BIG LAUGHS: Comics Charlie Demers and Ivan Decker headlined the Foundation Fighting Blindness’s Comic fundraiser. A national effort dedicated to leading the fight against blindness by advancing retinal disease research, education and public awareness, the campaign made a stop in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»following fundraising efforts in Montreal and Toronto. After learning her five-year-old son Gavin was losing his eyesight and there was little that could be done, Burlington mom Ann Morrison made it her life’s work to fundraise for vision research. Travelling coast to coast with the country's funniest people, Morrison has invited thousands to share the laughter and see the hope. Since its inception, more than $9 million has been raised. Morrison was on hand to thank attendees who packed the Imperial Lounge for the night of comedy. Yours truly called the auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences before belly laughs. A Tim Ellison-hosted wine tasting cocktail party fetched the night’s top bid of $12,000, contributing to a record-setting $100,000 raised, up $30,000 from the previous year.
MIRACLE WORKERS: More than 400 distinguished guests gathered for the annual Night of Miracles Gala, a South Asian community affair benefitting B.C. Children’s Hospital. Created by gala founder Robin Dhir, the event has raised $4.2 million since its inception. Taking over the party reigns for the ninth staging, Bob Rai and a dedicated group of committee members saw an impressive $480,000 drummed up for a new Point of Care Ultrasound Program to diagnose conditions more quickly and accurately for the 48,000 children who visit B.C. Children’s Hospital’s emergency department every year. Presented by Fasken Martineau and Rogers Communications, the gala-do had all the glamour, colour and excitement of a Bollywood bash. A parade of women in saris, salwar kameez and other fine Indian ensembles filled the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Marriott Pinnacle Hotel for the memorable evening of fine dining, entertainment and philanthropic giving.
OPENING DOORS: Greater Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Doormen's Association and the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation (The Foundation for Children with Intestinal & Liver Disorders) once again hosted its annual fundraising dinner drawing 250 guests to the Pan Pacific Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom for the party hoopla. As always, the night began with the colourful Parade of Doormen from British Columbia, Alberta and New York tipping their hats to attendees before feting this year’s honorary doorman of the year Nancy Stibbard, owner and Chief Executive Officer of Capilano Group of Companies. Dedicated to B.C.’s tourism industry for more than 30 years, operating businesses such as Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Stibbard was only the fourth woman to be honoured with the distinction. She joined the likes of Jimmy Pattison, Jack Poole and Grace M. McCarthy, who co-founded the foundation to help those — particularly children — with intestinal ills. Before the men tipped their hat to Stibbard, gala-goers tipped out to C.H.I.L.D. a reported $50,000 to assist in research efforts and ultimately finding a cure.
BIG KUDOS: More accolades were handed out to Wendy and Sergio Cocchia, former recipients of the honorary Doorman’s award. The hoteliers, community leaders and philanthropists were recipients of Big Sister’s Luminary Award. They created the Pacific Family Autism Network — a centre of excellence and network of supports for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. The couple was cited for helping to break down barriers and championing diversity. Some 450 guests were on hand to raise a glass to the couple at the Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland’s Luminary Soirée staged at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Celebrating the power of mentorship, attendees also helped raise a record-setting $500,000 to support big and little sister matches and transform the lives of young girls in Metro Vancouver.
DANCE FIRSTS: Two premieres launched the 2017/18 season of Ballet B.C. After a successful tour of California and New York that showcased the fine talents of three female choreographers — Crystal Pite, Sharon Eyal and company artistic director Emily Molnar — the province’s premiere dance company returned home to kick off the year with two more highly anticipated works. The two-hour program began with the world premiere of Eight Years of Silence, a stunningly beautiful piece by resident choreographer Cayetano Soto, and the North American debut of B.R.I.S.A by acclaimed European choreographer Johan Inger, which explored themes of awakening and change. More will be revealed later in the season when the celebrated company celebrates another first by dancing into new terrain this February with its interpretation of Shakespeare’s love story Romeo and Juliet. Medhi Walerski will choreograph and Sergei Prokofiev will score the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
