The CBABC Ninth Annual Battle of the Bar Bands took place before a sold out crowd at the Commodore Ballroom on Friday, June 11, 2010. The competition was fierce as seven outstanding bands took to the stage. The winner of the coveted "ZSA Cup in the Battle of the Bands IX" for best band was Pat Haberl's "The Disclaimers." First runner up was David Hay's "The Noted Uppers" and second runner up was Michael Mjanes' "Standard of Hair."

The event's ticket sales, sponsorship donations and other funds raised a record breaking $95,000 for the CBA (BC) Benevolent Society (Society). The great success of this year's event was largely due to the fundraising and ticket sales efforts of the bands. The Disclaimers raised an unprecedented $30,000 this year.

All the bands put on incredible shows and the event judges, The Honourable Judge Gary Cohen of the Provincial Court of British Columbia (a founding Director of the Society), lawyer Mike Girard and Vancouver Sun music, arts and entertainment columnist Francois Marchand had a real challenge to determine who would receive the coveted ZSA Cup for the "Best Bar Band."

The Battle of the Bar Bands was originally conceived of by Derek Brindle, QC, a longstanding Director and fundraising Chair of the Society. This year Derek filled in as Master of Ceremonies for the CBC's Rick Cluff, the much loved perennial event booster and Master of Ceremonies.

The Society's Event Committee consists of Event Co-Chairs Derek Brindle, QC, Roger Holland of Singleton Urquhart LLP, Ian Jones also of Singleton Urquhart LLP and ZSA's Stephanie Hacksel. Live Nation graciously made the legendary Commodore Ballroom available to the Society and much thanks in this regard is owed to Gord Knights and Carita Sword for their support and professionalism.

Society President Basil Hobbs and Stephanie Hacksel presented Scott Smythe of McCarthy Tetrault LLP with the Highest Law Firm Sponsor Award. The highest Corporate Sponsor Award was shared this year by West Coast Title Search and The Investment Administration Solutions Inc.

The quality of the music is now on a par with professional entertainers. Each year the stellar contributions of bands fronted by Pat Haberl, David Hay, Michael Mjanes, Sarah Bird, Michael Bain, Tiffany Hambrook, Howard Mickelson, QC, Melanie Dekker, Russell McDonough, Chris Jackson and Scott Smythe, amongst others, have wowed the audiences. Battle of the Bar Bands X will take place again in early June 2011 and is expected to be even better than this year, if that is possible.

Please click on a link below to view band photos.

The Disclaimers - First Place
The Noted Uppers - First Runner Up
Standard of Hair - Second Runner Up
Howard Mickelson Band
No Reply
Suspended Sentence
Twisted Solicitor



2010 Vancouver Battle of the Bar Bands Winner: The Disclaimers



Photo L-R: The Disclaimers: Gord Rogers, Dave Ronald, Pat Madaisky, Mike Taylor, Lindsay Goldberg, Pat Haberl, Mike Varabioff and Andre Beaulieu



Photo L-R: Francois Marchand, The Honourable Judge Gary Cohen and Mike Girard



Photo L-R: Roger Holland, Basil Hobbs, Terry Laliberte, QC and Derek Brindle, QC



Photo L-R: Basil Hobbs, The Honourable Judge Gary Cohen, Francois Marchand, Mike Girard and Derek Brindle, QC



Photo L-R: Caroline Nevin and and Derek Brindle, QC



Photo L-R: Scott Smythe, Basil Hobbs and Stephanie Hacksel



Photo: Master of Ceremonies Derek Brindle, QC

[posted June 18, 2010]