Long Beach Carnevale is just about to give everyone a taste of Venetian tradition.

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Since 2012, organizer Joseph Mascheratti has been bringing a version of centuries-old Venetian Carnevale to Long Beach.  Long Beach Carnevale 2016, themed “Enigma and Beauty”, is a free event, happening Easter weekend, March 25th and 26th, outside the Long Beach Aquarium.

Carnival in Venice, or Carnevale, dates back to the eleventh century.  (It’s actually been around longer than Mardi Gras, with which people used to confuse it.)

Venetian Carnevale lasts for more than two weeks, and is filled with music, dance, and above all, elaborate costumes.  Photo sessions, with attendees taking pictures or even video of Carnivale masqueraders, are a central feature of the free celebration.

Long Beach Carnevale is the only U.S. event modeled after the Venetian celebration.  It has a lot of the same elements: a musical program with an international flavor, dancing and, most of all, the opportunity to photograph or videotape masqueraders in their spectacular costumes.

Joseph and Long Beach Carnevale model Denise Ramirez talked about Long Beach Carnevale, what 2016 attendees can expect, and their own Carnevale experiences.

On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

• What you can expect to see and experience, at Long Beach Carnevale;

• Denise’s experiences as a Carnevale model;

• What’s involved behind the scenes, for Joseph and Denise, in creating the mysterious Carnevale look;

• Some of the traditions of Venetian Carnevale;

• The plans for this year’s festivities;

• What it feels like to wear one of these costumes;

• Some of the performers scheduled for the program;

• Where to start, if you’d like to participate and this is your first Long Beach Carnevale;

• How the modern Venetian Carnevale has evolved;

• How you can help support this free event;

• Joseph’s plans for the future.

Long Beach Carnevale 2016 kicks off  with a “Shark Night Party”,  6:00 pm, Friday, March 25th, at the shark tanks outside Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach.  Festivities are scheduled for just outside the Aquarium on Saturday, March 26th.  The program starts at 1:00, but feel free to come earlier to the plaza, either in costume or to photograph masqueraders.  Outdoor festivities are free.