If you’ve never attended the Whistler Film Festival you are missing out. Missing out on the opportunity to see the Canadian premiere of soon-to-be-nominated Oscar films. Missing out on meeting A-List actors, directors and screenwriters – and missing out on some of the most enjoyable seminars, workshops and parties around. Proudly sponsored in part by Turner Media Canada, we are already anxiously awaiting next year’s exciting event. Join us!
It’s one of Whistler’s biggest events of the year – and this year it just got bigger. Whistler’s 17th Annual Cornucopia food and wine festival is on now and there’s lot of new stuff happening. Usually held for only one weekend, this year the festival has expanded to a full 11 days and two weekends. Sponsored by North Shore based BlueShore Financial, the event is known for its famous winemakers’ dinners, tasting seminars and wild after parties. This year’s version however has a mellower tone. Putting the focus back on the wine, attendees and guests can walk from event to event with ease and experience all that Whistler has to offer before the big ski season hits. The festival continues all this weekend.
Olympian Ashleigh McIvor, left, and her newlywed hubby, Whitecaps soccer star Jay DeMerit, join Hy’s Steakhouse owner Neil Aisenstat and Foxtrot Vineyard’s Gustav Allander for Hy’s decadent winemaker’s dinner.
BlueShore Financial CEO and president Chris Catliff, seen here with financier Alexander Hayne, is a title sponsor of this year’s festival.
No wigging out here. Crush tasting gala is Whistler’s premiere event at Cornucopia and a great place for a girlfriend’s night out.
West Vancouverite and Painted Rock Estate Winery owner John Skinner toasts the occasion at Hy’s Steakhouse.
Dressing the part at the Fairmont Whistler’s MarTEAni party are PR gal Kerry Duff, left, and Kathryn O’Shea-Evans.
Celebrating the end of Prohibition at Garfinkels as part of the Cornucopia party list are Gibbons Hospitality Group events manager Liam Peyton, left, and Absolute Elyx vodka’s Jacob Sweetapple.
By Catherine Barr
November 12, 2013
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on November 14, 2013
Happy New Year everyone! And just as you’re finishing putting away the holiday decorations, it’s time to take out your date books and pencil in some spectacular events for the upcoming year. There’s never a shortage of things to do all across the North Shore and charity events are always on the list. The summer months are bursting with community fun and festivals but you’ll want to book off lots of time during May, June, October and November as these are always when the big glamorous galas are held. Check out some of these dates below and be sure to check back with me throughout the year to keep you posted. Best wishes to all.
01 – Kay Meek Centre board member Paul Tutsch, left, West Vancouver councillor Mary Ann Booth and volunteer Barney Ellis were among the many guests at last year’s annual Kay Meek Gala event. This year you’ll want to keep May 31, 2013 clear as they celebrate again with special guest star Holly Cole.
02 – October is a big gala month and they don’t come any bigger than the Gift of Time Gala for Canucks Place Children’s Hospice. Last year lots of North Shore faces were in attendance as Global TV anchor Chris Gailus and radio star Tara Maguire played co-host.
03 – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala chair Mary Jane Devine shows us that the Rockin’ for Research Gala is always hot stuff by posing with members of the fire department as they were auctioned off as part of a fabulous dinner and dine package during last year’s live auction. Mark Nov 2, 2013 on your calendar for this one.
04 – Wine, women and . . well more wine. Whistler’s annual Cornucopia may be considered one of the wildest weekends on the mountain with so many dinners, dances, tastings and parties to attend that come November 2013, they are planning on holding it for a whole week. Hold onto your hats for details.
05 – Formerly known as the Diamond Ball, the 17th Annual Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball will be held on April 27 this year. Black and yellow are all the rage at this event as North Shore golden gals Bryanna Baker, left, Elizabeth Dyer and Carey Macbeth can tell you.
06 – Put up your dukes on April 5, 2013 as Hollyburn Country Club prepares to once again host the A4K – Athletics for Kids extravaganza. It’s a Vegas theme all the way as board members Craig Knapton, left, and Dave Babych get ready for their eleventh year.
