From February 4th to 21st 2012

THE GRAN THEATRE IN ST. MARK’S SQUARE
From 11 to 21 February 2012 

This year too, on the occasion of Carnival 2012, a big Stage will be set up in St. Mark’s Square. The “Grand Theatre” will be the heart of one of the most famous events in the world. Besides the traditional shows, such as the “Angel Flight”, the “Festa delle Marie” (or “Feast of Marie”) and the “More Beautiful Mask”, it will also host performances of the most innovative companies, including shows of choreographic companies and circus-theatre shows. The programme of the evening events to be held in St. Mark’s Square will include dances, parties with early evening aperitif entertainment and Dj sets to accompany electrifying happy hours.

THE WINE FOUNTAIN
From February 4th

In this 2012 edition too there will be in St. Mark’s Square the “Fountain of Wine“, a beautiful fountain set up just in front of the Ducal Palace, from which fine wines – strictly of Venetian production- will flow, which will be offered to the public. Carnival will be officially opened precisely by the Fountain, on February 4th 2012, and, after the official opening toast, let’s give free rein to dance! In the Piazzetta San Marco people will dance the waltz until late at night!

VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER 
February 5th

On Sunday, February 5th 2012, you cannot absolutely miss “The Venetian Festival on Water”, the highlight of the popular folklore of Carnival events. An imposing water parade will slip moorings from Punta della Dogana and sail along the Grand Canal until reaching the popular Rio di Cannaregio, where it will march among the jubilant crowd thronging on the shores, waiting for the now acclaimed “Svolo della Pantegana”. The regatta will be accompanied with songs of the Venetian tradition. Upon arrival of the boats, the wine and food stands will be opened, in which the public will find cicheti (nips), Venetian specialties and traditional Carnival sweets par excellence: fritole and galani.

FESTA DELLE MARIE 
February 11th

This year too, at the Carnival of Venice 2012, the traditional “Festa delle Marie” (“Feast of Marie”) could not miss. The event, a unique moment to admire the costumes of the Venetian tradition, unfolds over several days. It will be inaugurated on Saturday, February 11th, with the procession of the twelve Venetian girls selected in the previous weeks. The pedestrian parade, accompanied by costumed historical groups of the European Committee of Historical Re-Enactments and Carnival Associations, will l

eave San Pietro in Castello, walking along the entire Riva degli Schiavoni and finally reaching St. Mark’s Square, where the presentation of the “Marie” to the citizens will take place.

ANGEL FLIGHT 
February 12th

The “Angel Flight”, a traditional reminiscence of the homage once brought to the Doge, offers the exciting flight of a secret guest of the city of Venice, from the top of the bell tower of St. Mark’s up to the centre of the square. The event will officially open the Carnival festivities on February 12th 2012. The angel, a star of the international glamour, whose name this year still remains unknown, will wear a beautiful costume inspired by the Carnival theme.

ROWING OF SILENCE 
February 21st

The Venice festival will end on Tuesday, February 21st 2012, with the Rowing of Silence: an impressive procession of boats that will pass along the Grand Canal with no artificial lighting, from Rialto to St. Mark’s. All buildings overlooking the city’s most famous canal will instead be lit with thousands of candles in order to recreate the atmosphere of ancient times and revive the image of an unreal and magical Venice, free from noise (motor-boat traffic will be banned) and by candlelight.PB

From 11th to 21st February 2012

The 2012 Venice Carnival is dedicated to the theatricalisation of everyday life, as announced today by the Art Director, Davide Rampello, in a press conference held in the town hall. The title will therefore be “LA VITA E’ TEATRO. TUTTI IN MASCHERA” (Life is theatre. Everybody dress up)

The famous kermesse will turn Venice into Europe’s theatre capital, as it used to be in the past, starting from the XVII century. It was a real breeding ground for high level theatre plays. Famous artists – the likes of Antonio Vivaldi and Antonio Guardi, Il Canaletto – were involved and worked on creating the scenery of important theatre plays.

This year (like other years), the 11-day programme will extend into the week-end. The Carnival’s prologue will be the week-end of 4th-5th February and will officially begin on 11th February, ending on Shrove Tuesday (21st February 2012).

