The County of Santa Clara, Province of Florence, Sister County Commission will celebrate 25 years with the Medici Masked Ball, May 5. The anniversary celebration will take place at the DoubleTree Hilton, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose.
President Andrea Barducci, Province of Florence Italy, and a delegation from the Province will be in attendance. In addition, Davide Ermini, President of the Florence Council; and Riccardo Nocentini, Mayor of Figline Valdarno that is a Sister City with the city of Milpitas, will also be in attendance. There will be an opening performance by Edoardo Turbil, piano and Miriam Prandi, cello, from Scuola di Musica de Fiesole, Italy.
As with previous Medici Masked Balls, the event will honor the 2012 Medici Citizens of the Year, that include Marilyn and Frank Dorsa, Marge Valente and Joan and Richard Della Maggiore.
Joan and Richard Della Maggiore live in South County and support the South County Catholic High School, the Bishops Circle, the Salvation Army and the Armory in Gilroy. They serve on the St. Catherine’s Annual Golf Classic Committee and continue to serve the less fortunate through their work at Reach Out. Â
Marilyn and Frank Dorsa are San Jose natives who have contributed greatly to the Italian community and the arts. For more than four decades, Frank and Marilyn have been strong business leaders and philanthropists, shining as terrific examples for their dedication to the community. Marilyn has served on numerous arts and philanthropic boards and committees. She was on the founding board of the San Jose Museum of Art, a board member of Opera San Jose, President of the San Jose Art League, President of the board of the DeSaisset Museum, University of Santa Clara, a member of the Grandview League and Valle Monte League. She served as a commissioner to the Florence-Sister County Commission for 13 years. Frank has been a member of the Knights of St. John for many years. Together they have supported many charities and organizations in our community, including American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Arts Council Silicon Valley, Broadway San Jose, Family Support Housing, Live Oak Adult Day Care Center, Lucille Packard Hospital, March of Dimes, and Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Marge Valente has been a tireless volunteer for nonprofits in Santa Clara County for the past 30 years. Some of the organizations she has served are Hope Rehabilitation Services, Catala Club, Italian American Heritage Foundation and many more. She is a past member of the Florence Commission.
The Medici Masked Ball begins at 5:30 p.m. with a no host cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner and an awards ceremony. Upon completion of the live auction, ball goers can dance to a performance by Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito and Band. The event is black tie optional and masks are encouraged. The fee to attend the event is $150 per person and sponsorships of the event are also available.
Details: (408) 299-5115 or www.sccgov.org/mediciball.
