Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize ceremony, Toronto
On Oct. 14, some 200 book enthusiasts from the art, business and philanthropic communities convened in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Weston Family Learning Centre for the handing out of this year’s Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Non-fiction. The award’s namesake, a former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented the $60,000 grand prize to Naomi Klein for This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate. Klein and the other finalists – Susan Delacourt, Paula Todd, Charles Montgomery and Kathleen Winter – had been selected by a jury comprised of 2011 prize winner Charles Foran, writers Priscila Uppal and Merrily Weisbord, director Deepa Mehta and newsman Peter Mansbridge.
The AGO space, designed for encouraging youngsters interested in unleashing their inner Michelangelos (Michelangelo: Quest for Genius is now on at the AGO, by the way), was transformed for the occasion, its new look meant to evoke the great salons of the past, such as Gertrude Stein’s. Among the features introduced were audio art installations by Mani Mazinani, music from The Lemon Bucket Orkestra and performances by a group of actors who brought each of the nominated works to life (there was even some voguing). Spotted among the attendees were current Ontario LG Elizabeth Dowdeswell, a gaggle of Westons (including Galens Sr. and Jr.), Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Barrett, House of Anansi chairman Scott Griffin and noted biographer Conrad Black.
Prizewinner Naomi Klein and Writers’ Trust executive director Mary Osborne. Photos by Tom Sandler
W. Galen Weston and Hilary M. Weston flank, from left, prize jurors Merrily Weisbord and Deepa Mehta.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Barrett.
House of Anansi chairman Scott Griffin and publisher Sarah MacLachlan.
Ceremony emcee Shelagh Rogers and juror Peter Mansbridge.
From left, Mike Kernish, Shelley Ambrose, Conrad Black and Jacques Shore.
Velvet Haney book party, Toronto
That same evening, a party to celebrate The Mousehouse Years, an illustrated tell-all by model-cum-social-fixture Velvet Haney, was held at the eatery Noce in Toronto’s Trinity-Bellwoods area. The setting was a fitting one, as the neighbourhood was where Haney spent her early years, a tempestuous time that is chronicled in her book. Family members, friends from Haney’s days on the runway and pals from her vibrant social life were on hand to toast the new author’s venture. They included proud husband John Haney, Joey Schooley, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Gottlieb, Alan Hanlon and Andy Body, Renee Welling, Robin Turack, Salah Bashir and Kirk Pickersgill.
Alan Hanlon and Andy Body. Photos by George Pimentel
Rob Guenette and Jack Denneboom.
John Haney and Velvet Haney.
Cynthia Kinch and Maggie Bras.
Alex Haney, Salah Bachir and Catherine Nugent.
Paris Opera Ballet benefit, Montreal
After a 47-year hiatus, the Paris Opera Ballet, which had not graced a Montreal stage since Expo 67, returned to the city last month with a resuscitated version of Paquita, the ballet created in 1846 by Joseph Mazilier and reworked in 2001 by choreographer Pierre Lacotte. On the evening of Oct. 16, the ballet’s opening night, an intimate preperformance cocktail benefit was held at the city’s Place des Arts. Philippe Zeller, France’s ambassador to Canada, Brigitte Lefèvre, recently departed director of dance at the Paris Opera, Jean-Noël Rault, vice president of Air France, and Gradimir Pankov, artistic director of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, sipped Moet & Chandon with patrons and distinguished guests to mark the occasion. The last performance took place on Oct. 19.
French ambassador Philippe Zeller addresses guests. Photos by Karine Kalfon
From left, Constance V. Pathy, president of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Christine St-Pierre, Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie.
From left, Gradimir Pankov, artistic director of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Alain Dancyger, executive director of Les Grands Ballets.
From left, Brigitte Lefèvre of the Paris Opera Ballet with National Ballet of Canada artistic director Karen Kain and guest.