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By Catherine Barr – Dec 28, 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 3, 2013
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For the last 10+ years now I’ve had the privilege of attending Whistler’s annual Cornucopia festival of food and wine. Not for the faint of heart, those who venture beyond Cornucopia’s serious side will find a high energy, full throttle weekend affair full of alcohol and after hours activities that go well into the wee hours of the night. So, as expected, this year’s organizers stopped at nothing to put on the glitz with a whirlwind schedule of seminars, winemaker’s dinners, ultra after-parties, and non-stop fun.
The new High Rollers gala party, held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (tix $150), was one of the biggest featuring showgirls, gaming tables, live music and more. I especially liked the entertainment which included a live band complete with horn section – a welcome change, in my opinion, from the usual non-stop, mindless boom-boom beats.
Hanging out at the wine bar felt extra chic as guests lounged on fiber optic electric furniture that changed colour every few minutes (I’ve seriously got to get me some of this). Some complaints resulted because bartenders were bound by our archaic BC Liquor laws and were only permitted to pour small tasting samples instead of full glasses. Drink tickets were issued at the door for various other bar stations, so here’s hoping maybe next year they will include some options for full wine glasses as well.
All around the room, Vegas style showgirls go-go danced on stage while dealers held down all kinds of gambling tables, including several Texas Hold ‘Em games that proved very popular with the men folk. Going “all in” here was relatively harmless though as all games were strictly funny money.
Overall, it was an extremely classy affair which was very professionally produced. Nothing seemed to get too out of hand and I really hope it will be back next year.
Next up was the Crush Grand Gala Tasting room. Held over two nights (Friday and Saturday, tix $89), this event is aptly named as crowds literally crush themselves into the Whistler Convention Centre to sample libations from over 50 different wineries. Not a great event for food, there is nonetheless interesting little sample bites from featured companies and restaurants looking to show off their newest products. Sipping always prevails over spitting, but guests here are encouraged not to over imbibe and taxi rides are always available.
Last big event of the weekend for me was the Araxi Bubbles + Oceans party in Whistler Village (tix $155). Known for their famous sushi and seafood, this restaurant sampling event never disappoints. Tons of fresh prawns, tuna, oysters and maki rolls were available for everyone. Bar and food service was stellar and, not forgetting the bubbles part, there were several different champagne and sparkling wine samples to be had.
Stealing the spotlight this night however was a 50 year James Bond special edition anniversary champagne released by none other than Bollinger. This $200 dollar stealth black bottle comes in a special spy themed canister where one must dial 007 on the locks to release the lid. Add a couple of tuxedo-clad handsome men to serve it up cold and the ladies were easily wooed over to this table with little resistance.
– By Catherine Barr
Whistler’s annual 2011 Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival returns with the best year yet. Regular features, like the Crush Grand Gala Tasting Room and Casino Royale at Ric’s Grill are back. This year also marks the return of the Bearfoot Bistro’s famous Masquerave featuring Cirque du Soleil type performers, live music, free flowing libations and a feast for the senses unlike any other. Proprietor Andre Saint-Jacques moved the $350 per ticket soiree to the Listel Hotel’s parking garage and, with tv cameras in tow, proceeded to give Whistler a world-class party that was the envy of all.
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By Catherine Barr – Nov 13, 2011
As seen in the Vancouver Province newspaper on Nov 13, 2011
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UPDATED Feb 6, 2011
First ever “doggy” tweetup in history held in reaction to local story about 100 slaughtered Canadian sled dogs
“Barking Mad”
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 – Noon – 2pm PST Ambleside Park, 1300 Marine
WEST VANCOUVER, BC – Canada’s wealthiest bedroom community played host on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 to the world’s first ever massive social media “doggy” tweetup event. Organized by WestVancouver.com community blog editor and media personality Catherine Barr (catherinebarr.com), the “Barking Mad” event makes history for being the first of its kind ever on record.
