Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Month: February 2010

Cat Barr on Global TV with Sophie Lui

I had so much fun with Sophie Lui on Global TV last Saturday (Feb 20, 2010).

With all the Olympic celeb and parties in town, we got a chance to talk live on the air from Robson Square about all the excitement around town.

I even got a chance to show off a few pictures too of celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Sir Richard Branson, gold medal athletes Shawn Johnson and Kristi Yamaguchi and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco.

Here’s hoping we’ll be able to do it again!!!

Big thanks Sophie, you are a blast!

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February 23, 2010
Olympic Ice Dancing Fashions and Faux Pas

There’s no throws, triple flips, double axels or, for that matter, falling down on your butt – but, when it comes to Olympic ice dancing there is still plenty of drama, especially in the fashion department.

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WEIRDEST OUTFITS EVER

Russian bronze medal winners Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin may have skated to a third place win on the podium, but their outfits were so distracting that it was hard to focus on their dance instead of their duds. Based on the film “The Double Life of Veronique”, these costumes are clearly a case of schizophrenic kleenex meets Jack the Ripper. And really Oksana, could there be a worse place to put a picture of a face? From far away it just looks obscene.

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WORST DRESSED

Yes, they’ve done it again folks. Russia’s Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin based their original dance program on an Australian aboriginal theme, much to the dismay of the aboriginals. Maxim’s outfit was much more “tanned” in colour before being ordered to “tone it down” for Olympic reasons. My advice – get a new costume designer, quickly – your skating is too good for these kind of gimmicks.

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MOST FUN WITHOUT SEQUINS

Howdy partner! British figure skating team Sinead and John Kerr went for a country and western-style routine that actually had some sparkle without having the sparkle, if you know what I mean. Still, if you think that Brits are all tea and crumpets, these outfits will surely change your mind. And yes, I think that’s an actual belly button you see and not that weird flesh-coloured figure skating fabric.

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MOST FLAMBOYANT

She was as flashy as her costume and he was equally commanding in his black flame suit. Russia’s Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski didn’t skate a perfect program but their outfits helped them steal the show. Part bird, part circus performer, Jana literally flew around his head, twisting and twirling as much as the purple, yellow and red swirls of chiffon flying out behind her. Wonder if I could borrow that for the next red carpet?

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BEST THEMED COSTUME

You just have to love Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White. These silver medallists are a class act all the way from their performances on the ice, to their off ice friendship with Canadians Moir and Virtue, to their fabulous themed costumes. Borrowing on themes of a sari for their original dance, Meryl’s outfit was stunning in every way and didn’t look contrived in any way. Stunning and exciting!

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BEST OVERALL

Yes, all of Canada is in love with them now and forever, and I admit that here I am biased. But how can you not love Canada’s gold medal winners Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir in this Spanish inspired black, red and white combo. Elegant, simple yet fiery enough to boost their original dance into first place. I half expected Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas as Zorro to appear. One last thought Tessa, please stay a brunette. It completes you!

– Catherine Barr – Feb 22, 2010 –

February 23, 2010
Olympic Parties Week 2

The Olympic parties continue with even more famous faces coming out to play.

01 – Mogul skier Jenn Heil, seen here at a Birks reception party, gets Canada on the map first with a silver medal up at West Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain.

02 – Supermodel Cindy Crawford, seen here with Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, left, and BC Premier Gordon Campbell, plays to the crowd at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver reception.

03 – First gold medal on Canadian soil nets mogul skier Alex Bilodeau a big gold covered maple leaf trophy from medal metals resource company Teck. The private reception included VIP gold medal guest athletes Simon Whitfield and Nancy Greene.

04 – One of Adam Moffat’s main jobs is to make sure all medal winners get their Molson Canadian “champagne” magnum full of the super suds. Fun!

05 – North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton is among the lucky guests who get to hold a gold medal at the VIP Teck medal reception. Teck supplies all the gold, silver and bronze for the Olympic medals.

06 – The North Shore’s own Pino Posteraro, chef of Yaletown’s Cioppino’s, cooks up a storm for a very exclusive private dinner with Virgin Group billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

07 – West Vancouver and Washington Marine Group’s own Kyle Washington and wife Janelle dine with both Sir Richard Branson and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco at a private dinner at Cioppino’s.

