How does one keep this many balls up in the air? Veuve Clicquot!
Making a fundraising splash from Montreal to Toronto
If there’s one thing we know about Montreal’s Daffodil Ball, it is to expect the unexpected. This year’s black-tie affair was taken to new heights with the Shanghai Silk theme. Windsor Station, with its garden courtyard and white marbled interior, was transformed with 30,000 daffodils and chinoiserie. The Oriental Pearl, a new act from Las Vegas, towered above the cocktail party, swooping down to high-five guests, combining elements of theatre and modern dance. “The Daffodil Ball is the cornerstone of our Quebec fundraising activities, and has star status across the entire country,” said Pamela Fralick, president and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society. “I know how much effort has gone into achieving this success and we simply could not do it without our wonderful sponsors, donors and volunteers. All Canadians will benefit from the results of this event.”
Co-chairs Robert G. Card (SNC-Lavalin); Charles Sirois (CIBC) and wife Susan McPeak Sirois; Frank Vettese (Deloitte) and wife Cinzia Vettese; and event designer Alison Silcoff were among those joining in the festivities. This year, $1.5-million was raised, and $28.5-million raised in 22 years, benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society.
It was over to the CBC for the Waterkeeper Gala, where this
year’s event made a massive splash. National Geographic explorer-in-residence Wade Davis was the featured presenter. The crowd was a sea of do-gooders mixed with a who’s who of the art scene: Tom Hopkins, Edward Burtynsky, Barbara Cole and Robert Polidori along with fellow superstars such as Giller winner Joseph Boyden and the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie, who has been at this event since its inception. When it comes to water, the Waterkeeper Gala has become the gold-standard for both fundraising and awareness. They’ve raised $1.3-million since 2012 and recently expanded to Vancouver. All proceeds support swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.
Three cheers for Salah Bachir. The warm-hearted philanthropist (also the president of Cineplex Media) was honoured with this year’s MOCCA Award in Contemporary Art. For his family and dear friends who filled the AGO to watch him accept this coveted prize, no one was surprised when he turned around and gave the cheque to the Canadian HIV/ AIDS Legal Network. Co-chairs Kate Alexander Daniels and Julia Ouellette, along with supreme sparklers and honorary chairs Emmanuelle Gattuso and Nancy Lockhart, were among those joining in with festivities. It was a complete love-in as powerhouse Jackie Richardson serenaded the gala’s 360 guests with some of Salah’s favourite songs, which brought him to tears, along with artist Stephen Andrews, who spoke movingly about the honouree’s tremendous support of his work and the work of so many contemporary artists.
The biennial award was established by MOCCA in 2007 to honour Canadians active in the field of visual arts for innovation, accomplishment or contribution over time, or for a specific project that has national or international significance.
It was quite the sight as 72 waiters walked out at the same time holding bottles of Veuve Cliquot and poured the Champagne in unison. It’s no wonder guests eventually tottered home in cheery spirits.