A MILLION DROPS: Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, hosted La Soirée One Drop, a stellar benefit to kick-off its newest show Amaluna under the Big Top at Concord Pacific Place. With the goal of raising $1 million, 450 guests, each shelling out $1000-a-ticket, attended the premiere and fundraiser in support of water for all. One Drop, an initiative of Laliberté, has hosted twenty similar events in cities around the world. Vancouver was the 21st in the series and the grand finale of this year’s endeavour. Superbowl kicker Mitch Berger, billionaire Frank Giustra and Mayor Gregor Robertson were among the notables.

PROJECT RUNWAY: Twenty students of Blanche Macdonald’s Fashion Design program showed their designs at the school’s annual Fashion Design Show held at the Robson Street campus. Names to note for the next generation of designers include Mira Campbell and Brockton Lane. Having interned with notable Canadian designer Jason Matlo, Campbell has created a fashion forward collection that is immediately wearable. Lane, who got his start in the snowboard apparel industry, has heads turning with his slim-fitting pieces.

WINE EDUCATION: Education without Borders is a Canadian non-profit foundation created in 2002. Their mandate is to foster educational opportunities and provide educational facilities in disadvantaged regions of the world. Currently their efforts are focused in the township of Gugulethu, South Africa. Supporters hosted their annual wine fundraiser A Toast to Hope. Yours truly played auctioneer at the wine wingding held at VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Great Hall. Great wines and tickets to Bruce Springsteen helped raise $13,000 for the grassroots organization