Media Release

Banff Centre Midsummer Ball raises record $595,000 for artists’ scholarships

The Banff Centre Midsummer Ball celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend of July 16 – 18th with a record $595,000 raised for artists’ scholarships, making it one of the most successful single-event arts fundraisers in Canada. The scholarships allow visual and performing artists from across Canada and around the world to come to The Banff Centre to build and enhance their artistic and professional skills.

Philip Ponting, chair of the Banff Centre Board of Governors, Arlene Ponting, Banff Centre president and CEO Mary Hofstetter and her husband, David Riggs, hosted special guests the Honourable Lois Hole, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, former Alberta Premier the Honourable Peter Lougheed and Jeanne Lougheed, who was this year’s Honorary Midsummer Ball Chair and recently inducted Banff Centre Fellow, the Honourable Lyle Oberg, minister of Alberta Learning, and deputy minister Maria David Evans.

More than 350 guests celebrated over the weekend with a welcome barbeque and concert on Friday night, then enjoyed a day of golf at Stewart Creek, fly fishing on the Bow River,or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Centre, before enjoying a Saturday evening gala dinner and dance. The weekend came to a close with a brunch at the President’s home.

Beat Hegnauer, the Centre’s chef de cuisine, prepared a six-course, hand-plated meal that included Alberta beef medallion with foie gras, and bleu cheese sauce Marchand du vin. During dancing to the Eric Friedenburg Orchestra, guests were invited to bid on silent auction items. One item, a Canadian Rockies trip for six from Canadian Mountain Holidays, the Post Hotel in Lake Louise, and Canada House Gallery in Banff, raised $20,000. In total, the silent auction raised more than $88,000. Guests were also invited to donate named scholarships at the Ball, which raised an additional $33,000.

The Banff Centre Midsummer Ball 2004 was presented by Husky Energy.
 

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