Nobody puts Bruyère Continuing Care in the corner. It was front and centre with its Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala that kicked off on the ground floor of Morguard’s modern new Performance Court office tower at 150 Elgin St on Thursday.
The early-evening VIP reception was catered by Beckta Dining and Wine. Next, it was off to the nearby National Arts Centre for the Dirty Dancing show. Finally, there was a late-night bash.
“We wanted to do something fun and upbeat to celebrate,” said Bruyère Foundation president Amy Desjardins, looking positively pretty in her pink dress and shoes to match the fundraising gala’s colour theme.
“We knew that Dirty Dancing was coming to Ottawa, so we were quick to secure 500 of the best seats in the house.”
From left, Stephen Beckta, owner of Beckta Dining and Wine, with Karen Wood, owner of Knock on Wood Communications and Events, and Lori Wagner, a manager with Porter Airlines, at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala pre-show party in the Performance Court office tower on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
From left, Sandy Connell, Kathy Ryan, Alison Donnelly, Nathalie Gilbert and Joanne Foley-Grimes at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala pre-show party in the Performance Court office tower on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
There was reason to party: it’s been 170 years since the Catholic Grey Nuns led by Élisabeth Bruyère pulled into Bytown by horse-drawn sled to help the orphaned, aged and sick. The Bruyère Continuing Care health care organization that shares her name has become one of the largest of its kind in Canada, providing complex continuing care, rehabilitation, palliative care, family medicine services, specialized services and long-term care.
Spotted in the sold-out crowd were former Mayor Larry O’Brien, CFRA host Steve Madely, Sarah Freemark from CTV and Bruyère Foundation board chair Fiona Gilfillan.
Nella and Jimmy Zourntos of Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery were guests of Tannis Food Distributors at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala pre-show party.
From left, Denise Taillon with her daughter, Peggy Taillon, and Lee-Ann Lacroix at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala, which kicked off in the Performance Court office tower on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
Sandra Graham, past chair of the board for Bruyère Continuing Care, at the Dior Beauty Booth with makeup artist Keriann Johnson.
Kalil Saikaley, owner of the Canal Ritz Restaurant, with his wife, Lamia.
From left, Lynda Shields with Steve Ryan and his wife, Evelyn, from Ferguslea Properties Ltd. at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala pre-show party.
From left, lawyer André Champagne from Emond Harnden LLP with Amy Desjardins, president of the Bruyère Foundation, Priority Patient Transfer Service president Debra Szirtes and Morguard Investments vice-president Bernie Myers at the Inaugural Broadway for BruyËre Gala pre-show party in the Performance Court office tower on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
From left, Ainsley Malhotra, Jen Maheux and Erin Anderson at the event.
Mike O’Brien, son of former Mayor Larry O’Brien and Debbie O’Brien, with Sophia Pavlou at the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala.
CFRA radio host Steve Madely with Fiona Gilfillan, board chair of the Bruyère Foundation.
Hayley and Felix de Bie enjoy the pre-show party in the Performance Court office tower as part of the Inaugural Broadway for Bruyère Gala held on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
From left, Andrea MacLean, director of communications for the Bruyère Foundation, with CTV’s Sarah Freemark .
