Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 20:11Thank you. 
DianaKrallfans.com
The message board
http://www.dianakrallfans.com/phpBB3/
Diana, Elvis, Elton, Tony and... Bill!
http://www.dianakrallfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=819
Page 3 of 4
Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 20:11Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 00:29Your Welcome!
Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 05:34Hi, Michelle:
Nice to see you "visiting" with us. Hope life is treating you well. Good luck on the fundraising.
Nice to see you "visiting" with us. Hope life is treating you well. Good luck on the fundraising.
Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 22:15Hi Michelle,
Thanks for visiting with us, it is always nice to hear from you!
Thanks for visiting with us, it is always nice to hear from you!
Posted: 31 Mar 2006, 21:07Thanks to Michelle for stepping in to express the Krall family's views to Diana fans. That was very considerate.
I think we all understand that when it comes to fundraising there is a dollar issue. If you are going to make a nice gesture it is logical to do it for patients.
Once I recieved an invitation and -even though I could not "follow" dollarwise- I was really pleased...
I think we all understand that when it comes to fundraising there is a dollar issue. If you are going to make a nice gesture it is logical to do it for patients.
Once I recieved an invitation and -even though I could not "follow" dollarwise- I was really pleased...
Posted: 02 Apr 2006, 21:15Hi Michelle -- Thanks for stopping by and congratulations on a successful fundraiser!
From the official website:
eBay Winning Bid $8400 in support of An Evening with Diana Krall & Friends Benefit Concert!
From the official website:
Congratulations and our heartfelt thanks to our eBay winner whose bid of $8400 topped the others during the final few hours of the auction!
Stay tuned for upcoming details!
An Evening with DIANA KRALL & FRIENDS Tony Bennett, Elton John and Elvis Costello With special guest, former United States President William J. Clinton Diana Krall and some of the world's most noted performers and humanitarians are focusing the spotlight on fundraising for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help pioneer "made-in-B.C. cures" for blood-related cancers and diseases at Vancouver General Hospital.
Bid on a pair of tickets worth $2,000 (Canadian) to attend the private black tie charity benefit An Evening with Diana Krall & Friends with Tony Bennett, Elton John, Elvis Costello and former U.S. President William J. Clinton at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Sunday, April 23, 2006. The event includes a cocktail reception and exquisite dinner, silent and live auctions, and live performances in a small, intimate setting.
If you would like to support this initiative through a donation instead, please visit the web site of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation at www.supportvgh.ca to make a donation to The Krall Family Endowment Fund at Vancouver General Hospital.
eBay Winning Bid $8400 in support of An Evening with Diana Krall & Friends Benefit Concert!
Posted: 20 Apr 2006, 03:45Here's a news feed:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/19/c9026.html
In short, Diana and Michelle are holding a press conference on Friday. No media are allowed in to the show (
- though I suppose that's a good thing.)
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/19/c9026.html
In short, Diana and Michelle are holding a press conference on Friday. No media are allowed in to the show (
- though I suppose that's a good thing.)Posted: 21 Apr 2006, 16:34Just wanted to send Best Wishes for a great Fundraiser weekend to Diana, Michelle and family. I think this will be the biggest one yet if the ebay auction is any reflection. I'm hoping many of the attendees have very 'deep pockets' for the auction portion of this program!
Posted: 22 Apr 2006, 02:04The sisters are raising the money in style, with a wild auction.
Items up for grabs include a purple 1960s electric guitar formerly owned by Johnny Marr of The Smiths.
Here's the link to the complete article.
And here's another article from Vancouver Sun, along with this pic:
Posted: 22 Apr 2006, 11:44http://spaces.msn.com/booyahgrannie/Blo ... !292.entry
Jane 'blogs'-
April 21
Diana Krall & Friends
What a good day at work! For those who don't know, I work for the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, located at VGH Hospital in downtown Vancouver. We have a huge fundraising event on Sunday, Diana Krall & Friends, with a goal of raising $1 million dollars for the L/BMT (Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant) Clinic Trials Unit at VGH. I am certain everyone has someone or knows of someone who has been affected by cancer, or has even had cancer. It’s a horrible (hmm horrible is an understatement) and devastating disease that changes many lives. Anyway, the event is huge and so important, because the money raised will go directly towards further research and hopefully a cure for blood-related cancers and diseases. The theme is "Made in BC Cures". Please check out the website: http://www.supportvgh.com for more information!
