A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, or recreation. A party will typically feature food and beverages, and often music and dancing as well.

Some parties are held in honor of a specific person, day, or event (e.g., a birthday party, a Super Bowl party, or a St. Patrick’s Day party). Parties of this kind are often called ''celebrations.''

A party is not necessarily a private occasion. Public parties are sometimes held in restaurants, pubs or bars, and people attending such parties may be charged an admission fee by the host.

Types of parties

Birthday party

A birthday party is a celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the person who is being honored. Birthday parties are a feature of many cultures. The guests may be asked to bring a gift for the honored person. In Western cultures, birthday parties are often accompanied by colorful decorations, such as balloons and streamers. In these cultures, a birthday cake is usually served with lit candles that are to be blown out after a "birthday wish" has been made. The person being honored will be given the first piece of cake. While the birthday cake is being brought to the table, the song "Happy Birthday to You" or some other dedicated birthday song is sung by the guests.

Birthday parties are often larger and more extravagant if they celebrate someone who has reached what is regarded in the culture as a milestone age, such as transition from childhood to adulthood. Examples of traditional coming of age celebrations include the North American sweet sixteen party and the Latin American quinceañera.

Dinner party

A dinner party is a social gathering at which people eat dinner together, usually in the host’s home. At the most formal dinner parties, the dinner is served on a dining table with place settings. Dinner parties are often preceded by a cocktail hour in a living room or bar, where guests drink cocktails while mingling and conversing.

At less formal dinner parties, a buffet is provided. Guests choose food from the buffet and eat while standing up and conversing. Women guests may wear cocktail dresses; men may wear blazers.

At some informal dinner parties, the host may ask guests to bring food or beverages (a main dish, a side dish, a dessert, or appetizers). A party of this type is called a potluck or potluck dinner. In the United States, potlucks are very often held in churches and community centers.

Cocktail party

A cocktail party is a party at which cocktails are served. It is sometimes called a cocktail reception. Women who attend a cocktail party may wear a cocktail dress. A cocktail hat is sometimes worn as a fashion statement.

Tea party

In Anglo-American culture, a tea party is a formal gathering for afternoon tea. These parties are traditionally attended only by women, but men may also be invited.

Tea parties are often characterized by the use of prestigious tableware, such as bone china and silver. The table, whatever its size or cost, is made to look its prettiest, with cloth napkins and matching cups and plates.

In addition to tea, larger parties may serve punch or, in cold weather, hot chocolate. The tea is accompanied by a variety of easily managed foods. Thin sandwiches such as cucumber or tomato, bananas, cake slices, buns, and cookies are all common choices.

Christmas caroling party

In English and American culture during the Christmas season, it is traditional to have a Christmas caroling party. People go from door to door in a neighborhood and sing Christmas carols. In Spain, this type of party is called "El Aguinaldo". It's the same as in England and the United States, but the only difference is that the kids who sing the carols are given tips.

Some popular Christmas carols are "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Deck the Halls", "The Twelve Days of Christmas", "Frosty the Snowman", "Jingle Bells", "Silver Bells", "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", and "O Holy Night".

Reception

A reception is a style of party that is well suited to receiving many guests. The hosts and any guests of honor form a receiving line in order of precedence near the entrance. They greet each guest in turn as he or she arrives. Each guest greets the first person in the line (who, of course, is the person of lowest precedence). The first person then introduces the guest to the next person in the line and turns to the next guest. Each guest properly speaks little more than his name (if necessary) and a conventional greeting or congratulation to each person in the receiving line. Thus the reception progresses steadily without unnecessary delay. After formally receiving each guest in this fashion, the hosts may mingle with the guests.

Refreshments at a reception may be as minimal as coffee or lemonade, or as elaborate as those at a state dinner. Receptions are popular for large events such as holiday events at the White House.

Dances and balls

A dance is a social gathering at which the guests dance. It may be a casual, informal affair or a structured event, such as a school dance or a charity ball. Dances usually take place during the evening. An afternoon dance is formally known as a tea dance. Some dances feature specific kinds of dancing, such as square dancing.

A ball is a large formal party that features ballroom dancing. Women guests wear formal gowns; men wear evening dress.

Block party

A block party is a public party that is attended by the residents of a specific city block or neighborhood. These parties are typically held in a city street that has been closed to traffic to accommodate the party.

At some block parties, attendees are free to pass from house to house, socializing, and often drinking alcoholic beverages.

