Here’s your official invitation to attend the Italian Community Center’s social event of the year – the 33rd annual Il Grande Carnevale – on Saturday, February 18, beginning at 5 p.m.
“We would like to see a full house on hand for this pre-Lenten costume and mask ball, steeped in Venetian tradition,” the chairpersons, Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek and Rosemary DeRubertis, stated. “We can assure you that it will be a fantastic, fun-filled event.”
Cost to attend: $55 per person, with a discounted price of $45 for each ICC member. A reservation form can be found in the Italian Times, or you may simply call the ICC to pay by credit card (414-223-2180). The reservation deadline is Monday, Feb. 13.
Carnevale begins in the Galleria with a social hour (cash bar) during which the Italian Conference Center’s scrumptious hors d’oeuvres are served. After the sumptuous dinner will be served in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom.
Next comes the colorful coronation ceremony of the ICC’s 2012 royalty, followed by dancing (this year, to The Brew City Horns, a 22-piece band), a late-night pyrotechnics display presented by Bartolotta Fireworks, and an abundant sweet table.
Dinner
The dinner will feature a double entrée – a petite filet mignon, with Bordelaise sauce, accompanied by a breast of chicken Milanese-style (topped with sautéed sweet red pepper strips and onions – served with broiled tomato parmesan, a steamed fresh vegetable medley, a baked potato, an Italian salad, Italian bread, dessert and coffee, tea, iced tea or milk. Salads and red and white wine will be on each table at the time guests take their seats.
This Year's Theme
The creative design team of ICC volunteers Marie and Craig Lieber, C.J. Lieber, Christina Ziino, Ann Zambito, Santa Mazza, Frank D’Amato, Cosmo Carini and Pamela Mazza-Mueller are busy creating the ballroom decorations to carry out Carnevale’s chosen theme, “La Stella di Venezia” (“The Star of Venice”).
Czubek and DeRubertis said “We encourage our members and non-members to come in costume or masks to embellish this festive occasion. Come as your favorite movie, TV, sports or celestial star.” Judges will be on hand to identify persons whose costumes or masks merit prizes. The judging will take place during the grand march, led by Il Gran Maresciallo Dean Cannestra, preceding the fireworks show and the serving of the sweet table.
Coronation of Royalty
The highlight of the evening will be the coronation of the 2012 Royalty. The individuals given the honors for the 33rd Carnevale are:
Lending the ecclesiastical air to the occasion as Il Vescovo (The Bishop) will be longtime ICC member Frank D’Amato. ICC Chaplain, The Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke, will also be on hand for the invocation and pre-Lenten blessing of the Royal Court.
Profiles on all the members of the Royal Court appear in a separate story in this issue.
Raffle
As a fund-raising activity, a raffle, featuring cash prizes, will be conducted. Tickets will be mailed to ICC members for purchase and will be on sale the night of the event.
The raffle will offer chances to win $500 (1st prize), $300 (2nd prize), $250 (3rd prize) and $100 (4th prize). Ticket prices are $2 each or seven for $10. “We encourage our members to purchase and sell as many tickets as possible,” Czubek and DeRubertis said. For additional tickets, call the ICC office at 414/223-2180.
