Sports, cars and fashion – it was all a part of the recent Dueck GM / Cadillac launch party. VIP guests were greeted with black tie service as all the sales staff were dressed to the nines and looking good! Then the big event – partnering with Vancouver Fashion Week, the new Cadillac models were unveiled as real life models walked the catwalk. Highlights also included speeches by noted BC Lions and Canucks celebrities.
Have you heard a good fish story lately? This one is the best. Every year, fishermen, friends and supporters get a chance to raise money for the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) by heading out with the West Coast Fishing Club. The best trip ever, the event kicked off with a gala party complete with live entertainment from Glass Tiger frontman Alan Frew. Money raised goes to provides year-round, high- quality sports, recreational, arts, and social programs for individuals and families living with autism, while increasing awareness and providing training in communities across British Columbia.
It’s been 11 years since the Athletic for Kids (A4K) group got together to put up their dukes to raise money for youngsters to play sports. And with ever increasing costs, more and more families have been reaching out for assistance. This year the board was back with its Las Vegas themed gala at Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver where invited guests and VIP athletes were treated to a night of cocktails, prizes, auction items, a gourmet dinner and the main event – a five round sanctioned boxing card that featured an exhibition match by rookie fighter and ex BC Lions star Sean Millington.
01 – Getting ready behind the scenes with the fighters and holding up the coveted big belt are board member Craig Knapton, left, and fight night coordinator / former Olympic boxer Manny Sobral.
02 – Athletics for Kids past-president Craig Knapton, right, welcomes former BC Lions Sean Millington to the ring for his exhibition boxing debut. Don’t worry ladies, he’s still looking good even after taking a few punches.
03 – Athletics for Kids board member and former Vancouver Canucks hero Dave Babych, centre, chats with guests Chris Gray, left, and Barry Pynn before the dinner starts.
04 – Making sure all the feathers and sequins are in place for a perfect Vegas night are A4K director Kimberly MacAulay, left, and PR pro Pamela Buck.
05 – Sitting ringside with their doctor duties this night are Dr Jim Hunter, left, and Dr Marc Boileau.
06 – It’s a true boy’s night out as guests Adam Wicks, left, and Andre Boileau can tell you complete with Vegas showgirls, steak dinner and live action boxing.
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By Catherine Barr – April 5, 2013
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on April 11, 2013
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Get out your date books because it’s time for Part 2 of my look ahead to 2013 and all the best Vancouver gala events and charity fundraisers. So as you get ready to pencil in your glam plan remember the following: 1 – Every little bit helps when it comes to charity giving. 2 – Even if you can’t give money, you can give your time as all organizations need volunteers and helpers. 3 – Silent auctions make a great place to shop for gifts. 4 – All men look great in a tuxedo. 5 – There’s no such thing as too many sparkles. Thanks everyone and don’t forget to send me your upcoming event details at www.catherinebarr.com – the photos are on me!
01 – Vancouver Canucks hockey heroes Roberto Luongo, left, and Trevor Linden are both members already, but who will be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame next? Find out at the Banquet of Champions gala dinner on Sep 19, 2013.
02 – CTV news anchor Keri Adams, left, and Whistler Film Festival executive producer Shauna Hardy Mishaw both take turns behind the mic hosting the summer gala fundraiser. Look to attend the gala sometime this June, or mark your calendar for the film fest itself on Dec 4-8, 2013.
03 – North Vancouver’s Daroshin family always knows how to rock the red carpet as part of the famous Leo Awards gala. Known as the Golden Globes of BC, producers Walter Daroshin and business partner Sonny Wong will bring this year’s biggest celebrity party to town again this year for their 15th anniversary celebration during late spring 2013.
04 – Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW and more. If you’re a car guy, like North Vancouver auto writer Andrew McCredie, left, or BMW dealership owner Brian Jessel, then you’ll want to book Mar 26-31 off for the Vancouver International Auto Show which returns this year to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
05 – Last year, Heart and Stroke Foundation BC & Yukon CEO Diego Marchese and gala chair Carey Smith did a wonderful job of putting together the Heart of Gold gala. Mark May 24th on your calendar for this year’s 9th annual event as this one always sells out quickly.
