Archive for October, 2008

Beauty Night’s creative endeavours program is in full swing. Beauty Night clients fuse a night of arts and culture with a slice of beauty. On Monday night’s makeover night, Beauty Night founder, Caroline MacGillivray will hold a draw for four pairs of tickets to see Touchstone Theatre’s world premiere of Influence by Janet Munsil. The recipients of the tickets will win a night that includes a meal, makeup touch up and hair styling, and a chance to be one of the select few that gets to see this show on the preview night.

According to media contact Cynnamon SchreinertInfluence runs from November 7 to 15 at Performance Works on Granville Island (November 6 Preview) IN FULL… In a room in the British Museum in 1817 the unknown medical student John Keats (Daniel Arnold) wants to abandon his medicine to become a poet. Egged on by his mentor, the now-forgotten history painter Benjamin Robert Hayden (Mike Stack), Keats looks for inspiration in The Elgin Marbles: the fragments of the Parthenon taken from Greece by England’s Lord Elgin, which to this day have created a storm of international debate. Unbeknownst to Keats, Athena (Colleen Wheeler), Goddess of Wisdom and protector of Athens, has .arrived in the city of fog to reclaim her statues and seek revenge for the desecration of the Parthenon. Hephaestus

(Donald Adams) God of the Forge, and Apollo (Frank Zotter) God of Poetry and Medicine, arrive with their own agendas. With art, artefact and immortality all at stake, an epic and at times hilarious battle unfolds which will determine the fate of Keats and influence the future forever.

Victoria-based playwright and producer Janet Munsil is inspired by memoirs of the forgotten, dusty museum cabinets, and curious historical coincidences. Her plays have been produced by some of the most respected and adventurous contemporary theatres, both at home and abroad – Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, London’s Soho Theatre, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse, among others. Her literary sensibility and wild imagination have put her on the cutting edge of new Canadian drama.

Beauty Night will need volunteers who enjoy going to the theatre to drive and help facilitate discussion about the show afterwards.

For those who are unable to volunteer but would like to check out the show:

Influence features; Donald Adams (King Lear, Tideline), Daniel Arnold (Poster Boys, The Triumph of Love),

Mike Stack (Farther West, The Overcoat), Colleen Wheeler (The Tempest, My Chernobyl ) and Frank Zotter (Stuck, The Elephant Man, Calgary). Set design for Influence is by David Roberts, lighting design by Jonathan Ryder, costume design by Sheila White, with sound and original music by Owen Belton.

Influence runs from November 6 to 15 (Tues – Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 4pm) at Performance Works, 1218

Cartwright Street, Granville Island. Tickets are $26 adults, $24 seniors, $20 students

available through Tickets Tonight at 604-687-2787 or visit www.ticketstonight.ca

Special Performances include:

Thursday, November 6, 8pm - Free Performance - tickets at the door, first-come first-served

Friday, November 7, 8pm - Opening Night

Saturday, November 8, 2pm - Two-for-One - all tickets $13, includes service charges

Sunday, November 9, 4pm – BMO Pre-show Director’s Chat with Katrina Dunn in the lobby at 3:15pm

Tuesday, November 11 – BMO Post-show Talkback

Beauty Night catches up with Blanche MacDonald Centre’s career coordinator for the makeup department, Jennifer Angers Daerendinger.

Beauty Night: I heard a rumour that something big is happening on November 30th in this town. Fact or False?

JD: It’s true! “PRIMED” Beauty at Tunnel will be the one event you will want to go to if you want to do something completely fun and liberating for an evening, and it’s for a great cause.

Beauty Night: Tell me about it. (in your own words)

JD: The evening will feature local process artist Brent Ray Fraser doing a huge collaborative art work with 200 guests. After he works his magic on the pieces we will be selling all the canvases off to the guests. There are so many events that happen where you feel compelled to get dressed up and go out that I wanted to do something where all the guests could be involved. I think that many of us have a great urge to paint or draw but are a bit afraid to try. I know I was until I was given the opportunity to do collaborative works with really great artists like Brent and Tanya Slingsby.To make the evening even more fun we have 3 great dj’s that I was recently in Ibiza with that will play all your favourite music to get inspired by! Innis McCourty, Lawrence Renner and Roderick Schoolbraid, I thank you!

Beauty Night: Is this a follow up of last year’s Beauty at Versus or a completely different event?

Artist Brent Ray Fraser

JD: It’s a follow up. One of my best friends, Cori Ohirko, worked really hard last year to make the first the “Beauty at Versus” event a huge success. While we were there we came up with the idea that people would love to do a collaborative artwork and who better then Brent to get everyone involved. Brent and I worked on an event for Harry Rosens 2 years ago where all the stylists in Vancouver were invited to work on canvases with him and the evening was a huge success. The pieces were even featured in the windows of Harry Rosens Flagship store at The Pacific Centre. This year Tunnel graciously offered their space to host this wonderful event. I thinkeveryone will feel that it will be worth the $35 ticket price.

