Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: Tamara Taggart

Vancouver Webster Awards 2013

It’s the measure of journalistic excellence in British Columbia and more. The Webster Awards – named after B.C.’s most famous and feisty newsman – was held last week at the Westin Bayshore hotel in Vancouver. The room was a who’s who of the news media industry and included scores of well-known writers and broadcasters working in print, radio and television in British Columbia. Being nominated for a “Webster” is an honour – but winning one gives you membership in a very exclusive and revered club . Among the nominees and winners were many recognizable North Shore faces. Also, a big nod to Glacier Media executives who were among the VIPs and who are now also the new owners/publishers of our own Outlook newspaper. Congrats to everyone involved!

20130 Webster Awards in Vancouver

01 – Glacier media executives Peter Kvarnstrom, left Alvin Brouwer and Jonathon Kennedy attend the Webster awards.
02 – Now working at CTV, North Vancouver’s Mike McCardell attends the event with CTV News Director Les Staff.
03 – Global National news anchor and North Vancouverite Dawna Friesen, left, chats with CTV reporter Lisa Rossington.
04 – CKNW afternoon host Simi Sara takes home the City Mike award. Here she receives congrats from Vancouver councillor George Affleck, left, CKNW host Bill Good and Visitor TV’s Brett Manlove who lives here on the North Shore.
05 – Webster awards co-hosts Mike Killeen, who hails from North Vancouver, and Tamara Taggart from CTV.
06 – Nelson Bennett, left, North Vancouver’s Timothy Renshaw and publisher Paul Harris from Business in Vancouver take home a Webster for Business, Industry and Economics writing.

By Catherine Barr

October 30, 2013 – and as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on Nov 7, 2013

November 4, 2013
Sparkle Gala is West Vancouver’s Best

It may very well have been the party of the year. Last week, Wear Else clothing store owner Zahra Mamdani opened her palatial West Vancouver home and, with the help of an amazing group of local committee members, helped host the first annual “Sparkle” gala event in support of BC Women’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Designed primarily to raise awareness of the needs of the NICU and its families, the night included a spectacular fashion show complete with an elevated catwalk carefully constructed in the pool. Live entertainment, great food, heart-warming stories and silver glitter covered chocolates all helped make this event extra elegant. The best news is the giving has only begun. Stay tuned for more as this campaign heads into high gear with the goal of helping even more babies and their families. Thanks to the many generous donations raised this night. Congrats to all involved.

01 – Adding extra sparkle this night are glam gals and super moms Christie King, left, and Heidi Coglan.

02 – A major force in helping make it all happen, organizer Monica Soprovich and husband Jason also were the top bidders in the live auction.

03 – CTV news anchor Tamara Taggart will help head up the new BC Women’s Hospital and NICU campaign.

04 – The always stunning and fashionable Zahra Mamdani, of Wear Else fame, is a perfect and most generous hostess welcoming guests into her home for the gala.

05 – Committee member Sharlene Ludwig and husband Harald are more than happy to lend their support to this very worthwhile cause.

06 – Selling “Sparkle” bracelets to help raise funds are pretty helpers Sophia Ludwig, left, and Jenna Mamdani.

07 – Kevin England, seen here with Dana Majzub, is also a major supporter of the new “Sparkle” campaign.

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By Catherine Barr – Sep 26, 2013

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

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October 1, 2013
Vancouver Gala Night at the Aquarium with Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo

Night at the Aquarium, a fabulous black-tie fundraiser held at the Vancouver aquarium, is one of this city’s best known galas and this year, it made as big a splash as ever. Raising over $353,000, the night included live music, silent auction items, Ocean Wise food provided by some of the city’s best restaurants and more. Guests were delighted to see the dolphins in action as they jumped and frolicked for the folks as did the beluga whales who were more than happy to help up the bids during the live auction. The evening ended with an even bigger surprise as musician Jim Cuddy, of Blue Rodeo fame, showed up to sing for the crowd.

01 – Vancouver Aquarium PR gals Roxanne St. Pierre, left, and Catriona Maguire greet guests and invited VIPs as they enter the event.

02 – Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy surprises everyone by stopping by for a song. His new album “Skyscraper Soul” is due out on September 27 this year.

03 – Vancouver Aquarium president Dr. John Nightingale and wife Jacquie provide an elegant welcome and shake everyone’s hand upon entering.

04 – Vancouver Aquarium executive committee chair Margot Spence and Etienne van Eck are among the dignitaries in attendance this night.

05 – Magical, whimsical and very spectacular, the characters from Public Dreams Society walk on stilts among the guests helping make the evening extra exciting.

06 – West Vancouverite and Leone’s fashion owner Maria Leone attends the event with friend Patricia Chew.

07 – Tamara Taggart, of CTV News fame, seen here with friend Erin, is a delightful MC for the evening and doesn’t mind sharing the stage with the dolphins and whales.

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By Catherine Barr – June 23, 2011

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on July 7, 2011

June 29, 2011
Juno Week in Vancouver 2009

The Juno Awards, Canada’s music equivalent to the Grammy’s, came to town last week and the lead up to the red carpet awards night was nothing short of spectacular. Hotel hospitality suites were filled with rock stars and celebs and just about every club in town got in the act with live bands and more. Music moguls Bruce Allen and Sam Feldman held one of the more exclusive events in town with Juno nominees getting a surprise performance from the Barenaked Ladies and VIP invites including Bryan Adams, Loverboy and Michael Buble – to name a few.

Juno Week Parties 2009

01 – Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson chats with CTV News anchor Coleen Christie at the Juno opening night reception at the Commodore Ballroom.

02 – Wearing armoured vests, music super-agents Sam Feldman and Bruce Allen got lots of laughs as they dished out the flak at their Wild West party Friday night.

03 – Bob Rock, left, producer of bands like Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Metallica and Motley Crue, gives congrats to Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean on their Juno Hall of Fame award.

04 – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Red Robinson, left, shares the spotlight with Attorney General Wally Oppal at the Feldman/Allen party.

05 – Corner Gas star and comedian Brent Butt, left, celebrates with Loverboy lead singer, and West Van resident, Mike Reno.

06 – Dave Genn, formerly of the Matthew Good Band and currently of the band 54/40, cuddles with wife Tamara Taggart, who is also CTV’s pretty weather forecaster.

March 30, 2009 (published April 2, 2009)

Catherine Barr’s column appears every Thursday in the North Shore Outlook – 60,000 copies delivered to homes in the North Vancouver and West Vancouver area If you wish to submit an event for coverage please fill in the form found here or email Cat at info@catherinebarr.com.

March 31, 2009