Around Town: Lang Lang dazzles at NAC Gala
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Lang Lang was awesome awesome as the superstar classical pianist who dazzled a full house with his performance at the 16th annual National Arts Centre Gala on Saturday.
The evening netted $745,000, which is more than last year, for the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust.
Prior to the show, Lang walked the red carpet looking very hip with his cool hairstyle and stunning suit by Toronto-based fashion designer Rosemarie Umetsu. At his side was honourary gala chair Laureen Harper, in a feather-skirted black gown by Canadian designer David Dixon and Ron White shoes. She was there with her frequent gala date, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.
Harper chatted on the carpet with Lang, who found our prime minister’s wife to be “really lovely and charming.” The 30-year-old pianist also said he was looking forward to performing on stage with Maestro Pinchas Zukerman as he led the NAC Orchestra.
“He’s a great musician and I have huge admiration for him and what he does for the arts,” said Lang. “He teaches. He inspires people.”
Seen arriving were former cabinet minister Jim Prentice, now a senior executive with the gala’s presenting sponsor, CIBC; Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin; Gen. Walt Natynczyk; John Manley, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives; Mayor Jim Watson; and Defence Minister Peter MacKay with his radiant wife, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, looking like pregnancy very much agrees with her.
Also present were the NAC’s president, Peter Herrndorf, and its board’s chair, Julia Foster, and the NAC Foundation’s CEO, Jayne Watson, and its board chair, Gail O’Brien.
Arnon Corp. president and community leader Arnie Vered was back as chairman of the gala committee. It was later announced that a generous donation had been made to the NAC’s Summer Music Institute by Vered’s mother, well-known philanthropist Sara Vered.
After the show, 600-plus guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner planned by executive chef Michael Blackie on the same stage where Lang and the orchestra had performed.
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