SHE’S BACK

Social Notes returns for fall season

MAC MAKES ITS MARK:

And we’re baccckk, initiating the season with one of the most highly anticipated benefit events of the year; the annual MAC Ball for the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal foundation which, rest assured, exceeded expectations. Indeed, the ever- creative Sid Lee crew behind the execution and design of the 2015 ball at Arsenal entranced over 800 movers and shakers in at- trend- ance with an original “Grand Hotel” theme alight in pleasing party touches including whimsically suited characters and entertainers and a room so stunning it took your breath away.

Also impressive were the visually arresting and equally delectable creations on the menu masterminded by the catering team at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth ( the Coquilles St. Jacques was especially delicious) and explosive dancing inspired by the musical talents of DJ Abeille and the Hi- Fi band.

It’s no wonder glittering guests ( a pack of the city ’s most powerful) including minister of culture Hélène David and husband Jacques Mauger, Vidéotron president/ CEO Manon Brouillette; Claudine Blondin Bronfman and husband Stephen Bronfman and SO MANY MORE lingered ‘ til the wee hours before scooping up gorgeous swag from La Vie En Rose and Yves Saint Laurent.

The magical night raised over $ 700,000 for the foundation, monies instrumental to the perpetuity of the museum and its outstanding artistic endeavours. Cheers to event partners National Bank Financial, WSP Global, Sid Lee, Arsenal, Deloitte, Manulife, Pomerleau, Power Corporation, Québecor, Vidéotron, Stingray Digital, SNC Lavalin, Stikeman Elliott, Telus, Debbie Zakaib and Alexandre Taillefer, proud presidents and hosts: senior vice president National Bank Financial Private Wealth 1859 Guy Côté, WSP Global CFO Alexandre L’Heureux, museum director general/ chief conservator John Zeppetelli, museum president Alexandre Taillefer, ball foundation president François Dufresne, ball committee president Debbie Zakaib and the committee at large: Marie- Josée Simard, Ruby Brown, Katerine Rocheleau, Nathalie Goyette, Violette Cohen and Sophie Banford.

WONDER- FILLED:

So there’s this gaggle of young and influential powerhouses ( aka the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation’s Young Professionals Group) who have the Midas touch when it comes to event execution. A representative sample: event chair Alexandra Schwarz ( attending with husband Colin Brown); foundation director of development Nathalie Kamel; Caitlin Rose ( with Michel Boislard); Priority Fire estimator Lauren Gregory; Groupe Antonopoulos marketing/ communications director Maria Antonopoulos; Bam Strategy ’s Katherine Didus ( with committee member, CAE finance manager Luigi Morelli); plastic surgeon Jonathan Kanevsky; b. cycle cofounder and media wall sponsor Bijan Bolouri ( with Irina Bundaru); Davies partner Christine Lenis; Lasik MD internal communications specialist Melissa Patterson ( with Brock Bradley);

Devine Schachter Polak lawyer Ashley Trainor ( with Michael Sutherland); Davies attorney Florence Bienvenu; Freedom 55 Financial biz development director Phil Mancini ( with Romina Perri); Mansfield Athletic Club vice president of operations Mike Tan ( with Catherine Couturier); and Evenko exec Ben Hébert.

Anyway, the gang recently pooled creativity and energy for the planning of the second annual Wonder Ball for the St. Mary’s Hospital at Cirque Éloize and well, the results speak for themselves.

Among the many lures for the 500 glammed up young guests were stellar performances by the likes of electronic violinist Dr. Draw and members of the Cirque Eloize troupe, a band of cheat- inducing food and drink stations bigheartedly supplied by Burgundy Lion, Scarlet Exclusive, Le Cochon Chaché, Miss Prêt- à- Manger, Le Monsieur, L’Orignal, Bevo, Taverne Gaspar, Café Gentile and Le Cheese food truck; and a crowd so colourful and diverse ( yes you Anne- Marie Boucher and Mitch Garber) you couldn’t help but next- level schmooze.

’ Course the wonder- filled wonder ball — partnered with sponsors a la Aimia, Bell, CAE, Freedom 55 Financial and Rio Tinto Alcan — raised close to $ 100,000 for Cancer Care at St. Mary’s Hospital Center.