This year’s theme is the valorisation of the city and the aim is to make the Carnival an event people enjoy, arousing their interest in the city. During this active, throbbing Carnival participants will have all the possible stimuli for the development of their creativity.TD

All Venetian theatres have enriched their calendars with a series of themed shows.

The La Fenice Theatre, for example, will participate in the 2011 Venice Carnival with eight performances of Puccini’s Boheme, a Gala dance by Eifman Ballet from St. Petersburg as well as the long-awaited appointment with the ever present Dance of Cavalchina appearing on Sabato Grasso.

On the occasion of the Venetian kermesse, the Civic Museums of Venice, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Palazzo Grassi will remain open until 9pm to give the public the opportunity to both visit the splendidly designed exhibitions inside them and enjoy the aperitifs and ad hoc events which have been organised.

For the entire period of Carnival one will gain access to Palazzi Grassi via the water entrance on the Grand Canal, arriving in Gondola or taxi at the spacious lobby. Here Dancing Nazis by Piotr Uklanki will take place, and parties and dinners will be hosted. There will be free public entry. Further, on the 2nd of March the building will remain open for the entire day until 9pm for happy hour, music and dinners. On Martedi Grasso, the 8th of March 2011, it will once again remain open until 9pm when one will be able to exclusively dine at the Palazzo Grassi Café. Free entry for females.

Palazzo Ducale and Museo Correr will remain open from the 3rd until the 8th of March 2011 until 9pm.

And the doors of Ca’ Vernier dei Leoni, the building in which the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed, will remain exclusively open on Giovedi Grasso, the 3rd of March 2011, until 9pm. TD

From 26th February until 8th March 2011

A dramatic new event at this year’s Carnival of Venice 2011 will be the special theatrical tours designed by Alberto Toso Fei. Actors in costume will lead you through a magical and secret Venice in “The Secrets of Venice“.

Visitors will be drawn into a real touring show that will reveal the many mysteries and tales linked to evocative and little-known places in the city. Why does Ca ‘Soranzo have a hole in its façade with an angel looking through it? How did Elena Priuli’s lovers’ flee without her powerful procurer husband noticing? What sort of phantom resides in the well of Corte Lucatello and what secret lies behind the construction of the Rialto Bridge? These are among the mysteries to be revealed.

There are two scheduled tours, both in English and Italian (both of which can be booked on the official website).

The first tour, titled “Angels and Demons. Love and Seduction“, assembles in Piazza San Marco, before movig immediately to the Castello district, and then proceeding in a labyrinth of stories and places, some of which are named directly from legends.

The second tour, “Ghosts and grisly murders. Secrets and clandestine love affairs“, will begin in Piazza San Marco with an extraordinary tale: that of a dramatic uprising of 1310 and the birth of the formidable Council of Ten, and the introduction of a gracious white lady, whose body might be concealed in a well. Then you will move onto the Bridge of Bareteri, the ex-theatre of forbidden love and adventurous escapes. Meanwhile, the facade of the church of Fava conceals the story of a corpse bride. In the court of the Milion you can still hear the song of the princess without empire, unfortunate wife of Marco Polo, and overlooking the Grand Canal from the court of Remer you can occasionally see the corpse of Fosco Loredan that emerges holding the head of his wife.TD

The burlesque genre, originally a parody show, consists of short dance performances and choreography. Performed by artists who combine beauty, choreographic skills and irony, this type of art matured in the nineteenth century and today has been retrieved and placed on the agenda of the next Carnival.

On Tuesday 5th February 2011 the names of two artists who are to perform in the nightly shows at the Casino were announced, Lou Lou D ‘vile and Luna Rosa, together with the presenter Attilio Reinhardt, also known as “The Ambassador of Burlesque in Italy“.

The spaces of the main floor of the palace will be set up with stages on which parodist and burlesque artistic performances will alternately take place. The mysterious charm of the performances will accompany the dishes on the menu specifically designed for the occasion by the Casino’s restaurant.

To participate you must book: carnevalevenezia@gmail.com

Tania Danieli

February 26th – March 8th, 2011
Venice

During the Carnival time, from February 26th to March 8th, the city of Venice will be a flowering of theatre pieces, concerts, special itineraries, cultural events for both tourists and locals. Comedy of art shows and Historical Re-enactments will be performed in the most popular Campi, while the street artists entertainments and the circustheater shows will be planned in every district in order to create a rich and surprising program every day.

