Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: cornucopia

  • Vancouver’s Best 2014 Parties and Gala Events

    Get out your social calendar and let’s plan to party. As the new 2014 year begins there is lots of fun to be had. Many regulars are back, including wine festivals, art galleries and theatre openings. And there’s lots of places for live entertainment and food too. Pick the ones you like for dressing up, or down, but best of all, there are lots of chances to help give to charity. So let’s get the gala gears going and remember to stay in touch and save me a smile.

    Vancouver 2014 events

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    01 – Comedians Brett Butt, left, and wife Nancy joined Leo Awards producer and North Vancouverite Walter Daroshin on the red carpet this past spring. Look for Leos to be handed out again early June 2014.

    02 – Putting up a fight for kids in sport are Craig Knapton, left, and boxer Manny Sobral. The Athletics for Kids (A4K) gala will be held on May 2, 2014 at Hollyburn Country Club and includes live sanctioned boxing bouts.

    03 – Whistler’s Cornucopia is one of the year’s best food and wine events and now extends to two weekends starting the second week in November 2014. Notables like Olympian Ashleigh McIvor, hubby and Whitecaps star Jay DeMerit, Hy’s Steakhouse owner Neil Aisenstat and Foxtrot Vineyard’s Gustav Allander were all on hand at one of last year’s best dinners.

    04 – A toast to the Vancouver International Wine Festival by executive director Harry Hertscheg, left, and Bard on the Beach’s leading man, Christopher Gaze. This year France is the featured country and events run from February 24 – March 2, 2014.

    05 – West Vancouver’s Harmony Arts festival has grown in so many ways and now includes fun wine and food nights as well as the week long art show and live entertainment stages. Harmony Arts manager Christie Rosta, left, joined Marnie Wilson and House Wine hostesses Michaela Morris and Michelle Bouffard for a perfect night on the pier last year. Mark your calendars for August 1-10, 2014.

    06 – North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley Days is an amazing community day event and gala dinner evening held at the end of May 2014. Last year, Peter Haigh, left, from North Shore Rescue, Lynn Valley Days committee member Gillian Konst and Lynn Valley Community president and Lions Club member Eric Miura celebrated in style.

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    By Catherine Barr – Jan 6, 2013

    Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 9, 2013

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  • Vancouver Upcoming Gala Events for 2013

    Happy New Year everyone! And just as you’re finishing putting away the holiday decorations, it’s time to take out your date books and pencil in some spectacular events for the upcoming year. There’s never a shortage of things to do all across the North Shore and charity events are always on the list. The summer months are bursting with community fun and festivals but you’ll want to book off lots of time during May, June, October and November as these are always when the big glamorous galas are held. Check out some of these dates below and be sure to check back with me throughout the year to keep you posted. Best wishes to all.

    Gala events 2013

    01 – Kay Meek Centre board member Paul Tutsch, left, West Vancouver councillor Mary Ann Booth and volunteer Barney Ellis were among the many guests at last year’s annual Kay Meek Gala event. This year you’ll want to keep May 31, 2013 clear as they celebrate again with special guest star Holly Cole.

    02 – October is a big gala month and they don’t come any bigger than the Gift of Time Gala for Canucks Place Children’s Hospice. Last year lots of North Shore faces were in attendance as Global TV anchor Chris Gailus and radio star Tara Maguire played co-host.

    03 – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala chair Mary Jane Devine shows us that the Rockin’ for Research Gala is always hot stuff by posing with members of the fire department as they were auctioned off as part of a fabulous dinner and dine package during last year’s live auction. Mark Nov 2, 2013 on your calendar for this one.

    04 – Wine, women and . . well more wine. Whistler’s annual Cornucopia may be considered one of the wildest weekends on the mountain with so many dinners, dances, tastings and parties to attend that come November 2013, they are planning on holding it for a whole week. Hold onto your hats for details.

    05 – Formerly known as the Diamond Ball, the 17th Annual Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball will be held on April 27 this year. Black and yellow are all the rage at this event as North Shore golden gals Bryanna Baker, left, Elizabeth Dyer and Carey Macbeth can tell you.

    06 – Put up your dukes on April 5, 2013 as Hollyburn Country Club prepares to once again host the A4K – Athletics for Kids extravaganza. It’s a Vegas theme all the way as board members Craig Knapton, left, and Dave Babych get ready for their eleventh year.

