OH, WHAT A YEAR! As 2015 draws to a close, here’s a final look back at the year that was — from the most notable to the most buzzworthy and epic events. Once again, Vancouverites demonstrated their incredible capacity to give by opening their hearts, their wallets and even their homes to support individuals and organizations in times of need. Here’s to them and a stellar new year!
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BEST LARGE GALA: Society darling Arya Eshghi steered her third Crystal Ball, B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation’s premier gala. Always one of the most ritzy must-attend affairs on the social calendar, Eshghi’s Midas touch helped generate another $1.4 million for pediatric healthcare. More than $6.1 million has been raised under her leadership.
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BEST SMALL GALA: Growing Chefs brings together some of the city’s most prominent chefs and mixologists and the region’s best growers and producers for one of the city’s best kitchen parties. Fronted by founder Merri Schwartz, the Farms to Forks Harvest Party held through the classroom kitchens at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts celebrate the best of the season.Ìý
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BEST NEW GALA: At the behest of event chair Cecilia Tse, A-listers from B.C.’s Chinese community arrived en masse for her first ever VGH Hospital Foundation benefit. The social influencer’s Time to Shine Gala, a Fairmont Pacific Rim and DeBeers Diamond collaboration, was a dazzling affair that fetched an equally brilliant $1.65 million, making it one of the year’s top earners. Ìý
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TOP RETAIL GALA: The arrival of Seattle-based department high-end store Nordstrom marked a retail renaissance in the city. Store brass Chris Wanlass and Karen McKibbin welcomed the city’s who’s who to the Nordstrom fashion show and gala, one of the year’s hottest tickets and most lavish. Four charities — B.C. Women’s Hospital, B.C. Children’s Hospital, Covenant House and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Art Gallery — also benefitted, each receiving $100,000 from the opening festivities.Ìý
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BEST SUMMER PARTY: Also the dressiest affair where everyone arrives looking their sartorial best. Tyson Villeneuve, Jordan Kallman and Crystal Carson continue to elevate their Deighton Cup-do at Hastings Racecourse. We appreciated the new trackside concourse, expanded grandstand area and viewing platform for the yearly style stakes.Ìý
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BEST POOL PARTY: Wet weather didn’t dampen party spirits at chairs Bert Hicks and Tina Rowntree’s Night at the Aquarium Gala. Set against a backdrop of its stunning galleries, a spectacular evening awaited guests. Supporting the conservation of our oceans, the ninth installment netted $362,000 for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium.Ìý
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BEST HOUSE PARTY: Jacqui Cohen brought her annual Face the World gala back to her Point Grey Road home. Smaller digs meant a higher ticket price — $2,500 got you in. Still the silver anniversary edition had no trouble selling out. The house party generated $1.5 million for local charities, the ninth consecutive time the benefit has reached seven figures.
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BIGGEST FAREWELL PARTY: For he is a jolly good fella. Former police chief Jim Chu and his wife Vicki were feted for their combined 65 years of service. They were the guests of honour at the VPD Foundation’s annual Night Patrol Gala, where 1,400 guests attended and more than $1.6 million was raised to support the VPD’s Youth At Risk Cadet Outreach Program.
