THE VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

BACCHANALIA GALA DINNER + AUCTIONRAISES OVER $320,000 FOR THE VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 23, 2010 - Vancouver, BC...  The wine was flowing and the bids were rising at the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival’s Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, raising $323,691 for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Wednesday, April 21, the Bacchanalia Gala is the premier annual fundraising event for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company.

One of the most spectacular events in the city, the Bacchanalia Gala is the crown jewel of the week-long Wine Festival, which continues through April 25, and provides an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your wine cellars. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Executive Chef, Robert LeCrom, created a five-course meal of gastronomic items that, together with a reception Champagne and two wines paired to each course, left everyone’s senses reeling.

The spirited live auction that accounted for over $100,000 of the evening’s total, offered rare, valuable and unusual wines, donated by some of the world’s top winemakers and private collectors. It also included unique culinary experiences, excursions and extravaganzas, featuring chefs and sommeliers from the West Coast’s top restaurants.

Additional activities such as the silent auction of wine and epicurean items, sponsorships, cash donations, and a raffle, accounted for the rest of the evening’s grand total.

“That we chose to celebrate and share the experience of fine wine for the benefit of great theatre demonstrates our community priorities as much as our personal tastes,” said Playhouse Artistic Managing Director, Max Reimer. “With the funds generated, the Playhouse provides educational programs for the young, world-class theatre at accessible prices and regional resources for dozens of other theatre companies and artists in our community. I thank all of the participants from the enthusiastic bidders to the multitude of dedicated volunteers and staff that make this event a wine industry and arts fundraising success!”

“A sultry tango. The excitement of haka. Theme regions of Argentina and New Zealand fuse into a night of drama and indulgence – all in support of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company,” said Vicki Prince-Wright, Chair of the Bacchanalia Gala. “The 2010 Bacchanalia Gala is an opportunity for the community to come together, to demonstrate their support for good theatre, and to raise awareness of the value of the arts in creating a whole society...all while enjoying an amazing experience.”

The 32^nd Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is presented by The Shore Club and is chaired by Tony Ryan. 

The Bacchanalia Gala is presented by Goldcorp and chaired by Vicki Prince-Wright.

The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company is British Columbia’s premier regional theatre company,

producing engaging plays of the highest calibre since 1962.

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