Showers

A shower is a party whose primary purpose is to give gifts to the guest of honor, commonly a bride-to-be or a mother-to-be. Guests who attend are expected to bring a small gift, usually related to the upcoming life event, like getting married or having a baby.

As a gift-giving occasion, it may not properly be hosted either by the guest of honor or the close relatives of the guest of honor, as requesting gifts from friends for a near relative is seen as either greedy or begging.

Costume or fancy dress party

At a masquerade ball, guests wear masks to conceal their identities. Guests at a costume party or a fancy dress party wear costumes. These parties are sometimes associated with holiday events, such as Halloween and Mardi Gras.

Surprise party

A surprise party is a party that is not made known beforehand to the person in whose honor it is being held.

Birthday surprise parties are the most common kind of surprise party. At most such parties, the guests will arrive an hour or so before the honored person arrives. Often, a friend in on the surprise will lead the honored person to the location of the party without letting on anything.

The guests might even conceal themselves from view, and when the honored person enters the room, they leap from hiding and all shout, "Surprise!" For some surprise birthday parties, it is considered to be a good tactic to shock the honored person. Streamers, silly string, and balloons may be used for this purpose. Evidence of a party, such as decorations and balloons, are not made visible from the exterior of the home, so that the honored person will suspect nothing.

Before planning a surprise party, the temperament of the person to be honored should be considered. Some people may not care to be surprised and may react negatively. Participation in the planning of a party may add to their enjoyment.

Surprise parties should not be given to those in ill health, as the shock may worsen their condition.

Parties for teenagers and young adults

A “house party” is a party where a large group of people get together at a private home to socialize. House parties that involve the drinking of beer pumped from a keg are called keg parties or “keggers.” These parties are popular in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia and are often attended by people under the legal drinking age. Sometimes, even older party-goers run afoul of the law for having provided alcoholic beverages to minors. Arrests may also be made for violating a noise ordinance, for disorderly conduct, and even for operating a “blind pig.”

Dance parties are gatherings in bars or community centers where the guests dance to house music, techno music, or disco. The music for dance parties is usually selected and played by a disc jockey.

A spin-off of dance parties, the rave involves dancing to loud house music, techno music, or industrial music. Rave parties may be attended by as few as a score of people in a basement or, more likely, by a few hundred people in a club, to as many as thousands in a large warehouse, field, or even tens of thousands in a sporting arena, city block, or other large space.

Outdoor parties include bush parties and beach parties. Bush parties (also called “field parties”) are held in a secluded area of a forest (“bush”), where friends gather to drink and talk. These parties are often held around a bonfire. Beach parties are held on a sandy shoreline of a lake, river, or sea, and also often feature a bonfire.

School-related parties for teenagers and young adults include proms and graduation parties, which are held in honor of someone who has recently graduated from a school or university.

A crush party is a party in a sorority or fraternity where the sisters or brothers are given a certain number of invitations (according to their “crushes”). These are passed on to friends outside of the sorority/fraternity and given to the “crushes” (while keeping secret the name of the inviter). There may be some sort of disclosure at the party, so that the guests can find out who has a crush on her/him.

Singles dance party and mixer

A singles dance party and mixer is a party which is organized for people who are not married and who want to find a partner for friendship, dating, or sex.

Usually a “mixer game” is played, to make it easy for people to meet each other. For example, each guest may be given a card with an inspiring quotation on it. The game is to find someone of the opposite sex who has the same quotation. Couples who have matching cards may be given a small prize.

These parties are sponsored by various organizations, both non-profit and for-profit.

Fundraising party

A fundraising party, or fundraiser, is a party that is held for the purpose of collecting money that will be given to some person or to some institution, such as a school, charity, business, or political campaign. These parties are usually formal and consist of a dinner followed by speeches or by a presentation extolling whatever the money is being raised for.

It is very common to charge an admission fee for parties of this kind. This fee may be as high as several thousand dollars, especially if money is being raised for a political campaign.

Graduation party

In some places, parties to celebrate graduation from school, college or university are popular.

Marriage-related parties

Bridal shower

Bachelor party (aka UK: stag night; Australia: Bucks Night)

Bachelorette party (aka hen night, hen party)

Wedding reception

Divorce party

Housewarming party

A housewarming party may be held when a family, couple, or person moves into a new house or apartment. It is an occasion for the hosts to show their new home to their friends. Housewarming parties are typically informal and do not include any planned activities other than a tour of the new house or apartment. Invited family members and friends may bring gifts for the new home.

