Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: fairmont hotel vancouver

Variety BC Golden Heart Gala Honouring Peter Armstrong

Variety BC – The Children’s Charity is one of the most prestigious charities in the province. Their tireless work behind the scenes with special needs kids is exceptional and heart-warming. Only makes sense then that one of their most prestigious awards is called the Golden Heart Award in honour of individuals who make a difference in our community. This year’s gala honouree is Peter R.B. Armstrong, of Rocky Mountaineer fame, who has literally donated millions of dollars to over 200 different charities throughout the years. The special gala dinner was held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver which was fitting in more than one way as rumour has it Peter used to work there as a doorman years ago. Some even say that’s where he got the idea to start his first ever tour company. Congrats to Peter and everyone involved

01 – Greeting everyone at the door with a handshake and a smile, Golden Heart honouree Peter Armstrong and partner Suvina Lal get set to enjoy the evening’s festivities.

02 – She is the “Absolute” queen of the spa scene and looks fabulous as a result. West Vancouver’s Wendy Cocchia, centre, chats with assistant Jennifer Trudel, left, and Tradeworks executive director Maninder Dhaliwal.

03 – Former political powerhouse “Amazing Grace” McCarthy, seen here with husband Ray, still looks beautiful at age 85. The lights on the Lions’ Gate Bridge were her idea and are known as Gracie’s Pearls to this day.

04 – A former co-recipient of the Golden Heart award on behalf of GlobalBC TV in 2011, North Vancouver’s Brett Manlove, left, is now co-owner of RTown Vancouver. Seen here with wife Brenda, the couple shares conversation with Variety’s Sandra Lowe and husband Chris Lowe who is regional manager of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of BC and Yukon.

05 – Always elegant and always generous, the philanthropic legacy of Rosalie and Joe Segal are legendary and they are always part of this glamorous evening.

06 – Looking dapper, West Vancouver businessman Martin Charlwood, of Century 21 fame, escorts the beautiful Candace Alderson down the red carpet.

07 – Making it look easy at 95 years young, the “King of Swing” and BC’s best band leader Dal Richards attends the gala with wife Muriel.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – Apr 15, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Apr 18, 2013

– – –

April 15, 2013
Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia Gala 2013

The players may have changed, but the celebration remains the same. The Vancouver International Wine Festival (previously known as the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival), held its Bacchanalia Gala Dinner last week. The magnificent ballroom at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel was transformed into a magical setting as guests sipped on bubbly glasses of Mumm Napa DVX 2005 during the reception. Then it was time for dinner and a magical trip through the great state of California. Each course was accompanied by two select vintages including Painted Rock Estate Chardonnay, Schug Cameros Pinot Noir and special Cabernet Sauvignon from West Vancouver’s own Ray Signorello. After dinner it was time for the wine auction. Overall, the evening raised over $400,000 for its new beneficiary – Bard on the Beach.

01 – Vancouver International Wine Festival executive director Harry Hertscheg, left, raises a toast to open the festival alongside Bard on the Beach’s leading man, Christopher Gaze.

02 – Bacchanalia Gala PR gal Megan Verchere, left, and West Vancouver real estate agent Alexis Palkowski set the fashion trend at the champagne reception.

03 – North Shore residents and Bacchanalia gala board members Jim and Milena Robertson have both been part of this elegant affair for many years.

04 – West Vancouver’s Darrell Ert, left, and businessman Gary Segal are among the VIPs at the gala event.

05 – West Vancouver winemaker Ray Signorello is lucky enough to spend half his time down in Napa tending to his vines. He and girlfriend Tanya are also expecting their second child later this year.

06 – Actor Paul Duchart cuddles up to the House Wine gals, aka Michaela Morris and Michelle Bouffard, who are always on hand to keep the glasses full.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – Feb 26, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Mar 7, 2013

– – –

March 3, 2013
BC Cancer Diamond Ball and Barenaked Ladies VIP Night

If they had a million dollars . . . well, they do – and a lot more. So it’s only fitting that the Barenaked Ladies help with the VIP opening night party of Vancouver’s newest multi-million dollar property – The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. Invited guests were treated to a private concert last week in the lobby of the richly elegant building which is bound to be the new hangout for famous faces. Also last week, it was time for ball gowns and black ties at the BC Cancer Society’s Diamond Ball Gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Entitled “Ole”, a $400 ticket to the 14th annual event featured live entertainment, auctions and more for this very worthwhile cause.

01 – Canadian supergroup Barenaked Ladies, seen here with Pacific Rim GM and host Randy Zupanski, (second right), delight the invite only crowd by playing hits from their latest “All in Good Time” album.

02 – Count and Countess Enrico and Aline Dobrzensky play hosts at the Marquis Diamond Circle VIP reception at Diamond Ball.

03 – Advisory council chairs Bill and Jana Maclagen look fabulous in Spanish theme dress at Diamond Ball.

04 – BC Cancer Society CEO Barbara Kaminsky is always grateful for the generosity of sponsors and guests at Diamond Ball.

05 – North Van’s Jill Killeen, left, and Bridgitte Anderson make the scene in elegant black and feather boas.

06 – One of the North Shore’s most handsome couples, Ashley Cooper and wife Julie celebrated their 12 year anniversary the day after the Diamond Ball.

07 – Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon and Jessica Elliott are among the VIPs at the Diamond Ball.

08 – Taking in the Barenaked Ladies cocktail party at the Pacific Rim are media pals Mike Schaeffer (QMFM), left, Coleen Christie (CTV), Joe Leary (Team 1040) and Dawn Chubai (CityTV).

– –

– By Catherine Barr on April 7 & 10, 2010 –

Published in print in the North Shore Outlook on April 15, 2010

April 13, 2010
Olympic Parties Week 2

The Olympic parties continue with even more famous faces coming out to play.

01 – Mogul skier Jenn Heil, seen here at a Birks reception party, gets Canada on the map first with a silver medal up at West Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain.

02 – Supermodel Cindy Crawford, seen here with Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, left, and BC Premier Gordon Campbell, plays to the crowd at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver reception.

03 – First gold medal on Canadian soil nets mogul skier Alex Bilodeau a big gold covered maple leaf trophy from medal metals resource company Teck. The private reception included VIP gold medal guest athletes Simon Whitfield and Nancy Greene.

04 – One of Adam Moffat’s main jobs is to make sure all medal winners get their Molson Canadian “champagne” magnum full of the super suds. Fun!

05 – North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton is among the lucky guests who get to hold a gold medal at the VIP Teck medal reception. Teck supplies all the gold, silver and bronze for the Olympic medals.

06 – The North Shore’s own Pino Posteraro, chef of Yaletown’s Cioppino’s, cooks up a storm for a very exclusive private dinner with Virgin Group billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

07 – West Vancouver and Washington Marine Group’s own Kyle Washington and wife Janelle dine with both Sir Richard Branson and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco at a private dinner at Cioppino’s.

08 – Mike Twining, left, and Chris Hall are hitting gold with the opening of their new Sin Bin location right next to the athletes village where they get to serve Olympic athletes, coaches and actresses like Sandra Oh.

– –

– By Catherine Barr, Feb 21, 2010

– As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on Feb 25, 2010

February 22, 2010