Toronto, ON - November 2, 2011 - The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Toronto was host to one of the greatest Italian-Canadian concerts in Canadian history on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The 18th annual Venetian Ball, which raised $1.25 million net, in a single night, for Villa Charities - a family of organizations that has grown its mandate of providing culturally sensitive care for an elderly Italian Canadian population to include support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues.

Dragonette's Martina Sorbara, Measha Brueggergosman, The Canadian Tenors and a host of leading opera singers were among performers who lent their artistry to the event, which celebrated all things Italian including - the 40th anniversary of the charity and the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. Special guest, Rufus Wainwright, was also part of the star studded line up who wowed the crowd with his performance of Hallelujah.

Co-chairs Rudy Bratty, Chairman and CEO of The Remington Group, and Tony Gagliano, Executive Chairman and CEO of St. Joseph Communications, developed a new program for the event, raising the bar to mark a milestone year of Italian celebration.

"The annual Venetian Ball is an extraordinary evening celebrating the passion of Italian culture and community," said Bratty. "This year's gala, from the outstanding performances, new venue and culinary originality, sets the bar for the future of this event. I am thankful for the support of our sponsors and guests for making the 2011 Venetian Ball a smashing success."

More than 1,500 guests were treated to the spectacular 75 minute performance. Post performance, guests were treated to a wide array of food stations from some of the city's top restaurants, including 10tation Catering, Noble Estates Wines and Spirits Inc., Caliber Fine Wines and Spirits Inc., North 44 Caterers, Alfa Cappucino Imports, Lago Ristorante, Phipps Desserts, Ristorante Boccaccio, Sotto Sotto Ristorante, The Culinary Studio, The Country Kitchen, The Terrace, We Bake in Heels and Niagara Food Specialities.

For more than 600 guests, the Four Seasons stage was then transformed into a dining experience followed by an evening of dancing and celebration. Music for the latter portion of the evening was provided by The Canadian Tenors.

"The Venetian Ball is one of the city's foremost social events and the success of this years Ball is an example of that," said Gagliano. "Rudy and I are thrilled with the unprecedented support from the community for Villa Charities."

Since its inception in 1994, The Venetian Ball has continued to amaze and astonish guests while celebrating the tradition and elegance of the Italian culture. The honourary chairs and lead sponsors for the 2011 Venetian Ball include Rudy Bratty and Family, Mario Cortellucci, Nick Cortellucci and Family, Alfredo De Gasperis, Angelo De Gasperis and Antonio De Gasperis, Senator Linda Frum, Howard Sokolowski and Metropia, Greenpark Group of Companies, IBEW 353, Marc and Alex Muzzo, Orlando Corporation, OZZ Electric Inc., St. Joseph Communications and the Sorbara Family.