A bevy of beauties painted the town red-Ruby Red-at Sugar
and Sugar’s Colour of Life cocktail celebration to benefit
the Dr. Peter Centre. Designer Simon Cooksley’s beautifully
appointed red room, along with the art works of Niina Chebry
and Carmen Larsen, provided the perfect backdrop for red hot
performances by Babalicious, Cara Milk and the Burlesque
Beauties. In between the fun, fabulousness and live cabaret
acts, the sexy crowd checked out delicious hors d’oeuvres
courtesy of Diva at the Met. Seductive vocals of the Megan
Fanning Trio provided musical accompaniment and a silent
auction supported the West End comfort care centre for
people living with HIV/AIDS.
It was all about the reds (for yours truly anyway) at the
fourth annual Robert Mondavi and Friends Wine Experience
presented by Canaccord Capital. More than 80 sparkling,
stilled and fortified wines from around the globe were up
for tasting at the benefit for the Heart and Stroke
Foundation at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. A full house of
wine enthusiasts sipped and sampled the popular grapes from
some of the world’s best wine regions (Sonoma County, Napa
Valley, Paso Robles). Organizers hoped to raise $50,000 for
cardiovascular research from the tipple fest. For the month
of February, 50 cents from every Mondavi Woodbridge bottle
will go to the cause.
It was standing room only at the father and daughter
photo exhibition Patterns of Life, featuring the joint works
of the late award-winning photographer and dentist Dr. Allan
Smith and Sheryl R. Smith. Their common love of photography
is captured in an array of pictures displaying the many
facets of daily life. A large group of local celebrities and
personalities including L-Word’s Judith Maxie, Norm Grohmann
and Babe Gurr gathered at the Jewish Community Centre’s
Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery for the family affair.
Partial proceeds from every photograph sold go to support
the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of the late dentist
and famed photographer.
The Vancouver Playhouse rolled out the red carpet for its
fine opening night performance of Nicholas Wright’s Vincent
in Brixton. The theatre community welcomed Canadian stage
icon (Jessie, Dora and Genie award-winner) Seana McKenna
back to the city five years after her stunning performance
in Wit on the Playhouse stage. McKenna and Vincent Gale ably
star in the touching story of the famed and mad artist
Vincent van Gogh.
Finally, after some last minute reorganization, the
popular Whistler Gay Ski Week will go ahead with a fresh
beginning and fresh attitude! Did I mention this year’s
theme? It’s Fresh! So make like a bunny, ski bunny that is,
and hop on over to Mount Olympic for the 14th annual affair.
With tons of fresh snow, Tourism Whistler is encouraging
everyone to get Fresh! Feb 5-12. Apres ski, check out Opus
Hotel’s John Evans newest fairy dusted Adara Hotel.
Presenters at this year’s SAG and Grammy Awards will soon
get to chillax in these very modern, trendy and chic
lodgings!
Have an event, opening or just plain gossip you’d like to share or something
cool, hot or trendy you’d like to show off? Email me at
yvrflee@hotmail.com. Fred’s weekly
funcast Stepping Out can be heard every Monday morning on CBC’s The Early
Edition.
