Belle of the Italian ball!

THE kingdom’s movers and shaikhas have been putting their best foot forward and learning to waltz their way around the ballroom in preparation for one of the island’s social events of the year.

Special lessons have been staged to ensure the sell-out Grand Italian Ball is a success on the dance floor as the stage is set to bring alive the magic of a Venice carnival.

Four hundred guests, including diplomats, businessmen, top executives and socialites, will be attending the event organised by Milena, the wife of Italian Ambassador to Bahrain Enrico Padula, at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa on Friday evening.

Mrs Padula said: “In Italy it is carnival time. The idea is to spend a magical night and imagine being transported to the lovely Venice. It is a part of Italian culture that makes you travel back to the past.
 
“What is nice about it is not the ball, or the dinner, or the food … it is about learning something about Italy in an enjoyable way, about Venice and its people, their costumes, music and their ways of entertainment. I would say it is a cultural education.”

Preparations have included the special baroque dancing lessons by Italian event planners Luca Moretti and Lucia Oliva – who have travelled from Europe to pull the event together – and grand Venetian gowns and masks that have also been flown in from Italy.

Luca, who will be wearing a 19th Century Victorian costume complete with a wig and mask, said: “We are trying to recreate a typical Venetian atmosphere along with live singing and some classical music.

“We have a soprano, a tenor and a pianist who will be in costume and will provide live music. Guests will dance to opera tunes and they will be introduced to typical Italian traditions. Entertainment will include a magician who is also coming from Italy. Together, we are showcasing a combination of different artistic skills.”

Many of the guests, including the hostess, have ordered period costumes. Some of the artists are planning to wear the beautiful large masks that the carnival is associated with. Venetian Spritz – a famous fizzy aperitif from the historic city will also be on offer.

This is the second grand Italian ball organised in the kingdom. Last year, it was part of the Italian festival and organisers say it has been brought back on popular demand. Tickets to the ball, which have been sold out, cost BD25. Profits will be donated to a local charity that has not been identified yet.

Sponsors for the event are Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, Saipem, Gulf Air, Gulf Brands International, Maserati, Al Hawaj and Ferrari.