by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

A GALA GALA DO OF THE YEAR

Without a doubt, it had to be the gala gala do of the entire year! I’m referring to the recent Chinatown Foundation’s Autumn Gala, co-chaired by Darlene Poole and Sam Feldman and produced and organized by the amazing Carol Lee. This spectacular evening event, held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, attracted more than 800 dressy guests who were warmly welcomed by Global’s comely anchor, Sophie Lui.

Spotted among the guests were such notables as B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austen in maroon velvet, B.C. Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and philanthropists Michael Audain, and Melita and Lorne Segal. The lovely Lily Lee, accompanied by her entire family, sponsored the dinner portion of the evening through their Robert H. Lee Foundation honouring the late Bob Lee. Dedicated fund raiser Bianca Zanatta looked gorgeous in a Catherine Regehr blue silk creation. Also joining in the festivities was former Vancouver Chief of Police Jim Chu who was looking younger than ever, VPD’s Deputy Chief Howard Chow, members of the Aquilini Group, former broadcaster Vicki Gabereau, Marg Vandenberg and her husband, and a host of other dignitaries.

When the doors of the ballroom opened, guests actually gasped, it was so spectacular! Colourful, twinkling lights sparkled off floor length pink and gold drapes. Pink table linens and roses were on every table, along with centerpieces of colourful blossoms and lush greenery.

Tip of the fedora to Hotel Van’s executive chef David Baarscherf who created the perfect feast with heavenly Miso-glazed Sea Bass.

Well-known Robert Heffel and Fred Lee acted as the auctioneers offering the fab works of internationally recognized artists who had donated their prized works of art to assist this worthy cause. These artworks will be reproduced and shown in the interior of the new building.

Carol Lee said, “after 13 years we are just months away from opening our community project at 58 West Hastings. This project will offer 231 new affordable homes, 50,000 square feet for an integrated Health Centre and a community-based partnership program at 58 W. Hastings in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, ensuring that 58 W. Hastings will be a home and a community within a community. This project is truly paving the way forward for what can become when we join forces as a community.”…

LUNCH FOR THE CHILDREN

This year’s Mel Zajac’s Lunch with a Legend had another great turnout, this time with Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. I must say, Mayor Sim, casual and confident, is very amiable and approachable. He’s probably done more print, television and radio interviews than any Mayor since Tom Campbell.

And Global’s Chris Gailus added much to the afternoon with his interviewing skills. It was like two good friends chatting.

This pleasant afternoon do at the Terminal City Club raised $160,000 for the worthy Zajac Ranch and was sponsored by Onni and the Peter and Joanne Brown Foundation.

As the Mayor said, “The Zajac Ranch is making lifelong memories for hundreds of children.”

And what could be better than that? …

THE NEXT “IN” DINING DESTINATION

Our town’s newest restaurant, the delightful Dahlia, opened a couple of weeks ago in the new Azur Legacy Hotel at 833 West Pender. It’s a very pretty, welcoming spot, elegant yet cozy.

The hotel’s director of operations Sofia Sayani has inherited her mother Farida’s passion for hotels and the hospitality industry. Farida started a small hotel in Richmond in 1986 and turned it into a million dollar chain.

Sofia has the same drive and enthusiasm for the business and reminds me of the late Eleni Skalbania, whose determination and drive has made the much-loved Wedgewood Hotel such a success.

Sofia also has an enthusiastic crew to assist her in making the new Dahlia a place to see and be seen, beginning with general manager Bek Shamsiev. Executive chef Shyam Longani has worked in several top spots including several years as executive chef at the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, and the Bombay Brasserie in London.

At Dahlia’s unveiling, Sofia and her gorgeous twin daughters, Natasha and Sara, welcomed guests like Global TV’s Jason Pires, Fairchild TV’s Condrea Fung, Our City Tonight’s Jim Gordon, travel, food and wine columnist Lenora Hayman, top P.R.’s Michelle Lan and Tara Armstrong, and so many more.

A nice touch was to have top saxophonist, the jazzy jive’s Karla Sax welcoming guests with her harmonious stylings.

Great fun …

KUDOS TO THE WEBSTER’S WINNERS

It was a THE night for journalism at the Hyatt Regency Hotel last week as the 37th annual Jack Webster Foundation Awards, and a big night for the broadcast and print winning stars of the media in Vancouver and beyond.

The crowd cheered and applauded as emcees Gloria Macarenko and CHEK’s Paul Haysom introduced the head table party, including B.C.’s Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, B.C. Premier David Eby and Tsawwassen First Nation’s Bryce Williams, who gave the First Nations welcome.

There were numerous awards, including the Bill Good Award (Global TV’s Reporting team) and the Shelley Fralic Award to Global’s Sophie Lui. It was Frances Bula who deservedly received the 2023 Bruce Hutchinson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Highlight of the evening was listening to the fascinating career of longtime CTV anchor, the delightful and tiny Lisa LaFlamme. She made the evening for me!

Multi kudos to the foundation’s executive director Janet Mitchell for a well planned and produced production …

NOTES TO TAKE NOTE OF

A little reminder that Canuck Place, the children’s hospice, will have a special late afternoon with choirs and guests attending as officials turn on the house’s Christmas lights display on Monday,.December 4.
And the Pacific Autism Family Network has completely sold out their annual LAUNCH luncheon at the Bayshore on December 7.
Really looking forward to Bianca Zanatta’s annual fundraising luncheon on December 1 at Umberto’s classic Giardino’s on Hornby, and to the launch of the third annual Vancouver Cocktail Week.

Eleanora Own brings “BEING PIAF” to PAL Studio Theatre.

“BEING PIAF” AT PAL

And don’t forget, there is an exciting production coming to the West End’s PAL Studio Theatre.

It’s called BEING PIAF, a unique solo performance direct from Los Angeles, as told by the spirit of Edith Piaf, French chanteuse, international star and magical storyteller.

The performance, which stars L.A.’s Eleanora Owen, highlights Piaf’s joi de vivre, her resiliency and triumphs as she overcomes a life begun in abject poverty and despair.

Filled with vibrant music and evocative visuals, BEING PIAF has enjoyed engagements in Los Angeles and in New York City and is headed to London in 2024.

It was club owner, Louis Leplee who gave her the nickname, “The Little Sparrow” and it was TV’s Ed Sullivan who called her “the most amazing 97 pounds in show biz!”

Within a year, she became a sensation on radio, in newspapers and recording albums with her childlike innocence and her strong singing voice.

We are fortunate to have a stop on this masterpiece’s ever expanding tour, coming to Vancouver this month.

The dates at the PAL studio theatre are Friday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.

Join Eleanora Owen as she brings Edith Piaf to life through song and performance. Tickets here.

SEASON’S BLESSINGS!

And finally, from my family to yours, may I wish you all the safest, healthiest and happiest Merry Christmas and a warm, wonderful and magical New Year! ...

Love, Joy.