SAYING FAREWELL: The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Opera Company bid adieu to James Wright, its longest standing general director, with a grand finale concert and dinner. Steering the arts organization for the past 17 years, Wright will conclude his impressive run at the end of this month. Marking the milestone, the organization presented opera selections in a farewell performance held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Soprano Tracy Dahl, mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, tenor John Tessier and bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch headlined the special evening, before taking their seats at a post-concert dinner to toast (and roast) the likeable arts administrator and opera fanatic. A party with a purpose, the tribute event also generated funds to go towards the creation of a fund in Wright’s name, designed to support new works.
KETTLE BOILS OVER: For the past four decades, the Kettle Society has been supporting people living with mental illness to lead healthier lives. The Kettle Society was created in 1976 by a small group of concerned citizens to address the need to develop support services for individuals receiving psychiatric treatment in the community. Today, the organization provides more than 4,000 individuals with a wide range of services, including a mental health drop-in, a transition house for women and more than 200 units of supported housing. Comedian Mary Walsh, an outspoken advocate for mental health and addiction awareness, headlined the Kettle’s 40th anniversary celebration. Staged at the Permanent, the cocktail party netted more than $40,000 for the non-profit agency.
MAKING WAVES: President Barbara Brown and Susan Masters, executive director of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH), fronted the organization’s 60th anniversary celebration, held at the Marine Golf and Country Club. The institute’s Diamond Gala — a sold-out affair, sponsored by the Courier — drew 200 guests who convened for an evening of fun philanthropy and to learn more about the organization’s work. Capturing people’s hearts were the night’s keynote speakers Leila Fredland and Muriel Kauffmann, who helped raise awareness and break barriers down for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. The women’s personal stories of triumph motivated guests to open their hearts and wallets. By nightfall, attendees dispensed $60,000 to support WIDHH services in audiology, counselling, sign language interpreting and communication devices.
