News
Holiday at Italian villa heads auction items at Shakespeare benefit
By Press Release
Mar 21, 2008 - 10:00:09 AM

16th century Italian villa, Casa Longobarda outside Venice

A luxurious 10-day holiday at a classically incomparable 16th century villa in Italy outside Venice is among the premium items up for auction at Shakespeare on the Sound’s April 26 Gala at the Wee Burn Country Club in Darien.

The fundraiser—called the “Feast of Lupercal,” an ancient Roman rite said to be the origin of Valentine’s Day—supports the educational outreach of Shakespeare on the Sound and the festival’s forthcoming 13th annual al fresco production.

This season’s presentation is “Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare’s politically charged probe of powerful, ambitious people in conflict, a high school study classic across the U.S. The production is to be mounted with no admission charge—a $20 donation is suggested, $10 for seniors and students—in Pinkney Park June 12-28 in Rowayton and in Greenwich July 4-13 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

For the auction at the gala, the venue for the Italian getaway is the Casa Longobarda, an elegant villa complete with maid service and a medieval facade, an unparalleled view of Monte Grappa and one-of-a-kind appointments. The location, the quaint, historic community of Asolo, is known as the “City of 100 Horizons.”

Other items up for bidding in live and silent auctions are a Breitling watch valued at $4,500, hotel stays in London , Paris , Barbados and the Telluride ski resort in Colorado , an overnight stay in New York with prime seats for the Metropolitan Opera and a private, behind-the scenes tour of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

Also: Jewelry from Tiffany’s and Betteridge Jewelers, a piloted private plane for a day and a gourmet night at your home catered by Rowayton Seafood’s chef Chris North.

The gala offers an evening of dining, dance and entertainment. Tickets are priced at $175, $250 and $500. Additional information is available online at www.shakespeareonthesound.org or by calling (203) 299-1300.



© Copyright by StamfordPlus.com