08 – Mike Twining, left, and Chris Hall are hitting gold with the opening of their new Sin Bin location right next to the athletes village where they get to serve Olympic athletes, coaches and actresses like Sandra Oh.

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– By Catherine Barr, Feb 21, 2010

– As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on Feb 25, 2010

February 22, 2010
In Memory of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili

I was brimming with pride, watching the Olympic torch live on TV as it made its way through the streets of Vancouver when it happened.

Breaking News – Olympic Luger Killed in Training Run

My joy quickly turned to sorrow. Then the pictures came. Stunning – shocking – devastating.

How could a day filled with such elation turn so quickly into a day of mourning?

Now, with a city on the brink of the biggest celebration in its history, a black cloud has cast an overwhelming and undeniable shadow over all the excitement.

And as Olympic officials hold press conferences and scramble to adjust an Opening Ceremony that is mere hours away, everyone waits – conflicted in their feelings and lost in the ability to handle the range of emotions.

My thoughts will be with the friends and family of Nodar Kumaritashvili for the rest of this day, but in honour of his memory I have decided to cheer even louder and even stronger at tonight’s Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Please pass the word, cheer loud and strong, and let all of tonight’s athletes know we salute them in their pursuit of Olympic dreams.

Of the many Olympic moments to come, I believe this could be our finest hour.

– Catherine Barr

RIP – Nodar Kumaritashvili – Feb 12, 2010

February 12, 2010
Olympic Athletes Reunion Reception Vancouver 2010

Five time Olympian Charmaine Crooks was the perfect host last night at a special Olympic Athletes reunion event in Vancouver’s Chinatown district. It was a royal reception to be sure with names like HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and King Constantine II of Greece who attended along with his wife, Queen Anne Marie of Denmark. Pomp and ceremony aside, the evening also included appearances by former US Olympic gold medal skater Kristi Yamaguchi and teamate Paul Wylie as well as US gold medal Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. Both Yamaguchi and Johnson are also champion Dancing With The Stars competitors which added an unusual but fun twist to the reunion themed evening.

01 – Former MuchMusic VJ turned socialite Monika Deol is a stunning and beautiful MC for the royal event.

02 – U.S. Gold medal skater Kristi Yamaguchi and fellow Olympic teammate Paul Wylie are among the VIPs at the athletes’ reception.

03 – She is perfect on the balance beam and the ballroom floor. America’s sweetheart gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion Shawn Johnson attends the athletes’ reception with her dad Doug.

04 – Olympic silver medalist from 1972, Karen Magnussen, left, and 1976 Olympic gold medal skier Kathy Kreiner are the epitome of what Olympic spirit means at the athletes’ reception.

05 – King Constantine II of Greece and his wife, Queen Anne Marie of Denmark, are a wonderfully friendly and gracious couple meeting all the athletes with a smile.

06 – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Canadian Olympic silver medalist (and West Vancouver gal) Charmaine Crooks are both five-time Olympians. Charmaine was also the host for the night.

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By Catherine Barr

Feb 10, 2010

February 11, 2010
Vancouver Winter Olympics Week 1

The Winter Olympics are supposed to be all about the games, but they’re about all the fun too. As the torch runs through the community, and the international houses open their doors, it’s easy to get caught up in the Olympic spirit. From cocktails in the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge to the opening of Irish House, here’s just a quick look at some of the ways to play around town.

01 – Serving up cocktails in glasses made of ice are Monk McQueens Ice Lounge bartenders Jill VanGyn, left, Sarah Lumsden and Matt Rota

02 – Ice sculptures, like this Inukshuk, decorate the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge as PR man Steve Bickerdike attends to guests.

03 – North Van Penthouse Nightclub owner Danny Filippone, left, hooks up with Granville Entertainment Group CFO, and West Vancouverite Ron Orr, on the opening night of Irish House, which just happens to sit on the Doolin’s property off Granville.

04 – West Van realtor Gus Batal, left, server Veronica Martinez and guest Steve Christensen get their Olympic spirit up on the opening night of Irish House

05 – Lugaro Jewellers’ Sassan Pourfar carries the torch all the way into Park Royal for a special celebration dinner and toast to Omega.

06 – Opus Hotel owner John Evans, left, and actor Ryan Robbins walk the red carpet at the Opus Podium Party.

07 – CityTV host Riaz Meghji and girlfriend Kelly Konno give up the glam at the Opus Podium Party.