Welcome party

A welcome party is held for the purpose of welcoming a newcomer, such as a new club member, a new employee, or a family's new baby.

Farewell party

In many cultures, it is customary to throw a farewell party in honor of someone who is moving away or departing on a long trip (sometimes called a ''bon voyage'' party). Retirement parties for departing co-workers fall into this category.

Cast party

A cast party is a celebration following the final performance of a theatric event, such as a play, a musical, or an opera. A party of this kind may also be held following the end of shooting for a motion picture (called a “wrap party”) or after the season’s final episode of a television series. Cast parties are traditionally held for most theater performances, both professional and amateur.

Invited guests are usually restricted to performers, crew members, and a few others who did not participate in the performance.

Pre-party

A pre-party is a party that is held immediately before some event, such as a school dance, a wedding, a birthday party, or a bar mitzvah. These parties are usually of short duration and sometimes involve getting ready for the event (e.g., the guests may put on makeup or costumes). Guests usually leave at the same time and arrive at the event together.

After-party

An after-party is a party that is held after a musical or theatric performance or after some other event, such as a wedding or a school dance. Guests are usually limited to friends of the host.

Parties on special days

International

Christmas

Halloween

International Friendship Day

Mardi Gras

New Year's Day

New Year's Eve

Australia

Australia Day

Grand Final Saturday

Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne metropolitan region only)

Canada

Canada Day

Victoria Day

France

Bastille Day

India

Chaand Raat (Eid)

Diwali

Holi

Christmas

Iran

Nowruz

Ireland

Saint Patrick’s Day

Israel

Passover

Hanukkah

Purim

Mexico

Cinco de Mayo

New Zealand

Waitangi Day

Pakistan

Pakistan Day

Yom-e-Istiqlal

Basant

Scotland

Hogmanay

Sweden

Midsummer Eve

'''Turkic Countries (Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan etc.)

Nowruz

United Kingdom

Guy Fawkes Night

United States

Independence Day, aka the Fourth of July

Super Bowl Sunday

Uruguay

Nostalgia Night, the night before the Declaration of Independence

Parties associated with religious events

Christian

Christmas

Easter

Mardi Gras

Saint Patrick’s Day

Islamic

Eid al-Adha

Eid ul-Fitr

Jewish

Hanukkah

Passover

Purim

Famous parties

Exotic Erotic Ball

Burning Man

Full Moon Party

Lollapalooza

Nuit Blanche

Woodstock Festival

Miscellaneous parties

A game party

:: A social gathering during which the guests play party games.

A LAN party

:: A party that involves multi-player computer games and uses a Local Area Network.

A political houseparty

:: A party that is hosted in a private home for the purpose of supporting a particular candidate, political party, or ballot measure, or to share information and opinions about an upcoming election.

A pool party

:: A party in which the guests swim in a swimming pool.

A sleepover or pajama party, also called a slumber party

:: A party for which the guests are invited to stay overnight at the home of the host. These parties are usually for teenagers or young children.

A toga party

:: A party in which the guests wear togas.

See also

Cocktail party

Convention (meeting)

Crayfish party

Cuddle party

Event management

Event planning

Gate-crashing

List of party organizations

Naked party

Rave party

References

Bibliography

Category:Social events Category:Party stores

ar:احتفال ay:Phista ca:Festa cs:Slavnost de:Fest es:Fiesta eu:Jai fa:جشن fr:Fête gd:Pàrtaidh gl:Festa ko:잔치 io:Partio id:Pesta is:Veisla he:מסיבה jv:Pésta kn:ವಿನೋದ ಕೂಟ la:Convivium lt:Pobūvis arz:حفله nl:Feest no:Fest nn:Fest pl:Przyjęcie pt:Festa qu:Hatun p'unchaw ru:Вечеринка simple:Party sh:Zabava (okupljanje) fi:Juhla sv:Fest tl:Pagdiriwang wa:Fiesse yi:סעודה zh-yue:派對 zh:派對

Donatella Arpaia Stewart (born in Woodmere, New York on September 15, 1972) is an American restaurateur and a television personality who appears on The Food Network. Arpaia is a regular judge on The Food Network's ''Iron Chef America'' and ''The Next Iron Chef''. She has also appeared on ''The Isaac Mizrahi Show'', ''The Martha Stewart Show'', ''The Tony Danza Show'', ''The Today Show'' and iVillage.

