Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: Travel

  • Vancouver Winter Olympics Week 1

    The Winter Olympics are supposed to be all about the games, but they’re about all the fun too. As the torch runs through the community, and the international houses open their doors, it’s easy to get caught up in the Olympic spirit. From cocktails in the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge to the opening of Irish House, here’s just a quick look at some of the ways to play around town.

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    01 – Serving up cocktails in glasses made of ice are Monk McQueens Ice Lounge bartenders Jill VanGyn, left, Sarah Lumsden and Matt Rota

    02 – Ice sculptures, like this Inukshuk, decorate the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge as PR man Steve Bickerdike attends to guests.

    03 – North Van Penthouse Nightclub owner Danny Filippone, left, hooks up with Granville Entertainment Group CFO, and West Vancouverite Ron Orr, on the opening night of Irish House, which just happens to sit on the Doolin’s property off Granville.

    04 – West Van realtor Gus Batal, left, server Veronica Martinez and guest Steve Christensen get their Olympic spirit up on the opening night of Irish House

    05 – Lugaro Jewellers’ Sassan Pourfar carries the torch all the way into Park Royal for a special celebration dinner and toast to Omega.

    06 – Opus Hotel owner John Evans, left, and actor Ryan Robbins walk the red carpet at the Opus Podium Party.

    07 – CityTV host Riaz Meghji and girlfriend Kelly Konno give up the glam at the Opus Podium Party.

    08 – Three cheers for the Angel Restoration crew at the opening of Irish House. From left: Brandon McLeod, Sonia McLeod and David McLeod.

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    By Catherine Barr

  • USA Gold Medal Snowboarder Shaun White on Letterman

    Vancouver’s Olympic snow woes continue, and now they’ve hit the big time.

    Tuesday night, USA Gold Medal snowboarder Shaun White appeared on David Letterman. The interview concluded with the two men laughing about rumours that Vancouver doesn’t have enough snow up at the Cypress mountain half pipe venue and joking about snow being flown in by helicopter and the run being built out of hay.

    Little do they know, they speak the truth.

  • Taste the World Wine for Angkor Children’s Hospital

    tommy_europe.jpgThe recent tragic events in Haiti will not soon be forgotten. Yet, while we attempt to help those devastated by this earthquake, we sometimes forget that there are children in need all over the third world where flood, famine and abject poverty occur every day. Last night, the good people behind the Angkor Hospital for Children (Friends Without a Border) held their “Taste the World” wine benefit at the Four Seasons Hotel. With Haiti very much on everyone’s mind, the night was a great success and will go a long way to helping little ones suffering in Cambodia.

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    01 – Wedgewood Hotel’s Elpie Jackson, left, and artist Athena Bax lend their support to the children.

    02 – Helping put on the PR are “Ask a Woman” gals Sharon Chan-Knight, left, and Tammy Preast along with actress and “Crash Test Mommy” TV host Nicole Oliver.

    03 – Ms Mercedes and her man, West Vancouver’s Eva and George Taubenfligel, are looking tanned and toned for the New Year.

    04 – West Van’s Val and Ron Orr, CEO of Granville Entertainment Group, are gearing up for the Olympics and will host Irish House and the Canadian Snowboard Team at their Doolin’s Pub location.

    05 – He helps “Bulging Brides” get into shape. Catch handsome hunk and trainer Tommy Europe at 6pm on the Slice TV network.

    06 – Event co-chairs Celia Martin, left, and Kim Gartland deserve kudos for helping raise money for the kids in Cambodia.

    07 – A night out for a good cause for these North Shore gals, from left: Julie Steiner, Darrell Mindell, Carlotte Lee and Sharon Cooper.

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    By Catherine Barr – Jan 26, 2010

    Published in print by the North Shore Outlook on Jan 28, 2010

  • North Shore Outlook 10 Year Anniversary

    10-year_groupYou know how they say time flies when you’re having fun? Well, trust me when I say that it’s true. The last decade has flown by at the speed of light and in looking back, I realize just how wonderful, yet fleeting, life can be. In the last seven years that I have had the privilege of writing for The Outlook, I estimate that I have taken 11,653 photos of close to 34,959 faces at more than 3,640 local events. To this day, I never forget a smile (even though I sometimes forget the name – wink). So here’s to you – the people of my community, my neighbours and my new found friends. It is an honour to be here to share in all your special memories. I thank you all for your heart-warming smiles and look forward to ten years more – at least.

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    01 – Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow and Neil Young played to a sell-out crowd of 9,000 at Ambleside Park in Summer 2009 as the Lee Family, Terry McBride and the Sarah McLachlan Foundation made history with a charity concert that attracted worldwide attention.

    02 – The first ever sanctioned amateur boxing match in West Vancouver was held in March 2003 when the A4K (Athletics for Kids) held their first annual black-tie gala at Hollyburn Country Club – an event that is still going strong.

    03 – It wasn’t how they planned to celebrate their 40th anniversary, but members of the North Shore Rescue team had to rescue their own in 2004 as a trek up Yukon’s Mount Logan went terribly wrong leaving Erik Bjarnason, Alex Snigurowicz and Don Jardine fending for their lives. From left: team members Barry Mason, Erik Bjarnason, Linda Bily and Don Jardin.

