McCord Stewart Grand Ball 2025 | A Night Of Allegory

Art & Entertainment

McCord Stewart Museum’s Grand Ball Turns Cartier Theatre into a Realm of Allegory

V
3 MIN READ
May 2, 2025

McCord Stewart Museum’s Grand Ball

During the evening of Thursday, May 1st, Cartier Theatre transformed into a time warp to an age of refinement as the McCord Stewart Museum hosted its much-anticipated 2025 Grand Ball under the poetic theme of Allegory.

Daphne Dambrine | © Vanessa Cyr

In a city that thrives on cultural pageantry, living tableaux populated by characters — in eclectic attire designed by LaSalle College Montreal students and faces painted by makeup artist Claudiane Therriault — breathed theatrical charm into the night.

Daisy Lahaie | © Mario Leblanc

With over 350 guests in attendance, the 2025 edition of the Grand Ball unfolded within the stunning interiors of the Cartier Theatre, a meticulously restored former church in the HoMa neighborhood. The venue — revitalized by the Carosielli Group — proved a fitting backdrop for an evening steeped in metaphor and magic.

From the very first step onto the round rugs of the red carpet, not only were guests ushered unto a path where symbolism, history, and creativity mingled, but a select few of them chose to dress the part to great effect.

Lolitta Dandoy and Jhonny Dandoy, both coiffed with wigs by SSDC | © Moetreal

The Grand Ball’s allegorical motif was expertly brought to life by Agence Oxygène, which imbued the space with an ethereal design that recalled the surrealism of vintage costume balls. Paying homage to the Museum’s current exhibition Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870–1927, the ambiance nodded to a past where class reigned supreme.

Costume Balls | © McCord Stewart Museum

The evening’s program unfolded in three movements: a vibrant cocktail reception in the church basement at 6:30 PM, where guests enjoyed fine champagne, lively conversation and delicious hors d’oeuvres, while the stage above was being set for a night of glamour and gourmandise.

At 8 PM, the crowd moved up to the main hall for a refined dinner service. In a regal atmosphere, seated guests contemplated the carefully crafted menu by Hoogan et Beaufort Events.

To the surprise and delight of many, lines of waiters, wearing Renaissance ruffs and Cubist face paintings, marched in to dramatic music, each holding and serving exquisite dishes in a well-executed choreography.

At 10 PM, the crowd gradually returned downstairs for a fun dance party with DJ Sandy Duperval. The floor quickly filled as guests embraced the music and energy, ensuring the night ended on a high note.

Sandy Duperval | © Elias Touil

This singular event was co-chaired by three remarkable Montreal leaders: Marie Ginette Lepage of Cogeco, Vickie Joseph of V Kosmetik, and Manuela Goya of Tourisme Montréal. Their leadership and commitment to the cultural vitality of Montreal were felt in every detail.

Marie Ginette Lepage, Vickie Joseph, and Manuela Goya | © Elias Touil

Thanks to the contributions of all the dedicated members of the 2025 Grand Ball organizing committee, “this year’s edition was nothing short of magical,” said Amélie Saint-Pierre, Executive Director of the McCord Museum Foundation. “The generosity and creativity on display reaffirm our mission to preserve and celebrate our artistic, cultural and historical heritage.”

Pierre Wehbi, Elisabeth Starenkyj, Félix Rhéaume, Amélie Saint-Pierre, Rebecca Moreau, Jean-Michel Lavoie, Vickie Joseph, Marie Ginette Lepage, Manuela Goya, Anne Eschapasse, and Ghislain Picard | © Elias Touil

This annual gala once again positioned itself as one of Montreal’s premier philanthropic and artistic events — raising $566,000 to support the Museum. For those who could not attend, donations remain welcomed and crucial. Every dollar raised helps protect a collection of over 2.5 million objects, images, and documents — testimonies to Quebec’s and Canada’s evolving identity.

The Grand Ball wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was a celebration of Montreal’s creative soul. As the final dance steps echoed through Cartier Theatre and guests toasted to the past and future, the soirée left behind more than just glamour — it rekindled a path to a shared sense of purpose.

NEXT: K4K Gala 2025 Dazzled as Maison Principale Was Turned into a Moulin Rouge

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V

From fine dining restaurants to boutique hotel staycations to high society balls, V is a lifestyle writer who unlocks some of Montreal's best-kept secrets.