Career

Following a brief career as a corporate attorney, Arpaia opened her first restaurant, Bellini in 1998. Her other restaurants include davidburke & donatella, which has received four stars from ''Forbes'' and the Five Diamond Award, Anthos, a Michelin Star Greek restaurant which was named Best New Restaurant by ''New York'' and ''Esquire'' in November 2007, and nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant., and Mia Dona, opened in February 2008.

Zagat named Arpaia, "The Hostess with the Mostest," in March 2006 and ''Crain's'' named her one of its "40 under 40", and the ''New York Post'' named Arpaia 31st of "The 50 Most Powerful Women in NYC".

In 2007, Arpaia and chef Micheal Psilakis opened restaurant Kefi in the Upper West Side of New York City. The restaurant continues to get excellent reviews, with the New York Times rewarding them with the best meatballs in New York City in 2007.

In mid-2009, Arpaia and Michael Psilakis opened Eos in Miami’s Viceroy Hotel. The restaurant is Arpaia's first outside of New York.

Education

Arpaia received her bachelor's degree from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and her juris doctor from the St. John's University School of Law in Queens, New York. She studied at the French Culinary Institute and the Italian Culinary Academy. She attended St. Agnes High School (now Kellenberg Memorial High School) in Uniondale, Long Island.

Personal life

In April of 2011, Arpaia married cardiac surgeon Allan Stewart.

References

External links

Category:Fairfield University alumni Category:French Culinary Institute alumni Category:St. John's University School of Law alumni Category:1972 births Category:Living people

Name	Donatella Versace
Nationality	Italian
Birth date	May 02, 1955
Birth place	Reggio di Calabria, Italy
Label name	Versace }}

Donatella Versace (born 2 May 1955) is an Italian fashion designer and current Vice-President of the Versace Group, as well as chief designer. She owns 20 percent of the entire stock market assets of Versace. Her brother, Santo Versace, owns 30 percent. Donatella's daughter Allegra Versace inherited 50% of the company stock after the death of Gianni Versace, Donatella's brother and Versace's founder.

Personal life

Early life and fashion debut

Versace was born in the Italian city of Reggio di Calabria, the youngest of four children in her family. Her father was a personal financier to the Italian aristocracy. An older sister, Tina, died at the age of twelve from an improperly treated tetanus infection. In the mid 1970s, Donatella followed her older brother, Giovanni ("Gianni"), to pursue knitwear design in Florence, Italy. Donatella had planned to work for her brother as Public Relations, but she was more valuable to Gianni as a "muse and critic," according to Donatella during an interview with Vogue. Through her closeness to her brother's enterprises, Donatella plunged into the fashion world. A decade later, during the 1980s, Gianni launched a perfume dedicated to her, ''Blonde'', and gave her her own diffusion label, ''Versus'', which remains a well-known Versace inner line.

Family and residence

Donatella and her former husband, American model Paul Beck, have two children: daughter Allegra (b. 30 June 1986), and son Daniel Versace (b. 1989). She is also the aunt of oldest brother Santo's two children, Francesca Versace, and Antonio Versace.

Donatella's deceased brother, Gianni Versace, had a large collection of homes worldwide that have since been sold, most notably his Manhattan, New York double-wide townhome, valued at over US$21,000,000. Donatella Versace does not permanently live at any one residence, but travels from one to the other.

Murder of Gianni Versace

On 15 July 1997, outside the re-constructed Versace Mansion, also known as ''Casa Casuarina'', in Miami, Florida, Gianni Versace was shot dead by Andrew Cunanan. A multi-continent search ensued for the suspected spree killer, but Cunanan avoided capture by committing suicide a few days after the death of Gianni Versace. In the aftermath of the highly publicized murder and manhunt, most of the Versace family (including Donatella) moved temporarily to a secluded private resort in the Caribbean, cancelling the Versace Spring-Summer 1999 Collection as well as their indirect operations of the company.

The official funeral of Gianni Versace was held in Milan Cathedral. More than 2,000 mourners attended the traditional Catholic service, which was also broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide. Among the many famous fashion designers and other celebrities in attendance were Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Diana Princess of Wales, Naomi Campbell, Madonna, Courtney Love, Luciano Pavarotti, Carla Fendi and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, while Elton John and Sting performed a musical setting of the 23rd Psalm.

