The 28th annual Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) kicked-off last week and the buzz is everywhere. Running from October 1-16, VIFF presents approximately 575 screenings of 350+ films from over 70 countries. Not known for attracting big Hollywood names, the festival nonetheless has plenty of glitz and glam to go with it, including the Gala Opening night party, the Brightlight/Bridge Studios big Red Carpet Party at Cin Cin, The Canadian Images soiree at Joeys on Burrard and the Women in Film and Television (WIFTV) Martini Madess at Edge. Check viff.org for more info.
01 – Keeping it cheeky – burlesque girls, feathers and fun are all part of the annual Woman in Film and Television (WIFTV) Martini Madness party at the Edge on Granville.
02 – West Vancouver’s Jack Evrensel, left, owner of Cin Cin restaurant, chats with North Vancouver’s Peter Leitch, President of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios.
03 – ET Canada’s Erin Cebula interviews local actors, like Ryan Robbins (of Sanctuary and Battlestar Galactica fame), on the red carpet at Cin Cin.
04 – Twelve year-old Cassandra Sawtell is a North Shore actress who can be seen in the upcoming “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” with the likes of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Christopher Plummer.
05 – West Vancouer’s Sharon Chan looks after VIPs, like actor Lochlyn Munro (Night at the Roxbury, 9-9-09), at the Cin Cin red carpet affair.
06 – Karim and Monica Virani take in the VIFF Opening Night Gala at the Rocky Mountaineer after the screening of “A Shine of Rainbows”.
07 – Twilight: Eclipse movie fans will recognize Nanaimo born actress Jodelle Ferland who is also starring in “Everything’s Coming Up Rosie” at the festival.
08 – Taking in the action at several red carpet events, including the Loden Hotel’s “Fabulous” party, are pretty PR gal Tammy Preast, left, and West Vancouver businessmen Frank Giustra and Harald Ludwig.
Country music, Bhangra drums plus celebrity chefs and wine helped wrap up the last week of Summer 2009. First up, the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) brought big name singers to the city with a festival that included live concerts, fan parties and a fabulous live awards show that was broadcast across Canada. Next up, West Vancouver musician Ash Sood and friends were among the VIPs at a special private dinner to raise funds for the Bhangra International Festival Celebration. And when it comes to celebrating, no one does it better than the Wine of BC people with their annual Chef Meets Grape charity event in support of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program.
Lamborghinis and lipstick helped round out August as two great events helped us remember all the luxurious little things in life. First up, party promoter Craig Stowe and friends were making heads turn in the street with a preview of their Luxury Supercar weekend.Come on out on Sep 12 and 13 to the Edgewater Casino to see a Palm Springs like show of “suber” cars like Ferrari, Roll Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar and more. Next, Heather Huntingford and her gal pals were celebrating the relocation of her fabulous Kiss and Makeup store in Park Royal village with a summer Patio Party that featured local celebs, makeovers, cocktails and cupcakes.
Ralph, Elena and Deb (R.E.D. Management) are no strangers to talent agency management. In fact, between them they’ve got over 35 years experience here in Vancouver representing some of the best and brightest in the biz on familiar shows like Battlestar Galactica, Intelligence, 24 and more. So when it finally came time to strike out on their own, they made it look easy. Now, with a floating barge for a home here in North Vancouver’s Mosquito Creek Marina, they can celebrate their first anniversary in style. Invited guests and local celebs came out to party aboard the Queen of Diamonds on a sunny Sunday afternoon and toast the trio that helped make the famous.
Fords, Chevys, Model-Ts and more lined the streets of Park Royal Village in West Vancouver this past weekend as Hot Rod Saturday got everyone’s motor running. Presented in part by the BC Hot Rod Association and the North Shore Outlook, the day was a car lovers dream come true. Fuzzy dice and fancy paint jobs were the norm as the parking lot was transformed into a rainbow of colours and chrome and proud owners posed with their pride and joys of yesteryear.