Today we had a press conference, and I was helping direct media and was present at the conference. It was a great experience. Not only did I get to meet Diana Krall, but I had the opportunity to hear first hand how cancer has affected her life (her mother Adella was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and was treated at VGH). Her family was impressed with the care she received at the hospital and wanted to continue supporting the hospital in the best way they could.
On Sunday night is the “big” event. I am going to be at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver all day, first setting up the ballroom, and then assisting with the silent auction. They have some unique and awesome auction items, and hopefully they will pull in a lot of money. For example, DiamondsDirect.ca has donated $100,000 in jewelry; we have first class airfare for 8 people to LA, which includes hotel reservations in Beverly Hills, 2 tickets and backstage pass to Jay Leno and a walk on appearance on the TV show, Two and a Half Men. There is also a first class Mediterranean cruise which includes Louis Vutton luggage (nice set!!), and many more wonderful unique and priceless items.
I guess I should mention who the “& Friends” will be. Elvis Costello, Sir Elton John, Tony Bennett and Bill Clinton! I can’t wait for this awesome, once in a life-time experience!
I'll update you later how the event went....
Jane 'blogs'-
April 21
Diana Krall & Friends
What a good day at work! For those who don't know, I work for the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, located at VGH Hospital in downtown Vancouver. We have a huge fundraising event on Sunday, Diana Krall & Friends, with a goal of raising $1 million dollars for the L/BMT (Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant) Clinic Trials Unit at VGH. I am certain everyone has someone or knows of someone who has been affected by cancer, or has even had cancer. It’s a horrible (hmm horrible is an understatement) and devastating disease that changes many lives. Anyway, the event is huge and so important, because the money raised will go directly towards further research and hopefully a cure for blood-related cancers and diseases. The theme is "Made in BC Cures". Please check out the website: http://www.supportvgh.com for more information!
Today we had a press conference, and I was helping direct media and was present at the conference. It was a great experience. Not only did I get to meet Diana Krall, but I had the opportunity to hear first hand how cancer has affected her life (her mother Adella was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and was treated at VGH). Her family was impressed with the care she received at the hospital and wanted to continue supporting the hospital in the best way they could.
On Sunday night is the “big” event. I am going to be at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver all day, first setting up the ballroom, and then assisting with the silent auction. They have some unique and awesome auction items, and hopefully they will pull in a lot of money. For example, DiamondsDirect.ca has donated $100,000 in jewelry; we have first class airfare for 8 people to LA, which includes hotel reservations in Beverly Hills, 2 tickets and backstage pass to Jay Leno and a walk on appearance on the TV show, Two and a Half Men. There is also a first class Mediterranean cruise which includes Louis Vutton luggage (nice set!!), and many more wonderful unique and priceless items.
I guess I should mention who the “& Friends” will be. Elvis Costello, Sir Elton John, Tony Bennett and Bill Clinton! I can’t wait for this awesome, once in a life-time experience!
I'll update you later how the event went....
Posted: 24 Apr 2006, 12:50Oh wow - $2.5 million! Imagine that! Extreme congratulations to all, esp. Michelle for being, I take it, the brains behind this thing.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/24/c6830.html
Surprises of the evening included an impromptu performance by Sarah McLachlan, a guest at the benefit, who garnered one of the night's many standing ovations. Auction highlights included a spontaneous offer by Elton John and partner David Furnish for two couples to enjoy for a week their 36-acre estate in Windsor, England, built in 1060 by William the Conqueror and used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII. The two week-long packages, complete with chauffeur, a Michelin-starred chef and a performance jacket from Elton John for each couple drew a combined total of $400,000.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/24/c6830.html
Posted: 24 Apr 2006, 15:50Good job to all!
Posted: 24 Apr 2006, 19:47Congratulations to the Krall family for a successful fundraiser!
Posted: 24 Apr 2006, 21:16Thanks for the link, Scielle, and for the fun comment on the "brains behind" the event. But if I were Diana I would say "thank you very much !!! " 
I would think this was a joint effort, so congratulations to both Michelle and Diana (poor thing, one may believe you implied she's got no brains)...
