Shelly and David Carnevale
Ken Minichiello
If there was any one event that established a standard of excellence for future signature Italian American club events, it was last year’s Carnevale of Venice Masquerade Gala.
This year, Shelly Carnevale and her team put their creative minds to work again and came up with an idea in which guests would be invited to Versailles, the home of King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, to attend one of her many Masquerade Galas.
The Tuscany Ballroom was exquisitely decorated with interior palace photos around the perimeter walls with masks beautifully displayed as a centerpiece on each table, all to create a feeling of being in the Palace of Versailles’ “Hall of Mirrors.”
The event committee presented the story of Marie Antoinette and her accomplishments and failures along with spectacular videos depicting soirees she so famously was known to hold. Karen Peterson, pianist, and Lisa Lombardy, vocalist, elegantly added to the presentation by playing and singing such songs as “Jazz Bird Song,” “Rondo alla Turca” (piano sonata by Mozart), and “Chocolate Kisses.” They received a standing ovation for their performance.
The excitement of attending guests was obvious and amazing. Although semi-formal dress was expected, some even wore period costumes making the evening even more dramatically real. Words expressed by those attending the event were “magical,” “incredible,” “great party,” and “I can’t wait for next year’s gala!”
Thanks to Shelly and her team: David Carnevale, Cheryl and Ed Neel, Bob Marchese, Judy Freidman and Sy Rosenthal, Kay Skripka, and Sally and Jay Ward.
This year’s Masquerade Gala at Versailles didn’t disappoint those attending this event … it truly exceeded everyone’s expectations!