SHOWDOWN IN DOWNTOWN (VANCOUVER) // DAVID LAM PARK
AN EVENING WITH STEVE AT DB BISTRO MODERNE: After receiving an honorary degree at the University of Victoria, Steve and crew Helijet’d over to the Mainland in time for dinner, and what a dinner it was: 60 friends of the Foundation joined Steve and db Bistro Moderne owners Manjy and David Sidoo for an intimate four-course meal cooked by restaurateur extraordinaire Daniel Boulud, on hand in Kitsilano with Lumiere’s own Chef Stephane Istel. With cocktails by Bombay Sapphire and Ketel One, and wine pairings by Mission Hill, the dinner flowed like the conversation as new friendships were forged and plans to assist children throughout the province were formed. Canucks owner Paolo Aquilini presented Steve with a prized #13 Canucks jersey, and David and Steve took the floor to auction off a trip to see Steve play in Phoenix — a weekend that will net a big win for children through the Foundation’s BC Grants initiative.
SHOWDOWN IN DOWNTOWN: Another cloudy day! But in contrast to the Showdown in Chinatown, the day of the Showdown in Downtown ended up bright and sunny, with thousands of spectators shielding their eyes against the backdrop of David Lam’s spectacular views. The free-to-the-public community event drew a packed crowd, with fans crushing into the perimeter fencing to get a peek. After enjoying our sponsors’ and local non-profits’ activations at the Street Festival, Steve, Baron Davis, Hasheem Thabeet, Rick and Randy Celebrini, Martin Nash, Youri Djorkaeff, Jay Nolly, and more took the field on Team Coast Capital Savings, and faced off against a talented Whitecaps Residency squad for Team BC Hydro Powersmart that included Nizar Khalfan, Randy Bonsu, Nadir Haroub, Simon Thomas, Russell Tiebert, Kevin Cobby, and Jack Cubbon. Referee Jill Proctor kept the game rolling, with Camp Goodtimes kids, the Nike Freestylers, and Kunaka keeping the crowd roaring. The unofficial result, as Steve concurs, was roughly “double the age for double the score” with Steve’s “elderly” footballers trumping the young athletes. AfterParty: What’s a Showdown without an AfterParty? Pop Opera graciously hosted the Showdown players at a fundraising evening to benefit the Foundation’s local initiatives. With a silent auction and Steve and the SCORE’s Cabbie taking the stage to auction prized live items, the AfterParty wrapped up the Showdown weekend with a loud pulse to energize the community — thank you, Vancouver!