KEY PLAYER: Pianist Lang Lang recently paid a visit to Vancouver. Prior to headlining a sold out show with the Vancouver Symphony, the Chinese superstar fronted several charity events as part of his work through the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, which promotes music education around the world. First, the 32-year-old artist hosted a master class, playing alongside 100 students who doubled up to perform Schubert and Brahms on 50 pianos at the Orpheum Theatre. Following the piano lesson, Lang Lang was guest of honour at a $1,800-a-ticket meet and greet. VSO School of Music and the Foundation of Charitable Chinese Immigrants partnered to host the exclusive affair, staged in Pyatt Recital Hall. At the event, 60 guests rubbed elbows and had their photo taken with the international superstar while raising $108,000 for various local charities including the VSO School of Music, the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
SEEING GREEN: CBC’s Margaret Gallagher and yours truly emceed the Cultch’s annual gala. One hundred and fifty guests — ardent supporters of the venerable East Side arts organization — gathered for the sixth annual “Celtic celebration” led by executive director Heather Redfern, managing director Cindy Reid and party chairs Sally Emmerson and Ryan O’Connor. Attendees enjoyed a rousing evening of entertainment and a sumptuous three-course dinner on the company’s historic theatre stage before opening their wallets for the non-profit, which celebrated its 41st season. While none of the party principals donned the Celtic colours, the dominant hue was green as a reported $40,000 was netted from the St. Paddy’s Day dinner and auction.
FINE DINING: First staged back in 1994 to support people affected by the AIDS crisis, Dining Out for Life returned last week for its 21st edition. One hundred restaurants from Whistler to White Rock once again signed on for the annual campaign, donating 25 per cent of their food sales to support A Loving Spoonful and Friends for Life, charities that help people dealing with the disease and other life-threatening illnesses. While rates of infection have declined and new treatments extending lives, the need is still there for the reported 17,000 people in B.C. living with HIV/AIDS. Yours truly hosted a preview dinner at Robbie Kane’s Café Medina. Media personalities, tastemakers and influencers filed into the Richards’ Street eatery for the campaign launch.
