CATCHING UP, STARTING WITH C2

For those who love a good party … or seven.

Here’s the deal Noties: The start of this spring (or rather prespring) social season has been a little outta control fabulous. Because I, like so many inhabiting this insta-see-everything techno-culture, suffer from — and attempt to act upon — acute event FOMO (fear of missing out), I would need today’s entire publication to do justice to the countless events that have exploded onto the Montreal party front since the start of February. That said, I’m still going to do my Social Gal best to bring you celebrants up to date on some of the more notable offerings thus far.

C2 SAILS FORWARD

Of course, C2 Montréal, one of the world’s most beloved creative commerce conferences is based here. And, of course, team C2, spearheaded by visionary president Richard St-Pierre and pros like Genifere Legrand, Julia Cyboran and Anick Beaulieu, managed to sprinkle their signature C2 stardust on a special early February event, aptly titled New Horizons. Held in the stunning new Espace C2 atop the recently renovated Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel (superb), the novel gathering with entertainment by Betty Bonifassi and her musicians, Qualité Motel and Thomas H, served as an optimal forum to announce highlights for this year’s edition in May, while inviting VIP guests to enjoy the distinguished company of special invitees like Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who sat for an engaging conversation with the aforementioned C2 president. Not surprisingly, it was an evening to be remembered overlooking the sparkling city below … a perfect start to the social season.

LOVE WAS, WELL, EVERYWHERE

For those who love the annual day of love, there is no better celebration of it than the Fondation Jeunes en Tête’s annual Valentine’s Day Ball. Attended this season by some of the city’s most powerful and influential, including event co-presidents, Zoom Media board chair François de Gaspé Beaubien, and Boyden managing partner Roger T. Duguay, as well as National Bank Private Wealth 1859 president/ foundation chair Éric Bujold, BCF partner and fundraising committee chair Nathalie Gagnon, BCF partner André Morrissette, Viau Foods CEO Joe Reda, PricewaterhouseCoopers national managing partner Nicolas Marcoux and numerous others, the mega-do at Windsor Station was their most glittering to date. “Capital D dazzled” is the choice descriptive for the 650 plus prominent guests who had nothing but raves for the “Dia de fiesta” Mexican themed decor by Cava Rose; Paola Frida style multi-course supper by the gourmet supremos at Tuck Shop, and well curated entertainments that included bountiful silent and live auctions, mariachis Oro Blanco, DJ Kleancut, Dirty Players band and more. The lovedrenched eve raised an amazing $600,000 for the foundation, a non-profit instrumental in preventing psychological distress among youth in Quebec, aged

11 to 18, via targeted outreach, including their Partners for Life program, and new innovations like the YOUHOU! app, proudly presented by XPND Capital’s Alexandre Taillefer.

MORE BIG LOVE AT BIG RED

Helmed by soul-filled celebrity chef Antonio Park and big-hearted basketball coach Trevor Williams (the phenomenon behind the difference-making Trevor Williams Kids Foundation), Big Red 2018 at Park’s Kampai Garden, was a pull at the heartstrings event.

It offered much in the form of cool Thursday-night-out festivities to gaggles of A-list patrons including staunch supporters like Wayne “Organizing Wonder” Yearwood, Kathy and Joe Sassano, Brian Young, David “Get Socially” Ohayon, and Sylvie Lauzon and husband Tim Tolton. All attendees thoroughly enjoyed the delectable Asian fusion fare and rock and roll auction emceed by Breakfast TV’s Catherine Verdon-Diamond, and featuring worthy biddables like a Kampai dinner with wine, courtesy of Park, and Air Canada trip for two, courtesy of Air Canada’s Cynthia Desmarais. The biggest impact, however, came from the poignant shares and testimonials by the likes of Wanda Kagan, who spoke candidly about the profound difference the foundation’s antibullying, anti-violence program The Chill Zone has made in the lives of their children and loved ones. The delish soirée raised sizable funds for the Chill Zone. (So proud to have been there to share in the magic and help combat the bullying and violence that has no place in our world. Bullies be gone!).

