The 2024 edition of our Annual Benefit Evening, under the honorary presidency of Mr. Mathieu Talbot, Vice President, Business Services Group and Corporate Banking, Desjardins, will take place on Thursday, May 16 as of 6 p.m., at the home of Les Grands Ballets, in the Wilder Building.
This intimate and exclusive event brings together around 250 guests, and includes a cocktail reception in the Atrium, followed by a gourmet meal on the stage of the company’s private theatre, interspersed with performances by Les Grands Ballets dancers.
The annual fundraising gala allows the company to raise funds that are essential to its artistic development. The success of this event underlines the importance of the arts and business network when it comes to ensuring the development and longevity of the arts and culture.
Our prestigious annual fundraising gala, co-chaired by Jean-Yves Bourgeois, Executive Vice-President, Business Services - Desjardins Group, and Sylvain Corbeil, Senior Vice President National Accounts and Commercial Banking Quebec - Scotiabank, took place last Saturday, May 13.
A total of $475,000 was raised to support our creation fund, thanks to the participation of 300 guests from the business and cultural community who attended the event.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in the Atrium followed by a gourmet dinner served on the stage of the Studio-Théâtre, which was transformed for the occasion. Notable guests included Valérie Plante - Mayor of Montreal, Nadine Renaud-Tinker - President, Quebec Headquarters at RBC Royal Bank, Maurice Côté - Regional Vice President, Investment and Retirement Planning, Quebec at RBC, Robert Trudeau - Senior Director Global Corporate Sales & Quebec market Business at Air Canada, Réal Bellemare - Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Desjardins Group, Norman John Hébert - President and Chief Operating Officer of Groupe Park Avenue, Carmine D'Argenio - President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada and President of BMW Laval, and Julie Snyder - host and producer.
Les Grands Ballets dancers presented a preview of several exclusive excerpts from Cinderella, our upcoming creation, which premieres on May 31, along with two contemporary pieces. Participants also had the chance to take home one of the 500 prizes available at the gift bar, including three grand prizes: two round-trip business class tickets to Europe courtesy of Air Canada, a Baume & Mercier Clifton men's timepiece offered by Château d'Ivoire, and a set of six Loop chairs donated by Roche Bobois. High end jeweler Édéenne surprised the guests by hiding a diamond worth $10,000 among the glasses of champagne, which quickly became one of the highlights of the evening. To end the night on a high note, a DJ kept guests dancing alongside the company’s dancers.
The success of this event is a testament to the importance of connecting the arts and corporate sectors to support cultural institutions. All proceeds from the evening went to our creation fund, allowing the company to continue its pursuit of excellence, creativity, and audacity.
