A devilishly good time at Centaur Theatre’s 15th annual Fundraising Gala!
November 5th, 2019 –
On November 5th, Centaur Theatre’s Artistic and Executive Director Eda Holmes and the Theatre’s Board of Directors, Chaired by Michael Baratta, hosted Party in Paradise, Centaur Theatre’s 2019 Gala. Those in attendance were regaled with a glorious night including a spirited auction guided by CJAD’s Aaron Rand; sold-out Treasure Chest prizes, this year’s game of chance inspired by the tree of knowledge and its tempting fruit, hosted by CTV’s Lori Graham; a fabulous silent auction that wrapped around the gallery; an outstanding cocktail dînatoire on the Centaur stage; and immersive entertainment taking place throughout the theatre, with live violin music, sinful songs, a smoking Adam & Eve tango performance, and a mirror-ball Dance Hall. The enchanting party raised $160,000 by the time all the angels went home.
“We are honoured to have tempted you here to join us tonight in our theatrical paradise. You see, temptation isn’t always a bad thing…The proceeds from this heavenly event help us put great stories well told on stage year after year in the heart of Montreal. Your generosity means so much.”
-Eda Holmes, Artistic and executive director, centaur theatre
The brisk night air disappeared as people made their way up the grand theatre steps. Inside, a lush wall of tropical cut-outs of gorgeous flowers and humongous green leaves (recyclable!) played host to red birds and butterflies. Overhead were floating puffy clouds. Decorator extraordinaire Roberto Menegati proved once again his imagination is unstoppable. Winding vines, fresh flowers, lifelike parrots, flamingoes, and blue velvet completed the look throughout the main floor, as white papery butterflies led the way up the stairs, ending in a divine passage to the main theatre party space. Guests eagerly signed up for ‘Temptation’, a semi-private sitting with the Prince of Darkness, brilliantly performed by Nadia Verruci, and were led down to the bowels of the theatre to Satan’s Speakeasy, where soulful singing and Red Devil cocktails were flowing.
In the beautifully decorated gallery, guests bid on 50 outstanding silent auctions packages. Items ranged in value from $85-$4,400 and included imaginative names like: Wine Me Up & Watch Me Go; The Shaw Must Go On; Saveur the Moment; and You’ll Be Shoe-ing Them Away. Special lots included piano lessons from Gregory Charles, party catering from Schwartz’ Deli, and a whisky tasting in Burgundy Lion’s Scotch room.
True to its name, Party in Paradise, featured themed areas Heaven, the Garden of Eden, and the Underworld; tying in to Centaur’s anticipated show of the season—an edgy and modern retelling of Paradise Lost. Gala attendees came together having taken a bite of the apple that is Montreal’s award-winning English-language theatre, opening their hearts and wallets to show their support. Speaking beneath a gorgeous painted backdrop of immense, celestial white wings, Holmes thanked everyone, “We are honoured to have tempted you here to join us tonight in our theatrical paradise. You see, temptation isn’t always a bad thing…” adding, “The proceeds from this heavenly event help us put great stories well told on stage year after year in the heart of Montreal. Your generosity means so much.”
The large stage was beautifully set with delicious fare on offer from the chefs of LìOLà, including tender Quebec lamb chops, lobster ravioli with cream and saffron sauce, quinoa gnocchi with pesto sauce, and huge enticing meatballs, all paired with hand-picked wine from the SAQ. After dinner, Gala attendees were jovially cajoled by CJAD’s quick-witted Aaron Rand as the evening’s engaging live auctioneer. Notable big-ticket items were a 10-night British Isles Cruise for two with Cruise & Maritime Voyages; a 5-nights ocean-view stay at The Crane Resort, Barbados, with a flight voucher to anywhere in the world courtesy of Air Canada; a 30-minute flight simulation alongside a pilot from CAE; a Montreal-to-Vancouver luxury train ride from VIA Rail; and dinner and opera entertainment in your home with the swoon-worthy chef-tenor Davide Bazzali, who shared a sneak-peek of his vocal skills.
Over the course of the night, guests explored the beautiful, Old Montreal heritage building, capping off the evening with last-minute silent auction bids and decadent desserts from Brasserie 701. Every lucky devil went home with a bounty of offerings including two Centaur Theatre tickets, gift cards for Burgundy Lion’s new hip venture Wolf & Workman, gourmet Italian restaurant LìOLà, and Vieux-Port Steakhouse’s famously decadent buffet brunch; KIND snack bars; and rides on La Grande Roue de Montréal, Old Port’s observation wheel. Centaur’s Party in Paradise counted many esteemed guests in attendance, including Anne-Marie Jean, CEO, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec; and the two honourees of the evening, both long-serving former Chairman of the Board of Centaur Theatre, Hartland J. A. Paterson and Fergus V. Keyes. Also taking in the garden of delights were patrons and partners representing Air Canada, the Rossy Foundation, Groupe Canvar, and TD Securities. The indefatigable Anna Giampà was the Chair of the Gala Committee. People left Centaur’s inspired utopia-for-a-night eager for the rest of the theatrical season
CTV’s Lori Graham trims a little temptation off the tree for eager guests hoping for a win.