A big congrats is also in order to several other recent event sensations that rocked early fall ( presented in random order):

DRIVE 4 SMILES 2015: This year’s touching edition of Drive 4 Smiles not only generated a sizable $ 400,000 for Starlight Foundation Canada ( committed to providing distractive entertainment to children suffering from serious illness) but was a major soul replenisher. Festivities kicked off with a delicious breakfast on the grounds of generous event partner and supporter, Maserati Laval, kindly donated by Delices Lafrenaie and Heavenly Biscotti. It was immediately followed by a police escort of over 80 exotic cars to the Icar Race Track in Mirabel where hundreds of children anxiously awaited their turn for a thrilling ride in their wow wheels of choice. The resulting Cheshire grins animating the young faces said it all. As for the wrap party at 40Westt? A perfect top- off to a perfect day.

WHITE ON!: Once again, the community minded Guzzo clan — Cinemas Guzzo president/ founder Angelo Guzzo, wife, Rosetta, son Vincenzo Guzzo, Cinemas Guzzo vice president / COO and wife Maria Guzzo, author and Notte in Bianco cofounder and president, outdid themselves with a stunning eighth anniversary edition of their much- anticipated Notte in Bianco benefit event, held as always on the magnificent grounds of Maria and Vince’s residence. Among the many pale perfect highlights were flowing Moët & Chandon champagne; Christofle gift bags; the gracious and elegant participation of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal; a performance by legendary songstress Sheena Easton; silent auction gifts of the exotic jetaway variety; Buonanotte’s best; and the patronage of dazzling guests and supporters including 2015 co- honourary president L. Jacques Menard, BMO Nesbitt Burns chair / president of BMO Financial Group Quebec and wife Marie- José Ratelle; Hydro- Quebec chair Michael Penner and wife Michaela; charismatic emcee Genevieve Borne; and oodles more. Not surprisingly, the white- hot soiree raised over $ 300,000 towards the funding of several projects close to the family’s heart including the non- profit Kids Write Network ( KWN) and imaging units at both the JGH’s new emergency department and the Shriners Hospital.

CASINO EXTRAORDINAIRE:

The setting at Le Windsor was something out of a Marie- Antoinette period fantasy. The food and drink was first rate thanks to community- minded epicurean masters like PMG Group, the SAQ and revered Chef Relais & Château Jérôme Ferrer. Dancing was of the frenzied variety cause that’s just the way DJ YO - C rolls. And other perks delivered in the form of luxurious gifts and makeup touch- up stations courtesy of title sponsor Giorgio Armani; a glam draw for a weekend- long Rolls- Royce rental thanks to Park Avenue; and a whack of good gaming including an elite poker tournament for 150 in a private room, patronized by the likes of champs Jonathan Duhamel, Charles- Alexandre Sylvestre and Marc- André Ladouceur and culminating in an exclusive VIP experience at the Casino de Montréal for tournament finalists. In case you’re wondering, I’m talking about the recent and jaw- droppingly impressive Casino contre le Cancer that raised a record- breaking $ 150,000 towards cancer immunotherapy research. As for the organizing body driving it all — The Young Ambassadors Circle of the Institut du cancer de Montréal comprised of co- presidents Amélie Jacques and Ludovic Dumas, institute director general Maral Tersakian, and team members Étienne Durocher, Carlee Bartholomew, Isabelle Laramée, Catherine Laramée, Yosr Kooli, Georges Achkar, Stephan Tripoul, Mara Vezeau, Shoushan Mercier, Francis Vinet, Nicolas Renaud, Costa Ragas, Julien Clari, Karine Idrissi, Maxime Duval, Guerlain Casimir, Arnaud Bellens, Norman Hébert, Shiv Oberoi, Marc Richardson Arnould and Dr Jean- François Cailhier? The future is bright my friends. VERY.

COOL COLLAB:

When legendary Browns Shoes teams up with a talented pop artist like Antoine Tavaglione ( Aka Tava) to create 10 exclusive to Browns “TAVAfied” Adidas Stan Smith shoes launched — fabulously — at a unique event at their flagship, the eve can’t be anything but unforgettable. And it was, a veritable magnet for the trendsetting who couldn’t get enough of the one- of- a- kind footwear. ( Yes, still available but going fast).

