For 21 years now, the West Vancouver waterfront has come alive with the sights and sounds of the annual Harmony Arts Festival. Presented by Odlum Brown, this year’s festival kicks things into extra high gear with the addition of even more special events including a special ticketed artist’s evening with Gordon Smith and Douglas Coupland and a Best of the West wine and food event. Returning favourites, like the Sunset Concert Stage, Artists Market, Wine Garden and Cinema in the Park, help add up to ten days of family fun that can’t be missed. Harmony Arts continues through this weekend and ends Sunday night with a live performance by Gary Comeau and the Voodoo All Stars.
01 – Five year-old Lukas Marosits takes a walk with dad Michael and mom Grace past all the arts and crafts displays.
02 – Equipped with a ladder, a skateboard, some knives and some flaming torches, performer/juggler Piper McKenzie has everyone on the edge of their seats with his stunts and skill.
03 – Street food is all part of the charm of the festival as delicious smells wafts from the smoked meat tent of Dunn’s Original as chef Wayne, cutter Tommy and their crew feed hungry visitors.
04 – Wearing their signature red, Housewine gals Michaela Morris, left, and Michelle Bouffard keep the wine garden well stocked.
05 – Three cheers for the volunteers . . . and the organizers. Harmony Arts organizer and volunteer coordinator Richard Loat, left, and volunteer Wonjun Kim walk the beach keeping things in order.
06 – Capilano University textile arts students Rebecca Fisher, left, and Dana Fisher (no relation) are among the many artisans showing their wares as part of the arts and craft tent fair.
– –
By Catherine Barr – July 30, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Aug 4, 2011
Jimmy Pattison, Wendy B. McDonald, Frank A. Griffiths, Charles Bentall – these Junior Achievement of British Columbia Business Laureates Hall of Fame inductees have helped shape our province into the great place it is today and last week, the list grew by three. Peter Brown (Canaccord Financial), Dr. Ken Spencer (Creo Products) and, inducted posthumously, David W. Spencer (Spencer’s department stores) were recognized at the annual gala last week at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and have now joined an elite group of outstanding individuals who “make equally outstanding contributions to free enterprise and their society”. Junior Achievement Canada established the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1979 and now has over 140 members.
The B.C. Produce Marketing Association and the BC Chefs Association held their 12th Annual Healthy Chef Competition Gala last week at the Hyatt hotel in Vancouver. Hosted by North Vancouver’s own weatherman/comedian Marke Driesschen (of CTV BC fame) the evening is always one of the best foodie highlights of the year. The night included a three course meal, with each person at the table enjoying one of the 10 competing chef’s creations. Dessert was an amazing artistic display and the winner always takes more points for it being as visual stunning as it is delicious. Congrats to everyone involved.
International Women’s Day made headlines this week all around the world as the global community stood up to celebrate the achievements of lovely ladies everywhere. Here in this city, Women United in Philanthropy (benefitting the United Way and Success by Six) managed to raise about $40,000 for their programs by holding an elegant fashion show luncheon event in honour of the occasion at Leones in Vancouver. Also this week, West Vancouver busineswoman and political dynamo Leah Costello had barely finished hanging the art on the walls of her new home as she held an exclusive welcome reception for MP John Weston and visiting Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. Patrons of the arts were also given a treat this month at a special Vancouver Symphony Orchestra night as Maestro Bramwell Tovey presented Telus head honcho Darren Entwistle with a special signed photograph thanking the corp for their more than 60 years of support. And lastly, it was a salute to the seven seas as world-famous yacht designer Ron Holland was recognized at a private reception in False Creek as he opened his first ever North American office here in Vancouver.
Khakis and cocktail dresses were on my marching orders last week as one of the most spectacular gala evenings ever to hit Vancouver was held in honour of the True Patriot Love Foundation. “Operation Western Front” was co-chaired by businessmen Warren M. Spitz and W. Brett Wilson (of CBC’s Dragons’ Den fame). Together they turned the Vancouver Convention Centre into a quasi military style forward operation base complete with camo, ammo and Hollywood glam-o. During the elegant reception, guests were more than moved by artist Dave Sopha’s “Portraits of Honour” (www.portraitsofhonour.ca) – a massive tribute to the fallen in Afghanistan. Then, a real live patrolling helicopter buzzed the ballroom outside the windows ordering everyone to take their military dinner tray to the five-star buffet line for “chow time”. A touching tribute by singer John McDermott and a lively auction featuring KISS rock star Gene Simmons helped round out a special evening that raised over $1.5 million for military families and veterans in need. Congrats to all involved.
Scotiabank’s ‘Celebration of Hockey Tour’ will be making an appearance in British Columbia with the Stanley Cup®, Canada’s oldest and most famous sports trophy, in Whistler, on March 4th and Chilliwack, on March 5th, 2011. The Cup will be greeted by hockey fans and families eager to have their photos taken with this iconic piece of hockey history. The Stanley Cup® will be accompanied by historical hockey artifacts showcasing the evolution of the game.
The Annual Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) Gala was held last week in honour of British Columbia’s female winery owners and experts. The ballroom at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel looked beautiful as former Premier Gordon Campbell took to the stage to congratulate all of the evening’s honourees at “Once Upon a Grapewine”. There was also a live taping of “The Tasting Room” with host Terry David Mulligan during the reception and a lavish silent auction full of fabulous libations. Also last week, it was time for the second annual Face of Tomorrow Gala. Hosted by Kasondra Cohen, daughter of Vancouver socialite and Army and Navy heiress Jacqui Cohen, the invite only party at Gotham’s restaurant featured an exclusive vodka ice lounge, auction items and live performances by Chin Injeti and Kreesha Turner.
Lots of great events help wrap up the month of February. First, it was time for Olympic memories again, this time with the Special Olympic athletes as the Tenth Annual MotionBall was held in Vancouver. Sponsored by the young and bright minds behind Six Degrees, the event included a celebrity auction, live music and entertainment and silent auction items to help raise funds. Next, it was time for the Kronenbourg 1664 Brasserie Mystere dinner where guests were treated to a night of special brews and a gourmet meal by renown chef David Hawksworth. And lastly, it was a clear but chilly night in North Vancouver for the first ever Campfires – A Circle of Community event where families came out to enjoy live music, food, crafts and a big bonfire down at the new Ship Builders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale.
The 7th Annual Looking Glass Foundation Gala dinner was held last week and it was truly a time to celebrate as supporters and family members of those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and/or Bulimia reached a major goal. After 10 long years, the doors are finally open at Woodstone Residence, a much-needed facility that caters exclusively to this debilitating disease which continues to affect many young women. “We were able to reach out worldwide to reduce the stigma of eating disorders and let people know that eating disorders are a serious illness, not a choice,” says the foundation. Decorated in elegance and style, the Rocky Mountaineer Station played host to a gourmet dinner, fabulous entertainment and lots of silent auction prizes to help fundraise on this special history making night. Congrats to all involved.