I would think this was a joint effort, so congratulations to both Michelle and Diana (poor thing, one may believe you implied she's got no brains)...
Posted: 25 Apr 2006, 04:29I am very happy for the Krall family and it looks like this fundraiser was verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry successful! WOW! Congrats to all!
Posted: 25 Apr 2006, 22:37http://spaces.msn.com/booyahgrannie/Blog/cns/
April 24
What an amazing evening!
Last night was an amazing night! The Diana Krall and Friends event was more successful than anyone who was involved could have imagined. We raised approximately 2.5 million dollars for the Haematology Clinical Trials at VGH. They were hoping for $1 mil in proceeds, but that number was quickly shattered during the live and silent auction. The past 6 Diana Krall events pulled together about 1.3 million dollars, so this year's event was unprecedented.
Yesterday, my day started at 9am at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. During the morning, we set up the Auction and cocktail room, as the ballroom was set up the previous night. Both rooms looked stunning.
After lunch, finishing touches were applied all around as anticipation of the evening grew amongst the hard working events team.
My volunteer role for the night was being a Silent Auction Host. We had 84 items up for auction. At first, I was getting quite worried, as many of the items were not pulling in any bids. I think that proved to be a strategy for many. As the attendees mingled with their cocktails in hand and scoped out the various auction items and displays, they seemed to quickly be apart of a bidding frenzy on several items as the auction close time drew near. Within the last hour or so of the silent auction, the bids started to come in, many surpassing the item(s) actual retail value. Normally at an auction, an item will get about 40-60% of its retail value, but the rarity and exclusivity of certain items quickly saw the bid amount greatly exceed the retail value.
There was one family at the auction that were amazing. Their initial bids were far beyond the value of the item. For example, an item valued at about $1500 drew in a bid from them for $4000! And....there were no previous bids before them. The starting bid was $200. I was blown away. Another item they bid on was called "Breakfast at Tiffany's". This package was unique and rare, and garnered $75,000!!!! WOW is all I can say.
The Live auction was even more amazing. The Auctioneer was outstanding to say the least, and Elton John was so generous. For one of the auction items, Elton donated a Versace suit of his. Right before they started to auction this item off, Elton took the mic and made an annoucement. Him and his partner, David Furnish, were making an addendum to the auction package. They were going to add 7 days stay at his home in London, complete with use of his Chauffer, his chef, his complete staff, tickets to Billy Elliott, use of his whole home, including apparently the most beautiful pool you have ever seen. The bidding quickly started and ended in a war between these two people at $185,000. Elton then took the mic again and said, I have an offer for you. If you each bid $200,000, you can each have 7 days at my home etc etc etc, and they will throw in another suit. One of the people in the bidding frenzy jumped at the opportunity and the Auctioneer declared "SOLD!". The other fellow dropped out, and Elton said, well we need two people to bid $200,000 or no deal. Another attendee quickly jumped at this once in a lifetime opportunity, and $400,000 was made for the Foundation within those 10 minutes. Absolutely amazing.
After all the live auctions, the performances started. Elvis went first, then Diana, then some duets with Elton. Tony Bennett performed, followed by another duet. Then Elton sang several songs, then the whole group jived a little. It was once again, amazing. Also, Sarah McLaughlin sang "In the Arms of the Angel", which was my favourite performance of the night. I love that song, and hearing in the passion in her voice and seeing the emotion in her face brought a tear or two to my eyes.
Oh, Former President Bill Clinton spoke about philanthropy and the importance of it. It was an excellent speech, and his presence was the icing on the cake for a lot of people. But those Secret Service people are quite "hot" I must say. *Whistle*. Oh, Clinton also bid on a few auction items. He browsed the auction room with his entourage when it quieted down a bit.
Anyway, that is the jist of the night. It was amazing and the talk of the office today.
April 24
What an amazing evening!
Last night was an amazing night! The Diana Krall and Friends event was more successful than anyone who was involved could have imagined. We raised approximately 2.5 million dollars for the Haematology Clinical Trials at VGH. They were hoping for $1 mil in proceeds, but that number was quickly shattered during the live and silent auction. The past 6 Diana Krall events pulled together about 1.3 million dollars, so this year's event was unprecedented.
