Lise Watier gala benefit turns up heat
UNE SOIRÉE MUY CALIENTE!: For those of you who don’t speak Spanish, the literal translation of muy caliente is “very hot, sizzling, white-hot, piping hot.” And quite frankly, after experiencing the recent fourth edition of the Viva Espana-themed Annual Lise Watier Foundation Gala Benefit Event up close and fabulous, this social scribe can confidently proclaim that there is truly no better descriptive for it.
First off, that decor. From the moment guests decked to the elevens — many on theme in rich ruby hues — made their way into Windsor Station for the Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktail, all 600 plus were hushed into awe by the breathtaking Madrid to Ibiza feel artfully created by Cava Rose.
Second, the carefully orchestrated entertainment was nothing short of explosive. Pulses raced and juices flowed as a troupe of Spanish dancers periodically erupted into bouts of sexy-swishy performances; DJ Kleancut took dancing to the next level; and event participants like emcee /gifted tenor Marc Hervieux dazzled with extemporaneous operatic expressions that were especially compelling during his live auction. (Yes packages were of the smoldery variety — think exclusive dinners chez Watier with celebs à la PK and luxury jaunts to Spain via partner KLM/ Air France).
Third, the popular eve magneted quite the crowd — HOT, HOT HOT — topped by: honorary president Isabelle Hudon, executive chair Québec and senior vice-president, client solutions, Sun Life Financial, Canada (who attended festivities with love Gilles Coulombe) and proudly announced that she had assumed the honorary reins for a second consecutive year to ensure the keeping of a promise to dear friend Lise Watier to raise a hefty one million for the benefit of the foundation, which they exceeded thanks in large part to her dedication and that of proud fellow event ambassadors and partners in fundraising: Marie-Claude Boisvert of Callisto Capital, Nadia Brixi of Laferrière & Brixi diamantaires, Ruby Brown of Essence Workshop, Caroline Héroux of Gaëla, Paule Labelle of Cava Rose, Françoise E. Lyon of Pembroke, Private Wealth Management, Élise Léger of Fiera Capital, Catherine Maloin, of KPMG, Nathalie Marcoux, of Capinabel, Joanne Nemeroff of Ogilvy Holt Renfrew and Katerine Rocheleau of the National Bank.
Also steaming up the scene in the best way were: Carry The Light campaign ambassadors, actress/media personality Julie du Page, television/radio host Isabelle Racicot and Geneviève Everell, owner of Sushi à la maison; actress/media personality/ entrepreneur Mitsou Gélinas and businessman hub Iohann Martin; proud Watier daughter Nathalie Andrade and husband David Miller; celebrity chef Ricardo Larivée and wife Brigitte Coutu (who, given the impressive catering could only have had high praise for the 4-course Dansereau feast); media personality/author Dominique Bertrand with husband, proud sponsor Jacques Maurice; Stingray superstar Éric Boyko with love Audrey Vallière; their real estate mogul pal Philippe Morin; “Dragon” Martin-Luc Archambault and gorgeous GF Shanie Miotto; Telus tops François Gratton with wife Amélie Cliché; National Bank Financial powerhouse Martin Lavigne and wife Sophie Huard; divisional vice-president marketing Ogilvy Holt Renfrew Steeve Lapierre; Pita princess Anne Bachour; clout couple Christine Boivin and husband Simon Duperé; dance divas Anne-Marie Trudeau and husband Patric Chavarie and a SLEW of others.
(Whew it’s hot in here!)
Thanks to generous patrons, team members and partners including BCF, Sun Life Financial, Kensington, Sanimax, Stingray, Optimal Payments, National Bank, Jacques Maurice Groupe, Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, and Pembroke, the 2015 ball generated a WOW expectation-exceeding $550,000 for the foundation, a non profit fiercely dedicated to the empowerment of less fortunate women, enabling them to spread their wings and soar to unimagined heights (LOVE that!). Indeed, a huge felicitations is in order to foundation namesake, founder, president and spirit Lise Watier, her beloved husband and foundation board chair Serge Rocheleau and daughter MarieLise Andrade, the rock star CEO of the foundation who worked tirelessly to bring the event to life and attended festivities with love, Sanimax chief Martin Couture.