About Town With Fred Lee: Photos from the Summer’s Biggest Fundraising Events

Beedie Rocks! August 23rd

Inspired to create his own Coachella after attending the California festival nearly a decade ago, Ryan Beedie, along with his wife Cindy (number three on Vanmag‘s 2025 Power 50 list), welcomed 3,000 friends and colleagues to their version at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. Def Leppard, Foster the People and Juno Group of the Year honourees The Beaches headlined this year’s free party in the park. Brandlive producer and longtime friend Paul Runnals once again orchestrated the day of music on two stages.

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank returned as the beneficiary of this year’s event. With plenty of food and drink, activations and music all financed by the Beedies, the 10-hour, hosted hoedown saw an appreciative crowd donate $1.15 million, which the Beedies then matched and topped up to $2.5 million. “The record haul will ensure 16,000 individuals who access the food bank monthly continue to receive healthy, nutritious food,” says GVFB CEO David Long. With support from the Beedies, the GVFB this September took possession of keys to a permanent home for their life-changing operations.

Developer Ryan Beedie and his wife Cindy’s philanthropic concert Beedie Rocks! netted $2.5 million for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Brandlive’s Paul Runnals and Anna Bond orchestrated the all-day concert that featured ten bands on two stages in Stanley Park.

The Beaches Eliza Enman McDaniel and Jordan Miller entertained 3,000 guests at Malkin Bowl.

Greater Vancouver Food Bank CEO David Long proposed to his girlfriend Megan at the last Beedie Rocks event in 2023—the two are now happily married.

Gold Royalty director Timothy Young with his partner Tayla Grewal presented a cheque for $20,000. They were among donors who helped raise $1.15 million for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Backstage, GVFB CEO David Long, thanked Artemis Gold executive chair Steven Dean for his $50,000 gift to the food bank.

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Enjoying the day of music and food and drink were Carol and Leslie Lee.

Barefoot in the Backyard, September 6th

It was a much more intimate setting at Sarah McLachlan’s Barefoot in the Backyard bash. Before embarking on an upcoming fall concert tour to promote her latest album Better Broken, the singer-songwriter hosted an alfresco concert in her backyard. Featuring performances by fellow Canadian artists Nancy Wilson of Heart with Madison Xoxo and “Call Me Maybe” pop queen Carly Rae Jepson, the event drew 200 of the province’s most generous who shelled out $1,600 a ticket to spend an evening with the Juno and Grammy award-winning artist in her West Vancouver home.

The rain subsided in time for the outdoor do. Yours truly led the spirited auction and even more spirited paddle raise. Big donors included Ajay Dilawri of the Dilawri Group who donated $375,000. Seaspan’s Kyle Washington gave $300,000. By evening’s end, attendees established a new fundraising record, raising over $3.3 million for McLachlan’s School of Music. Established in 2002, the school has grown to serve students throughout British Columbia and Alberta, offering access to music education for children and youth at no cost. Each year, more than 2,100 young people take part in programs that provide training, mentorship and community.

Yours truly hosted Sarah McLachlan’s Barefoot in the Backyard fundraiser which hit a high note raising a record-setting $3.3 million.

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Sarah McLachlan thanked John and Claire Nicola for their generous gift of $150,000 to her school of music, which provides free after school music programs for children and youth in B.C. and Alberta.

Vancouver Firefighters Brandon Davies and Eric Himmelman flanked Barefoot in the Backyard committee member Jennifer Traub. Turning up the live auction heat, their Fire in the Kitchen culinary package sold twice for $60,000 each.

Pre-birthday celebrations, Jill Arias and hubby Keith Neumeyer of First Majestic Silver took in the backyard do in West Vancouver.

Edmonton social entrepreneur and investor Ashif Mawji and his wife Zainul helped established a second Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Edmonton which serves some 700 youth annually.

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Sarah McLachlan School of Music students Eli and Tikvah performed “Burn” from Hamilton to kick start the evening.

West Vancouver’s Christie and David Garofalo were among attendees that shelled out $1,600 per person to the Barefoot in the Backyard benefit.

Randy Smallwood’s Wheaton Precious Metal Corp. were among the many sponsors of the School of Music benefit.

Nancy Wilson of Heart and Madison xoxo performed a medley of Heart hits.