Yesterday, my day started at 9am at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. During the morning, we set up the Auction and cocktail room, as the ballroom was set up the previous night. Both rooms looked stunning.
After lunch, finishing touches were applied all around as anticipation of the evening grew amongst the hard working events team.
My volunteer role for the night was being a Silent Auction Host. We had 84 items up for auction. At first, I was getting quite worried, as many of the items were not pulling in any bids. I think that proved to be a strategy for many. As the attendees mingled with their cocktails in hand and scoped out the various auction items and displays, they seemed to quickly be apart of a bidding frenzy on several items as the auction close time drew near. Within the last hour or so of the silent auction, the bids started to come in, many surpassing the item(s) actual retail value. Normally at an auction, an item will get about 40-60% of its retail value, but the rarity and exclusivity of certain items quickly saw the bid amount greatly exceed the retail value.
There was one family at the auction that were amazing. Their initial bids were far beyond the value of the item. For example, an item valued at about $1500 drew in a bid from them for $4000! And....there were no previous bids before them. The starting bid was $200. I was blown away. Another item they bid on was called "Breakfast at Tiffany's". This package was unique and rare, and garnered $75,000!!!! WOW is all I can say.
The Live auction was even more amazing. The Auctioneer was outstanding to say the least, and Elton John was so generous. For one of the auction items, Elton donated a Versace suit of his. Right before they started to auction this item off, Elton took the mic and made an annoucement. Him and his partner, David Furnish, were making an addendum to the auction package. They were going to add 7 days stay at his home in London, complete with use of his Chauffer, his chef, his complete staff, tickets to Billy Elliott, use of his whole home, including apparently the most beautiful pool you have ever seen. The bidding quickly started and ended in a war between these two people at $185,000. Elton then took the mic again and said, I have an offer for you. If you each bid $200,000, you can each have 7 days at my home etc etc etc, and they will throw in another suit. One of the people in the bidding frenzy jumped at the opportunity and the Auctioneer declared "SOLD!". The other fellow dropped out, and Elton said, well we need two people to bid $200,000 or no deal. Another attendee quickly jumped at this once in a lifetime opportunity, and $400,000 was made for the Foundation within those 10 minutes. Absolutely amazing.
After all the live auctions, the performances started. Elvis went first, then Diana, then some duets with Elton. Tony Bennett performed, followed by another duet. Then Elton sang several songs, then the whole group jived a little. It was once again, amazing. Also, Sarah McLaughlin sang "In the Arms of the Angel", which was my favourite performance of the night. I love that song, and hearing in the passion in her voice and seeing the emotion in her face brought a tear or two to my eyes.
Oh, Former President Bill Clinton spoke about philanthropy and the importance of it. It was an excellent speech, and his presence was the icing on the cake for a lot of people. But those Secret Service people are quite "hot" I must say. *Whistle*. Oh, Clinton also bid on a few auction items. He browsed the auction room with his entourage when it quieted down a bit.
Anyway, that is the jist of the night. It was amazing and the talk of the office today.
Posted: 26 Apr 2006, 19:30Sounds like it was an amazing night and I am very happy it went so well for the foundation. Even though I grumbled a bit in the beginning, I can see the event was totally out of my league and I congratulate the Krall Family and the others who made this event so successful..... 
Fundraiser
Posted: 04 May 2006, 05:20That's amazing. What a success! Congratulations to all. This is such important work. I lost my best friend last October to small cell cancer, which was diagnosed only 6 wks before his passing. So, I know how vital having events like this one is to the medical community. Hopefully, with the work they do at VBH, one day people will be able to beat illnesses that are as aggressive as his was.
I noticed Sarah McLaughlin was in the mix as well. Dang, wish I could have been there. What a night!!!
I noticed Sarah McLaughlin was in the mix as well. Dang, wish I could have been there. What a night!!!
Posted: 14 May 2006, 12:16I think it's wonderful that Diana does such terrific fundraising for various cancer research. However at $1,600 a ticket it excludes me from participating at the level that I can both afford and enjoy. I would love to go to one of her concerts and I would be honored to contribute to a charity that she is supporting, but at the level that she requires is way out of my reach. 
Posted: 14 May 2006, 13:07question: How do you get rid of that DK newbie thingie above my avatar?