August 05, 2009
Publication title: Canada.com, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
Fred UnLeeshed
Much Music: The Vancouver Music Industry presented its fourth annual VMI Gala in support of Sarah McLachlan’s Music Outreach Program and other charitable organizations at the Villa Amato Ballroom. Several hundred artists and musicians including McLachlan attended the glittering red carpet occasion fronted by producer Paulette Garneau. Gala-goers rubbed shoulders with industry bigwigs between sets of live entertainment and bidding of live and silent auction items.
Local artists State Of Shock, Daniel Wesley, One More Girl, Stef Lang, Jordan Carrier and Jessica Beach performed. Having significantly contributed to the local music scene for many years, the songwriting duo of Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance were recognized with the Bruce Allen/Sam Feldman Legend Award. Technician John Vrtacic was also feted for his comprehensive work in establishing notable recording studios in the city over the past three decades. Vrtacic was the technical director of the famous Little Mountain Sound Studios and is currently the tech director of Armoury and Warehouse studios in town.
Organizers hope to exceed the $70,000 raised last year. Founded in 2005, VMI brings together members from the local music industry to support each other and to ensure the continued growth of the industry in Vancouver. Like a Virgin: Regardless if it was their first time or not, music enthusiasts made their way east to the suburb of Burnaby for Virgin Mobile’s two-day music fest. Following a successful launch in 2007 at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium, and then an unexpected year’s hiatus, it was doubtful whether Virgin Music Fest would return. It’s not easy being a musical promoter in this city, and even tougher to sustain a music festival. Just ask organizers of the Merritt Mountain, Whistler and Pemberton Music Festival.
Despite it all, the popular Virgin Mobile Music Fest did return to town with much love from Briton Richard Branson. Several thousand partied like rock stars and enjoyed plenty of music at the blowout bash held this year at Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park. Under sunny skies, 18 top musical acts including The Roots, Ben Harper, Broken Social Scene, K-OS and Our Lady Peace took to the stage. Full-on festival foreplay complete with a beer garden, vendor village and Virgin Mobile interactive displays kept the masses entertained all weekend long. A dollar from the sale of each ticket even went to Virgin Unite, the independent charitable arm of the Virgin Group.
Fireworks fete: Those not blessed with a penthouse view of the Celebration of Light fireworks but flush with cash sought higher ground to take in the pyromania and support some worthy charities. Scotiabank hosted its third annual Sparkles soiree benefitting the McLaren Housing Society, which provides and pursues affordable housing and support services for men, women, and children with HIV/AIDS. Senior vice-president, B.C. and Yukon Region, David Poole, McLaren Housing executive director Erin McNeill and chair Peter Regier hosted the exclusive fireworks fete on the 43rd floor of the Scotiabank Tower.
Sixty people took in the explosive experience in support of Canada’s first and longest-serving program for support housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. Celebrating 22 years of service, the fireworks fundraiser raised $17,000 for the non-profit society. Proceeds will support the organization’s portable subsidies program. McLaren provides homes for 150 men, women and children in 130 homes (including some families). Sadly, the waiting list is 300 strong.
Jai ho: Rest assured when millionaire John Evans, president and CEO of the Opus Hotel, puts on a party there will be no slumming it. This year marked the seventh running of his summer street party in Yaletown. Five hundred guests
Following dancing, flirting, canoodling and kibitzing in the streets, attendees cooled down with a four-course repast compliments of celebrity chef Vikram Vij and Elixir’s executive chef Don Letendre at the culinary after-party. Proceeds from the outdoor wingding will support UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign.
