Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction Raises ~$120,000 For Bard On The Beach
The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, the sparkling centrepiece of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, took place Tuesday, May 17, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Live and silent auctions raised $100,328, while the sold-out raffle for two Delta One International Business Class tickets, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $20,000, bringing the evening’s total to just over $120,000. Net proceeds of this annual fundraiser benefit charitable partner Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.
“This year’s Gala was superb and all of us at Bard say a huge thank you to the organizing team and to everyone who attended,” says Bard on the Beach Artistic Director Christopher Gaze. “Our Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s elegant Pacific Ballroom was stunning, and our MC Chris Gailus of Global BC ensured the night was great fun. Guests were dazzled by the extraordinary wines and menu and once the Delta raffle prize was awarded, the dance floor was packed! The funds the Gala raised will give our unique Education programs even more impact and this generous support will help us teach and inspire thousands of young people across British Columbia. We are deeply grateful.”
The evening began with a sparkling wine reception, with roving volunteers assisting guests to bid on a fantastic range of wines and exciting experiences in the online Silent Auction. Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wines perfectly paired with five courses created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, David Baarschers, topped by a stunning sunset of a dessert, Flavours of Chocolate. DJ Barron S and saxophonist Karla Sax of Girl on Wax soon had guests on the dance floor as the evening came to a close.
Throughout dinner, guests were able to place their bids using their mobile phones on silent auction lots of unique and rare wines and wine experiences, while Master of Ceremonies Chris Gailus of Global BC kept the evening flowing. During the dinner, Howard E. Blank hosted the exciting Live Auction, which featured once-in-a-lifetime wine lots and spectacular packages.
“Private Banking 1859 is so proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction for the second year,” says Haleh Alexander, Regional Vice President, British Columbia, of National Bank Private Banking 1859. “This wonderful event, which supports Bard on the Beach’s mission to educate youth in the world of arts and culture aligns so well with our values. We were so thrilled to be part of this special evening at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.”
The sold-out raffle for two Delta One International Business Class tickets, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $20,000. Net proceeds from the 2022 festival, contributed to Bard on the Beach, will be announced at VIWF’s fiscal year-end and in conjunction with the opening of the Bard on the Beach season in June. The 2023 Bacchanalia Gala is scheduled for April, 2023.
Bacchanalia Gala Dinner Wines:
seven stars by Township 7 Sirius 2015, Fraser Valley, BC, Canada
McWatters Collection Brut 2017, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Frind Estate Winery Baronesse 2021, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Phantom Creek Estates Pinot Gris 2018, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Ex Nihilo Vineyards Pinot Noir 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Rodney Strong Wine Estates Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017, Sonoma County, California, USA
Savian Vini Bainsizza IGT 2011, Veneto, Italy
Colletto Bergamasca Rosso IGP Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2014, Tuscany, Italy
Aquilini Wines 10,000 Hours Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Red Mountain, Washington, USA
One Faith Vineyards & Winery Grand Vin 2015, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Tommasi Family Estates Il Sestante Amarone della Valpolicella 2017, Veneto, Italy
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets are still available for select events during Festival week.
Online: VanWineFest.ca 24/7
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
All ticket prices include wine, food (if a food event), gratuities, taxes and service charge.
Stay in Touch
For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca.
Twitter: Follow @VanWineFest for announcements, including e-news, festival updates & media releases. Join the conversation at #VIWF.
Facebook / Instagram: @VanWineFest
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vancouver-playhouse-international-wine-festival
ABOUT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Canada’s premier wine show marks its 43rd edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from May 16-22, 2022. The festival is showcasing 100 wineries from 13 countries, featured in 27 events over seven days. The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, is the main fundraising event of the festival and took place on Tuesday, May 17 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Trade Days takes place Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20. The festival has been named the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash for seven years running and was named the Best International Wine Festival – North America by LUX Life Magazine. The festival is produced by the Vancouver International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society. Since inception in 1979, the festival has raised nearly $9.8 million for the performing arts. Major sponsors are Delta Air Lines and The Vancouver Sun; major industry partners are the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BC Liquor Stores, and the Import Vintners & Spirits Association. The Vancouver International Wine Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
ABOUT BARD ON THE BEACH
Bard on the Beach is Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festival. Presented in Vancouver’s Sen?ákw/Vanier Park against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, sea and sky, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas and special events in two modern performance tents from June through September, with an average attendance of 100,000. The Festival is known for its signature blend of high-quality artistic programming and a welcoming, informal experience for local residents and visitors from around the world. The Festival’s 33rd Season, from June 8 to September 24, 2022, includes productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears, and Romeo and Juliet. Bard Education offers year-round opportunities to play and explore Shakespeare, through programs for youth, emerging theatre artists, and our general community.
