Social Notes: Fall season warms up with Montreal Heart Institute, MAC balls
Lifestyle

Social Notes: Fall season warms up with Montreal Coronary heart Institute, MAC balls

By Frank S. Crawford

  1. Life

Jennifer Campbell also reports on P.K. Subban’s P.K.S.F. Playground, the Guzzo Foundation’s Notte in Bianco and more.

Author of the article:

Jennifer Campbell  •  Special to Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:

Oct 18, 2018  •  October 18, 2018  •  6 minute read  •  Join the conversation Ball committee chair Marie-Josée Simard (in Laruelle) and committee members Stéphanie Larivière, Violette Cohen (in Laruelle), honorary president Nathalie Goyette (in Laruelle), Debbie Zakaib (in Denis Gagnon), Nicolas Urli, Sophie Banford (in Denis Gagnon) and Elizabeth Camiré (in Laruelle) assemble for a photo op at the MAC Ball. Ball committee chair Marie-Josée Simard (in Laruelle) and committee members Stéphanie Larivière, Violette Cohen (in Laruelle), honorary president Nathalie Goyette (in Laruelle), Debbie Zakaib (in Denis Gagnon), Nicolas Urli, Sophie Banford (in Denis Gagnon) and Elizabeth Camiré (in Laruelle) assemble for a photo op at the MAC Ball. Photo by Maxime Messier

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I really miss you Montreal Gazette Social Gals and Gents between seasons, and am always so tickled to be reunited for more ad-event-ures. Which brings us to today’s supersized fall/winter season opener, a proper smorgasbord of cool and colourful happenings. Enjoy.

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WITH SO MUCH HEART: Fresh from a jaunt to the Caribbean, where the pace is slooow, it’s a jolt to go from zero social energy to full-on Jennergy. But the “sacrifice” (wink!) is worth it when the season’s first event is the glam-glittering Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs, held by the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation.

The event was held this year at Windsor Station, and the team — helmed by MHI president Mélanie La Couture (attending with Adrian Hernandez) — outdid themselves. Over 500 VIP guests were already in “oh my” mode as they walked the signature crimson carpet into the welcome cocktail.

Montreal Heart Institute Foundation board chair Lino Saputo Jr. and foundation president/CEO Josee Noiseux present businessman/philanthropist Jean-Pierre Leger with the institute's Medal of Honour at the Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs. Montreal Heart Institute Foundation board chair Lino Saputo Jr. and foundation president/CEO Josee Noiseux present businessman/philanthropist Jean-Pierre Leger with the institute’s Medal of Honour at the Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs. Photo by Gaelle Vuillaume

While apps and banter were bountiful, that was just the tip of things. We continued into the glorious ruby-appointed main dining room, where surprises included a powerful performance by singer Kim Richardson; stunning turns by Cirque du Soleil acrobats; an epic four-course meal by the epicurean masters at the Fairmont Queen E.; and rhythmic tunes by Paul Chacra’s 1945 Orchestra.

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There were also impactful addresses by MHI Foundation board chair Lino A. Saputo Jr., chair/CEO of Saputo (attending with lovely wife Amelia), and foundation president/CEO Josée Noiseux (with husband, Sid Lee CEO Bertrand Cesvet). Both of them praised the awesome work by the institute, and honoured visionary businessman/ philanthropist Jean-Pierre Léger (vice-president of the board of the Claire and Jean-Pierre Léger Foundation, attending with wife Claire) with the institute’s prestigious Medal of Honour. The medal recognized a lifetime of outstanding community support as well as superb generosity to the MHI, facilitating the acquisition of technology integral to detecting heart disease in more expedient fashion. 