    04 – Organizers Kenn Hamlin (left), and David Gouge (right) flank architect and famous ‘supermodeller’ Arthur Erickson at one of the legendary West Vancouver Eppich houses during the AIDS Memorial fundraiser in September 2005. Erickson passed away May 2009.

    05 – The 2010 Winter Olympics are almost here, and we have Olympic bid committee member, silver medalist and North Shore gal Charmaine Crooks, left, to thank for it. Pictured here in November 2006 with fellow Olympian and gold medalist Catriona LeMay Doan at the Gold Medal Plates event, she will finally see her life’s work come to fruition next year.

    06 – The Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts opened its doors, unofficially, in November 2004 with a gala performance of “The Prince of Africa”, performed by the African Children’s Choir, and seen here with sponsor Suzanne Latta. Sadly, Kay Meek herself passed away later that same weekend.

    07 –  Park Royal Shopping Centre’s new “Village” debuted in September 2004 with a series of grand openings, but none grander than the Home Depot’s “Inspire to Dream” gala night. The $300 per person fundraiser honoured the work of athlete Rick Hansen, seen here with wife Amanda, and featured a private intimate concert with recording artist Jann Arden.

    08 – One of Canada’s most renowned Impressionist painters, Daniel Izzard, celebrated his 80th birthday in May 2003. Seen here with a beautiful portrait of granddaughter Carissa Davis, the event was a veritable who’s who of North Shore dignitaries. Izzard died in June 2007.

    09 – NBA superstar Steve Nash and various celebrities were seen at the multi-million dollar West Vancouver home of Kyle and Janelle Washington in July 2007 at the “Carats” charity fundraiser and poker game where, for $10,000 per couple, guests got to hobnob with Nash and his famous friends. From left: Producer/composer David Foster (left) Steve Nash and his mom.

    10 – There were tears, cheers and beers as the staff of the old Park Royal Hotel bid a bittersweet goodbye to their old digs in September 2004 to make way for a new development. Built in 1957 by West Vancouver’s late Frank Bernard, the memories and stories about her good old days will live on forever.

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    By Catherine Barr – November 11, 2009

    Published in print by the North Shore Outlook on November 19, 2009

  • Britney Spears walks off stage in “Toxic” Vancouver, BC

    Pop princess Britney Spears walked off stage tonight in Vancouver, BC, at her GM Place concert, claiming that the air was too smoky for her to perform. The nicotine fit came only three songs into the show when an announcement was made asking everyone to butt out, literally. (See the evidence for yourself in the YouTube video below – thanks to Chris B for posting).

    Apparently, it was less about the prima donna and more about the marijuana as later reports reveal that the stage hands working above the set were apparently choking from the fumes. Spears eventually came back on some 40 minutes later to a much different crowd who were still wondering if the stunt was real or, like most of her singing, just imagined.

    The entire episode raises several issues.

    First up – It is hard to believe that her stage hands were choking from pot smoke. Have you seen the amount of smoke (and mirrors) she uses? No wonder she has to lip sync. Who can breath with all that raging fire and brimstone. If it was a real ventilation problem, they would have announced it as such, but this was different (judge for yourself from the YouTube video).

    Secondly – I know Vancouver is a pot smoking town. There were probably a fair share of legal cigarettes lit too. But as a true non-smoker (in every sense of the word), even I have survived an Ozzy Osbourne or AC/DC concert without hacking up a lung. Yes, the smell is bad, but isn’t Britney a cigarette smoker to begin with?

    Also, who exactly was in this crowd? I thought Britney was a teen dream/drag queen favourite. Judging by the colourful characters roaming the streets downtown tonight, the only dangerous substance being abused was hair glitter. The regular reefer madness crowd was safely tucked away at home in mom’s basement playing X-Box.

    Lastly – who is in charge of concerts at GM Place? Not that I think Spears doesn’t love the drama of it all, but divas of this magnitude have contracts and riders that management must uphold or else. In other words, if Britney was expecting a non-smoking stadium, then she deserves to get a non-smoking stadium. I have the expectation of a non-smoking stadium (and I also think it’s the law too), but something tells me that I’d get thrown out faster than the pot smokers if I complained to security that someone was smoking in my row at a show.

    Oh, what the heck. If millions of people can turn a blind eye to Britney pretending to be a singer, then I guess it’s only reasonable that security turn a blind eye to illegal drug use during concerts. Hey – I wonder what’s going to happen at the snowboarding event at the 2010 Olympics?

    So Britney . . . when ya coming back to Vancouver?

  • Vancouver Doormen’s Dinner

    They know where all the best restaurants are, where all the movies stars stay and can probably help you get front row tickets to just about any event in town. They are Vancouver’s doormen, and without them, we’d be a city without a face. Last month, at the 18th Annual Doormens Dinner, these ambassadors were honoured for their great service and hard work. Sponsored by Grace McCarthy’s CH.I.L.D (CHildren with Intenstinal and Liver Disorders) foundation, and held at Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel, this was one fundraiser where extra baggage was encouraged.

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