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A major travelling exhibition of work by a who’s who of European masters has landed at Vancouver Art Gallery. Cézanne and the Modern: Masterpieces of European Art from the Pearlman Collection, on display until May 18, includes 50 pieces by the likes of Cézanne, Degas, Manet, Modigliani, van Gogh and Gauguin. “We are proud to be the only Canadian institution to present this exceptional collection of artworks,” VAG director Kathleen S. Bartels said during a press preview on Feb. 12. The following evening, patrons and esteemed guests gathered for an exclusive first look at the show, which features 24 important works by Cézanne, including Mont Sainte-Victoire from 1904/06; among the attendees were supporting sponsor and Mission Hill Family Estate proprietor Anthony von Mandl, Equinox Gallery owner Andy Sylvester, artist Christos Dikeakos and his wife Sophie, VAG chief curator/associate director Daina Augaitis, City of Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs, Princeton University Art Museum director James Steward, Henry and Rose Pearlman Foundation director Daniel Edelman, TD Bank Group senior vice-president Stephen Murphy, Grant Murray of Concord Pacific and Bruce Munro Wright, chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery Board of Trustees.

Cézanne and the Modern Patron Preview, Vancouver

From left, Henry and Rose Pearlman Foundation director Daniel Edelman, Princeton University Art Museum director James Steward and Vancouver Art Gallery director Kathleen S. Bartels. (Photo by Pardeep Singh)

From left, Equinox Gallery owner Andy Sylvester, artist Christos Dikeakos, VAG chief curator and associate director Daina Augaitis and Sophie Dikeakos. (Photo by Pardeep Singh)

The Vancouver International Wine Festival, one of Canada’s foremost wine events, recently marked its 37th edition. The 10-day extravaganza kicked off with The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner and Auction on Feb. 20 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; the gala has benefited the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society since 2012. Chaired this year by Jana Maclagan, wife of Blake, Cassels & Graydon managing partner Bill Maclagan, the dinner and auction raised $117,000, proceeds of which will support the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit Shakespeare festivals. The ballroom inside the Fairmont glittered for the occasion, the decor inspired by Australia’s Southern Cross constellation in honour of the event’s theme country. The Down Under focus extended to the beverages on hand: a 2012 PenfoldsShiraz, a 2013 Serafino Sharktooth Chardonnay and a Jansz Premium Cuvée, all standouts among the nine wines accompanying a five-course meal prepared by The Fairmont’s executive chef, Cameron Ballendine. Among those sipping and schmoozing at this year’s event were the chair of Bard’s board of directors, Dr. Jim Bovard, Wine Committee Chair (and wine lawyer!) Mark Hicken and committee members Lawrence Burr, Deborah Markle, Moira Munro and Judith Brennan. Later that week, the Curtain Raiser event, an intimate reception prior to the opening of the International Festival Tasting Room, a space that featured some 770 wines and winemakers from 170 wineries, was held. Spotted raising their glasses on Feb. 25 were Bard on the Beach managing director Claire Sakaki, Wine Fest executive director Harry Hertscheg, TV anchors Sonia Beeksma and Leigh Kjekstad, interior designers Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Reynolds of the firm Falken Reynolds and Australia’s High Commissioner to Canada, Tony Negus.

Bacchanalia Gala, Vancouver

Gala chair Jana Maclagan with husband Bill Maclagan. (Photo by Ron Sombilon)

Curtain Raiser reception, Vancouver

From left, Global BC anchors Sonia Beeksma and Leigh Kjekstad. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick)

From left, interior designers Kelly Reynolds and Chad Falkenberg. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick)