Benevolent Society’s gala sizzles with pop and magic
Here’s a query for you Social Gals and Gents: What do you get when you pair a beloved annual event steeped in history and community flavour with a powerhouse pair of chairs intent upon giving a traditional fave a shot of 2018 pop & magic?
Here’s the answer: One of the best Hellenic Ladies Benevolent Society (HLBS) annual Ilios Galas ever. To their credit, 2018 chairs Cheria Kyres and Maggie Pagonis made really good on a chat Cheria and I had back in January. When we bumped into each other at a local eatery, she promised that this year’s edition at Le Windsor was going to take things to the next level and was already bubbling over with enthusiasm for the venture. “Trust me Jenn,” she said with signature Cheria passion. “This is going to be special. We are on it.”
As for the how, these two-event wizards had a seemingly endless stock of tricks up their socially savvy sleeves:
FIRST, they tackled the cocktail experience, acutely aware of the significance of making the best possible first impression in an event context, equipping Le Windsor’s legendary Peacock Alley with a plethora of amusements and activities, including an ever-trending oyster bar by oyster king Daniel Notkin, a brimming open bar, highly biddable silent auction, and cool photo booth intended to initiate the memorycapturing of the many snappable moments to come.
SECOND, the dream-duo and their equally committed committee (Roula Athanasopoulos, Vicky Nikolakakos, Bernice Tzicas, Sandra Khoury, Dina Kefallinos, Belle Grivakis, Helen Tyros, Joanne Bisbikos, Effie Dracopoulos and Matina Bisbikos-Priftakis) were ultra keen on making visually arresting entertainment a key component of the night. To that end, they secured professional acrobats (whose twisty spectacular performances gave new meaning to “experiential dining ”) as well as musical entertainment by gifted international performer, Nitza Melas, accompanied by Alexandros and his band.
FINALLY, fun was not neglected by the 2018 power-planners, who had still more tricks up their sleeves, dazzling with a surprise cameo by opera chef Davide Bazzali (who, much to the crowd’s delight, was auctioned off in an elite package by live emcee/ auctioneer, BT Montreal’s Elias Makos).
The movers and groovers were out in rare form, topped by the prominent likes of Senator Leo Housakos, who attended festivities with lovely wife, Demi; city councillor Mary Deros on scene with husband, Peter; proud president of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, Nicholas Pagonis; Belden Canada’s George Alexopoulos with wife, Peggy; the Georgoudes family, of Lanvac fame; Vivian and Peter Pamel; EY’s Ted Giorgio with wife, Angela; VS Films chief Ernie Grivakis, accompanied by beautiful wife, Belle; Anastasia and James Papadimitriou; legal eagle Chris Karambatsos with elegant wife, Jennifer; life coach Maria Essaris and husband, rocking restaurateur/developer John “Yanni” Essaris; RBC royal Tony Loffreda with wife, Angie; and, of course, HLBS president Viola Vathilakis, who, beaming, took in the success of the eve with husband, George Vathilakis.