Bologna: Excellent toasts at the 2006 Great Carnival Dance
Piero Valdiserra - January 29, 2006
"Femme Fatale e Gentiluomo", or "Femme Fatale and Gentleman", is the title of the fourth Gran Ballo in Maschera 2006 (Grand Masquerade Ball, 2006), which takes place on Friday, February 17, at the wonderful Palazzo Isolani, in downtown Bologna. This year's theme is the color yellow. From the clothing, either in costume or evening clothes, which must be yellow or include yellow accessories, to the entertainment, whose storyline will be a thriller or mystery, and will feature well known Italian mystery writers. (Translator's note: a mystery novel is called "libro giallo", or "yellow book" in Italian. This is because when Italian publisher Mondadori started printing the translation of US and British thrillers after WW II, including Ellery Queen and Agatha Christie stories, the monthly books had yellow covers).
The man and woman wearing the best dress or costume will be awarded two super prizes, one for him and one for her. A secret jury will observe the participants during the first part of the evening and choose the two winners: one from among the gentlemen and the other among the femme fatales.
Franz Campi and Matteo Bortolotti will create some entertaining breaks, involving the participants in a funny "culprit hunt." A third super award will go to who discovers the perpetrator. In addition, 10 more awards will go to 10 guests who solve other mysteries included in the game.
Maurizio Matrone and Valerio Varesi, two well known Italian authors of "libri gialli" will be present. A thriller by Matrone in collaboration with the journalist-writer, Stefano Tura, has just been published. Varesi is the author of the books that inspired a popular Italian TV series featuring the much appreciated Italian actor Luca Barbareschi.
Yellow will be the theme for the drinks as well. In fact, during the evening the wines poured will be the Ribolla Gialla from Friuli, by the Primosic winery, the Spumante Cesarini Sforza, whose perlage is a brilliant straw yellow, plus a selection of Portuguese wines imported by Mario Mura. Of course, the color and highlights of these wines are brilliant yellow.
Following the success of a similar initiative last year, the bars and cafes in downtown Bologna are invited to create yellow cocktails from February 4 to the 14th. A jury of experts will select the best creation and the winner will be announced and given a prize during the evening dance. The clients of the participating bars who taste the cocktails can try to solve a quiz to win a free ticket to the Gran Ballo.
The evening is organized by Golden Lion (tel. 335 8333223, 339 6226950), and is dedicated to the Associazione di Volontariato Aliante (Volunteer Glider Association).
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