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Olympian Bruny Surin and pal Nicolas Hien enjoy cocktails at the Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs. Olympian Bruny Surin and pal Nicolas Hien enjoy cocktails at the Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs. Photo by Gaelle Vuillaume

The business elite and community leaders were out in rare form, including foundation board member Daniel Lamarre, president/CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, with wife Emmanuelle Duperré; SAQ board chair Johanne Brunet; BMO Financial Group, Quebec president of operations Claude Gagnon; Montreal Impact hottie vice-president, international relations Nick De Santis with beautiful wife Anna; Fiera Capital strategic adviser Monique F. Leroux with husband Marc; National special adviser and all-out rock star John Parisella with broadcast darling Esther Bégin; and Olympian Bruny Surin. 

Thanks to incredible support and partners including the SAQ, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, National Bank and Pomerleau, the Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs raised a whopping $1,735,000. Bravo! 

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Related

Honorary presidents Nathalie Goyette, Eric Bujold and France Margaret Belanger strike a pose at the MAC Ball. Honorary presidents Nathalie Goyette, Eric Bujold and France Margaret Belanger strike a pose at the MAC Ball. Photo by Maxime Messier /MONwp

MAC MAKES MORE MAGIC: I always get giddy at the prospect of covering the annual MAC Ball, benefiting our cultural gem, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. I know that the inordinately creative foundation organizing committee — and standard-raising event architects at Bob Agency — are going to exceed even the loftiest of expectations (set by them the previous year!) to rocket guests into an event experience that’s nothing short of almighty.

MAC mission accomplished — again. Knockout! 

Heeding the invite’s call for dare-to-wear attire in “sheer and/or vibrant,” approximately 800 top-tier guests from the worlds of art and commerce descended upon the speedily sold-out ball for the opening cocktails in Place des Arts’ Jean-Gascon Hall, where networking and schmoozing were of the highest quality.

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Also peak level were the mouth-wateringly enchanting fashions worn by at-trend-ing patrons on the red carpet.   

Federal Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Melanie Joly and Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante at the MAC Ball. Federal Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Melanie Joly and Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante at the MAC Ball. Photo by VINCENZO D’ALTO

Post cocktails, an elegant exodus to the museum ensued, to rooms divinely drenched in light and transparency — a reflection of the MAC’s upcoming 2019 architectural transformation. (This year’s ball — with the theme Interruption — marked the last chance for attendees to experience the museum as it stands, while simultaneously anticipating changes.)   

Memorable moments were in abundance, from dancers erupting out of walls, to original gastronomy by the Fairmont Queen E worthy of culinary and science awards, to an electrifying performance by LOUD, to spellbinding DJing by Thomas H, Nils Fluck and Alex Nevsky, to the famed art auction, to an unveiling of the MAC’s sleek new look, to the oxygen bar (perfect for hanging with power pair Mitsou Gélinas and Iohann Martin). 

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Guests were gobsmacked and included list-leaders like honorary ball presidents France Margaret Bélanger, executive vice-president, commercial and corporate affairs, Montreal Canadiens, Bell Centre and Evenko, Éric Bujold, National Bank Private Banking 1859 president, and National, PwC partner Nathalie Goyette; host/presidents, MAC foundation chair François Dufresne, ball committee chair Marie-Josée Simard and museum director/chief curator John Zeppetelli; treasured committee members, KO Media director/editor Sophie Banford, MAC foundation communications maestro Anne-Marie Barnard, lawyer Elizabeth Camiré, MMFA voluntary tour guide Violette Cohen, foundation co-ordinator Naila Del Cid, National Bank exec Stéphanie Larivière; foundation assistant director Danièle Patenaude, Republik content strategy chief Jean-Philippe Shoiry, A5 Hospitality partner Nicolas Urli; and mmode chief Debbie Zakaib; as well as Mayor Valérie Plante, with Pierre-Antoine Harvey; architect and new MAC head designer Gilles Saucier; Cirque du Soleil topman Daniel Lamarre with wife, photographer Emmanuelle Duperré; and singer-songwriter/pianist Florence K with Ben Riley.

