Our Premier Event of the Year:
27th Annual Sons of Italy Gala

Order Sons of Italy, Garibaldi Lodge held its 27th Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in the main floor Ball Room at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Presented by RBC, this acclaimed event not only demonstratee the philanthropic spirit of Sons of Italy, but also the caring and giving that Winnipeggers, their businesses and leaders are known for.

It's All About Giving

With advancement in technology and research, there soon may come a time when you won't need an organ transplant. Scientists in Italy are currently working on a technique where stem cells of a patient can be used to form the damaged organ part.


A team of scientists led by Dr Paolo Di Nardo, director, BioLink Institute Research Centre, Italy has already tested the technique on a mouse's heart with positive results.



And now this leading edge team, has created a joint venture with Saint Boniface Hospital Research Foundation to build a joint laboratory here in Winnipeg to do testing on this ground breaking research. 

Your support of the 27th Annual Sons of Italy Gala Dinner helped us donate $100,000 to this team.  It will help establish the Canada Italy Tissue Engineering Laboratory (CITEL), a unique collaboration between the University of Roma Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy, and St-Boniface Hospital, with the creation of a shared laboratory at St-Boniface Hospital Research. This type of collaboration between two outstanding institutions in Canada and Italy has never been done before in Winnipeg.

UPDATE: St-Boniface Hospital has named the laboratory that the CITEL research will take place in, the Sons of Italy Garibaldi Lodge Laboratory(more...)


Thanks to our Sponsors

We cannot put on an event like this without the support of many.  We specifically wish to thank our many sponsors, many who have supported us and our selected charities for many years.

A very large thank you to RBC our title sponsor -- for the second year in a row!  The recognize the fantastic contribution to the community that results from this gala, and wanted to again be part of it.

Please check out our full list of sponsors, and support them too, as they have supported us.


Entertainer, Steve Lippia

STEVE PERFORMS AT SONS OF ITALY GALA IN 2012Again we brought in a  Las Vegas style entertainer for our Gala, and it was fantastic (see photo at right) to have Steve Lippia back.


Steve Lippia has become one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists and has quickly established his place among the finest interpreters of “standards” and traditional pop music in North America. Steve’s youthful, energetic talent and powerful show creates a perfect blend of “classic” with “today.” 

Early in his performance last year, Steve invited everyone up to the dance floor, and it filled immediately and stayed full until his last song.

Steve Sigmund, who is Mr. Lippia's Musical Director and trombonist, also performing at the Gala.  Steve Sigmund, who toured with Ray Charles and his Orchestra for over 16 years, lead the Ron Paley Big Band as well as played trombone.  Steve's extensive musical experience includes performing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Tito Puente, Quincy Jones, Willie Nelson and many others.


Ron Paley's Big Band Sound

Ron Paley will brought his 16 piece band to back up singer Steve Lippia.  Once the 75 minute show was done, the Ron Paley Big Band keep the dance floor full, performing a variety of classics and pop numbers.  Supplementing the rich sound of the band, Ron featured a few amazing singers that keep everyone dancing.

Pianist, electric bassist, and composer, Ron Paley formed the Ron Paley Big Band in 1976 after playing with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Woody Herman, with whom he recorded two CD’s and played on a Frank Sinatra album. He has recorded two big band albums and one trio album. 

Presented by:


TOP REASONS GALA 2013 WAS THE BEST YET:

R E C E P T I O N
The pre-gala reception began with white-glove service of Prosecco.

E N T E R T A I N I N G   M.C.
With the grace of God but the vocabulary of another, our masterful emcee, Father Sam Argenziano, keep the pace fast and humorous.

E X Q U I S I T E   F O O D

Great food
is always a hallmark of any Sons of Italy event. This year we  featured:
Antipasto and Italian salad
,
  delicious pasta course,
  beef and salmon entree,
premium wines on the table,
mocha cheesecake / coffee


E S P R E S S O   B A R
  The amazing Espresso and Pastry Bar was buzzing after dinner

D R E A M   P R I Z E S
Our raffle featured 5 great prizes, including a two week trip to Italy.

V E G A S 
E N T E R T A I N M E N T

  Las Vegas singer Steve Lippia performed a long list of standards in his amazing Sinatra-style. Steve Sigmund was be the musical director for the evening and played trombone.

B I G   B A N D  M U S I C

Our featured singer was backed by the 16 piece Ron Paley Band.

D A N C I N G
Following the show, the dance floor was packed as people danced to the Ron Paley Band sound.

B I G   D O N A T I O N
We will presented a $100,000 cheque to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation / CITEL to help fund their ground-breaking research.




Our Website Sponsors:



Please support our sponsors -- they support us in our ability to give!



Order Sons and Daughters of Italy, Garibaldi Lodge

Copyright 2024,  website by John Giavedoni,  photos by immagine.ca | photography