WRG CLASSIC, CLASSICALLY CAPTIVATING

Some events (or rather the masters behind them) just know how to make winter better, like the squad responsible for the annual WRG Winter Classic, presented by Lululemon. Against the backdrop of a gorgeous winter wonderland at Parc IgnaceBourget, hundreds of the city’s coolest (think Jojo Flores, Kevin Demers, Chuck Hughes and more!) followed the evite’s cue to don sartorials reminiscent of the high-glam 1920s, while feasting on wonderful, donated food and drink from some of the ville’s hottest food-spots and revelling in lively activities, including the much-anticipated gentlemen’s hockey tournament. A portion of all proceeds from the day benefit the WRG Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local youth centres and schools, as well as the growth and expansion of hockey culture and wellness programs in Quebec.

WINTER STILL TRENDING

Nope, not done with the whole winter wonder thing. Another big-ticket event working the outdoor wow was Les amis de la montagne’s Tuques Bleues Benefit. Ever-inspired and informed by the treks of the 19th century Montreal Snowshoe Club, the annual spectacular made the most of an athletic climb up Mount Royal, with much to get excited about at the Royal Chalet on the food, prize and entertainment front. Think bountiful Java U Buffet, Bierbrier Beer, musical entertainment by the talented likes of DJ Doro, and great prizes drawn by representatives of event partners, Tubbs Snowshoes, Atlas Snowshoes, and Kiehl’s. Uber VIPs, including Peter A. Howlett, C.M., president/founder of Les amis, honorary co-presidents Michel Leblanc, president/ CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and Robert Tellier, regional vice-president, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions, Manulife, among many others, were thrilled with the edition that raised an important $150,000 in support of environmental conservation programs on Mount Royal.

OO7, BE AFRAID

When the time came to unveil the new Bentley Continental GT at Bentley Montreal, the team topped by Decarie Motors power pair Joel Segal and Cheryl Blas, in partnership with the event specialists at Manina Productions, didn’t mess around. Instead, they made 007 adventures look like child’s play, sweeping VIP guests (hello Tatiana Londono and hub David Alter) to a secret mezzanine location for a swanky launch, replete with the finest in champagne and caviar and a team of Bond-esque dancers who unveiled the latest in auto-luxury innovation in true Bond babe fashion. Halle B. would have been proud.

HONOURABLE MENTION TO …

My alter ego, Diary of a Social Gal, the luxury lifestyle social scene website and print magazine brand, recently launched a 7th edition, proudly presented with the Four Seasons Montreal (yes, opening its doors soon). The journey has been extraordinary, and would never have been possible without the love and support of my flawless Gazette family, helmed by the remarkable Lucinda Chodan, for which I am eternally grateful. Teamwork makes the dream work.

That’s it for now, Noties. Hope you had fun and are primed for a spirited season. Glad to be reunited.

For more on the above events, and all things social: diaryofasocialgal.com.

C2 MONTRÉAL The big reveal: C2 Montréal dream-teamers Anick Beaulieu, Genifere Legrand and Julia Cyboran, smile onstage at their New Horizons event in Espace C2 atop the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth.

Governors corner: BMO’s Nicolas Brunet, Viau’s Joe Reda, RBC’s Michael Grondin, Rio Tinto’s Geneviève Latour, hon. co-president Boyden’s Roger T. Duguay, hon. co-president Zoom Media’s François de Gaspé Beaubien, Chades and Associates’ Pierre...

DAN PROKOPOWICZ Gallant is the way to go: Martin Vidal charms wife Lorraine Termetz at the Fondation Jeunes en Tête’s Valentine’s Day Ball.

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NINE BLONDE PHOTOGRAPHY Rose cosy couple: Kyle Donahue and Sandrine Cassis-Donahue snuggle at the WRG Winter Classic.

LOGAN M Raising the prize: Brent Patino, Matthew Hanson and Ryan MacDougall show off the goods at the WRG Winter Classic.

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