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at The Globe and Mail by CORI HOWARD July 28, 2007
Everything is sparkling, from the chandelier to the rocks on display to the silver sequin minidress worn by the hostess.
Gathered around the table with Janelle is a group of thin, tanned, buxom blond women ogling the pink, 8.8-carat diamond ring she is wearing for the night. "Isn't it beautiful?" she says breathlessly.
Janelle and her husband, Kyle, a shipping magnate, have opened their palatial home in aid of the Steve Nash Foundation (http://www.stevenash.org), which funds sports programs for children in B.C., Paraguay and Phoenix, Ariz.
For the privilege of supporting the foundation of the B.C. native, who is point guard for the Phoenix Suns and a two-time most valued player in the NBA, each couple has shelled out $10,000. As the women choose the rocks they will model tonight, jeweller Colin Ferguson shows off the $25,000 white diamond bracelet earmarked for the winner of tonight's poker game.
Ferguson, owner of Carats, the Vancouver boutique sponsoring the party, co-designed the bracelet with Nash, and inlaid in diamonds are the initials MVP. The other prize is a $25,000 canary diamond for whoever can get a hole in one.
A hole in one? "This is not just any cocktail party," says planner Greg Albrecht.
Indeed not. Besides the poker tent, there are golfballs being driven from the cliff overlooking the water onto the "golf barge" that Kyle Washington has converted to a floating green.
The poker and golf are in other locations on the property and most of the guests are still in the house, thanks to the pouring rain and the chocolate fountain in the kitchen. Among the 150 guests are basketball and hockey players, Senator Larry Campbell, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, composer David Foster and, of course, Steve Nash himself.
There's also icewine and icewine truffles for the picking. And that's where we find Toronto singer Divine Brown, who is showing off the canary diamond choker she has borrowed, which goes fetchingly with her yellow jersey dress.
"This is an amazing party," she says. "I get to bling, bling tonight."
Most of the fashion on display is more subdued: lots of black dresses, even some jeans.
"It was hard to know what to wear in this news weather," said Brooke Scatchard, a model whose husband, Dave, is a former Canucks player and whose Rebecca Taylor black lace dress is one of the more stunning in the room. "I thought I'd keep it simple."
Senator Larry Campbell is nursing a drink and taking in the atmosphere. "I'm here because of Kyle. He's young, wild and crazy. But he has a heart the size of this room and he uses it."
Outside, there's a DJ spinning on the covered patio and a huge white tent that has been set up to look like Monaco with backlit bars and white chiffon drapes blowing in the wind. Down the steps beyond the pool is another lawn and another tent.
It's full of golfers, driving balls through the rain out into the harbour toward the barge. Most of them fall short, but for those who make the distance, there are spotters onboard radioing back the results. (Alas, there is no hole-in-one, so the canary diamond goes home with Ferguson.)
Indoor pursuits are more popular, though, and there's action in the poker tent, which is built over the water and features six tables, a food station, a bar and chandeliers.
There are real dealers and real money, with all proceeds, of course, going to the foundation.
"There are a lot of high-end fundraisers in Vancouver, but this will be set apart because there are multilevels and many experiences," Albrecht says.
Multilevels mean traipsing through the rain to the various activities, so Albrecht has thoughtfully prepared for inclement weather with a team of umbrella-wielding attendants to escort guests along the illuminated pathways.
Back at the rain-splattered Monaco tent, everyone is gathering in anticipation of Steve Nash's arrival.
When he comes in, wearing jeans and white sneakers, the tent is so packed, no one notices. If he looks a bit worn out, it could be because he is spending the weekend working. He's back in his home province not only to host a variety of fundraisers, but also to open the Steve Nash Sports Club, a private fitness facility on Granville.
The best part of an event like this, he says, is "all these wonderful people committing their time and resources." After he gets onstage to thank everyone for coming, composer David Foster takes over.
In ripped jeans, a white shirt and black jacket, the composer sits at the piano and begins what might be called his ex-wife medley.
Half-talking, half-singing, he takes a rapt audience through the songs he says bought his various exes their homes. After singing snatches of Got to be Real, After the Love is Gone and The Glory of Love, he launches into the song Whitney Houston made famous: I Have Nothing - a song that reminds him, he says naughtily, of wife No. 3.
Just as he is into the first few lines, Divine Brown strides up from the audience and joins in. Her voice is so powerful that everyone is transfixed. A few seconds later, a glass breaks onstage and the spell is broken. Everyone is laughing and applauding.
"Forget this weather," Kyle Washington urges his guests as they fan out to dance. "Let's get it on."
The drink
G-MONEY
Invented by Vancouver mixologist Scott Musgrave, this drink is deadly. With hints of tequila-infused passion fruit and cranberries, it's smooth and very strong.
1 ounce Alizé
1 ounce Patron Silver tequila
2 ounces cranberry juice
2 ounces soda
Combine all the ingredients in a tall rocks glass, shake and pour, and then lie back and
enjoy.
*****
The app
Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes Stuffed with Sevruga Caviar
Chef Bala Kumanan offered up a melt-in-your-mouth appetizer, created especially for this event.
1 dozen Yukon Gold nugget potatoes
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
¾ cup crème fraîche
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
½ cup finely chopped hard-boiled egg
2 tablespoons finely chopped capers
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tin Sevruga caviar
Preheat oven to 375 F. Bring a pot of water to boil and add unpeeled potatoes, cooking until three-quarters done. Let cool, then halve lengthwise. Remove cores and cover with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Combine remaining ingredients, except caviar. Stuff each potato half with mixture and garnish with ½ teaspoon caviar. Serve chilled. Makes 24 servings.
*****
The trends
SPARKLE Make your party shine. Decorate tables with gemstones (faux if necessary) and silver
candlesticks.
PARTY GAMES Poker is king, but any contest will raise the excitement level. Twister, anyone?
MULTILEVELS Variety is key to a big bash. Try a photo booth or
interactive food stations.
EMERGENCY KIT If you're partying outdoors, have extra umbrellas and wraps at the ready. And flip-flops for tired tootsies.