Speaking on CKNW 980AM radio’s Bill Good Show last week, Barr said the event was planned in response to recent news about the inhumane and extremely violent slaughter of 100 healthy sled dogs by a local tour operator in the neighbouring resort community of Whistler, BC. Online reaction has included equally violent language and police continue to investigate numerous potential threats made towards the people named in the killings. Social media is being blamed for the threats.
“We need to channel something positive from this tragic event and show the world that this is not Canada, and it’s not the right way to use social media,” said Barr during the interview.
The event was not originally planned as a protest, but rather a social gathering or “Tweetup/Meetup”. Saying that this event is just as much about correct social media practices as it is about the violence against animals, Barr and her Twitter/Facebook followers battled cold and rain to show that social media is the new way to organize a cause in the 21st century.
Volunteers handed out “Tweet Cheat Sheets” to the over 800 attendees. On the page were directions about how to participate in the tweetup event if you didn’t have a Twitter enabled cell phone. “Find a new friend, ask them to tweet for you,” were the directions. Local professional bloggers were accompanied by sign bearers showing their Twitter names so that anyone wanting to take part could easily find a online connection.
Taking place from noon – 2pm in Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, BC (1300 Marine Drive), on the beaches adjacent to the landmark Lions Gate Bridge and the local SPCA, people brought their pampered pooches and wore their red Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic attire. The tweetup hastag was marked with #BarkingMad. Driving rain and cold weather did affect turnout, but thanks to those who also took party virutally, the event was a history making success.
A special balloon ceremony was performed by “Sammy” – a 13 yr old Jack Russell – who carried a heart shaped balloon out to the Squamish Nation Welcome Figure which marks the start of the doggy walk. This 20-foot tall native public art figure stands at the water’s edge and represents a welcoming of all to the area and a wish to respect the land, the animals and the traditions that go with it. Sammy was met by local musician Bruce Vernon performing music from his original composition “Der Abschied” (German for “The Goodbye”).
Online response has been overwhelming and early estimates predict that anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people attended. Inclement weather unfortunately diminished the over 3,000 expected attendees.
The event was covered by every major media outlet in Vancouver including Global BC TV, CTV Vancouver TV, CBC News TV, City TV Vancouver, News 1130 Radio, CKNW 980 Radio, CBC 1 Radio, Virgin 95.3 Radio, Vancouver Sun Newspaper, Vancouver Province Newspaper, North Shore Outlook Newspaper and WestVancouver.com Social Media Hub.
More information please contact WestVancouver.com / Turner Media Canada Ltd. at 604-926-9293 or online at www.westvancouver.com
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CONTACT: Catherine Barr: (604) 926-9293 / info@catherinebarr.com / https://www.twitter.com/catherinebarr
EVENT PAGE: https://www.westvancouver.com/news/news-features/editorial-news/barking-mad-a-meet-up-tweet-up-in-support-of-whistlers-slaughtered-sled-dogs/
ABOUT WEST VANCOUVER: West Vancouver has a population of approx. 45,000 and is home to some of Canada’s wealthiest properties, including a $12 million estate rumoured to be owned by Oprah Winfrey. Famous residents including billionaire industrialist Jim Pattison, Clinton Foundation trustee Frank Giustra and Grammy award winning musicians Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall and Elvis Costello, to name a few. It is located five minutes from downtown Vancouver and includes Cypress Bowl ski hill (the former site of the 2010 Winter Olympic freestyle skiing and snowboarding events)
Celebrating it’s 12th year of food and wine, Whistler’s Cornucopia once again provided a weekend to remember. Featuring gala wine tastings, winemakers’ dinners and after parties that continued well into the wee hours – this celebration of all things indulgent is well worth the price of admission. Several North Shore faces were spotted sipping famous label wines and dipping into plates created by some of the world’s top chefs. The only hard part, is keeping up the pace for four days straight. Cheers. (more…)