The ANNOTICO Report
The Mardis Gras in Rio de Janerio, and New Orleans, the
best known, are
generally huge affairs, with parades and large raucous
uninhibited crowds.
Yes, there are also "Balls" for the more prosperous.
But for Finery and Finesse, one must go to Venice, Italy,
the origin of the
Festival.
One might look at Rio and New Orleans as "beer busts",
and Venice as
"Champagne Soirees, more befitting a 2000 year old culture.
Below are Web Sites can give you the Carnevale in Venice,
Up Close: The
History of the Carnivale, the History of the "Masks",
(the Masks are the
cornerstone of the Holiday), the Mask Designs, Costumes,
and the Calendar
of 56 Events, between January 28 and February 8.
The Venice carnival was a magical time for everyone and
involved the whole
city. It broke all the rules of society and State and
gave the average man
the chance to lose himself in revelry.
This was an intense period for the Venetians as they donned
their masks and
wore their fanciful costumes. The Palace Courts brightened
up day and night
as they opened up their gates to all manner of parties,
shows and musical
events.
Along the waterways, people would greet each other with
a "Good morning Mrs
Mask!". Personal identity, sex and social class were
no more; all that
mattered was taking part in the great illusion of the
Carnival.
HISTORY OF CARNIVALE
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/
exhibits/tiepolo/maskessay.html
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ( A List of a few Select Events)
The emphasis is Costumes, Dancing, Classical Music, Greeting
Old Friends,
Meeting New Friends, and Polite Social Intercourse!
Friday Jan 28: Diner Dansante "Le Menuet"
Saturday Jan 29:
IL BALLO DI CASANOVA
Venice Gateway To The Orient, Gala
Dinner Dance
Balls of The Serenissima Venice and
Celebration of the Seven Marie
CENA DI GALA E BALLO IN MASCHERA
Sunday Jan 30:
Festival Europeo Rievocazioni Storiche
"Citt? di Venezia"
IL VOLO DELL'ANGELO
Shadows of Love
Wednesday Feb 3: Along the Canals in Gondola
Thursday Feb 4:
Ballo Tiepolo
The Four Season in the Venice of Vivaldi
Friday Feb 5:
INTERNATIONAL GALA DINNER - "LA VIE
EN ROSE"
Ridotto
Saturday Feb 6:
Il Ballo del Doge
Venezia Romantica
The Elixir of Love at Ca' Zanardi
GRAN GALA A LA BELLE EPOQUE - "ALL'OMBRA
DELLE FANCIULLE IN FIORE"
XIII FESTIVAL INTERNAZIONALE POESIA
EROTICA
Sunday Feb 7:
La Domenica degli Innamorati / Sunday
of Lovers
CENA DI GALA A SCOPO BENEFICO/CHARITY
GALA DINNER
MASCHERANDA
Monday Feb 8:
Palladian Banquet
Carnevale degli Artisti/Artist Carnival
party
Tuesday Feb 9:
TODOS MARICONES
I Segreti di Venezia/The Secrets of
Venice
I Balli della Venezia Stravagante
/ Balls of The Extravagant Venice
GRAN GALA INTERNAZIONALE DI FINE CARNEVALE/
- FINAL BALL OF THE CARNIVAL
Complete List and Details at:
http://www.guestinvenice.com/
carnivalofvenice/eventi.asp?anno=2005
Not included in the above List:
The Ballo dei Sospiri theme in 2005 is "Virgins
and Vampires" on Friday
Feb. 4, 2005
2001 "Sighs and Sights"
2002 "The Courtesans".
2003 "Seven Deadly Sins
2004 "Sodom and Gomorrah"