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The final tally was as striking as the night — almost $600,000 — and will go a long way in supporting the expansion of Canada’s premier institution devoted exclusively to contemporary art. 

P.K. Subban gives back to a city and hospital dear to his heart at his P.K.S.F. Playground. P.K. Subban gives back to a city and hospital dear to his heart at his P.K.S.F. Playground. Photo by Christina Esteban

PERFECT PARTY PLAYGROUND: Yes, we’re talking about hockey sensation/former Montreal Canadien P.K. Subban, who so heartwarmingly remains tied to his former home base, continuing to generously support the Children’s Hospital. For this year’s best ever P.K.S.F. Playground: Carnival Edition at Jetée Alexandra, he collaborated with Nadia Saputo of Nadia Saputo Events, raising $386,616 and attracting VIPs like Georges St-Pierre, Vanessa Grimaldi, Mitsou Gélinas, Vince Guzzo, Mitch Garber, Sartorialto’s Mark Patrick and bestie Joel Leonoff (who gave a stellar speech).  

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Honour table members Andrew D'Souza, Michele Romanov, Vincenzo Guzzo, Michael Penner, Maria Farella Guzzo, Michaela Penner, Nadine Wielgopolski, Dr. Marc Afilalo, Steve MacLean, Marie Elaine, Angelo Guzzo and Rosetta Rubino Guzzo at the All-in-White Disco Evening. Honour table members Andrew De Souza, Michele Romanov, Vincenzo Guzzo, Michael Penner, Maria Farella Guzzo, Michaela Penner, Nadine Wielgopolski, Dr. Marc Afilalo, Steve MacLean, Marie Elaine, Angelo Guzzo and Rosetta Rubino Guzzo at the All-in-White Disco Evening. Photo by ANTHONY FERLA

GUZZOS GO BIG: The Guzzo Foundation has raised millions to date for cancer research and other worthy causes via its annual Notte in Bianco benefit, and foundation tops Maria Farella Guzzoand Vince Guzzo still manage to raise the bar every year. And so it’s no surprise that this year’s 11th All-in-White Disco Evening — honouring Canadian astronaut Steven Glenwood MacLean, with legendary Gloria Gaynor performing —generated over $350,000 for the JGH, Shriners and Youth Mental Health. Also notable in Guzzo world: the recent dazzling VIP red-carpet screening of the season première of Dragons’ Den at Mega-Plex Lacordaire, hosted by the homegrown Dragon himself. 

THE MANDY’S EFFECT: Despite major success, the sisters behind the burgeoning Mandy’s salad empire — Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe — are as unaffected and down-to-earth as always, grateful for the accomplishments and the ability to give back with initiatives like their first annual “Fun”Raiser for their non-profit Welcome Collective. Founded to assist asylum seekers with basics central to integrating into Montreal life, the collective has already helped 150 families, with an eye on legions more.

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Members of the Let's Bond Urban Ball committee raise record-breaking funds. Members of the Let’s Bond Urban Ball committee raise record-breaking funds. Photo by JEFF MALO

BOND — LET’S BOND: Power to the committed young professionals behind the annual Let’s Bond Urban Ball, which lit up the fall party scene and raised a record-breaking $375,000 for the Douglas Foundation and Fondation Jeunes en Tête.

LET’S DO LAUNCH: Finally, a congrats to the economy, which is clearly in a good place, given the tsunami of e-vites to launches for fabulous new eateries and retail spaces. Some notables to keep in mind: the breathtaking new Birks flagship; European designer emporium Ofélia; Le XVI XVI (replete with robot bartender); long-awaited Miss Wong Laval; and furnishings mecca Bois & Cuir St-Denis.

Et voilà! Stay tuned for more next week, and head to diaryofasocialgal.com, where it’s all social, all the time.

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Frank S. Crawford 1026 posts 0 comments

Mother's maiden name is Wilson, Love to write about Montreal and the life I have here! Amazing city with amazing food! I love to write and so I give time to this website!

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