Jennifer Campbell: Love launches new season
Noties, given the date, we’re a little late to initiate spring- summer festivities with a supersized Valentine’s column, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace the love. Heck, as you’ll see in a moment, love was clearly the secret or rather not- so- secret ingredient powering today’s two lead events …
KAPTIVATING KANPE KANAVAL:
First up ( excited to be back in the social saddle, by the way!) is a swish by- invitation- only private dinner that took place at the Society for Arts and Technology Foodlab preceding — and benefiting — this year’s beloved main event, the Kanpe Kanaval, raising invaluable funds for the KANPE foundation.
Established in 2010 by Arcade Fire founding member Régine Chassagne, born to parents of Haitian descent fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship, and Dominique Anglade, the first woman of Haitian origin to be elected to the Quebec Parliament, KANPE — Haitian Creole for “stand up” — is a compelling non- profit based in Montreal, dedicated to standing with the most vulnerable Haitian families and implementing proven development projects and support programs to move them toward financial autonomy. Yup, pretty incredible.
But about that souper … It was equally so. Why? Keep reading …
No. 1: The off- the- charts entertainment and astoundingly cool gaggle of guests, which often crossed over. Really, how often do you attend an intimate evening co- hosted by a world class comedic actor like Rainn Wilson ( of The Office and Blackstrom fame) and above- mentioned homegrown icon Régine Chassagne, also patronized by the glittering and influential likes of legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Talking Heads’ David Byrne; Coachella founder Paul Tollett; Arcade Fire’s Marika Shaw; shining local stars Isabelle Racicot, Herby Moreau, Pénélope McQuade, Geneviève Borne and Alexandra Diaz; power pair Mitsou Gélinas and hub Iohann Martin; supercool Adam Cohen and gifted photographer pal Simon Normand; City of Montreal executive committee member responsible for culture, heritage, and status of women Manon Gauthier with daughter Sierra Foster; former finance minister Raymond Bachand and wife Micheline Brazeau; interim dean of Concordia’s JMSB and KANPE board director Stéphane Brutus; rocking restaurateur Alexandre Brosseau and gorge wife Jasmine Legault; Lightspeed CEO Dax Dasilva and PR guy Bradley Grill; KANPE PR/ communications strategist Martine St- Victor; and Bob Agency’s Jean- François Joyal; WITH striking performances by Byrne; Arcade Fire’s Win Butler, Richard Parry and Chassagne; Gardy Fury; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Fwonte; Vox Sambou; and Haitian music royalty Paul Beaubrun? Exactly!
( By the way, same big- dealers also headlined the main event, which named Byrne carnival king and Maison d’Haiti director Marjorie Villefranche, queen).
No. 2: The food … WOW. As guests already tantalized by Caribbean- style cocktails featuring amuses- bouches by Casserole Kréole congregated around casually elegant family style tables, some of the city ’s most talented culinary wizards including chef Guillaume Daly of Soubois, Garde- manger’s Chuck Hughes and Foodlab’s Michelle Marek whipped up spectacular Haitian- style cuisine. Not surprisingly, multiple servings were all the rage and rendered even more tempting thanks to frequent interjections by charming dinner host, personality Anne- Marie Withenshaw, who attended festivities with husband, CHOM’s Jay Walker.
No. 3: Finally, while it’s pretty hard not to be affected by all of the above, there were still other soul- replenishing highlights including a Haitian- themed premium item auction that inspired much competitive bidding for the cause.
All in all, a singular Montreal soiree. Kanaval me in for 2017.
A RARE & BEAUTIFUL EVENING: We skip now to an inaugural Montreal fundraiser that had its fair share of magic too: “A Rare Evening: A Touch of Red” Benefit Event supporting the iBellieve Foundation.
Hosted by media heavyweights, Le Cahier blog founder Camille DG and CHOM and Global TV’s Jay Walker at the Montreal Science Centre, the Old Hollywood- themed evening attracted oodles of enthusiastic patrons, who couldn’t wait to make grand entrances in their black- tie best, with pops of red in support of the foundation and rare disease awareness.