OUR OOPS!:

Finally, please note that a pic of Johanne Sternthal was accidentally omitted from the spring summer closer. Congrats again to the accomplished producer/ author/ philanthropist who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Montreal’s Ebony Models. BRA- VO.

For more event fabulosity, strut to diaryofasocialgal.com.

Later noties.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Sid Lee mastery inspired at the annual 2015 MAC Ball.

P R O KO P O WI C Z D A N Arianna Bédos, husband, president/ CEO Birks Group Jean- Christophe Bédos and vice- president marketing and communications Eva Hartling, were proud to support the 2015 MAC Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Iohann Martin, Dr. Johanna Choremis, lawyeresse Anne- Marie Boucher and her fave dragon and Cirque chair Mitch Garber get cozy at the 2015 MAC Ball.

DAN PRO KO PO WI CZ Gabrielle Cesvet and Philippe Vennat get dancing at the annual Wonder Ball.

SEBASTIEN ROY Casino contre le Cancer committee show off the goods at their annual gala event at the magnificent Windsor Ballrooms.

PIERRE O BEN DR AU F/ MONTREAL GAZETTE The Guzzo clan’s white- dress Notte in Bianco fundraising dinner in Terrebonne on Sept. 10.

STAR LIGHT CANADA Mija Lamberson and Starlight children Malakai and Mathieu Lamberson enjoy the ride at the annual DRIVE 4 SMILES benefit event for Starlight Canada kicking off at Maserati Laval.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Restaurateur Paul Desbaillets of famed Burgundy Lion hangs with yours truly at the Wonder Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Claudine Blondin in Thierry Mugler and husband Stephen Bronfman in Tom Ford make a grand impact on the 2015 MAC Ball.

K A R E L C HL A D E K Pop artist Antoine Tavaglione ( a. k. a. Tava) pictured with Browns Shoes exec Julia Brownstein at the official launch of their exclusive Tava/ Browns/ Adidas Stan Smith collaboration.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Denis Coupal in Alfred Sung and Montreal executive committee member Manon Gauthier in Yves Jean Lacasse dial up the style at the recent 2015 MAC Ball.

P H I L I P P E C A S G R A I N From left, Katerine Rocheleau, chair Debbie Zakaib, Nathalie Goyette, Marie- Josée Simard, Violette Cohen, Ruby Brown and Sophie Banford ( all in UNTTLD) at the MAC Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Buonanotte’s Lino Lozza, Phi Centre’s Ana Roma, Buonanotte’s Marie- Pier Therrien, Phi Centre’s Penny Mancuso, Nadia Saputo, Vicky Carmosino, husband/ investment master Darren Carmosino, DAC Jets president Jane Potapova and former hockey star Patrice Brisebois at the 2015 MAC Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Event Chair Alex Schwarz, husband Colin Brown, Darina Kouli Bellini, husband Carlo Bellini and Martin Meyendorff lend colour and sizzle to the Wonder Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z SHAN’s Chantal Lévesque and Jean- François Sigouin enjoy cocktails with pals Caroline Neron, husband Réal Bouclin, Isabelle Maranda and Bruno Cincioully at the Recent 2015 MAC Ball.

WA R R E N Z E L MA N P H O T O G R A P H Y Committee members Katherine Didus, Maria Antonopoulos, Lauren Gregory, Luigi Morelli, Melissa Patterson, Florence Bienvenu, Alexandra Schwarz, Christine Lenis, Caitlin Rose, Bijan Boloui, Nathalie Kamel, Ashley Trainor and Ben Hébert toast the success of the 2015 Wonder Ball.

S E BA S T I E N R OY Windsor Ballrooms rocked ( and rolled) at the recent Casino contre le Cancer.

P H I L I P P E C A S G R A I N Guy Côté, Alexandre L’Heureux, Bertrand Cesvet, John Zeppetelli, Alexandre Taillefer, Debbie Zakaib and François Dufresne bask in the glow of the recent 2015 MAC Ball.

D A N P R O KO P O WI C Z Cirque Éloize performers go the distance at the Wonder Ball.

P I E R R E O B E N D R AU F/ MO N T R E A L G A Z E T T E Vincenzo and Maria Guzzo, with their son Vito at their Notte in Bianco fundraiser at their home in Terrebonne on Sept. 10.

BA R RY H A R R I S S T U D I O Ebony Models of Montreal gave Johanne Sternthal a Lifetime Achievement Award.