(Julie Rusciolelli and Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci at the Venetian Ball gala)Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending the Venetian Ball, Toronto’s grandest event in support of Villa Charities and the wonderful work they do in the Italian community. This is also a client and I also sit on a yearlong organizing committee in order to mount this extravaganza.
And even in a recession we managed to raise more than $1 million dollars for the charity and we had well over 1,500 guests (that’s up from 800 a year ago).
When identifying for talent for the evening, it’s a long and arduous process of fit, availability and of course .... price!
This year we blew it out of the park with two incredible Italian-American talents who treated us to humour and song with Father Guido Sarducci (played by Don Novello) taking the stage first and then singing sensation, Frankie Valli. Both created a considerable buzz amongst the guests, with Frankie Valli performing a sizzling set for one hour that got people up dancing instead of scarfing down truffles at the sweet tables! (I went for the cheese station myself!)
But you know you’re getting old when you enthusiastically tell your “younger” employees that Father Guido Sarducci is coming up for this! And the collective response is “Father who?” So then you go into the whole bit on SNL -- the Mother Theresa skit, the “bill from the Last Brunch” ... still no reaction. My stock answer to those blank stares is .. “go YouTube him.” Gotta love YouTube. Sarducci’s best stand up is the Five Minute University bit. A classic.
Thank god Jersey Boys was playing in Toronto, otherwise I would have been going into the third chorus of Sherry Baby at the office to get some reaction to Frankie Valli.
Lord, bring me some grey hairs to the firm .....
And even in a recession we managed to raise more than $1 million dollars for the charity and we had well over 1,500 guests (that’s up from 800 a year ago).
When identifying for talent for the evening, it’s a long and arduous process of fit, availability and of course .... price!
This year we blew it out of the park with two incredible Italian-American talents who treated us to humour and song with Father Guido Sarducci (played by Don Novello) taking the stage first and then singing sensation, Frankie Valli. Both created a considerable buzz amongst the guests, with Frankie Valli performing a sizzling set for one hour that got people up dancing instead of scarfing down truffles at the sweet tables! (I went for the cheese station myself!)
But you know you’re getting old when you enthusiastically tell your “younger” employees that Father Guido Sarducci is coming up for this! And the collective response is “Father who?” So then you go into the whole bit on SNL -- the Mother Theresa skit, the “bill from the Last Brunch” ... still no reaction. My stock answer to those blank stares is .. “go YouTube him.” Gotta love YouTube. Sarducci’s best stand up is the Five Minute University bit. A classic.
Thank god Jersey Boys was playing in Toronto, otherwise I would have been going into the third chorus of Sherry Baby at the office to get some reaction to Frankie Valli.
Lord, bring me some grey hairs to the firm .....
4 comments:
Hooolleeeee crap. Getting to meet Father Guido Sarducci? Awesome.
Julie, this is so funny. My husband and I attended an SNL themed Halloween party this year and he dressed as Father Guido. He had to explain the character to anyone under 30. On the flip side, we had no idea who any of the guests under 30 were dressed as. I think I'm usually asleep by the time SNL comes on now.
Julie - you look fabulous!
Thanks for the comments .. and a little side note ... actually a BIG side note, the dress I'm wearing is by designer Naeem Khan, who I never heard of until this week. He was the designer who did Mrs. Obama's dress first State Dinner gown! Now that's cooler than meeting Guido Sarducci!!
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/11/25/naeem-khan-on-designing-michelle-obamas-priceless-first-state-dinner-dress/
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