year, Mongrel media was undoubtedly going to celebrate. This event even features some local TO catering like Babi & Co., Holy Chuck! Burgers, Grace Restaurant, and Maizal Quesadilla Cafe, and will feature music by Decades, Eight and a Half, and a DJ set by Kele.

Pinewood Studios Cocktail
Pinewood Studios has spaces in the UK, Dominican Republic, Germany, Malaysia, and here in Canada. Their latest credits include work on next year’s Les Miserables, Anna Karenina, Total Recall, and Prometheus. Pinewood’s TIFF party is appropriately going down at Malaparte in Festival Tower.

E1 Entertainment TIFF Party
Focusing on independent films (distribution, financing, etc.) it only makes sense that E1 Entertainment Group would be hosting a TIFF Party. Theirs will be at The Royal Conservatory of Music (a beautiful space to be sure) and chances are they’ll have a bit of tug in getting some talent to pop on by.

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Tuesday, September 11th

Hannah Arendt Official Cast Dinner
On Tuesday night, Bloke & 4th will be the locale for the official cast dinner of the world premiere at TIFF of Hanna Arendt, a film about the philosopher and political theorist who coined the “banality of evil.” The film stars Barbara Sukowa and Janet McTeer.

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Friday, September 14th

The Paperboy Cast Dinner and After Party
This flick directed by Lee Daniels and starring Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, and Matthew McConaughey holds its official cast dinner and after-party at Bloke & 4th on the final Friday of TIFF.

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(Got a party we should list? Have the ‘in’ on an industry hot spot? Send me a note at adam@viewthevibe.com.)