Season closes with bubbles for Bonneau
I don’t know about you, Noties, but this fall/winter social season just flew by for me! One minute we were reuniting post-summer with a doubleheader featuring the majestic MAC Ball and Casino contre le cancer, and now here we are, seemingly days later (not months!), parting ways for the holidays.
But then, time does fly when you’re having fun, and we certainly had quite a bit of that in the past couple. That’s a testament to the expert event-throwing skills of the many differencemakers in our midst who go the distance with such panache and style for so many great causes and worthy beneficiaries.
This really is an awesome party city with an awesome-sized heart to match — which brings us to today’s season closer, featuring a special inaugural benefit soiree I feel privileged to share in the spirit of the season.
The official moniker is Saveurs, Bulles & Partage, and it recently made its debut at gorgeous Auberge Saint-Gabriel in Old Montreal on a cosy Monday night.
Proudly presented by Veuve Clicquot (corporate execs Alexis de Calonne and Marie Gonneville were on scene), the evening was hosted by beloved personality Patrick Langlois, and dazzled stylish supporters from start to finish with myriad outta-the-box entertainments that included engaging Veuve Clicquot games like Babyfoot table and PingPong table.
For the less daring, there were also more conventional, albeit equally impressive touches. Think mouth-watering and decadent dishes prepped with love and flavour by top chefs Olivier Vigneault (of Jatoba fame), Clarisse Jolicoeur (of Santos Tapas Bar), Nick De Palma (of Inferno Restaurant) and Ola Claesson (of Auberge), as well as great tunes by DJ Donald Lauture, a brimming silent auction (with bling courtesy of the sparkly likes of Bijouterie Italienne) et, bien sûr, the perfect flow of Veuve Clicquot Rich, Rosé and Carte Jaune.
Most impressive, however, was the motivation for the swish and sassy affair: a desire to give back to the community, specifically Accueil Bonneau.
For those not familiar with the non-profit, it dates back 140 years to its compassionate founder, ship owner Joseph Vincent, who dreamed of creating a refuge for itinerant and isolated people. The organization is named for selfless Sister Rose de Lima Bonneau, in recognition of her miraculous devotion to the homeless. (At the peak of the Depression, she served more than 60,000 meals in one summer.) Accueil Bonneau is a truly remarkable support system for countless homeless individuals in the city, offering invaluable professional resources like community outreach, housing, health services, clothing, sustenance and more.
This year, thanks to the dedication and commitment of those who came out to support Saveurs, Bulles & Partage, the inspiring and enduring organization will have even more funds for its incredible work — almost $50,000, to be exact.
Bravo! It’s magical nights like this one that in turn bring indescribable magic to many at a time when they need it most.
And Noties, speaking of magic, I wish much of it for each of you and your loved ones — for the holidays and beyond — along with heaps of love, good health, good fortune and every dream.
See you back here in the social seat in February. Meantime, come play online in our partybox at diaryofasocialgal.com — and look out for Diary Vol. 7, the special anniversary Oh Canada! edition, circulating big with the Montreal Gazette on Dec. 19.
Also be sure to be on the lookout for submission notices for the spring/summer social calendar, scheduled to run after the holidays.
It’s a wrap! Mwah and kisses from your loyal Social Gal, who misses you already .