DATE: May 13, 2011
VENUE: Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, Surrey
AUTHOR: Pardeep Sahota
Communications and Community Relations Officer
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
PHOTO CREDITS: Ramona Photography
On Friday May 13th, Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society hosted its second annual fundraiser, the May Masquerade Ball. Sponsored by Elegant Development and supported by many other generous sponsors, the event was held at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in the Guildford Ballroom. The Masquerade Ball raised funds for a second-stage housing complex for abused and abandoned immigrant women. To date, PICS has raised over $150,000 for this project.
This year’s picturesque masquerade theme was beautifully portrayed by Pacific Coast Promotions Ltd. The Guildford Ballroom was lit up like an exotic carnival, complete with sparkling masks, fire lanterns and baroque styled art displays. Tables were covered in opulent, textured black and white linens provided by Universal Décor, and fresh flower centerpieces, which were later auctioned off, were provided by 99 Nurseries. All guests were given traditional, carnival, Brazilian and Caribbean style masks, provided by Turkey’s Party Makers, as guest favors.
Guests were greeted to an elaborately decorated champagne reception, featuring music from the Richmond Sinfonietta Orchestra and a masquerade clad accordion player. Chameleon Entertainment’s masquerade live statues posed stoically, as guests sipped on champagne and posed with three contestants from the Miss Universe Canada pageant while photographers from Ramona Photography snapped away.
The evening officially began with guests bidding on many of the one-hundred silent auction items that were donated for the evening. Master of Ceremonies, Comedian Sunee Dhaliwal, had the crowd entertained and laughing while they enjoyed their plated dinner featuring green puy lentil and vegetable soup, herb oil brushed free range chicken breast stuffed with sun dried tomato, pesto and feta, a medley of spring vegetables, mediterranean vegetable pie with mushroom ragout, and a hazelnut tartlet.
The sold-out event featured an extraordinary live auction with items like weekend golf trips in Osoyoos, Canucks tickets, a lunch with Member of Parliament Jinny Sims, a dinner at Member of Parliament Wai Young’s house, and a beautiful 2-carat vintage diamond engagement ring by Kal Hoonjan from Hallmark Ford.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed wine from Sandhill Winery, cookies and desserts provided by JK Sweets, and exhilarating entertainment including a fire/light show provided by Chameleon Entertainment. To kick-off the dancing, deejay’s from MIB Roadshow Professional DJ Services hyped up the crowd while bhangra dancers from BC Cultural Bhangra Academy taught guests some traditional bhangra moves.