Hub

On February 21-22, 2009, Hub Culture will host guests from around the world for a lush, beautiful black-tie masquerade night to raise funds for children in Myanmar.  100% of net proceeds will be used to benefit the Studer Trust, Hub Culture's benefiting partner. Times are tough, but the picture for people in Myanmar is many times more bleak, and your help to sustain them will go a long way. Funds will go directly to education, supplies, food and development projects for children on the ground - bypassing the brutal government that still rules the country.

Official Programme

Usually guests arrive in Venice in time for various activities and outings on the Friday evening, and carry on with their own projects through Sunday.  Arriving on Wednesday or Thursday and making a long weekend out of Carnevale is ideal as there is so much to enjoy in Venice especially around this time. 

Hub Culture will officially organize the signature night masquerade ball Saturday evening, but we will suggest other activities and gatherings such as cocktails, restaurants, Sunday brunch and the gondola races so you can plan your weekend to its fullest, Venetian style. We are welcoming and encouraging attending guests to organise, post and share their own plans for the weekend here on the Hub Culture site also so that others may join them. The more the merrier!

Friday, 20 February: 

Guest arrivals into Venice

We recommend shopping, long walks through the narrow streets and photos through Venice, checking out the carnevale festivities, elaborately costumed locals promenading in Piazza San Marco and your own activities on Friday night. We'll make some suggestions for our guests closer to the date.

Venice has the most beautiful masque shops in the world so forget that one you thought you'd get at your local costume store, get the real thing in Venice, elaborate, decadent and exquisite, and for a fraction of the price!

Arrange a short boat trip over to Murano Island to visit their blown glass and crystal factory and maybe make a purchase, this is the source and it doesn't get any better than this. In San Marco's high end shopping streets you'll also find the top end crystal houses such as Salviati to buy chic bowls, port glasses sets or stunning champagne flutes.

Of course, if you haven't visited San Marco Basilico and Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge and tha many art museums, you'll wanto to set aside some time for those but at this time of year we'd suggest an early morning start to avoid the numeroius other carnevale revellers who haven't been in the Basilico either.

Saturday, 21 February:

12 Noon:
The first official Hub Culture Gondola Races.

Commencing at the Rialto bridge and proceeding to Piazza San Marco.
Please arrive at the Rialto by 11.45 with your gondolas and teams!

3pm onward:
Party preparations. Make yourself amazing! Get into costume and masque in the afternoon and go for a walk. You'll find many others out and about in costume as well and take your camera, its some of the best people watching in the world!  And remember Canevale Venice 2009's official theme is 'Love'.

8pm:  Guest arrivals at Palazzo Benzon, S. Marco 3929, 30124 Venice
Full period masquerade, black-tie and formal attire required.
Dinner and general fabulousness.
Charity auction featuring amazing luxury items donated from around the world.

Palazzo Benzon is on the San Marco side of the Grand Canal Southwest of the Rialto Bridge. Gondola arrivals on the Grand Canal, arrivals by foot to the grand entrance in the descrete street perpendicular.  Maps to follow.

12pm: Masks off, let's boogie!
Dance to the sounds of world leading DJs. Bar.

3am: Departures
Off into the night...

Sunday, February 22, 2009

12pm:  Informal brunch at Cipriani
Individual reservations required. Water taxis can be according to numbers.

Costs & Donations