An aura of mystery cascades over the Columbus Community Centre when Il Carnevale de Venezia, a masquerade ball, takes over Saturday, Feb. 11 at
7:30 p.m.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra is the benefactor of this ballroom dancing fundraiser organized by volunteer and dance enthusiast Elizabeth Clark.
"The reason we're holding the Venetian masquerade ball is because we're not having the Strauss Ball this year and to make up for that we wanted to come up with something a little bit different," said Clark. "It's meant to be fun for dancers that do ballroom dancing but we also wanted to make it fun for other people. We came up with the Venetian theme because it's a different kind of ball."
This will be a less formal affair, ball gowns are optional for women and suits are optional for men.
"It's a little bit fancy dress where women can wear something fun instead of the traditional ball gown if they wish and men can wear Venetian traditional [form fitting pants and a silk shirt]," Clark said.
Enhancing the air of mystery surrounding the dance, masks can be a very big part of the Mardi Gras Snow Daze event. Masks can include headdresses, ones that cover the majority of your face, ones that cover just your eyes and nose and those that you hold in front of your face temporarily.
"It's easier to dance in a mask that is secure to your face," Clark said. "It's not a big deal if someone who's carrying a hand-held mask wants to put it down for dancing."
The evening begins with live music by symphony members, then traditional music will be offered for ballroom dance aficionados, while pop tunes will offset the evening's entertainment for those wishing to hit the dance floor and shake a leg.
There is a cocktail dinatoire, a substantial yet fine aperitif buffet featuring several salads, bread service, chicken and prawn dishes as well as dessert.
Proceeds of the ball will help offset cost of the symphony's next season.
Tickets are $68 each plus HST at the PGSO office at 2880
15th Ave or call 250-562-0800.