08 – Three cheers for the Angel Restoration crew at the opening of Irish House. From left: Brandon McLeod, Sonia McLeod and David McLeod.

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By Catherine Barr

February 10, 2010
Celebrity Torch Bearers in Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

VANCOUVER, Feb. 8 /CNW/ – John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced additional well-known torchbearers who will join other notable individuals and every-day Canadians to carry the Olympic Flame throughout the final days of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

The 106-day torch relay – the longest domestic relay in Olympic history – is presented by Coca-Cola and RBC, and supported by the Government of Canada and has been an incredible journey across the country. More information on the relay is available at www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay.

Day 104 – 10-Feb-10:
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JULIE PAYETTE, Canadian astronaut
Torchbearer 112 at 18h07
Running in North Vancouver

Day 105 – 11-Feb-10:
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JANN ARDEN, award winning singer/songwriter
Torchbearer 174 at 15h17
Running at BC Children’s Hospital

RICHARD BRODEUR, professional hockey player – Vancouver Canucks Alumni
Torchbearer 244 at 19h04
Running in Vancouver

MICHEAL BUBLE, award-winning singer/songwriter
Torchbearer 261 at 19h53
Running in Vancouver

Day 106 – 12-Feb-10:
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ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, actor, Governor, State of California
Torchbearer 018 at 07h03
Running in Stanley Park

SEB COE, Olympian, Chair London 2012 Organizing Committee
Torchbearer 019 at 07h08
Running in Stanley Park

ROLLY FOX, father of Canadian cancer hero Terry Fox
Torchbearer 034 at 08h00
Running near English Bay

WALTER GRETZKY, father of Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky
Torchbearer 041 at 08h20
Running in Vancouver

DMITRY CHERNYSHENKO, President, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee
Torchbearer 044 at 08h34
Running in Vancouver

GARETH REES, professional rugby player
Torchbearer 105 at 11h51
Running in Vancouver

STAN SMYL, professional hockey player, Vancouver Canucks alumni
Torchbearer 106 at 11h53
Running in Vancouver

BOB LENARDUZZI, professional soccer player, Vancouver Whitecaps alumni
Torchbearer 117 at 12:23
Running in Vancouver

LUIS PASSAGLIA, professional football player, BC Lions alumni
Torchbearer 118 at 12h26
Running in Vancouver

February 8, 2010
USA Gold Medal Snowboarder Shaun White on Letterman

Vancouver’s Olympic snow woes continue, and now they’ve hit the big time.

Tuesday night, USA Gold Medal snowboarder Shaun White appeared on David Letterman. The interview concluded with the two men laughing about rumours that Vancouver doesn’t have enough snow up at the Cypress mountain half pipe venue and joking about snow being flown in by helicopter and the run being built out of hay.

Little do they know, they speak the truth.

February 3, 2010
BACIO Cancer Fundraiser at Mangia e Bevi

All month long, West Vancouver’s Mangia e Bevi restaurant has been raising money for oncology research through their third annual “Festa Invernale”. Called B.A.C.I.O (Because a Cure is Obtainable), it is a cause close to the hearts of owners Doug Grisdale, Rob Parrott and Antonio Sauro, all of whom have had family members affected by this cancer. Last Sunday, the final celebration dinner took place featuring surprise musical guests Adam Woodall and Canadian country music star Jessie Farrell. A surprise cheque for $27,000 helped the group raise a total of $50,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital and Lions Gate Hospital Oncology Clinic.

01 – Chef Rob Parrott has cooked up a storm all month long to raise money for his daughter Julia and her fight against cancer.

02 – Canadian Country Music Award winner Jessie Farrell and her band mates, Jesse Tucker, left, and Jesse Godin, were happy to donate the gift of music to this good cause.

03 – Restaurateur Antonio Sauro, left, welcomes guests Karen and John MacPhail to the fundraising dinner.

04 – Checking out the live music and more are guests Beth Thompson and Rex Panther.

05 – I’m a big fan of local musician Adam Woodall who gladly donated his time to help out this night.

06 – Tina and Carey Mobius cuddle up during the cocktail reception.

07 – Owner Doug Grisdale chats with Macquarie Group of Companies VP Ross Henderson and wife Elaine and thanks them for all their help in putting on this final event.

By Catherine Barr – Jan 31, 2010

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Publishing in print by the North Shore Outlook on Feb 4, 2010

February 2, 2010