By Daily Press staff
While it appears to be a carnival every day in Venice, this weekend a day-long Italian-inspired carnevale will take place that is described as a colorful, costumed celebration by the sea.
More than 60 local performers will be presented throughout the day including dance, cabaret, bands and performance art.
Carnevale! Venice Beach is a project of the nonprofit Venice Artists Forum in association with the Venice Chamber of Commerce and the Israel Levin Senior Center, with support from The Waterfront Café. It is funded in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.
For the first time in 40 years, a Carnevale costume party and music festival was held on the Venice Beach Boardwalk in March of 2002. Inspired by the famed Carnevale in Venice, Italy, and continuing the tradition that was inaugurated by Venice, Calif. founder Abbott Kinney, more than 1,000 revelers and more than 60 performers joined in the community celebration.
Carnevale! Venice Beach is dedicated to continuing the tradition started in 1906 when Venice was created by Abbott Kinney as a reflection of Venice, Italy. In an effort to relate to the community’s history and heritage, the Carnevale celebration has been revived. It had been a huge annual event until it was shelved in the 1960s.
The Carnevale is focused on giving Venice area artists and performers a chance to have a more public forum for their work and give Venice area residents a chance to celebrate the history and tradition of their unique neighborhood. There is no other event in the Venice area that relates so directly back to the historical relationship with the wondrous city of Venice, Italy and its famed yearly costumed celebration, organizers say. The festival attempts to incorporate elements that can involve all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels.
The costume contest is being organized by festival co-producer Bonnie Cheeseman.
“We already have some amazing prizes in hand for the winners, including VIP ringside seats at a Kings game worth over $500,” she said. “We will be giving away thousands in goods and services to the winners this year.”
Participants in the costume contest must register by 6 p.m. DJ Jason Saville will be spinning after the costume parade.
Booths for vendors focusing on arts and crafts will be located at the west end of Ozone Avenue.
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the western end of Ozone Avenue where it meets the Venice Boardwalk, local performers will entertain the crowd. Vendor booths will be set up near the performance area for local artists and craftspeople to sell their works.
“The Venice Drum circle will be parading down the boardwalk at sunset to join the celebration which will be highlighted with a finale performance by The Mutaytor repeating its spectacle of drumming and fire spinning which was a highlight of last year’s celebration,” said co-producer Miriam More, who organized the talent at the festival.
The evening will end with an elaborate costume party and contest with local merchants supplying the prizes for the costume contest.
The event will be held from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the western end of Ozone Avenue where it meets the Venice Boardwalk just north of Rose Avenue. Admission is free to all.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 13, 2003. Read the original PDF.