New nightclub to sound upscale note

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This article was published 09/11/2011 (5353 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW KIND OF OPERA! — Buckets of white paint are transforming the old bank at Main Street and Bannatyne Avenue into yet another nightclub. This time it’s going upscale and will be called Opera. Jack Moslehi, owner of the Republic nightclub, says his new project is slated to open Fridays only, starting the end of this month, with DJ Immaculate and a mix of ’80s, ’90s and current music. “We’re looking at attracting the 25-plus crowd.”

The interior of the old Imperial Bank of Canada building will really get a facelift. “The last 15 years this club’s never been changed, but the whole space has been whitewashed now, there’s a special new champagne and wine list bar, plus three other bars and nice booths so you can go and chill.”

And customers can check their coats in the vintage bank vault in the basement. The place will be open Sunday nights down the road. “Nobody’s ever touched a Sunday properly in this city,” says Moslehi, who says his motto will be: “Think Sunday, think Opera.”

 

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SWEET TALK — Talk about grown women high on sugar! Chicks ‘n Chocolates, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra outreach fundraiser, filled the Centennial Concert Hall with fashion, chocolate and women’s exhibits. Yours truly caught up with three glittering BFFs at the main-floor Statue of Liberty by the banquet tables heaped with assorted sweets. “This is a fabulous event,” said Julie Sarpino, “with all the exhibits and a New York theme.” Daria Zenchuk added: “I love the smooth, relaxed feel, kind of “jazz clubbish,” gesturing at Steve Kirby and his jazz peeps putting out cool jazz. Chocolate was a smaller part of the game than chocoholics expected from the event name, with many varied exhibits appealing to women. In fact, hundreds of figure-conscious Winnipeg women were hanging over the balconies watching alternating dance groups and fashion shows.

Spotted were lawyer Brenlee Carrington-Trepel, WSO music director Alexander Mickelthwate and his wife, Abigail, Mayor Sam Katz’s wife, Lea Pasuta Katz, WSO president and board chairwoman Dorothy Dobbie and Maestro’s Circle members Patricia Chaychuk, Barb Filuk and Lucienne Blouw.

 

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TIGHT HALL-OF-FAMERS — On Saturday night, a host of Winnipeg’s fittest men and women — many of the greatest athletes of this town — and their family and friends filled the Victoria Inn. They were attending the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner 2011. Some people drift away from their old teammates, but some groups have stayed tight, like the 1975-76 University of Manitoba Bisons basketball team that won the Canadian championship 35 years ago. Ever since that big win, they’ve held their own reunion every five years.

Notices go out to coach Don Hunter, assistant coach Dave Guss and players Randy Kusano, Greg Daniels, Rick Watts, Martin Riley, Kevin Kelleher, Brian Rumsey, Doug Freeth, Daryl Rumsey, Grant Watson, Ray McKall and support staff Russ Horbal, Ross Zilkey and Doug Slobodian. Hall of Fame dinner organizers showed a clip of this amazing team playing in their ’70s long hair and moustaches looking young, handsome and fit, scoring basket after basket.

Spotted at the dinner and festivities were: former Blue Bombers such as Kenny Ploen, Trevor Kennerd and Joe Poplawski, and lifetime sports supporter Paul Robson. Also on the scene were Jerry Maslowsky, vice-president of marketing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Morris Glimcher, executive director of the Manitoba High School Athletic Association.

 

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