Brent Ray Fraser at Harry Rosen 2

Beauty Night: Why are you doing this for Beauty Night?

JD: Because I live a really wonderful life that is blessed with many great people that I love. If I can help others to have joy in their life then it’smy pleasure to organize an event like this.

Beauty Night: You’ve been involved with Beauty Night for a long time - why do you support this organization?

JD: I really didn’t know anything about Beauty Night Society until I happened upon a posting at Blanche Macdonald Centre about 3 years ago when I startedin my position as the the career coordinator for the makeup department. After I spoke with you on numerous occasions I was inspired and humbled by your devotion to this nonprofit organization. You not only created it but you devote your life to it. I have decided to do what I can to supportyours and other organizations in ways that I can. Having a 10 year old son,Max, makes it difficult to go give my time at the centre so this is my way to contributing.

Jennifer Angers Daerendinger and son Max

Beauty Night: What can people do to make a difference in the lives of others?

JD: They can do so many things. Buying tickets to come to this fundraiser would be a great place to start! All the proceeds from the door will go to Beauty Night Society. Jaran McKenzie and Pedro Serra have donated their time and Tunnel for the space to make this happen. Kelly Schmidt is doing all the graphics for us to contribute. Of course Brent Ray Fraser is not only going to be painting but building a huge artistic stage to enable all of us to create. All of these generous acts make it possible to have events like this to raise money for others.

Beauty Night: How can makeup artists make a difference?

JD: I tell my students that they have the ability to make women feel beautiful about themselves and what greater gift can you give?

Change starts with creating awareness. Paige 18’s production of In the Boom Boom Room brings the vicious cycle of the sex trade front and centre. “Our main goal was to produce a thought provoking piece of theater that gets people talking,” explains In the Boom Boom Room director, Jennifer Copping. It may start with talking. This provocative play will definitely get the buzz going.

Paige 18 Productions talking about it. They are putting their money where their mouth is. $1 from each ticket will be donated to Beauty Night Society. Donations for for the Beauty Night Christmas Stockings can be dropped off in the lobby. “By including your charity we have a perfect and direct relevance that is benefiting the women of the downtown eastside and getting awareness out there in a positive way, that these problems still exist but people like you are doing something about it,” says Copping. The show opens November 19th and runs until the 29th.

There isn’t a better way to celebrate Ms. Caroline’s birthday(Founder of Beauty Night Society). The ultimate Sex in the City girl wants you to doll up and watch “SEX AND THE CITY” with 75 of her closest friends.

Photo by Kimberly Faye

It’s time to doll up in labels and love and enjoy a girls’ night out at the exclusive Campoverde Social Club (www.campoverde.ca, 1660 West 1st Avenue). There is no cover charge BUT only 75 can attend.

Please respond directly to Caroline at [email protected] as it is first come first serve.

For those on the list (who have RSVPed to Caroline), doors open at 7pm. Come early and discover what people all around the world love about social clubs. Good food, great socializing and better quality of life. Five star meals for under $20.

In typical Caroline fashion, this Sex in the City girl proves once again that you can have fun and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Proceeds from a raffle will be going to Car’s favourite charity - Beauty Night Society.

Campoverde Social Club is generously letting us host L Before M in their space. Partial proceeds from Cosmos (the classic Sex in the City girl cocktail) will be donated to Beauty Night.

Please bring your check book to sponsor a Beauty Night stocking or scarf in Caroline’s name for her birthday. You can sponsor stockings and scarves in people’s names for the holiday season.

* Tax receipts for donations of $25 or more will be available.

This year’s stocking is designed by Nancy Black. The stockings are being sewn by the Rangers (level above girl guides) and students from York House School.

The scarves are created as part of the knit fit project spearheaded by Laura Mah (see yesterday’s post)

Meet Laura Mah, founder of the Knit Fit Movement. Knit Fit is creating 200 scarves for Beauty Night clients by the December 25th. Laura has been running Knit Fit since 2003 at the tender age of 11! Present day, this vivacious 16 year old continues to do what she can to make a difference in the lives of women in the Downtown Eastside. about Knit Fit.

Beauty Night: Tell us about Knit Fit.

LM: Knit Fit first started in 2003, when I came up with the idea of getting a group of kids together in my elementary school to knit scarves for the less fortunate people of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. In our first year, we had about 40 kids get together and when Christmas came along, I had received 60 gorgeous scarves to give away at Caroline MacGillivray’s amazing organization, Beauty Night. Knit Fit continued until 2006, when the group decided to take a short break.

Now, here in 2008, Knit Fit’s back and we want to take this group to the next level. We currently have about 30 ambitious volunteers and the group is definitely growing.
Knit Fit is all about giving back. Though we may be making a small difference in our world, I believe we can make a significant difference in our community.

Beauty Night: What was it like as an eleven year old handing out scarves in the DTES.