06 – Face the World socialite and Army and Navy heiress Jacqui Cohen, left, is one proud lady now that daughter Kasondra Cohen-Herrendorf has followed in her footsteps with her own charity empire. Face of Today will hold their 4th annual gala on Feb 22, 2013 and, judging from years past, it will again be one of Vancouver’s most glittery affairs.
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By Catherine Barr – Jan 7, 2013
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 10, 2013
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Fall season is upon us and events are in full swing. First up, a unique West Vancouver event spearheaded by West Vancouver Chamber VP Jason Black. Held at the Tap House in Park Royal, this networking event was targeted for the Under 35 business mind. Featuring Vancouver Canucks VP Michael Doyle, the new Face 2 Face program promises to deliver high profile keynote speakers as well as a chance to socialize with fellow young entrepreneurs. Next, West Vancouver’s most famous resident, Sarah McLachlan, turned the spotlight towards her School of Music students in a heartwarming ceremony that featured a special cheque presentation by HSBC. Hot off the stage at her Voices in the Park concert earlier this month, the charitable chanteuse was on hand to receive the $300,000 donation on behalf of her talented students who then thanked the audience with a live performance.
01 – U35 Networking gals Megan Sewell, left, of Sewell’s Marine fame, Leah Costello, of the Bon Mot Book Club and Virginia Bird, of Pottinger and Associates, attend the first inaugural event.
02 – Canucks VP Michael Doyle may have left his skates at home, but he was more than happy to be the evening’s keynote speaker at the U35 Networking event.
03 – Breaking ground in a new direction for U35 business leaders are The Great Canadian Landscaping Company’s Chris O’Donohue, left, WV Chamber VP Jason Black, Village Tap House manager Colin Denton and Cypress Mountain’s Joffrey Koeman.
04 – Enjoying conversation and more are U35 Networking guests Duncan Joseph, left, Anthony Jackson, Michael Mullin and Cam Sherk.
05 – Sarah McLachlan School of Music’s director of philanthropy Stephani Samaridis, left, and executive director Ann de la Hey attend the HSBC cheque presentation.
06 – Ernest Yee, vice president HSBC Canada, left, and Lindsay Gordon, president and CEO HSBC Canada are happy to be in attendance and to support this amazing school of music.
07 – Sarah McLachlan School of Music students are all smiles as Sarah herself receives the HSBC cheque for $300,000 on their behalf.
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By Catherine Barr – Sep 28, 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Oct 4, 2012
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The Hyatt hotel ballroom was transformed into a twinkling festival of lights earlier this month as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) celebrated its’ 12th Annual Rockin’ For Research gala. With the theme “Paris Under the Stars”, it was a night to remember as guests gathered to raise money for this very worthwhile cause. The silent auction cocktail party was a great place to start shopping, but so was the live auction which featured some big ticket items including celebrity chefs and sports stars. Later on it was dancing till dawn to the sweet sounds of Vancouver’s Famous Players band. Congrats to all involved.
01 – Cuddling up among the prized donor teddy bears is live auction MC John Ashbridge, who you’ll better recognize as the “Voice of the Canucks” in-arena announcer at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
02 – Gala chair Mary Jane Devine has helped JDRF raise millions over the course of the last 12 years. Job well done!
03 – North Vancouver’s Darryl Weinbren, partner at Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants, strikes a pose with his lovely lady at the sparkling ice sculptured Eiffel Tower during the champagne reception.
04 – North Vancouver lawyer John Lakes and his wife Robyn are only too happy to help support JDRF in the fight against Juvenile Diabetes.
05 – He’s live auction item #5 – a cooking class for 10 with celebrity chef John Bishop.
06 – North Vancouver’s Marke Driesschen, seen here with wife Amanda Tanner, is happy to help MC the event. Catch him doing the weather on tv weekdays now as part of CTV’s newest morning and news broadcasts.
07 – Vancouver Canucks’ president and GM Mike Gillis was lucky to have his beautiful daughter Kate as a date this night. Kate is also a member of Canada’s women’s national field hockey team.
