STAR BRIGHT: Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin headlined B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre Foundation’s annual Illuminations luncheon, sponsored by the Vancouver Courier. Four hundred guests filed into the Four Seasons Hotel to hear from the Hollywood star, author and philanthropist. The noon-hour benefit raised $208,000.
JAZZ HANDS: Yours truly, along with Margaret Gallagher, hosted the Cultch’s fifth annual New Orleans and All That Jazz gala fundraiser. Inspired by the exotic, mystical and steamy romance of New Orleans, the East Side gem was transformed into the famed French Quarter where guests embraced the music, food and revelry made famous by those who know and love New Orleans. There was much to celebrate as days earlier the organization announced the receipt of its largest corporate donation in history, a $2-million gift from West Coast Reduction Ltd. ensuring the sustainability of the Cultch and recently opened York Theatre.
STANDING O: A capacity crowd filled the Vancouver Academy of Music for the 10th annual OVATION Awards honouring the best and brightest in musical theatre — amateur and professional. Show tunes from more than 40 of the musicals presented in 2013 were belted out by some of the community’s most talented musical theatre performers. Twenty trophies were handed out. Winners included Avenue Q (Outstanding Professional Production) and Legally Blonde, The Musical (Community Production). Bill Millerd, artistic director of the Arts Club Theatre Company, was honoured with a Significant Achievement Award.
