International Grand Debutante Ball in Venice, Italy

(Venice, Italy) Imagine a magical city set like a precious jewel in the center of a lagoon... Imagine stately palazzi draped in golden fabrics and tapestries, and kaleidoscope chandeliers dangling from the ceilings... Imagine a campanile with Cinderella bells that strike twelve at midnight, and a sleek, black gondola waiting at the water door to whisk you away... Imagine a pink Ducal Palace, and a musical piazza filled with the sound of violins... Imagine your wildest dreams coming true, and you have imagined the reality called Venice.

The city of Venice herself is the stage for Incentive Harmony's International Debutante Ball, set to premiere in 2010. Once again, Nicolas Arnita, master magician of Venetian balls, together with his wife, Jeanne-Bénédicte, have imagined a way to transform their love of Venice into a wondrous dream to share with the world. What better place for a young woman to make her debut than supported by the majestic arms of the Queen of the Sea?

Incentive Harmony is creating a three-day gala brimming with cultural events, excursions, luncheons, cocktails and dinners, with full programs for both the debutants and their parents, culminating with a grand Debutante Ball. Nicolas and Jeanne-Bénédicte believe that today's young woman is intelligent and enterprising, as well as sophisticated and attractive, and plan to serve up a smorgasbord of Venice's unique charms sure to satisfy an astute clientele.

Venice has a rich history of supporting young women at their debut of life. Originating in 943 AD, La Festa delle Marie is an ancient festival still celebrated today, which honors the virtuosity of young women. In 1474, Venetian beauty Catherine Cornaro made her debut as Queen of Cyprus at the tender age of twenty. Venetian mathematician Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree in 1678.

From the nobility to the popolo, women have always been an integral fabric that weaves the city together, cultivating the necessary skills to keep Venice thriving. It is this enterprising female spirit that Incentive Harmony wishes to honor with their debut International Debutante Ball.

There will be a ongoing updates, culminating with press conference this fall announcing the complete program.

Incentiveharmony

Venice - Italy

Tel. +39 041 52 01 855

+39 041 77 93 002

Fax +39 041 52 85 914

ecgroup@incentiveharmony.com

Ciao from Venice,

Cat

Venetian Cat - Venice Blog

http://venetiancat.blogspot.com/

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Carnival of Venice - The Magic Returns

(Venice, Italy) A masked woman steps from her gondola and into the Venetian mist. Flickering candlelight illumines the silhouette of a man waiting at the palazzo door. They embrace, and journey up the red carpet, into a world of intrigue and romance...

A scene from Casanova's memoirs? No -- it's Carnival time in Venice! This year Carnevale runs from Friday, February 13th through February 24th, ending on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Martedì Grasso.

Nicolas and Jean Benedict Arnita, the owners of Incentive Harmony, have been conjuring up Carnevale balls in Venice for more than a decade. Originally from Paris, they are wizards at keeping their love affair with La Serenissima vibrant and alive. This year they are offering eight elegant events at the 14th century Gothic Palazzo Pesaro Papafava, all with an historic theme.

I first met Nicolas and Jean Benedict back in 2001 when I featured their exclusive event-planning company in a story for the IHT-Italy Daily. Since that time, they have seen the likes of the Arvind Singh Mewar, the Maharana of Udaipur, and highest ranking member of the Rajput royal ancestry, cross their threshold -- apparently the Maharana has also fallen in love with Venice as it reminds him of Udaipur, and his palace on the lake:) Together, Nicolas and the Maharana presented the royal exhibition, the Treasure of the Maharaja, here in Italy with Santi Choudhary, a descendent of the original jeweler. Like the Arnitas, the Maharana is dedicated to promoting historic and responsible tourism, not only with his own properties, but across the globe. His Royal Highness couldn't attend the festivities last year, but the Arnitas have high hopes he'll be able to squeeze in a Ball or two this time around.

To kick things off, on Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14th, the theme of the Gran Ballo della Serenissima is "Love Duet," inspired by Romeo & Juliet, the renowned lovers from Verona, a town that was once part of the Venetian Republic. Throughout the evening, the most famous lyric operas will be performed, such as La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia and La Bohéme. The wine will flow as costumed guests enjoy a gala dinner, and then dance until dawn.

Woven throughout the twelve days of Carnival, the Arnitas will host seven additional events. On Sunday the 15th, Il Ballo della Colombina is inspired by one of the most beloved characters of the Commedia dell'arte, Colombina, that saucy servant with more brains than her masters.

On Thursday the 19th, La Dolce Vita e il Gran Ballo di Giustina Renier, l'utima gentildonna del '700 is dedicated to Giustina Renier Michiel, granddaughter of the last Doge of Venice. Born in 1755, she witnessed the fall of the Republic, and watched it pass between French and Austrian hands. Giustina wrote the six-volume work, Origins of Venetian Festivals, first published in 1817, and was noted for her illustrious salon, which gathered together some of the finest minds of the time, including Lord Byron and Canova.

An homage to Giovan Battista Pergolesi will highlight his operetta La Serva Padrona on Friday the 20th, featuring Serpina, the servant who plotted to marry her padrone. The Grand Ball of the Dogaressa on Saturday the 21st will celebrate with its own Three Tenors -- it was not the Doge who normally organized the great balls of the past, but the Doge's wife.

On Sunday, February 22nd, a Lyrical Chocolate Afternoon will start at 5PM, followed by the Grand Costume Ball of One Thousand and One Nights later that evening, where an award for the most elaborate costume celebrating a glorious moment in Venetian history will be presented. On February 24th, troubadours and minstrels wander throughout Palazzo Pesaro Papafava in celebration of Fat Tuesday,the last day of Carnival, during the Grand Ball of the Renaissance.

Each event is priced under €300, which includes a welcome cocktail, seated Gala Dinner with wine, and entertainment. The dress code is formal, tuxedo or smoking jacket for men. Masks required. The Arnitas' atelier is at your disposal for costumes, masks and accessories. To see the complete program of all eight events, please click:

http://www.incentiveharmony.com/carnivalballs/carnival2009.html

Or click below to download the complete Program of the Balls:
Detailed Program of Carnival Balls

Incentive Harmony of Nicolas Arnita would like to express its great appreciation for the fresh vision and collaboration between the major organizations of the Comune, the Province and the Region, and all its residents, Veneziani di Cuore.

Viva La Serenissima!

Incentiveharmony - Palazzo Valier

Campo San Silvestro - San Polo 1022

30125 Venice - Italy

Tel. +39 041 52 01 855

+39 041 77 93 002

Fax +39 041 52 85 914

ecgroup@incentiveharmony.com

http://www.incentiveharmony.com/

Click to go to main Venetian Cat-Venice Blog:

http://venetiancat.blogspot.com/