The first Vancouver Entertains – the west coast edition of CANFAR's Bloor Street Entertains gala – is Friday, October 24, 2025. All proceeds raised during Vancouver Entertains will benefit CANFAR's Vancouver and BC-based investments in HIV/AIDS research and implementation programs. Leading up to the event, we're spotlighting the three Co-chairs who are bringing Canada's Most Outstanding Event (Canadian Event Awards Winner 2025) to YVR.
Christie Garofalo is a respected Community Champion and solutions-driven leader in Canada’s charitable sector. With over 30 years of volunteer service, she has helped raise tens of millions for local and national causes as a board chair, connector, fundraiser, and philanthropist. Deeply committed to her values of family, community, and giving back, Christie lives by the motto: “Get involved and give back.” She is an alumna of UBC and lives in Vancouver with her husband and their eight children.
Why does CANFAR’s mission to end the HIV epidemic in Canada resonate with you?
HIV/AIDS doesn’t recognize boundaries. Increasing case rates across provinces – including here in BC – are a worrying trend that highlights a need for us to all work together to end Canada’s epidemic. As a national organization, CANFAR is well-positioned to bridge that gap from coast-to-coast.
It was shocking to learn that even in 2025, nearly a quarter of all new HIV diagnoses in Canada is among youth aged 15 to 29. And that heterosexual contact leads the new diagnoses at almost 40%.
Our youth aren’t educated about HIV, because they weren’t here during the height of the epidemic; they don’t have that point of reference. CANFAR’s dedication to national youth awareness and prevention resonates with me as both a mother and an advocate for empowering youth.
Why did you want to bring Bloor Street Entertains to the west coast with the upcoming Vancouver Entertains?
Bloor Street Entertains has been so successful – 29 years and running – and has built such reputation and prominence because of its unique, exciting and interesting format. People talk about it for weeks leading up to and after the event – and we want to build that same buzz and reignite conversations around HIV/AIDS here on the west coast.
What makes the Vancouver Entertains experience unique?
Vancouver Entertains comprises several intimate and interesting dinner parties in luxury boutiques culminating with a fabulous after party. Each dinner has its own vibe, its own culinary and décor teams – so no two are alike. Buy a table, build a table with friends, or purchase a pair of tickets and make it a date night!
What do you hope to achieve with Vancouver Entertains? What do you want guests to remember after the evening?
I hope people remember our message and start to talk about HIV again. And to talk about it with their teens, friends, family, networks. We want this to be an engaging moment for awareness while everyone has a fabulous time and raises significant funding for our local partners in Vancouver and BC.
VANCOUVER ENTERTAINS 2025
Friday, October 24, 2025
Dinners 6:30pm
Official After Party at 9:30pm
Dinner venues include Zegna, Harry Rosen, Holt Renfrew, RIMOWA & more