FESTIVAL UNCORKED: The historic Hotel Vancouver once again played host to the much-anticipated Bacchanalia Gala, a black-tie affair and jewel of the 37th Vancouver International Wine Festival that kicked off the 10-day tipple fest in supreme style. Fronted by festival director Harry Hertscheg, wine chair Mark Hicken and society darling Jana Maclagan, the food and wine pairing dinner, which yours truly emceed, benefitted Christopher Gaze’s Bard on the Beach. While exquisite reds and white wines ruled the room, the dominant hue was green as gala-goers, along with the help of auctioneer Howard Blank, produced a reported $300,000 for the city’s venerable arts organization. More than 1,750 wines from 14 countries will be uncorked at 53 events. This year’s festival, which runs until March 1, shines the spotlight on Syrah and Australian wines.
OPEN HEARTS: British Columbians once again opened their hearts and wallets for the 49th annual Variety Show of Hearts Telethon. Global Television’s Burnaby studio was headquarters for the fundraising drive for Variety’s biggest event of the year, which was held over the Valentine’s Day weekend. Heartwarming stories of love and little victories — like little Audrey who fought cancer and survived, Joseph who has a food aversion but is now eating and growing, and Maria who is beginning to communicate thanks to speech and language therapy — won over viewers and inspired giving throughout the province. By evening’s end Sunday night, an impressive $5.9 million was raised to provide life-saving, life-changing and life-enriching support to children in B.C. who have special needs and organizations that provide services to these kids.
GIFTS OF LAUGH: Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and Ellie Harvie are among the illustrious alumni that have come from the Vancouver Theatre Sports League, the city’s premiere improv comedy troupe. Boasting an impressive six International Improv Comedy Awards, the 35-year old organization performs five-nights a week to more than 60,000 patrons annually. Led by artistic director Jay Ono and VTSL president and event chair Doug McCann, the company hosted its 10th Grapes of Laugh Gala at the Improv Centre on Granville Island. The pair welcomed a capacity crowd to the celebrations that included a performance showcasing the troupe’s top improvisers, a tasting of toast-worthy wines and fiery auction. Yours truly, along with Howard Blank, served as masters of ceremonies at the laugh-out-loud luau. More than $25,000 was generated in support of VTSL’s community outreach and youth programs.
