The 2009 Museum Ball

Glittering, glistening glamour; that was the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on the occasion of the 49th annual ball, The Velvet Ball, organized by the Volunteer Association of the MMFA. On a backdrop of black velvet twinkled crystal chandeliers, silver candelabras, gleaming cutlery, plume filled silver vases, shining goblets and cut glass plates, not only was the décor aglitter so were the guests. Montreal’s finest outdid themselves in glamorous gowns and sparkling jewelry; supported of course by their black-tie clad escorts.

Brian Levitt, Claire Gohier, Nathalie Bondil, Stéphane Boisvert, Nathalie Le Prohon, George Cope, Tami Cope, Linda Greenberg, Ian Greenberg, Suzanne Legge Orr and Angèle Martineau

 

The sparkling mood was created by the wizardry of Scott Yetman who enthusiastically depicted the Napoleonic era, a theme chosen because of the MMFA’s recent acquisition of Ben Weider’s Napoleonic collection.

As guests walked under the marquee, they were royally greeted by the fanfare of a Napoleonic Brigade. This same brigade later escorted the guests into dinner after the Champagne cocktail. A dinner fit for a king or queen prepared by Armando Arruda who once again rose to the challenge of the theme and designed a meal of poetic courses, including "Josephine’s sugary kisses"! Plates were decorated with Napoleonic flags, crests and of course tiny bees.

The Napoleonic bee was used as the evening’s symbol on the swank invitations, tickets and programme, all created by graphic designer Steve Louis. Buoyed by the atmosphere, guests remained radiant throughout the evening and boogied well into the morning to the luminiferous music of Oscar Martinez and Red Note.

Due to the generosity of the glitterati in attendance, the sponsorships, donations of time and money and the Volunteer Association’s strict budget, the Ball raised an amazing record-breaking net profit of $1 215 000. Congratulations to the winning team: the Honourary Co-presidents Stephane Boisvert and George Cope, Ball President Linda Greenberg , who worked so diligently with the Ball Steering Committee.

 

The members of the Velvet Ball Steering Committee: Julie-Katerine Turcotte Couture, Danielle Champagne, Johanne Champoux, Scott Yetman, Suzanne Legge Orr, Nathalie Le Prohon, Natalie Lemire, Manon Chicoine, Claire Gohier, Angèle Martineau, Stéphane Boisvert, Linda Greenberg and George Cope.

 

 

The President of the Museum Ball Steering Committee Linda Greenberg, with Honorary Co-presidents Stéphane Boisvert and George Cope.

 

 

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