OPERA FINDS ITS VOICE: The Queen Elizabeth Theatre came alive for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Opera’s Overture Gala. Always an opulent affair, the BMO-sponsored event paid tribute to the glamour of Versailles. Multi-platinum Canadian recording artists the Tenors kicked off the posh party performing their greatest to 400 well-heeled guests. Following a standing ovation, masked partygoers took to the QE stage for a Four Seasons-catered dinner paired with exclusive wines from Mission Hill Family Estate winery. Chaired by Chantelle Wong and Cindy Richmond, the gala featured unique auction items, including an original work by Richmond’s husband Ian Wallace, which fetched $55,000. But it was an invitation to the Queen’s 90th birthday party in London that received the biggest buzz. The exclusive opportunity to hob knob with the royal garnered a remarkable $35,000, sold twice. The outpouring of generosity bolstered the opera’s fortunes beyond the $250,000 mark. The monies will support the firm’s education outreach efforts to 5,000 school kids annually.
BREAKFAST CLUB: The International Day of Pink is marked annually in communities and countries around the globe to raise awareness and start a conversation against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia. Held on the second Wednesday of April, the event started when students David Shepherd and Travis Price saw another student, who was wearing a pink shirt, bullied in their Nova Scotia high school. The pair showed their support for the student by getting everyone at their school to wear pink the next day. Marking the occasion in Vanhattan, Out in Schools hosted its Out for Breakfast fundraiser. More than 200 guests — pretty in pink — got up bright and early to attend the breakfast benefit at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Hosted by executive director Stephanie Goodwin, the morning affair raised a reported $50,000 to facilitate dialogue in schools about the reality of LGBTTQ youth experiences through film. More than 40 school districts around B.C. have participated in the innovative program.
HIGH FASHION: Local celebs rallied to help Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia’s Pacific Autism Family Centre create a brighter future for those affected by autism and related conditions in B.C. A capacity crowd packed her C Prime Restaurant for an exclusive spring fashion show. The city’s top personalities strutted their stuff in luxury fashions generously provided by Holt Renfrew. The afternoon generated an impressive $55,000. Proceeds will go towards the completion of PAFC’s new centre of excellence, which will provide a one-stop shop for individuals and families dealing with autism and related conditions. It's scheduled to open this fall.
GOOD KARMA: The Pals Autism School Society hosted its signature Imagine Gala. This year’s ninth instalment was all about Karma. More than 300 guests filed into the Summit ballroom, bringing their good vibes to the party to help raise funds for B.C.’s first and only elementary and secondary school for children and adolescents with autism. Radio personalities Nat Hunter and Drew Savage emceed the charity dinner and auction at the Convention Centre. A gala that has had a wonderful tradition of philanthropy displayed it once again. A home-cooked dinner by Jimmy Wong hosted by Katy Harandi, board chair of the PALS Autism School, fetched $18,500, while Paul McCartney concert tickets garnered another $8,000. However, the biggest moment came when guests were simply invited to give. Donations, which ranged from $100 to $10,000, pulled in more than $150,000. By the end of the night, a record $280,000 was raised for the school.