As for the foundation, it’s something special — just like the man and founder for whom it’s named — Simon Ibell, who works passionately and persistently every day to raise awareness and vital funding on its behalf for those living with rare diseases.
Now 37, Simon is one of just 40 people in Canada, and approximately 2,000 globally, born with MPS II ( also known as Hunter syndrome), a rare critical disorder resulting in weakened cardiac function, enlarged organs, obstructive airway disease, and distortion of joints.
Told by doctors he was unlikely to see his tenth birthday, Simon is not only surviving over 25 years later but surthriving, thanks to his family’s refusal to give up and dedication to scale the world for treatment and options. ( His parents, Marie and Simon, are truly forces of nature.)
Their quest however was not without sizable — if at times seemingly insurmountable obstacles — including a hard won fight to convince Ontario to fund a drug crucial to his health — and the health of others like him; a battle helped along towards victory by Simon’s childhood friend and great advocate, NBA MVP Steve Nash ( a. k. a. “Nashy).
In large part because of a refusal to be defined by his challenges and a spirit and humour that win over everyone in seconds ( including yours truly), Simon has garnered much support over the years, including that of another close pal, revered super mogul / Shark Tank star / Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who made a special pilgrimage to our fair city to be with Simon at the launch.
Needless to say, the crowd was wild for Cuban who gave a poignant introduction of his amazing friend.
He was matched in his charisma, humour and all- out fabulousness only by Simon himself, who, upon taking the mike from Cuban, captivated and moved the audience with his astonishing story of survival, unwavering determination to make a difference for those living with rare diseases, and, above all, humanity and attitude.
“I have a great life,” he said, with tears in his eyes and that irresistible grin, showing us all that life is what we make of it. Indeed. And speaking of great, what a party it was! Committee members including Simon, Camille Chacra, Brad Dean, Bryson Forbes, Sofia Osowski, Daniele- Jocelyne Otou, Alessandra Salituri and Vincent White outdid themselves. Feasting was a must thanks to Schwartz’ deli, Ristorante Beatrice, Tuck Shop, Léché Desserts, Taverne Gaspar, Burgundy Lion, and Bars Boutique. Dancing was non- stop with celebrity DJ YO - C on scene and entertainment none too shabby neither courtesy of jazz group Trio Top Note; live art by LNDMRK artist Jason Wasserman; burlesque queen Miss Sugarpuss; and a spirited auction hosted by former Habs forward, Yvon Lambert, featuring three Air Canada round trips to spend a day on set with Cuban, that alone, fetched over $ 55,000!
Glam guests including Shire Pharmaceuticals’ Eric Tse and Brigitte Viel; Air Canada’s Anca Sirbu; songstresses Nikki Yanofsky and Sara Diamond; Drysdale Group’s Stephen Drysdale; Notable’s Karolina Jez; Republik’s JP Shoiry; Derick Fage and wife Monika Palitza; Mediaplanet Canada’s Joyce McCaffrey; Sussex Investments’ Shawn Fried; Soomo Productions’ Roy Yen; Wasserman Media Group’s Chris Armstrong; Paralympian Benoît
Huot; RE/ MAX Griffintown’s Thierry Lindor; Devmont’s Sam Scalia; and Burgundy Lion’s Paul Desbaillets had the time of their lives, enabling the inaugural soirée to raise over $ 155,000 for iBellieve.
It’s official Montreal. We’ve been Simonized!
More social buzz: Some other recent eventables ( notable events) include the Fondation Québec Jeunes’ Bal de la Saint- Valentin; and Young Philanthropists’ Circle ( YPC) of the ( MMFA) March Unplugged event.
Last note: For those wondering about diaryofasocialgal.com Gen3, wonder no more. It’s under construction and will be rocketing into your social whirls ( ahem, worlds!) faster than you can say, “Make it a double.”