Venice Symphony transports guests to Italy with 50th anniversary gala

With more than 300 tickets sold to celebrate the Venice Symphony's 50th anniversary, there was not one guest who thought the Venice Community Center was actually in Venice, Florida. Under the direction of Sarasota event planners Be Wed, the event successfully bridged the 5,122-mile distance with everything except the physical canals and gondolas.

Living statue attractions were featured and surrounded by Italian fare mastered by the creatives at Michael's On East. A coffee bar, a gelato station with a line that only ended when the event was over, live symphony music, and guest vocalists were part of the program. Hailing from St. Petersburg, performer Jay Camaro's energy and talent featured several genres of songs, and guests were eager to meet the celebrity who has graced the stages of "American Idol," "America's Got Talent," and "The Voice."

It was going, going, gondola for Director of Education Tony Ferguson, who doubled as the auctioneer and successfully sold each donation. Excited and delighted bidders who frequently took part in a paddle frenzy were vying for items from many area country clubs and restaurants that contributed to the more than $130,000 raised from this gala.

With his sixth season underway, Music Director Troy Quinn commented on the level of support that the community provides. "The commitment to Venice Symphony is unprecedented," he said, "and we look forward to growth in the next 50 years as the crown jewel of our community."

The Venice Symphony's mission is to inspire and transform lives through exceptional musical experiences, and its vision is to unite through music.