For the Venice Carnival 2011 Special itineraries, invented by theatre actors, will let the most curious and creative visitors discover the hidden corners of the city and the secrets of Carnival, concealed in the curiously named venetian “Calli”.

The local churches will be open in the evenings too, in order to offer a repertoire of classical and contemporary music, and allowing the people to experience these unique worship places during the night time.

The main cultural circles in town, museums and art galleries, will join the Carnival atmosphere by extending their opening days and times, allowing everybody to enjoy the culture all day till late night.TD

2011, march 4th
Arsenale

A rich dinner with unique flavours together with the lively animations of the boogie dancers “Doo-wop” and the dance muic from the famous DJ of “La Voce di Venezia” radio.

All set within one of the most authentic and ancient Venetian locations. Arsenale’s Navy Club is an exclusive and original location ten walking minutes from Piazza San Marco and in front of the Arsenale vaporetto stop.

In this magic Fat Friday you will be audience and protagonist of a unique night with entertaining events and music that will bring you to the dance floor in the heart of the authentic Venetian Carnival.

Cost: 70 € p.p. (non refundable)
Bookings Only

Dress Code: a Carnival costume or mask would be preferable but….the theme is free and at your own choice!

For more information and booking here

Sunday February 20th, 2011, from 10am
Canal Grande and Cannaregio

This is the typical venetian Feast open to all the guests interested in local traditions.
The water parade organized by the “Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere” of Venice, will leave San Marco and sail along the Canal Grande to the folkloristic district of Cannaregio where it will be acclaimed by the crowd facing the banks of the Rio de Cannaregio. They will be waiting for the already famous “Svolo della Pantegana”, organized by the same “Coordinamento delle Remiere”.

As soon as the row boats arrive, the eno-gastronomic stalls, with the traditional carnival delicacies, will open: venetian fritole and galani, the appreciated local appetizers “cicheti” will be offered by A.E.P.E. A fountain, placed on the banks just for the occasion, will pour wine instead of water while surprising the guests that will be attended by the landladies in their traditional costumes, according to the local theatrical mise-en- scène.TD

Saturday February 19th, 7pm-8pm
Tuesday, March 8th, Midnigh

The Venice Carnival 2011 will open on February 26 with a great Party in St. Mark Square and it will be closed on March 8 with a Silent Regatta in Canal Grande.

GRAND TOAST IN VENICE
Saturday February 19th, 7pm-8pm
Piazzetta San Marco

“Grand toast in Venice” will be the opening event, an elegant and joyful “cheers” for tourists and local people to officially welcome the Carnival. The main attraction will be a big fountain pouring wine while inaugurating the Carnival in a stimulating atmosphere for all. From now on, the dances begin in Piazzetta San Marco on notes of the most famous “Brindiam!” of the Italian Opera tradition, in a kaleidoscope of colors, tuxedo dresses and walking sticks according to the fashion of the nineteenth century.

THE SILENT REGATTA
Tuesday, March 8th, Midnight

The “Silent Regatta” will be the Grand Final Show and will draw the curtain over the Carnival “Ottocento”. A long parade of gondolas and row boats will proceed along the Canal Grande, from Rialto to the basin of San Marco on notes of a trumpet placed on the top of the first boat of the water parade. The Canal Grande will be illuminated with thousands of candles in a perfect nineteenth century atmosphere, while, at the arrival in the basin of San Marco, thousands of balloons made of paper with a small light inside, will be released in the sky as a symbol of the end of the Carnival and the symbolic entrance in the Lenten period.

Casting:
Thursday, March 3rd, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-5pm
Friday, March 4th, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-5pm
Saturday, March 5th, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-5pm

Conclusion:
Sunday, March 6th, from 3pm
Piazza San Marco

On Sunday, March 6th 2011, on the stage set in Piazza San Marco, famous guests and artists will host the selection of the best masks of the Carnival. An international

jury will select not only the best costumes, but also their colors, originality, beauty, savoir faire and bearing. This year two different prizes will be given: one, as usual, for the best mask of the Carnival, and the second one for the best nineteenth century style mask. The selection of the masks will take place in Piazza San Marco from Thursday, March 3rd, to Saturday, March 5th, in a exciting and stimulating atmosphere among the most original costumes.