Plug-In marks 40 years in style

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2012 (4932 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Plug-In Institute of Contemporary Art celebrated its 40th anniversary in high style at the Delta Saturday night — a red-and-white-themed bash with wild music and two hours of fresh hors d’oeuvres supplied by chi-chi Winnipeg restaurants, in booths like a carnival. Yours truly spotted Bistro 7 1/4 owner Danielle Svenne with manager Janine Meijer feeding an enthusiastic lineup an unusual Manitoba form of sushi.

Then everyone sat down for a full pickerel dinner! During dinner, the crowd watched a short clip from Noam Gonick‘s work-in-progress documentary that included oddball-erotic works in the My Winnipeg exhibit in Paris. Outside the room a small silent auction took place with larger items asking minimum bids of up to $4,000.

Spotted: Plug-In’s executive director Anthony Kiendl chatting with event designer Emma Singh. Artist Tamara Rae Biebrich arrived in a divine strapless number and sat down to dinner with designer Mike Carroll. The West End Cultural Centre’s Jason Hooper exclaimed delight over the paired wines! Also spotted having a fine time — artists Simon Hughes, Michael Dumontier, Bev Pike and Aganetha Dyck, photographer Lisa Stinner, designer Marcelle Lussier, plus curators Mary Reid and Kegan McFadden and architect Neil Minuk.

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PHILIP LEE SINGS PAUL McCARTNEY

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra gala Monday night packed the Winnipeg Convention Centre, celebrating its 64th birthday with Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee singing the line, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” to the delighted applause of more than 500 gala-goers. It was a sparkling night, with the WSO members playing to get people in the mood, and hot-pink and blue balloons containing draw numbers for a trip for two. A giant silent auction at the entrance entertained happy-hour arrivals.

WSO director Alexander Mickelthwate‘s lively fashion-designer wife Abigail wore a stunning red-and-white dress, which shone in a room full of black cocktail dresses. Spotted over munchies — MC Laurie Mustard teasing CJOB gardening guru Dorothy Dobbie over the recent caller who wanted to know how to deal with her young male relative’s 40 “tomato” plants. Yours truly espied early silent auction bidders Karn and Joe Sandy, WSO director of marketing Lisa Abram, Princess Auto’s Mark Breslauer, lawyer Brenlee Carrington Trepel and jeweller Brent Trepel, Best Sleep Centre’s David Keane, and philanthropists Bonnie and John Buhler.

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IS THAT YOU, JACK?

Toronto politician Olivia Chow, widow of the late NDP leader Jack Layton, charmed the Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba luncheon Friday, boldly named Celebrate Life. Hundreds gathered at the convention centre to hear Chow speak on her beloved husband’s experience with palliative care. “Jack Layton left this world surrounded by family and people who deeply loved him… no pain, no fear, no guilt, no regrets… in full accordance with his wishes.” They’d set up a bedroom on the main floor in the living room, and her husband was surrounded by friends and family in his final weeks. “In fact, Jack watched Return of the Jedi at full volume with all members of the family, 12 hours before his passing!” But, Chow said palliative care at that level is “not universal,” which is why she speaks passionately in its support. As she spoke, loud static kept interrupting her. The tiny woman with the big sense of humour hinted Jack might be wanting the microphone!

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ROCKIN FOR RONALD

As entertainment for the full house of gala guests at the Ronald McDonald House 26th Annual Fashion Show, Winnipeg paramedics Scott Petitt, Stephan Carrignan, Nick Layh, Willem Van-Lankvelt and Troy Pauls cavorted on the T-shaped stage at the convention centre Thursday night. In fancy clothes, they escorted Linda Nelson‘s bevy of Pro-Creations models, showing off warm-weather fashions from Polo Park. “Why don’t they wear bare chests and yellow overalls and boots?” cried a disappointed female fan, who received heartfelt sympathy from her table.

After the show, Alain Nault gave a touching address, speaking of his daughter Danika‘s two brain surgeries and her 60 days in Children’s Hospital. He spoke warmly about the Ronald McDonald Family Room, where he and the extended family could “rest, relax and refuel with loved ones in a medical-free space away from the beeps of hospital life.” When his daughter was finally able, she was brought to family dinners in that room, restoring some normalcy. In the first days, Nault says he slept in the waiting room. By the end, they were staying nights at the comfortable Ronald McDonald House, with other families whose children were recovering in hospital. What a difference it made to them!

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