GALA REVIEW
The Barbados Ball is the main fundraising event of Barbados Ball Canada Aid (BBCA). The Ball raises funds to provide scholarships for Barbadian youth through the recently launched Barbados Canada Foundation and to support healthcare programs in Barbados and Canada, including the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative. In addition, this year BBCA will support the Barbados Olympic Association for the 2015 Pan Am Games.
The Barbados Ball also recognizes outstanding Barbadians residing in Canada for professional acclaim and/or community service. This year’s recipient was Dr. Paul Steinbok, Head Emeritus of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, BC Children’s Hospital. Dr. Steinbok has been a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in Neurosurgery since 1977 and is recognized internationally as a leader in pediatric neurosurgery. A resident of Vancouver where he has been practicing as a Neurosurgeon since 1979, Dr. Steinbok is a full Professor at University of British Columbia in the department of Surgery and has over 150 publications in peer reviewed journals and chapters in textbooks.
BBCA president Steve Kirton commented: “I first heard of Dr. Steinbok when I was in high school in Barbados. He was known then as one of Barbados’ preeminent scholars and has clearly lived up to this reputation since leaving the island to pursue post-secondary education and his career in medicine. We are all proud of this outstanding and highly accomplished Barbadian and BBCA is pleased to recognize Dr. Steinbok as ‘A Barbadian Model of Excellence’ at the upcoming Ball. Join us at the Barbados Ball on June 14th to support our charitable causes, celebrate Barbados and honour Dr. Steinbok.”
Themed “Memories of Yesteryear”, this year’s Ball treated guests to an evening of fine dining accented with Barbadian delicacies, compliments of Barbadian International Chef, Paul Yellin. There was also live-entertainment, a silent and live auctions and opportunities to win fabulous prizes. Over 600 guests attended the Barbados Ball, including many Canadians with close ties to Barbados. The Ball was sponsored by Diproinduca (Barbados) Limited, Scotiabank, Barbados Tourism Authority, RBC Royal Bank and G98.7FM.
The evening offered quite the throwback from yesteryears in the West Indies with props that celebrated the authenticity of the island including: a wash pan with wooden washing board (displayed at the entrance on a table), an old stove (add charcoal and a grid to prepare meals in/on) and the old clothe Iron, used in the old Iron Stove
In attendance were Hon. Jason Kenny, PC, MP Calgary, Southeast, (Alberta) Member of the Canadian House of Commons, Senior Minister in the Federal Government, representing the Prime Minister of Canada; Barbados High Commissioner at Ottawa; Consul General of Barbados at Toronto; Director of Invest Barbados, Toronto; Consular Representatives of various Caribbean Countries including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua; Sir Everton Weekes, Barbados Cricket Legend and many executives from such major banks as Royal Bank and Scotiabank.
Featured artists included saxophonist Arturo Tappin, “the saxiest man the Caribbean has to offer”, jazz singer Marisa Lindsay and Soca artist Biggie Irie. Also performing were the Roger Gibbs Banja Ruk-A-Tuk Ensemble, The Jason Locke Trio, WiMotion Dancers and DJ Niterider. The event was hosted by “Red” (Shereen Sheriff), G98.7 FM’s Midday Host.
Barbados Ball Canada Aid is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2003. Its principal objects are to provide annual post-secondary scholarships to youth of Barbadian heritage; and to support healthcare programs for the Barbadian community in Canada and Barbados.
Photos and report filed by Jennifer Monteith and Linda Carter