The 19th Annual Harmony Arts Festival is always a favourite among locals, but this year, thanks to some spectacular record breaking temperatures, the crowds have gotten bigger and bigger. Art displays, children’s activities, youth rock, weekend craft fairs, evening outdoor movies and live concerts by the sea are all part of the festival that just wrapped up this past weekend with a spectacular outdoor show by Nearly Neil’s own Bobby Bruce. 
It’s a chic and stylish corner in an up-and-coming neighbourhood and, judging from the menu, the music and the moniker, the name of the game is success. Lolo (taken from the slang for Lower Lonsdale) is billing itself as a “small plates and wine” restaurant that offers artisan cheeses, charcuterie meats and a rather plump wine list. This week they held an elegant opening party for friends and guests. Add in the live music, sidewalk patio and lounge-y feel, and this little boite may just have hit the spot.
SOIRÉE! The Whistler Film Festival Society Gala & Auction was the place to be as the Four Seasons hotel in Vancouver hosted some of Vancouver’s most influential Hollywood North movers and shakers. Hosted by Corner Gas star Brent Butt, the evening was filled with live music, auction items and fabulous food by new Four Season chef Oliver Beckert. Held in the first week of December, The Whistler Film Fest is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the premiere film festivals in the country and, thanks to fundraisers like this, it just might be world famous some day. 
It’s always been one of my favourites and this year was no exception. It was luck year 13 for the West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation as they held their annual 2009 Mallet Masters Croquet Tournament down at the Ambleside Greens pitch-n-putt. Dressed in their whites, teams took to the courts to play the day away. Later, the champions took to centre court to settle the score as cocktail hour started. A beautiful dinner, provided by Glowbal catering, was then followed by a vibrant live auction with golf packages, wine packages and more up for grabs.
It was time for cocktails, cars and catwalks at the 4th Annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Fashion Gala. Benefitting BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation and the VGH & UBC Hospital for prostate research, the evening featured fashions by Hugo Boss and Harry Rosen as well as a fabulous martini / wine bar, four-star food by some of Vancouver’s top restaurants and more beautiful accessories than you can imagine. Va Va Vroom! 
The Leo Awards, BC’s version of the Oscars and Emmys, took place last weekend at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Produced by the North Shore’s own Sonny Wong and Walter Daroshin, celebrities from both TV and movies walked the red carpet in style before being honoured by their peers at the gala awards show and dinner. Star spotters, autograph hunters and paparazzi galore made this a real Hollywood in Vancouver moment to remember.
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. 
It was time for bow ties and boxing gloves as the 7th annual Athletics for Kids (A4K) Boxing Gala was held last Friday at Hollyburn Country Club. Rock 101 FM’s Bro Jake “The Champ” Edwards had them rolling in the aisles as he helped MC the evening which included a glamorous martini reception, big steak dinner and five rounds of Olympic sanctioned boxing. Helping raise money for kids who can’t afford to play sports is the goal of these go-getters, and they continue to do so in style thanks to the many who came out in support. 
The big lighthouse in Park Royal’s Village is shining a light on something new thanks to some funky changes and an innovative menu designed by famed Vancouver chef Rob Feenie. Since taking over the former Steamworks location, the gang at the Cactus Club’s West Van Taphouse has reinvented the space making it unique by offering their 20/20 beer menu, entertainment and more. Last week all was revealed at a special media tasting event that proves this group has tapped into something really great.
V is for Variety, The Children’s Charity that is. But V is also for Vodka, Vancouver and Va-va-va-voom. At least that’s the way I’d describe the new Earls hotspot in trendy Yaletown. West Vancouver’s Fuller family has done it again by re-inventing style in the upper loft of their newest location. Designed for private parties and a more “upscale” experience, the room is nothing short of spectacular. “Vodka is at the heart of V,” explained general manager Ryan Emmerson who opened the doors with a special fundraiser for the kids earlier this month.