CENTAUR LOOKS FABULOUS AT 50
It’s not every day that one of the premier theatre companies in the country, homegrown phenom The Centaur Theatre, marks a milestone like the big 5-0! And it’s not every day that the organizing crew behind the epic English theatre’s fall fundraiser takes festivities up several notches to honour all that golden goodness.
So you can only imagine how expectations-exceeding this year’s Centaur Soirée was. Kudos to key organizers who took things to the next level and basked deservedly in the success of their night, like board chair and KPMG partner Michael Baratta; committee and board member Nancy Cummings Gold, attending festivities with husband Senator Marc Gold; past chair and SNC-Lavalin executive vice-president Hartland J. A. Paterson with wife Beth Noel and committee member and event design sensation Roberto Menegati.
As for all those heady highlights: First, a red-carpet experience entranced upon arrival (Hello Hollywood!). Next, we got lost in the suspended gallery of props above, gleaned from years of performances. And then, still more magic ensued, including a glorious cocktail dinatoire (with eats courtesy of Verses Bistro, Modavie, Brasserie 70 and Kyo); and a brilliantly interactive Ghost Walk boasting encounters with timeless characters and a cappella crooning members of the Choir Boy cast. NOT DONE YET! There was also:
the stacked silent auction ( brimming with priceless items like a signed piece of cartoon history by Aislin himself, created especially for the anniversary); the ever popular raffle Treasure Chest presided over by CTV’s Lori Graham (who announced the winning goodies!); an incredibly entertaining live auction by CJAD superstar Aaron Rand (think BBBIG ticket items); and the inimitable Ranee Lee, in an unforgettable intimate concert. Whew! Can you feel the fab?! Attendees were over the moon and counted among their illustrious ranks: charismatic Dollarama chair/CEO Larry Rossy attending with wonderful wife Cookie; Systra North America president Dave Spagnolo with wife Denise; Systra Canada vicepresident Guillaume Genin, with Angelina Wood; Air Canada manager community partnerships Eric Lauzon; proud wife of Centaur founder Maurice Podbrey-Elsa Bolam; VIA Rail Canada chief commercial officer Martin R. Landry; RBC Wealth Management vice-chair Tony Loffreda; RBC Dominion vice-president Claude Rouleau with Suzanne Asselin; and the absolutely sublime Hélène Côté-Sharp and husband Dennis A. Sharp. By the time the candles were blown out, the 50th birthday extravaganza raised $145,000. “Having you here tonight is magic in the making,” exclaimed host, committee member and new artistic/ executive director Eda Holmes. “The fact that we have survived for half a century is a testament to the loyalty and commitment of our audience and donors, as well as to the relevance of our work.” Amen. Happiest anniversary, Centaur. Can’t wait for the next 50.
CHEERS TO CHARLIE’S FOUNDATION: And, before we go, a special Social Notes Salute to the dream-team driving Charlie’s Foundation’s inaugural fundraising event The Redefine Success Gala at Le Salon Richmond. The first-time event, hosted by media celeb Isabelle Racicot, was super-impressive, attracting a high-profile group of 300-plus guests, and featuring a magnificent cocktail dinatoire and empowering address by supreme Canadian business- woman/investor/author and television personality “Dragon” Arlene Dickinson.
Most inspiring, however, was the story behind the foundation. It is the brain-baby of one half of successful fashion brand Judith & Charles — Charles Le Pierrès. Charles is an entrepreneur who never forgot his humble roots and saw in the struggles of poor children from the Dominican Republic many of his own childhood difficulties. Accordingly, the hero now known to legions of Dominican kids as “Charlie” vowed to make a difference in their lives, and since 2015, along with daughter Ali (whose life — and journey — were also permanently impacted by volunteering in the region) has worked diligently to expand the youth’s educational and vocational opportunities, through the teaching of English and sports. The eve’s raise, over $160,000 — supports the building of new classrooms, and acquisition of computers. #WOW