On the Town This Week

Fred Lee can be heard Stepping Out each Monday at 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio One’s The Early Edition 690AM and 88.1FM

 

Swish splash

John Evans and Bob Ledingham chaired and Melita and Lorne Segal hosted the city’s coolest pool party in their Southlands home.  Benefitting the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, 140 well-heeled guests paid a $1000-a-plate to dine and kibitz atop the Segal’s full length pool.  Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, guests seated at clear acrylic tables and Philippe Starck chairs enjoyed the formal Opus-catered dinner atop the see-through pool. While attendees generated $350,000, an anonymous donation of half a million matched by the province’s Minister of Advanced Education Moira Stilwell saw the evening’s take soar to an incredible $1.35 million. The windfall will see services at the Dr Peter Centre extend from five to seven days a week, 365 days a year.  

 

Hot and buttered

Aspiring actors paraded the red carpet and took in the free booze and food at a plethora of parties heralding 29th Vancouver International Film Festival. Women in Film & Television’s Martini Madness and Stephen Hegyes and Shaun Williamson’s Brightlight Pictures Technicolor Red Carpet Party kicked-off the social festivities while Director Richard Lewis’ Barney’s Version based on Mordecai Richler’s comic novel opened the celluloid celebrations. The Rogers Communications-sponsored opening gala at Rocky Mountaineer drew the largest crowd with 1200 movie buffs in attendance. Always a magnificent scene, celebrities spotted included Barney’s Version Director Richard Lewis, Mother& Daughter’s lead actress Gabrielle Rose, Fathers & Son’s director Carl Bessai, The Guard’s Steve Bacic, former Glee cast member Patrick Gallagher and former Corner Gas actress Gabrielle Miller. Nearly 400 films from 80 countries will be screened over 17 days until Oct 15. www.viff.org

 

A heaping spoonful

Twenty years and 1.75 million meals later, A Loving Spoonful marked two decades helping those with HIV/AIDS. Founder Easter Armas and Executive Director Lisa Martella welcomed 400 guests who came out to Five Sixty for the cabaret-style celebrations. Serving up a large helping of love, Sibel Thrasher, Symone (Christopher Hunt), Linda Fillmore (Dean Malone), Tracey Bell and Peeka Boo (Edgar Sandulo) entertained at the Seymour Street nightclub and lounge. Luminaries spotted tripping the light fantastic included event sponsor David Goudge, MP Hedy Fry, MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert and former MLA Lorne Mayencourt. The non-profit currently provides nutritious meals to 300 adults and children who are primarily homebound with HIV/AIDS.

 

New kids in the hall

Always a palette pleaser, not to mention giant piss-up, members of BC’s culinary scene gathered at the River Rock Resort Casino Resort for the 6th BC Restaurant Hall of Fame induction gala. Great Canadian Casino’s Howard Blank emceed the gastronomic affair that featured funny man Sinbad. Those inducted included Warren Erhart White Spot, President & CEO; Richard Jaffray Cactus Club Café, Founder and President & CEO; Harry Kambolis,  Raincity Grill, C Restaurant, Nu Restaurant Proprietor; Peter Bonner & Wayne Holm Co-Founders of Spectra Foods; posthumously, Xavier Hertzman, former Westin Bayshore Executive Chef and co-founder of the BC Chefs’ Association; Rhonda May Cityfood Magazine Publisher; Barbara–Jo McIntosh Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks Proprietor; Frank Pabst Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar Executive Chef ; Pino Posteraro Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill and Enoteca Executive Chef & Owner; Brian Hopkins West Restaurant Director and Robin Bourne The Empress Hotel Maître d. On hand to present the awards were Global TV personalities Kristi Gordon, Sophie Lui and Robin Gill.