LM: I remember the first day handing our scarves at Beauty Night! The experience was incredible. There was another time…it was close to Christmas time and it must have been my second time handing out scarves at Beaty Night.

I was standing there at my little scarf table and one of the security guards gave me a letter and he said that it was from a homeless man who was standing outside. I opened up the card and it said “Thank you, you have a way of touching other’s lives with your thoughtfulness. From the people of the downtown eastside. Merry x-mass and happy new year.” I still have the card! So to answer the question in short, I loved and still very much love volunteering.

Beauty Night: You have been involved with Beauty Night for a very long time. Tell me about the funding proposal you did for school.

In the Spring of 2008, many of the Grade 10 classes at my high school, Vancouver Technical Secondary, were asked to do a project for the Toskan Casale Foundation. This foundation had created a program called the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative. This program basically gives students the opportunity to work in groups and as a team, research and interview a particular non-profit organization. When the project is all finished, the students then have to present their organization infront of a set of judges, one of which is a representative from the Toskan Casle Foundation. The winner is then awarded with $5000 to donate to their organization that they presented!

I, along with 3 of my classmates, Kaja McNeil, Sadie Herbold and Tammy Nguyen, worked together and we proudly represented Beauty Night at the presentation. We made a short video which had clips of when we interviewed Caroline during a Beatuy Night, a poster, and a pamphlet. Although we did not end up winning the $5000 for Beauty Night, we all had such an amazing experiance while working on our project. We not only learnt about philanthropy, and Beauty Night, we also learnt so much about ourselves and each other.

Beauty Night: Why do you think Beauty Night is important?

LM: Where to start? Beauty Night provides so much more that just make overs and hair cuts. Literacy programs, fitness programs, and health programs are also programs that are apart of Beauty Night. These programs provide the women of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with not only skills and services, but also with fun and confidence.

Beauty Night: Why do you think the women like the scarves so much?
LM: I think the women like the scarves because they provide warmth during our harsh winter season. But aside from that, the scarves that we make are pretty good looking! Right now, I’m working on two scarves, one for Knit Fit, and one for myself!

Beauty Night: What can people do to help out?

LM: We are currently in need of knitting needles and yarn. Donated knitting needles, yarn or money would help us help others.

Beauty Night: What about people who have no idea how to knit but would like to get involved?

LM: New knitters welcome! even if you don’t know how to knit, it takes about 15 minutes MAX to learn.

Beauty Night: How can people find out more information about this project?

LM: As terrible as it sounds, I rely A LOT on facebook. Join the group ‘KNIT FIT.’ and check out the recent news. I always send out messages to everyone about a week advance before our meetings. If facebook is NOT an option, but you are interested in volunteering, I constantly check my e-mail and my phone is always on!

Beauty Night: I don’t think that is terrible - facebook is a great marketing tool. Beauty Night Society has it’s own facebook group.

Laura Mah, founder of Knit Fit can be reached at [email protected] or778-386-3851.

“I really believe that you can have fun and make a difference in someone’s life,” says Beauty Night founder, Caroline MacGillivray. Glancing down at the large box of 15% off certificates, MacGillivray smiles. “Who would have thought you could combine shopping and fundraising?” she asks.

Obviously, the Bay had. This popular fundraiser has charities across the country selling the 15% off coupons for $5. The proceeds raised from the coupon sales goes directly to the charity. Volunteers from different charities will be selling the certificates to friends, families and supporters. “It is win/win all the way,” says MacGillivray, “The charity raises funds while the coupon purchasers save on in store purchases.”

To purchase the $5 coupons, please email Caroline at [email protected].

Although Halloween has yet to come and go, Beauty Night Volunteers are gearing up for the 6th Annual Christmas Stocking Drive. On December 24th, Beauty Night volunteers dress up as “Ms. Claus” and hand out 500 Christmas stockings to women living in the Downtown Eastside. “This is one of my favourite events, ” says Beauty Night Society founder, Caroline MacGillivray, “I love how the entire community gets involved.”

This year’s stocking has been designed by Vancouver fashion designer, Nancy Black. The first batch of Christmas stockings have been cut and will be sewn by students at York House School. Already donations of beauty products, dental care, and gloves are pouring in. “I think it is fantastic that so many people hold office drives and events to raise money and product for the women,” says MacGillivray.

This year people can sponsor stockings and hand knit scarves for the women. For a fifty dollar donation, the donor will get a card designed by Nancy Black that states: ” ________ sponsored a Holiday stocking in your name for a Beauty Night client.” Donations of $25 will sponsor a scarf for a Beauty Night client.

The scarves are created by Knit Fit. Knit Fit is an initiative spearheaded by 16 year old, Laura Mah. Since the tender age of 11 years old, Mah has been teaching youth to knit. The scarves created by the volunteers are given to Beauty Night clients. Knit Fit is aiming to create 200 scarves for Beauty Night clients.

For More information, please contact Caroline at 778-885-4526