Social season swings into action

Soirée Fantastique and Notte in Bianco make sure the party’s off to a great start

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. And it does. Though a jaunt to Vegas’ playground for grown ups — the Cosmopolitan — did numb the pain somewhat over our between seasons break, I still missed you all puh-lenty and am thrilled to be back in the saddle (ahem stilettos) with old-school pen and pad in hand, primed to deliver the best highlights from the fall/winter social season. Speaking of which, we have two biggies to cover in today’s supersized opener, so let’s get busy: Soirée Fantastique-est: We kick things off with a recap of Hope & Cope’s annual Soirée Fantastique, ‘An Evening with Sheila’ that took the city by stylish storm in late August. And what a memorable night it was ...

First on the eve’s action-packed agenda was a champagne cocktail where much rapid-fire double cheek kissing and chatter quickly erupted. (Nothing like a good schmooze, non?)

Next, it was on to the main dining room where collective gasps of delight were audible as guests caught their first glimpse of the striking decor by Marsha Brumer and casually elegant florals by Fleurs Des Jardins.

Given the description thus far (and the event’s impeccable pedigree), it comes as no surprise that victuals were just as pleasing (kudos to La Marguerite) as was entertainment by: Paul Chacra and his orchestra, world class comic Elon Gold and legendary singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka, whose doo be doo performances of classics like Calendar Girl were so spirited you never wanted to break up with him (hard to do, wink!).

But arguably the most moving moments of the night were delivered during the dinner addresses, when several pillars of the community, including McGill University principal and vice-chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum (attending with husband Len), Jewish General Hospital executive director Hartley Stern, Hope & Cope executive director Suzanne O’Brien and, of course, the evening’s devoted chair, Joëlle Berdugo Adler, president of Diesel Canada and founder of ONEXONE, took to the podium — in eloquent turn — to pay homage to the founding mother, and heart and soul of Hope & Cope, Sheila Kussner. After 31 years, she steps down this year as chairperson and hands the baton to respected community leader Lillian Vineberg.

While a recap of each speaker’s tribute is impossible (word count, people!), suffice to say that every one of them captured the essence of Sheila. Palpable to us all were her indefatigable work ethic, outstanding leadership skills, gargantuan heart, fundraising prowess and, above all, unstoppable (read heroic) determination to create a pioneering, volunteer-driven support organization for cancer patients and their families that has become a model to emulate the world over.

No, there were not many dry eyes in the packed house at this juncture, which only got tearier once Sheila responded with her signature humility and grace. She expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to “take the road less travelled” to the realization of a lifelong dream alongside her equally committed team.

With all this emotion (yes, I’m teary, too, after getting to know the inspirational tour de force for the past several years), we’ve almost forgotten to note the presence of numerous other business, cultural and political leaders who travelled from far and wide to lend support to the evening and fête Sheila. I said almost: Leading the pack were honourary chairs and generous dinner sponsors Dianne and Aldo Bensadoun, CEO of the Aldo Group; Hope & Cope president Nancy Wiseman, attending with husband David and family; JGH president Rick Dubrovsky and elegant wife Elaine; Diane and Sal Guerrera, president of SAJO Construction; newlyweds Rita Mayo and Charles Bronfman (congrats!); Father John Walsh; Dorel Industries topmen Martin Schwartz (with wife Sondra) and Jeff Segel (with wife Pauline); chancellor of McGill University Arnold Steinberg and wife Blema; judge Barbara Seal and lawyer hub Don Seal; Peerless clothing chief Alvin Segal with always stylish Emmelle; Lea and Hy Polansky; E. Leo Kolber and love Roni Gandell; Stephanie Azrieli and husband David, real estate magnate and president of the Azrieli Foundation; a ream of Reitmans — Dorothy, Jeremy (with Penny Rudnikoff), Julia and Stephen, and Sarah and Allen Rubin; Jacob’s Odette and Joey Basmaji; Rosalind and Morris Goodman; the very lovely Liz Yermus; Hanka Gordon with husband, Dundee Corporation chair Sonny Gordon; Jimmie Holland, Wayne E. Chapman chair in psychiatric oncology at New York’s Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Centre with husband James Holland; Linda Smith; JGH Segal Cancer Centre director Gerald Batist and wife Lynn; Sandra and Phil Gutherz; the dynamic trio of Miriam Klein, Barbara Knobovitch and Joan Ungar; and last but most, the supportive Kussner clan.

What was arguably Hope & Cope’s best event ever raised a staggeringly impressive $1.54 million for Hope & Cope’s many programs and services for cancer patients and their families at the Jewish General Hospital and JGH Hope & Cope Wellness Centre / Lou’s House. Five years and grooving! And now from one milestone we celebrate another at Maria and Vince Guzzo’s much-anticipated Notte in Bianco benefit event, which recently marked its fifth anniversary in September with a soirée spectacular guests are still buzzing about.

As is tradition, the all-white festivities at the Guzzo residence (yes stunning and decked out in monochromatic chic) got under way with luxe cocktails on the lawn, boasting entertainment by harpist M’Michelle and celebrity magician Spidey along with platters of mouth-watering amuses-bouches by the taste-masters at Buonanotte and Java U. Also beckoning at this early interlude: flowing bubbly and a special Hamptons Beach Display, both courtesy of one of the eve’s four major sponsors — Moët & Chandon. (Others were Ferrari, The SAQ and Guerlain).

Post cocktails, guests ever faithful to the invitational call for pale perfect sartorials continued into the tent where, believe it or not (believe it), the party was just getting started. Among the most notable highlights here, in addition to a silent auction (laden with goodies like Vuitton watches) and a meal fit for kings and queens, were invigorating sets by legendary Martha Wash and Ginette Reno (all back by popular demand) and surprise performances by still more homegrown legendary crooners Julie Masse and husband Corey Hart (who much to everyone’s delight, was on stage for a good 45 minutes delivering a repertoire of his hits, even donning sunglasses along with the audience in time for Sunglasses at Night).

Guests were smitten and counted among their high profile ranks: Cinemas Guzzo president Angelo Guzzo and wife Rosetta; honourary presidents Marco Mattiacci, president of Ferrari North America and gorgeous wife Farah; Ferrari Maserati Quebec president Umberto Bonfa and his gorg wife Angela; Chantal and Greg Chamandy; JSEM’s Jonathan Singer and wife, blogesse/entrepreneur Lisa Kisber; beloved vedettes à la Sonia Benezra, Alexandra Diaz and Fabienne Larouche (on scene with hub Michael Trudeau); party girl extraordinaire Cheryl Besner Cohen; Rosie and Sal Parasuco; rock star agent/manager Barry Garber; and Brian Harris of Luxe Rentals who yes, brought all the right furnishings.

Happy anniversary Notte in Bianco and, most importantly, a supersized congrats on the quarter million generated for the Guzzo Family Cancer Research Chair at the Université de Montréal. (Principal recipient this year is internationally renowned researcher Dr. Jack Siemiatycki.)

For more photos and scoop from today’s events and others, head to diaryofasocialgal.com. The party never ends.