Theodora Samiotis sees what fate has in store for her… 
It’s a winner! 
Virginia Chen and Ly Kheng say yes to temptation when it’s for a good cause. 
Guests place their final bids at the silent auction while cocktails and canapés circulate in the Garden of Earthly Delights 
From left to right: Peter (Pierre) Varadi of Groupe Canvar, Meryl Elman, Monica and Magdi Mekhael, Susan Teicher Varadi, and Dr. Sheldon Elman of Medisys.
Patrons Cookie Rossy and Susan Dizgun
Martin Landry, VIA Rail’s Chief Commercial Officer stops for a sip and a snap in front of the colourful décor with Claudia Subiabre, Debra Rasinger and Edward Murphy.
Gala Committee from left to right: Elisa Desoer, Toni Bessner, Roberto Menegati, Eda Holmes, Anna Giampà, Susan Da Sie, Haleema Mini, Vincent Prager, Charlene Todaschuk and Silvia Galeone 
Attendees welcomed onto the storied Centaur stage for gourmet heaven under a pair of celestial wings painted by scenic painter and muralist, Daniel Barkley.
Guests enjoy a gourmet heaven including Quebec lamb chops with rapini. 
Gala Chair Anna Giampà with husband and Catering Sponsor Matteo Fiorilli of LiOLà, Mario Antinori of BMO Nesbitt Burns, with wife Fabiola Barone, Vice-President, Strategy Food Canada.
For those who love to move, the Heavenly Dance Hall featured irresistible beats by DJ Ian Cameron, a giant glittering disco ball, smoke machine, and even healthy snacks from KIND. 
Eda Holmes and Michael Baratta honour Hartland Paterson and Fergus V. Keyes for their passion, support and guidance during their time serving on Centaur’s Board of Directors.
CJAD’s Aaron Rand auctions off the talents of chef-tenor extraordinaire, Davide Bazzali.
Leesa Steinberg makes the winning bid for a cross-Canada trip on VIA Rail.
Thao Phan and husband, Jim Haiman of KPMG strike a pose under an archway of paper butterflies.
Dancers Allyson Manta and Laurier Chabot interpret the temptation of Adam and Eve following a monolgue by the Prince of Darkness voiced by Nadia Verucci. 
Honoree Fergus Keyes and wife Peggie Hopkins backstage heading to Satan’s Speakeasy below. 
Normand Hamel is master of his domaine in Satan’s Speakeasy – a secret pitsop below the Centaur stage where live music my Vienna D’Amato Hall and Red Devil cocktails flowed free. 
Marie-Chantal Savard and Eric Lauzon of Air Canada enjoy the Satan’s Speakeasy, hosted by Centaur’s Head of Props Rick Brown and Normand Hamel.
Centaur’s original theatre space (C1) transformed into a glittering dance hall for one night only.
PARTY IN PARADISE
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Anna Giampà
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Michael Baratta**
Toni Bessner
Elisa Desoer
Susan Da Sie*
Silvia Galeone*
Belle Grivakis
Eda Holmes
Rose Mary Maida
Hugh W. McAdams
Roberto Menegati
Beth Noel
Vincent Prager
Nayan Saha
Charlene Todaschuk
Robert A. Walsh
AUCTIONEER
Aaron Rand, CJAD
TREASURE CHEST
Lori Graham, CTV
Samantha Bitonti
Richard Young
AMBASSADORS
Dr. Anthony G. Czaharyn*
Paola Farnesi*
Fergus V. Keyes*
Martin R Landry*
Richard Pan*
Hartland J.A. Paterson*
Caitlin Rose*
Robert M. Yalden*
* Board Member, Centaur Theatre Company
** Chairman, Centaur Theatre Company
PATRONS
Air Canada
Anna Giampà & Matteo Fiorilli
Cummings & Gold Families
Fednav Limited
Groupe Canvar
Power Corporation of Canada
Reitmans (Canada) Limited
The Rossy Foundation
Systra Canada
MAJOR IN-KIND DONORS & IN-KIND SPONSORS
Air Canada
Antonopoulos Group
CMV Cruise & Maritime Voyages
EPIK
Menegati Design
KIND
La Grande Roue de Montréal
LiOLà
Pinkerton Flowers
SAQ
SupremeX
The Crane Resort
VIA Rail Canada
Wolf & Workman
© Photo credits : Andrée Lanthier and Antoine Saito