On Friday, January 31st, the TRIUMF community came together in celebration for the 2020 Mid-Winter Celebration at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond.
Folks from across the laboratory community, many resplendent in 1920s-themed attire to fit the gala’s ‘Roaring Into the 20s’ centennial motif, converged on the theatre for an evening filled with delicious food, a piping hot dance floor, and the presentation of the second annual Above & Beyond Awards.
The evening began with a welcome reception on the top floor of the theatre, where sipping guests caroused and took in the musical stylings of none other than TRIUMF’s Grant Minor (Group Leader, Remote Handling) and his band, Girlfriends and Boyfriends. Then, drinks in hand, attendees descended on the theatre proper for a buffet dinner, prizes, and an evening of footloose whirl and twirl on the dancefloor.
At the sight of the many guests decked out in their finest era-appropriate glad rags, TRIUMF’s unofficial Marshal of Ceremonies Jim Hanlon was overcome with appreciation and announced an unscheduled costume contest, much to the surprise (and, presumably, delight) of the Celebration’s mastermind organizers, Cynthia Reis and Jana Thompson.
On the appraisal of an ad-hoc but nonetheless expert panel of fashion judges, Chase Shekhar and his partner took home the first-place prize for their nifty ensemble of threads; all participants were otherwise determined to be the bee's knees and enjoyed a suitably raucous round of applause and appreciation.
TRIUMF Director Dr. Jonathan Bagger also took to the stage to present this year’s Above & Beyond Awards, which highlighted many of the exemplary teams and individuals within the laboratory community. More information on this year’s winners will be announced shortly, so stay tuned!
TRIUMF would like to thank Cynthia, Jana, and the Mid-Winter team for their hard work in making this gala a success – it was truly the cat’s meow!