Heiress to the throne

It was in 1997, while watching television, that Allegra Versace saw the familiar face of her uncle, Gianni, on the news station and found out that he had been murdered. Gianni had been the highest figure in the Versace Group, leaving no one to rule the vast network of clothing lines and branches of his company. His testament stated Allegra Versace was to receive majority inheritance and titles.

Allegra Versace inherited $700 million from her uncle Gianni on her eighteenth birthday. Allegra was also given Gianni's villa on Lake Como, and a large townhome in one of Manhattan's most affluent neighborhoods. To this day she stands to inherit the company, as her brother, Daniel, inherited Gianni's vast rare artwork collection (since sold). While the Versace Group is not as financially robust as it was in its earlier and peak stages, the Versace Group has publicly made clear that Donatella and Allegra Versace will hopefully bring a new face and attraction to the Versace label.

Career

She has held cameo performances in many films relating to fashion and its industry, such as ''Zoolander''. Also, in many other films, including the 2006 hit ''The Devil Wears Prada'', the mention of "Donatella" is used sporadically. In the ABC series ''Ugly Betty'' a fictional character, ''Fabia'', played by actress Gina Gershon, is a parody of Donatella.

The growth of Donatella and Versace

Donatella is the first to use notable celebrities to broadcast her clothing into the world on the catwalk and other public media such as advertisements, instead of using unknown models. Another member of the growing Versace success was Santo Versace S.p.A., Donatella's brother, who is also a fashion designer and the owner of Finanziaria Versace, an established Versace branch. Donatella soon proved to be the public relations giant within the Versace label and spread its name throughout Europe and most of the United States. Donatella chose to place some of her good friends, Lil Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Demi Moore, in high esteem in the Versace advertising sector, making them and other A-List celebrities such as Beyoncé and January Jones the persona and image of Versace. Her popularity grew when she designed the famous Versace Green Dress, also known as the "Jungle-Dress", which was worn by Jennifer Lopez at the Grammys in 2000.

Promotion and success

A year and three days after Gianni's death in July 1998, Donatella Versace mounted her first couture show for the Versace Atelier at the Hôtel Ritz Paris. She built her runway over the hotel's swimming pool, as her brother had done every season, though this time using sheer glass. She now oversees the production of a dozen collections each year, though these days, Donatella is just as famous for her celebrity entourage and glittering parties. Regular guests include Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, Rakeem Young, Lucy Munn, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kate Moss. Even Prince Charles attends Donatella's parties for the famous and elite throughout Europe.

Branching into other fields, the company has created the grand, luxurious Palazzo Versace resort on the Gold Coast of Australia. Another growing symbol of the Versace style, the world's tallest building, the Burj al-Arab, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), boasts a broad collection of Versace furniture and beddings in its expensive and lavish rooms.

Plans for the Palazzo Versace Dubai were announced in May 2005. Gianni Versace SpA, Sunland Group Ltd. and Emirates International Holdings have announced the Palazzo Versace resort to be constructed in the Arabian Bays on the Dubai Creek in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The second Palazzo Versace will boast a number of suites and luxury villas, including an exclusive spa. Official plans are to begin construction in 2006 and have the hotel completed sometime in the year 2008. The interior of the hotel will be furnished with various Versace collections. As Creative Director, Donatella will carry out final plans and design strategies for the hotel and resort compound. This will be the second Palazzo Versace hotel ever to be built, and the second hotel in Dubai to boast a wide range of Versace collections. In October 2002, Gianni and Donatella's most famously designed Versace clothing was displayed in a special exhibit of the historical Victoria and Albert Museum of London to be honored for extraordinary fashion success and symbolism worldwide.

Awards

In 2010, Donatella's charity work earned her a Do Something With Style Award nomination from the VH1 Do Something Awards. She was nominated for providing art supplies to children and creating a tote bag, whose proceeds will go to Starlight and the ONE Foundations. The awards show, produced by Vh1, is dedicated to honoring people who do good and is powered by Do Something, an organization that aims to empower, celebrate, and inspire young people.

In popular culture

Donatella has been regularly impersonated by Maya Rudolph on the American comedy skit show ''Saturday Night Live'', which airs on the NBC network. In reality, Rudolph and Versace are good friends. She is also perpetrated as a highly publicized user of the Power-Plate.

