HOME RUN FOR CUMMINGS CENTRE
SPRING BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS: There are homegrown events that attract certain sporting royals to the fold and pay homage to their greatness — all inspiring, and part of our impressive social landscape
— and then there’s the annual spring Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors Foundation Sports Celebrity Breakfast, which takes things to a whole other level.
The recent 15th edition — masterfully chaired by Michael Wagen, senior vice-president, Delmar International and Bram Naimer, topman at Union Lighting and Home, in collaboration with honorary chair Morden (Cookie) Lazarus — was arguably the most sportstacular to date, awash in all kinds of magic moments (MMs!) and star-studded guests.
On the MM front: Tributes were paid to special guest of honour Tony Loffreda, RBC vice-chairperson of wealth management, while many awards were bestowed by MC/beloved journalist Mike Cohen and others. Topping the list: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar Georges St-Pierre (a.k.a. GSP) received the Sports Personality of the Year Award. Former Montreal Expos manager Felipe Alou was the man for the Expos Baseball Legends Award. Decorated journalist Michael Farber was the proud recipient of the Larry Fredericks Media Award. And the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, on behalf of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, went to rocking Roy Salomon.
As for that glittering guest list of 500, think sports celebs and standouts including Montreal Alouettes players Stephen Adekolu and Ernest Jackson and GM Kavis Reed; Montreal Impact alum Patrice Bernier; Laval Rocket assistant coach Alex Burrows; National Hockey League Players’ Association executive director Donald Fehr; Expos Fest founder Perry Gee; Montreal Impact president/CEO Kevin Gilmore; boxer Otis Grant; Laval Rocket player Michael McCarron; Montreal Canadiens chief surgeon Dr. David Mulder; sports rapper Annakin Slayd; Octagon Hockey co-managing director Allan Walsh; Mount-Royal MP Anthony Housefather; D’Arcy-McGee MNA David Birnbaum; and last but so far from least, past honourees like David Baazov and Mitch Garber.
Given the turnout at the high-energy event, it’s no surprise that close to $300,000 was raised for the Seniors in Crisis program, an important initiative delivering much-needed assistance to seniors in the community. Centre officials including foundation president Philip Abbey, executive director Cathy Simons, president Roslyn Wiener and executive director Pauline Grunberg were thrilled. Power to that team!
FROM GREAT SPORTS TO GREAT STYLE …
SSENSE ON THE SOCIAL SCENE: For those who know good fashion, the word SSENSE conjures up all kinds of fashion fantasies and style yearnings. How could it not? Brain-baby of brothers Rami, Bassel and Firas Atallah, the site is recognized as one of the most significant players on the international style scene, a ruler in the digital domain, and an epicentre for the best pieces of designer clothing this side of … anywear (intentional misspelling)!
And so it’s no surprise that when they built their first flagship, SSENSE Montréal, a marvel in chic minimalism steeped in history — by architect David Chipperfield — it would ultimately serve as the perfect spot to host SSENSE-worthy soirées, like the one they recently hosted in partnership with who else but Valentino for the private worldwide launch of V Ring Station, an immersive installation at SSENSE Montréal.
Of course, the fashion world’s elite were there in rare form, many jetting in from fashion capitals around the globe to partake in the enchantment. Think industry leaders like Frank & Oak’s Ethan Song, Mackage tops Patrick Elfassy with elegantly expectant wife Sasha, media personality Maripier Morin (in head-to-toe Valentino) and Soho House director Markus Anderson (yes, Meghan bestie and the alleged matchmaker!).
Top it all off with a performance by the totally sublime and addictive Majid Jordan, replete with DJ set by Lou Phelps, and well, the essence of SSENSE spectacular was clearly in evissence (more intentional misspelling, wink).