Party vibes were in the air as a thousand of the city’s leading artists, collectors, patrons, philanthropists, business elite and cultural devotees headed to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’(MMFA) for the much-anticipated sixties and seventies high glam themed 63rd Annual Ball inspired by the current exhibit by visionary artist Marisol: A Retrospective.
Expertly chaired by Charles Emond, president/CEO of the CDPQ and France Margaret Bélanger, president, Sports and Entertainment of Club de hockey Canadiens, the evening was awash in magic including a beautiful cocktail reception (during which guests were also able to explore the exhibit, making its world premiere at the museum); an epicurean experience curated by the Château Frontenac’s gifted chef Gabriel Molleur-Langevin, executed by the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth’s dream team under the ever-perfect direction of Armando Arruda, executive chef Jean-Mark Léon and chef/caterer Pablo Gonzalez; a gallery party backdrop brought to life by art directors Valentine Hinfray and Alexandre Briand-Soucy, artists Cyndie Belhumeur, Nicolas Grenier, MissMe and architecture and urban design firm NÓS; and the next-level After Party activated by musical talents Charles Cozy, Dr. MaD and Royal 5 and the Generation who had guests dancing well into the night including a new set of young adult patrons who arrived at 9 p.m.
To say that one of the hottest tickets on the social circuit – presented by Banque Scotia – made impact was an understatement. VIP guests were thrilled, counting among their influential ranks: Geoff Molson, owner, president and CEO, Club de hockey Canadien, the Bell Centre and Evenko; accompanied by legendary Montreal Canadien Yvan Cornoyer; Quebec premier François Legault attending with wife Isabelle Brais; minister of economy innovation and energy Pierre Fitzgibbon; artists Pierre Lapointe and designing duo Fecal Matter (who recently opened for none other than Madonna!!!!); homegrown super athlete Laurent Duvernay-Tardif with fiancee, art curator extraordinaire Florence -Agathe Dubé-Moreau and MANY more.
As for the funds, there was a lot of fun there too as a beyond impressive $2 million plus was raised thanks to leaingd sponsors like CN, Dunton Rainville, Broccolini and Perrier; funds vital to the ongoing operation and expansion of the museum’s programming, collections, and educational and art therapy programs.
For more, see our EXCLUSIVE SPREAD in the Montreal Gazette with a slew of stunning exclusive photos and enjoy our photos below courtesy of the MMFA FOUNDATION and in-house photographer VASII VROULIS and the social media team (presented in random order):
