Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball 2023

The much beloved Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball is back for the 14th annual; and we have a new venue - the very cool, hip, big and beautiful HOUSE OF SMITH ~ JET CITY WINERY in Seattle (Georgetown neighborhood).

What to expect from the Ball: The unexpected. And....LOTS of eye candy! There's a surprise around every corner, as well as some tried and true merriment. The venue has a two-story tasting room, as well as a huge/high ceiling crush facility -- there will be a wide array of performers and experiences throughout the venue.

TASTING ROOM: as you enter the venue, you'll see the main bar to your left, which will feature not only House of Smith's array of delish wines; but also Prosecco (but of course) and some fun, Italian twists on cocktails. There will be a different MUSICAL PERFORMER, changing every hour in the Tasting Room. So far, that lineup includes:

*Accordion Player - Jamie Maschler: Jamie has played the accordion since she was four and spent years perfecting her craft and competing. She's tackled such challenging classical composers as Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff and has since discovered her love of the collaborative, rock and pop musical scene. -Jamie will be roaming the venue from 8pm - 9pm

*Steel Drums - Gary Gibson: An internationally-known percussionist and composer specializing in steel pan, drumset, and vibraphone; Gary has recorded four critically acclaimed albums. https://www.twotreesmusic.com/ --Gary performs 9pm - 10pm

*Electric Violinist - Jared Burnett: At the age of 17, Jared landed a spot performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, at 26 he performed nightly in the Broadway acclaimed, “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy," and most recently, Jared opened up as a solo artist for Natasha Bedingfield, Styx, Arsenio Hall, John Lodge of the Moody Blues, and The Plain White T's to just name a few! http://www.jaredviolin.com/jaredviolin -- Jared performs 10pm - 11pm

*Flamenco Fusion Guitarist - Andre Feriante: With 4 decades of performing and recording, award-winning virtuoso guitarist Andre Feriante has left his musical mark on the classical, neo-flamenco, world music and fusion scenes. A cross-over artist in the vein of Yo Yo Ma or Sting, his performance program represents a bold but fluid musical fusion, featuring music from Bach to Leonard Cohen, flamenco improvisation to jazz standards. https://www.andreferiante.com/copy-of-about -- Andre performs 12am - 1am

**2 other performers will be added to the Tasting Room line up

---We're in talks with some fun pop-up shop/experiential companies to feature in one of the tasting rooms too. Stay tuned.

GREAT HALL (Crush facility): From the Tasting Room, you'll enter the large, expansive, high ceiling'd Great Hall. In this room will be a Cat Walk stage, our DJ spinning World Pop music throughout the night, and an array of experiences and performers. The ceilings are 30+ feet high, PERFECT FOR AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT AERIALIST PERFORMERS hanging down from the ceiling throughout the night! We've hired 5!!! different aerialists to perform -- everything from silks to lyra to pole. At several times throughout the night, many of them will be up high in the air performing for you simultaneously. This will be a beautiful, stunning sight! Here's some more details of what to expect in the Grand Hall:

*KEXP DJ Darek Mazzone is back to delight you! Darek spun at the very first Venice is Sinking 16 years ago. Darek is a much beloved KEXP DJ, who's famous for his World Music, Modern Global show ~ Wo’ Pop. https://www.kexp.org/djs/darek-mazzone/ --there will be a lot more opportunity for guests to just simply dance this year -- more spontaneous, ambient acts popping up throughout the venue -- so wear your dancing shoes!!

*Local Designer Mini Fashion Shows: Throughout the night, an array of local fashion designers will take to the cat walk and show off their fashions. One designer we've recruited makes period piece ball gowns; her models will be sporting ornate and beautiful BIG Marie Antoinette wigs. Some of the designers will have pop-up shops at the Ball for you to peruse their creations and purchase.

*AERIALISTS, AERIALISTS, AERIALISTS! We've hired FIVE aerialists to perform throughout the night ~ o hanging down from the ceiling and performing simultaneously. Performances include: aerial silks, lyra, pole

*Male performer doing aerial straps, rope and break dancing

*Crème Fraîche will perform three titillating burlesque acts throughout the evening

*Raiz Brazil Seattle Dance Company, performing several Samba dances, dressed in Brazilian Carnival costumes & feathers

*Unicycle performer

*Singers/Musicians

*More performers to be added - check back

................TICKETS & WHAT THEY INCLUDE:

ALL TICKETS INCLUDE:

~A delicious mini shot of one of Italy's most popular liquers, Limoncello - a lemon liqueur mainly produced in the Amalfi Coast region

~5 mini desserts from the ornately designed Dessert Bar (macarons, petit four cakes, chocolate truffles, mini eclairs -- yes we will have a small assortment of gluten-free delicacies)

~Italian Gelato

*GENERAL ADMISSION: $115

*VIP: $225 Receives everything above plus:

~Reserved seating in the Great Hall (each ticket includes seating for ONE - if it's you and a date, we suggest buying both your tickets together; if you're a larger group, at check out you'll be asked who you want to be seated with)

~ONE BOTTLE of House of Smith's wine, SUBSTANCE (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir)

~Tiramisu dessert at your table

~Array of cheeses/cured meats/crackers/nuts & olives served at your table

~Professional photograph

~VIP-only entrance

*ULTRA VIP: $315 --- LIMITED TO ONLY 12 TICKETS!!! Includes all in General Admission + VIP and...

~ONE BOTTLE of Prosecco (+ the one bottle of red or white Substance wine)

~Imported Italian wine goblet by Lorenzo Import, LLC

~Italian wine charm

~A charcoal, fine art sketch of yourself, by Dmitry (he's at all of our parties)

~One meal from the food truck (TBD, we're in talks with a mobile pizza or pasta truck)

COSTUME CONTEST: $15 LIMITED TO 30 GUESTS! Arrive at 7:30pm to walk the red carpet to the judges. Variety of prizes and cash to the winner of Best Male, Best Female and Best Couple Costume

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

House of Smith Jet City Winery, 1136 South Albro Place, Seattle, United States