Growing chefs: In conjunction with the official opening of his sister restaurant Ensemble Tap, Top Chef Canada winner Dale Mackay used the occasion to fundraise for at-risk youth. Several hundred guests packed his Smithe Street joint for the Love2Give food grazing and charity event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Boys Club Network, a program launched by local educators Walter Mustapich and Jim Crescenzo that matches mentors with troubled youth.

Karate kid: After scoring accolades and critical acclaim for their documentary Facing Ali, Derik Murray’s local production company Network Entertainment tackled another icon, martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. Murray premiered his $1.4 million I Am Bruce Lee doc. The world premiere held at Vancity Theatre was also a benefit to create a permanent home to preserve the legacy of the Chinese-American Hong Kong actor.

Winter sparkler: Sparkling gems, passionate music and coveted prizes, all in an elegant and intimate setting, met gala-goers attending Vancouver Opera’s Be Jewelled cocktail fundraiser held at Birks’ flagship Vancouver store. Soprano Mihoko Kinoshita performed at the lavish luau in support of the opera company’s Voices of the Pacific Rim Initiative. Just announced, the opera’s signature soiree Overture in April will see singer Jennifer Hudson headline.

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Hear Fred Mondays 8: 20 a.m. on CBC Radio's The Early Edition; email: yvrflee@hotmail.com; Twitter: @FredAboutTown or fredabouttown.blogspot.com.