Event Summary - Brazilian Carnival Ball

Toronto’s Brazilian Carnival Ball is the largest and most spectacular annual Brazilian gala in the world. This dazzling evening is an authentic Brazilian extravaganza, a re-creation of the glamorous Rio Carnival. For one night only, the Brazilian Ball presents mesmerizing dancers, electrifying musicians and magnificent costumes directly from Rio de Janeiro. Guests and dancers join in the revelry in the true spirit of Carnival in Rio.

HISTORY

Started in a small Toronto church basement in 1966, the Ball has grown to be the single most successful, high profile charitable fundraiser in Canada.
Ball founder, Anna Maria de Souza moved from Brazil in 1965 and missed the excitement, the music and flavours of her homeland during Carnival, and created the Brazilian Carnival Ball.
Sadly after a courageous battle with cancer Anna Maria passed away in September 2007.

THE EVENT

Black-tie evening.
The ballroom is transformed into a magical Brazilian extravaganza.
Cocktail reception followed by a wonderful gourmet dinner.
Over 60 stunning performers and hundreds of unique and fabulous costumes are flown to Toronto from the world renowned Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
The mesmerizing dancers not only showcase gorgeously sequined and feathered creations, but entice the party goers to join them on the dance floor to samba the night away.

PHILANTHROPY

More than $55-million net has been donated to important causes in healthcare, research, education and culture in Canada.
Each year a sold-out crowd of 1,700 members of Toronto’s top business and social community dine, dance and socialize the night away, raising over $2,000,000 for that year’s beneficiary.
In recognition of Anna Maria de Souza’s contribution to Ontario through the Brazilian Ball the Province of Ontario, in 2008, provided provincial funding of $15-million for the creation of “The de Souza Institute” at the Princess Margaret Hospital, an innovative centre of learning dedicated to improving cancer care by supporting excellence in oncology nursing.

2010 BENEFICIARY

Proceeds from the 2010 Ball will benefit the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation.

PAST BENEFICIARIES (last 10 years)

2009 SickKids Foundation
2008 The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
2007 Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation
2006 York University, Accolade Project, Faculty of Fine Arts
2005 Toronto General Hospital – Cardiac Care
2004 Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences – Orthopaedics
2003 Mount Sinai Hospital – Critical Care
2002 St. Michael’s Hospital – Heart Disease Research
2001 Princess Margaret Hospital – Prostate Cancer Research
2000 Variety – The Children’s Charity

BALL’S PROMINENCE

In the fall of 2002, the ball was held in the Chateau de Versailles in France to benefit the Louis Pasteur Institute.
The social prominence of the Ball is evident in the return of Canada’s Big Five banks at premier levels of sponsorship, and the country’s leading corporations, influential institutions and power brokers who serve as benefactors and guests.