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By Catherine Barr – Nov 5, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Nov 24, 2011
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If the good old hockey game, is the best game you can name, then tonight is the night you’ve been waiting for all summer as the Vancouver Canucks return to the ice for their 2011-2012 season opener. In honour of hockey’s return, a group of invite-only North Shore kids and their parents got a head start on the puck drop at West Vancouver’s Hollyburn Country Club. Fan Zoo Memorabilia hosted a day of Canuck player fun that included a shoot out with goalie Cory Schneider, stick lessons from Alex Burrows and a locker room/coaches chat with Mason Raymond and Maxim LaPierre. An after-party and autograph session made sure no fan left empty handed as the Canucks’ young guns were only too pleased to smile, shake hands and give every kid two minutes for excellent sportsmanlike conduct.
01 – With the game-winning, game seven, OT goal against Chicago still ringing in his ears, Vancouver Canucks’ Alex Burrows, left, and teammate Maxim Lapierre are ready to lace ’em up and spring back into action.
02 – Pretty Genevieve Calamo scores one for the girls as she gets an autograph from one of her favourite Canucks – namely Mason Raymond.
03 – The gang from Fan Zoo Memorabilia are ready to root for the home team again in 2011-2012 as they send their best for another great Canucks season.
04 – We’re counting on ginger-haired goaltender Cory Schneider to generate even more excitement between the pipes this year as he again backstops with teammate Roberto Luongo.
05 – Luke Emri and his dad Bob are among the lucky few who now have an authentic autographed Vancouver Canucks jersey.
06 – It’s a boys night out for sure as dad Jason Soprovich waits for autographs with sons Cole, right, Chase, centre, and friend Cole Shepard to see the Vancouver Canucks.
07 – I’m hoping these Hollyburn hockey players will save me an autograph when they make it to the NHL. From left: Michael Spouge, Jack Spouge, Jack Hemsley and Trevor Smith.
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By Catherine Barr – Oct 3, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Oct 6, 2011
Roberto Luongo, Trevor Linden, Tom Larscheid and Maelle Ricker are just a few of the big names you might recognize as sporting heroes in our town. However, give or take a few Olympic gold medals, they all have something else in common. Last week, these athletes were among an elite group inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 2011. The Banquet of Champions gala dinner, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, was a star-studded affair that not only recognized past accomplishments, but also recognized the achievements of young up-and-coming local athletes too. Also last week, it was time to welcome autumn as the 7th Annual Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival took place in North Vancouver at the new Shipyard at the foot of Lonsdale. Featuring live entertainment, display booths, a pumpkin pie contest and more, it was a great day full of family fun.
01 – North Vancouver’s Olympic skating sweetheart, Karen Magnussen, is surrounded by soon-to-be-famous young athletes at the BC Sports Hall of Fame night.
02 – Vancouver Canucks’ leading men, namely goalie Roberto Luongo, left, and former captain Trevor Linden, are each honoured separately at the BC Sports Hall of Fame – Banquet of Champions: Luongo for his role in the 2010 Canada Men’s Gold Hockey Team and Linden for his lifetime hockey career.
03 – North Shore residents and BC Sports legends Charmaine Crooks and Bob Lenarduzzi are still a very active part of the sports landscape here in BC. Crooks for her ongoing support of young Olympic athletes and Lenarduzzi for his active role in the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team.
04 – You know these names and voices. Sports broadcaster Bernie Pascal, left, congratulates fellow media colleague and “voice of the Vancouver Canucks” Tom Larscheid on his induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
05 – A graduate of Sentinel Secondary in West Vancouver, snowboarder Maelle Ricker made history at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as the first Canadian female gold medallist to win on Canadian soil (and, ironically, here at Cypress Mountain).
06 – Vanleena Dance students and ballerinas Maddie Laver, left, and Amelia Warren help put on a dance demonstration with the rest of their classmates at the Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival.
07 – Pick a pie, any pie. Big thanks to North Van City Mayor Darrell Mussatto, right, and the rest of my esteemed judge friends for helping choose a most delicious winner at the Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival’s pumpkin pie contest.
08 – North Vancouver Museum & Archives’ Sepideh Sarrafpour has a big smile for all who stop by her display booth at the Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival.
09 – Food trucks are all the rage these days, and with the delicious dealings coming from Marsia and Wayne Hunter’s hub, I can see why. Look for the travelling Blue Smoke BBQ truck at local farmer’s markets and more.
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By Catherine Barr – Sep 13 & 18, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Sep 22, 2011
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