Toronto’s annual Brazilian Carnival Ball, ranked one of the largest fundraising galas in Canada and among the top ten in the world, will have the city sizzling with samba sounds as it celebrates its 38th edition on Saturday, May 8th, 2004 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Toronto’s annual Brazilian Carnival Ball, ranked one of the largest fundraising galas in Canada and among the top ten in the world, will have the city sizzling with samba sounds as it celebrates its 38th edition on Saturday, May 8th, 2004 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The highlight of this glittering event is undoubtedly the resplendent performances from fifty dancers and entertainers, recognized as the star performers from the premier samba schools of Carnival in Rio 2004. Some of this year’s stars include: Imperatriz Leopoldinenese, Mangueira, Unidos da Tijuca, Salgueiro,Imperio Serrano Grande Rio with a special presentation by the rising star among samba schools, innovative Rocinha. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Queen of the Brazilian Ball, direct from Rio, who will be wearing fabulous crown jewels crafted with priceless Brazilian gemstones, created exclusively for the Ball by Brazil’s top jewellery designers.
The international celebrities and artists from Carnival in Rio are all flown in directly from Rio de Janeiro along with their magnificent award-winning costumes which are valued at over $1 million. The amazing costumes and headdresses can be over 4 and a half meters tall and some are so wide that performers move sideways even through massive double doors.
As captivating, is this year’s vibrant and whimsical decor treatment with its palette of electric oranges, spirited yellows and shocking pinks, sharply punctuated with white, black and turquoise. Created by internationally-renowned show designer and Brazilian artist Zeka Marques, the seamless, floor-to-ceiling organza-weight paper panels were hand-crafted by artisans in southern Brazil before being rolled into large cylinders and shipped to Toronto for the Ball. These panels along with mobiles will transform the ballroom of the Convention Centre.
Under the astute direction of the Ball’s founder and president Anna Maria de Souza and 2004 Co-Chairs Elizabeth Tory and Heather Reid, this year’s Brazilian Ball will raise funds in support of the Orthopaedic and Arthritic Institute (OAI) of Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre – an international leader in musculoskeletal and rehabilitation care with expertise in arthritis, rheumatology, spinal care, sports injuries and orthopaedic nursing.
“ The Brazilian Ball continues to be a thrilling and magical night,” says Anna Maria de Souza, the Ball’s founder and president. “But it is more than the spectacular display of exotic costumes, beautiful dancers, and exquisite food. It’s about helping to raise significant amounts of money each year for an important charitable cause in health care, research, culture, and education in both Toronto and Brazil. We are so grateful to everyone who helps make this possible.”
Another highlight of this year’s Ball is Joia Brasil an exquisite collection of jewellery designed by 15 Brazilian artisan jewellers. The Collection is on display and available for sale at BIRKS on Bloor from May 3rd to June 3rd, 2004. Fifteen pieces from the Collection have been donated for silent auction at the Ball and 10% of in-store sales of the Brazilian Collection will be donated by BIRKS to the OAI.
The Ball, under the patronage of the Brazilian and Canadian Governments, will host more than 1,400 exuberant Carnival revellers including the elite of Toronto’s fashion, society, business, finance and the arts.
Since 1994, each Brazilian Ball has netted more than one million dollars, raising more than 33 million in the Ball’s 38-year history. This phenomenal success would not be possible without the generous support of many corporate sponsors. Setting the pace as this year’s Premier Sponsor is AIC Limited and Evening Sponsor RBC Financial Group.
From the first sounds of the samba beat to the irrepressible energy of the dazzling entertainers, guests will be treated to an unforgettable evening of enchantment and the knowledge that their contributions to the evening will benefit a very worthy cause.
