PAL Vancouver is a chapter of Performing Arts Lodges of Canada
Welcome to PAL Vancouver’s first blog! Since the inimitable Camilla Ross (editor of PALaver) is enjoying a well-deserved holiday in Quebec, Ellie O’Day and Jane Heyman have decided take advantage of her absence to start a PAL Blog and share of some of the good times of the June and July PAL openings with you. Think of this as our Electronic Scrapbook.
It was quite a busy/buzzy four weeks, during which the PAL Theatre hosted a total of 5 events: AGM’s for Actra Fraternal and PAL Vancouver as well as three opening events when we were able to thank and acknowledge the generosity of our myriad donors and celebrate all that we had accomplished in the past years.
A Diplomat Cake from Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry and Confectionary is a Vancouver tradition, so it was only natural that PAL would order one for our inaugural event: the Sunday afternoon tea dance.
ENJOY THE PHOTOS of the June 24, 2007 TEA DANCE with Dal Richards.
Roma Hearn (resident) and Joy Coghill (honourary president), share the cake-cutting honours. There was hardly a crumb left at the end of the afternoon!
(photo by Milan Radovanovic)
The audience in the PAL Theatre delighted to Chopin played by surprise guest Robert Silverman on the beautiful grand piano, generously donated for the openings by Tom Lee Pianos. This impromptu concert was the first of what we hope will be many memorable music performances in the theatre in the sky.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Diane Lines, Vancouver’s one and only Dal Richards (PAL Patron) and Ron Thompson perform …
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
while the tea dancing begins, with Moira and Frank Talbot (PAL residents) leading everyone out to the beautfiul sprung dance floor …
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Joy Coghill takes a spin on the dance floor with Leon Bibb (PAL Patron)
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Roma Hearn captivates the audience singing Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here”.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
And the afternoon’s entertainment was topped off by the inimitable Leon Bibb accompanied by Ed Henderson.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
We did it! David Peterson(PAL resident), Deb Martin (Administrative Assistant), and Ellie O’Day (PAL Board member) salute the dozens of volunteers who planned and put together the splendid afternoon of good chat, delicious food and wonderful entertainment honouring all those who had believed in and supported PAL from the very beginning.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
JUNE 28, 2007 Namings of Rooms and Spaces at PAL Vancouver
William Samples (PAL Resident and ex-officio board member, representing ACTRA Fraternal Benefits Society) welcomes everyone to the dedication of the main floor Union of B.C. Performers Lobby.
(photo by Kuna)
Leanne Johnson and Doug Robinson on the 3rd Floor for dedication of the plaque to the memory of John Vance, PAL’s Social Housing consultant.
The plaque also honours John Juliani (UBCP president who was on PAL’s first board of directors) as well as Theatre Cares Vancouver and Ode to Joy 2003 and Ode to Joy 2005.
(Photo by Harry Kwan Lai Leung)
After trekking from floor to floor and hearing the fascinating stories of people who were being honoured or remembered, the guests were welcomed into the PAL theatre to hear the beautiful voices of singers from the Opera Project, organized by PAL resident, Heidi Klassen
(Photo by Harry Kwan Lai Leung)
The Opera Project and Romanza take a curtain call.
(photo by Harry Kwan Lai Leung)
The guests crowd into a hallway to hear stories and dedications.
(Photo by Kuna)
7th Floor plaque.
(Photo by Kuna)
JULY 9, 2007, the opening by Government Supporters and the Arts Community.
A corner of the Pat Armstrong Green Room on the 8th floor of PAL Vancouver is transformed into a movie set by the magic of film and theatre designer David Roberts and his many helpers.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Our electric MC, Veena Sood; PAL President, Jane Heyman; The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; Vancouver Mayor, Sam Sullivan
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
It was a standing-room only crowd to hear the Premier, the Mayor and others speak.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Premier Gordon Campbell presents a signed framed declaration, accepted by PAL president, Jane Heyman.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Premier Campbell reads a letter of thanks to all who contributed, from Joy Coghill (co-founder of PAL Vancouver) who was unable to attend the festivities.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Actress Ann Warn Pegg (PAL resident) gets a laugh out of James Moore, MP; Veena Sood, MC; Premier Gordon Campbell, Mayor Sam Sullivan
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Jazz Musician Don Stewart (PAL resident) speaks movingly about his home at PAL.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
The “Four PAL’s” (Peter Huck, Ryan Nelson, Scott Perrie, Adam Kozak), joined by Vancouver Centre MLA Lorne Mayencourt (left) serenade everyone with PAL’s unofficial theme song: When I’m 64. Earlier in the day, Premier Campbell and most of the audience had remembered first hearing the song and thinking that they would never get that old
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
What a perfect bookend! Another fabulous Bon Ton Diplomat Cake being cut by : the arm of MP, James Moore; IATSE 891‘s President, Elmar Theissen; UBCP‘s President Howard Storey; PAL President Jane Heyman; BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
PAL’s first news scrum.
(Photo by Milan Radovanovic)
Following the official ceremonies, guests enjoyed lunch from the “craft services” table prepared by the New Reel Appetites on the rooftop garden.
(Photo by Milan Radiovanovic)
PAL residents Diane Forsythe-Abbott with guest Fran Belzberg and fellow resident, Bernadette McRanor enjoy the unexpected sunshine.
(Photo by Milan Radiovanovic)