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    By Catherine Barr – Dec 28, 2012

    Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 3, 2013

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  • Whistler’s Cornucopia 2012 Parties, Wines and Food

    For the last 10+ years now I’ve had the privilege of attending Whistler’s annual Cornucopia festival of food and wine. Not for the faint of heart, those who venture beyond Cornucopia’s serious side will find a high energy, full throttle weekend affair full of alcohol and after hours activities that go well into the wee hours of the night. So, as expected, this year’s organizers stopped at nothing to put on the glitz with a whirlwind schedule of seminars, winemaker’s dinners, ultra after-parties, and non-stop fun.

    The new High Rollers gala party, held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (tix $150), was one of the biggest featuring showgirls, gaming tables, live music and more. I especially liked the entertainment which included a live band complete with horn section – a welcome change, in my opinion, from the usual non-stop, mindless boom-boom beats.

    Hanging out at the wine bar felt extra chic as guests lounged on fiber optic electric furniture that changed colour every few minutes (I’ve seriously got to get me some of this). Some complaints resulted because bartenders were bound by our archaic BC Liquor laws and were only permitted to pour small tasting samples instead of full glasses. Drink tickets were issued at the door for various other bar stations, so here’s hoping maybe next year they will include some options for full wine glasses as well.

    All around the room, Vegas style showgirls go-go danced on stage while dealers held down all kinds of gambling tables, including several Texas Hold ‘Em games that proved very popular with the men folk. Going “all in” here was relatively harmless though as all games were strictly funny money.

    Overall, it was an extremely classy affair which was very professionally produced. Nothing seemed to get too out of hand and I really hope it will be back next year.

    Next up was the Crush Grand Gala Tasting room. Held over two nights (Friday and Saturday, tix $89), this event is aptly named as crowds literally crush themselves into the Whistler Convention Centre to sample libations from over 50 different wineries. Not a great event for food, there is nonetheless interesting little sample bites from featured companies and restaurants looking to show off their newest products. Sipping always prevails over spitting, but guests here are encouraged not to over imbibe and taxi rides are always available.

    Last big event of the weekend for me was the Araxi Bubbles + Oceans party in Whistler Village (tix $155). Known for their famous sushi and seafood, this restaurant sampling event never disappoints. Tons of fresh prawns, tuna, oysters and maki rolls were available for everyone. Bar and food service was stellar and, not forgetting the bubbles part, there were several different champagne and sparkling wine samples to be had.

    Stealing the spotlight this night however was a 50 year James Bond special edition anniversary champagne released by none other than Bollinger. This $200 dollar stealth black bottle comes in a special spy themed canister where one must dial 007 on the locks to release the lid. Add a couple of tuxedo-clad handsome men to serve it up cold and the ladies were easily wooed over to this table with little resistance.

    – By Catherine Barr

  • Whistler’s Cornucopia 2011 Featuring Crush Gala, Ric’s Grill Casino Royale and Bearfoot Bistro’s Cirque du Soleil Masquerave Party

    Whistler’s annual 2011 Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival returns with the best year yet. Regular features, like the Crush Grand Gala Tasting Room and Casino Royale at Ric’s Grill are back. This year also marks the return of the Bearfoot Bistro’s famous Masquerave featuring Cirque du Soleil type performers, live music, free flowing libations and a feast for the senses unlike any other. Proprietor Andre Saint-Jacques moved the $350 per ticket soiree to the Listel Hotel’s parking garage and, with tv cameras in tow, proceeded to give Whistler a world-class party that was the envy of all.

     

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    By Catherine Barr – Nov 13, 2011

    As seen in the Vancouver Province newspaper on Nov 13, 2011

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  • Whistler’s Cornucopia Festival

    Celebrating it’s 12th year of food and wine, Whistler’s Cornucopia once again provided a weekend to remember. Featuring gala wine tastings, winemakers’ dinners and after parties that continued well into the wee hours – this celebration of all things indulgent is well worth the price of admission. Several North Shore faces were spotted sipping famous label wines and dipping into plates created by some of the world’s top chefs. The only hard part, is keeping up the pace for four days straight. Cheers. (more…)