Fred Lee’s social network

OCTOPUS IN VANHATTAN One of this generation’s most influential and successful artists, Takashi Murakami headlines the Vancouver Art Gallery’s latest exhibition.

In the same stratosphere as Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Douglas Coupland, the Japanese artist’s works — some 50 pieces — have taken over the gallery walls for his first retrospective exhibition and solo exhibition in Canada.

Bright, bold, psychedelic and extremely colourful, the pop paintings elicit smiles, oohs and ahs, and wonderment. Drawing on manga, anime and Japanese culture, Murakami’s three decades of work has also drawn the attention of retailers such as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and VANS and hip-hop artists Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

The multi-talented artist was on hand for the opening of his Vanhattan exhibition, coincidentally falling on his 56th birthday.

Fittingly, the VAG threw an epic birthday party fitting for the global pop icon.

Fans including Chan Family Foundation’s Christian Chan, Coromandel Properties Jerry Zhong, and Aritzia’s Brian and Andrea Hill paid $1,000 a ticket to party with the pop art star.

Months in the making, party chairs Rosy Shang and Daomei Wang welcomed a wellheeled bunch to the party that began in the gallery before making its way to the Commodore Ballroom for a lavish dinner, spirited live auction and over-the-top after party.

Making a grand entrance, Murakami entered with his entourage sporting a plush Octopus crown and technicolour suit for the birthday celebration and gallery benefit.

Singing his praises were emcees Lisa Wu and local hip-hop artist Prevail, along with VAG director Kathleen Bartels and interim chief curator Bruce Grenville who toasted the talented master.

Murakami addressed the crowd of collectors and gallery-goers before a commissioned portrait by the man of the hour went on the auction block. Valued at $70,000, the opportunity far exceeded expectations, garnering a jaw-dropping $150,000. It would contribute to an impressive $310,000 raised from the live auction and paddle raiser in support of the VAG’s ongoing programmatic efforts to bring art to the city.

ALL IN FOR ARTHRITIS A capacity crowd convened at the Terminal City Club for the second annual All-In-For-Arthritis poker tournament and fundraiser.

A sold-out affair, the charity event — presented by Scotiabank — attracted 200 participants from B.C.’s corporate and business sector.

Everyone was invited to play a hand for children living with arthritis.

Chaired by Edwards, Kenny & Bray LLP’s Dave Turner and HSBC’s

Chris Vescey, the sophomore edition of the Texas Hold-em poker tournament drew a record number of participants to the member’s club-turned-Vegas house of cards for a night of glam, gamesmanship and indulgence.

CBC’s Margaret Gallagher and yours truly served as master of ceremonies. Stakes were high as players competed for bragging rights and coveted airline tickets with WestJet and Pacific Coastal Air.

Sharing her struggles of living with childhood arthritis, 18-yearold Kaajal Khangura provided card sharks more encouragement to purchase more poker chips and go all-in to support arthritis research. Khangura’s personal story resonated with the generous field as they raised nearly $100,000 for the cause — a new standard for the fledgling event.

Indochino’s Morgan Whitney would come out on top, while Irene

King of Oakwyn Realty was the runner-up.

“Thank you to everyone. Every dollar raised tonight will help take us closer to our goal — a goal we all share — to stop childhood arthritis in its track,” said Christine Basque, executive director of the Arthritis Society, B.C. and Yukon Region.

“Research into personalized medicine will lead to better outcomes for kids with this disease and make growing up without arthritis a reality,” Basque added.

Three in 1,000 Canadian children have childhood arthritis, making it more common than most chronic childhood diseases.

Coromandel Properties’ Jerry Zhong sponsored Takashi Murakami’s retrospective exhibition, and was the successful bidder of a commissioned portrait by the contemporary artist, as well.

Artist Carol Sawyer and VAG director Karen Love were among the first to get a glimpse of Murakami’s impressive body of work.

Celebrated Japanese chef Hidekazu Tojo got the exclusive party started, serving up his supreme sushi to a well-heeled crowd of art collectors and art enthusiasts.

Society darlings Rosy Shang and Daomei Wang successfully chaired the $1,000-a-ticket birthday bash and VAG benefit.

Philanthropist Christian Chan, the executive vice-president of the Burrard Group.

Murdock Pollon, Kevin Mazzone, Eryn Ordel and Mira Lutsky were among the legion of fans who came to party.

Dapper dudes Andy Guo and Van Yuan attended Takashi Murakami’s birthday bash.

Yvonne Gagnon, Irene Barata and Don Stuart were among the 30-member organizing committee.

Backed by family members Pinda, Rohan and Kuli, 18-year-old Kaajal Khangura shared with card players her very personal story of growing up with rheumatoid arthritis.

Alicia Chung and Joe Carreira’s Conwest Group of Companies was among the many corporate companies that offered support to the tournament.

CBC’s Margaret Gallagher emceed the AllIn-For Arthritis Party at Peter Jackman’s Terminal City Club.

Tournament organizer Emily Boardman, Arthritis Society executive director Christine Basque and communications manager Carrie Gadsby fronted the firm’s second annual charity poker tournament.

One of more than six million Canadians with arthritis, Kevin Boothroyd of Pacific Coastal Airlines escorted his partner, Sherrie Turchyn, owner of Luxury Corporate Cruises, to the event.

Indochino’s Morgan Whitney and Oakwyn Realty’s Irene King bested the field of poker players.

Edwards, Kenny & Bray LLP’s Dave Turner and HSBC’s Chris Vescey chaired the second annual poker tournament.