Since the debut of The Venetian Ball in 1993, the gala fundraiser has ascended to its current position as one of the top philanthropic events on the Toronto social scene. The Ball in 2010 raised just over $1.3 million net 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 illness.

Villa Charities is pleased to announce the 18^th annual Venetian Ball will take place Saturday, October 29, 2011 at a new venue - the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Toronto. This year's ball will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Villa Charities and the 150^th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

This year's Venetian Ball co-chairs Rudy Bratty, Chairman and CEO of The Remington Group, and Tony Gagliano, Executive Chairman and CEO of St. Joseph Communications, are proud to be celebrating a milestone year for the Italian community in the GTA.

"This is a monumental year for Villa Charities in that we are celebrating The Venetian Ball in a year that honours both the 150^th anniversary of the unification of Italy and the 40^th anniversary of the charity," says Bratty. "I believe this year's gala will truly be a celebration of Italian culture and community, enjoyed and experienced by all Torontonians."

The format of The Venetian Ball will see 2,000 guests attend a cocktail reception and a once in a lifetime concert of Italian music. Post concert, guests will be treated to a wide array of food stations from some of the city's top restaurants. For 500 guests, the Four Seasons stage will transform into a dining experience catered by an award-winning chef, followed by an evening of dancing and celebration.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this year," says Gagliano. "The Venetian Ball is becoming one of the city's must-attend social events and in keeping with previous years' tradition, the special performance will not only be a show-stopper, but also a complete surprise."

Past performers at The Venetian Ball include Paul Sorvino in 2008 and Frankie Valli in 2009. Attendees of the 2010 Venetian Ball were treated to a 90-minute performance by the legendary Stevie Wonder. The 2011 concert will be presenting top artists for what is destined to become one of the greatest Italian music events in Canadian history.

The Honourary Chairs and Lead Sponsors for the 2011 Venetian Ball include Fred De Gasperis and Family, the Sorbara Family, Marc and Alex Muzzo, Rudy Bratty and Family, Carlo Baldassarra and Family, Orlando Corporation and St. Joseph Communications.

 About Villa Charities

Since its formation in 1971 to provide culturally sensitive care for an elderly Italian Canadian population, Villa Charities has extended its mandate to include support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Building on its rich Italian Canadian heritage, and by living life with Italian passion, the Villa Charities family of organizations has grown to include Villa Colombo Services for Seniors, Columbus Centre, VITA Community Living Services, Mens Sana Families for Mental Health and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre. Recognizing its relevance across generations, Villa Charities is launching new initiatives to promote quality of life, health and wellness, youth engagement, the creation of new knowledge and investment in new technologies. For more information, visit www.villacharities.com.