Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: downtown eastside

  • Odd Squad Productions Gala Royale 2013 in Vancouver

    Back in 1997, long before reality TV and YouTube, the Odd Squad Productions team took their cameras and hit the streets of Vancouver. Focusing mainly on the downtown east side, theses police officers on video captured the true picture of life on the streets complete with all of its sadness, ugliness and drama. Today, these award-winning films serve as a raw and stark reminder to kids everywhere that drugs, and life on the street, are anything but glamorous. Last week, the Odd Squad Productions Society held its 2013 Gala Royale. VIPs, supporters and sponsors enjoyed a night of food, auction items and entertainment while helping raise money for this very worthwhile cause with the message that a happy ending is always possible.

    Odd squad gala police vancouver

    01 – Global BC’s favourite weatherman, Mark Madryga, left, acts as the evening’s MC alongside Great Canadian Gaming Corporation’s Howard Blank and wife Cassiana.

    02 – Congratulations to newlyweds and Odd Squad supporters Shalina Kajani and Global BC news reporter John Daly who tied the knot last month at a surprise romantic ceremony.

    03 – On stage for the presentations are Odd Squad member Chris Graham, left, Alan Li and Odd Squad co-president Al Arsenault.

    04 – BrightLight Pictures’ Shawn Williamson and Michelle Gauvin of Performers Management are among the VIPs present for the Gala Royale event.

    05 – A fundraiser is nothing without its volunteers. Keeping an eye on the auction bids is helper Samantha Diamond.

    06 – Browsing the auction items prior to the dinner portion of the evening are transit officers Simon Doyon, left, and Donna Deis.

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    By Catherine Barr – Jun 13, 2013

    Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jun 20, 2013

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  • Mission Possible Gala Tackles Vancouver Downtown Eastside Homelessness and Poverty

    Homelessness and poverty are a very real issue in our city, especially in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Thankfully, the folks at Mission Possible are out to improve life for those burdened with the hardships of living in one of Canada’s toughest communities. The agency, which aims to provide both opportunities and jobs, administers programs through four separate entities (Community, Maintenance, Recycling and StudioWorks). The end goal is to allow participants to gain dignity and purpose thus ending dependency and breaking the poverty cycle. Last week, the Mission Possible Gala was held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and lot of North Shore supporters were in attendance. Visit their website at www.mission-possible.ca to get involved.

    Mission possible gala

    01 – Volunteers Bibi Hamid, left, Rachelle Schellenberg and Krista Arnold are all smiles as they greet guests and VIPs for the evening.

    02 – Mission Possible director of communications Jenn Dagg kept an eye on all the activity in a fabulously chic antique gold sequin dress.

    03 – Mission Possible is lucky to have these North Vancouver gals on board. From left: Janie Peters, Maureen Houston and Jan Keast.

    04 – CTV news anchor and event MC Mi Jung Lee poses with executive director Brian Postlewait who is an inspiration to all and the driving force behind Mission Possible.

    05 – When they’re not auctioning off items for charity, you can catch radio show hosts Drew Savage and Nat Hunter, of the Nat and Drew show, on Virgin 95.3 radio.

    06 – Beauty and the teeth. Guess model Ashely Morris and handsome West Vancouver dentist Geoff Gillespie are among the VIPs in attendance.

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    By Catherine Barr – Nov 15, 2012

    Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Nov 29, 2012

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  • Stand Up for Mental Health Vancouver

     

    Curing mental illness has a lot to do with overcoming the stigma that comes with it. Thanks to the good folks at Stand Up for Mental Health (SMH), they’re teaching people that laughter is the best medicine by turning patients into performers and empowering them through stand-up comedy. The self-healing, scene-stealing program is spreading like wildfire across both Canada and the U.S. and, last week, the group celebrated with a pre-show reception at Vancouver’s lavish new Shangra-La Hotel. Afterwards, it was off to the Stanley Theatre stage for the 2009 Class Debut where, as they say at SMH, everyone got a chance to crack-up together. (more…)