Versace was portrayed by actress Dania Deville in the 1998 film ''The Versace Murder''.

See also

Gianni Versace, brother of Donatella Versace

Santo Versace, the eldest brother in the Versace House.

Palazzo Versace, first Versace hotel in chain

References

External links

The Official Versace Website

Donatella Versace interview with Harper's BAZAAR magazine

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/allegra%20inherits%20versace.s%20fortune /Allegra inheirting half of the company].

Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:People from Reggio Calabria Category:Businesspeople in fashion Category:Italian fashion designers Category:Versace

be:Данатэла Версачэ bg:Донатела Версаче da:Donatella Versace de:Donatella Versace et:Donatella Versace es:Donatella Versace fr:Donatella Versace ko:도나텔라 베르사체 id:Donatella Versace it:Donatella Versace la:Donatella Versace mk:Донатела Версаче nl:Donatella Versace ja:ドナテラ・ヴェルサーチ no:Donatella Versace nn:Donatella Versace pl:Donatella Versace pt:Donatella Versace ru:Версаче, Донателла simple:Donatella Versace fi:Donatella Versace sv:Donatella Versace

Donatella Rettore is an Italian singer and songwriter (born July 8, 1955 in Castelfranco Veneto, Province of Treviso). She started her career in 1973 and her early recordings was oriented to the popular and melodic Italian music. She became successful just in 1979, and for about 5 years she was the most popular and female best selling in Italy second only to Mina. Her most popular hits are: ''Splendido Splendente'' (Splendid Shining), ''Kobra'', ''Donatella'', ''Lamette'' (Razor Blades), ''This Time'', ''Io Ho Te'' (I've Got You), ''Amore Stella'' (Love Star) e ''Di Notte Specialmente'' (Especially By Night). Most albums are a mixture of pop, rock, disco music and ska. After 1983 she started her slow decline, and she had to wait 1994 to enter once again in the top 10 Italian charts. Recently she released ''Stralunata'', a double cd set + dvd about her career, her music and her TV performances, which entered directly to n. 2 and stayed in top 10 Italian dvd charts for 2 months.

Discography

Albums

1975 Ogni Giorno Si Cantano Canzoni D'amore (-)

1977 Donatella Rettore (-)

1979 Brivido Divino (#12)

1980 Magnifico Delirio (#8)

1981 Estasi Clamorosa (#8)

1982 Kamikaze Rock'n'roll Suicide (#18)

1982 Super Rock, Le Sue Piu' Belle Canzoni (-)

1983 Far West (#22)

1985 Danceteria (#20)

1988 Rettoressa (#47)

1989 Ossigenata (#39)

1991 Son Rettore E Canto (#42)

1994 Incantesimi Notturni (#32)

1996 Concert (-)

2005 Figurine (#45)

2008 Stralunata (#2 Dvd Chart)

2011 Caduta massi (#26)

Singles

1973 Quando Tu (-)

1974 Capelli Sciolti (-)

1975 Ti Ho Preso Con Me (-)

1976 Lailola'(-)

1977 Carmela (-)

1978 Eroe (#37)

1979 Splendido Splendente (#6)

1980 Kobra (#4)

1981 Donatella (#3)

1982 Lamette (#8)

1982 This Time (#8)

1983 Io Ho Te (#13)

1985 Femme Fatale (#19)

1986 Amore Stella (#42)

1989 Zan Zan Zan (#47)

1994 Di Notte Specialmente (#9)

2003 Bastardo (#29)

2005 Konkiglia (-)

References

External links

Rettore's official page

Review of Caduta Massi (in English)

Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:People from Castelfranco Veneto Category:Italian singers

it:Donatella Rettore

name	Blake Lively
birth date	August 25, 1987
birth place	Los Angeles, California, US
occupation	Actress, model
yearsactive	1998; 2005–present }}

Blake Lively (born August 25, 1987) is an American actress and model who stars as Serena van der Woodsen in the television teen drama series ''Gossip Girl''. She has also starred in movies, including ''Accepted'', ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'', ''The Private Lives of Pippa Lee'', ''The Town'' and ''Green Lantern''.

Early life

Lively was born in Tarzana, Los Angeles to actors Ernie and Elaine Lively. She was raised as a Southern Baptist. The youngest of five siblings, Lively has a brother, Eric, two half-sisters, Lori and Robyn, and a half-brother, Jason. Both of her parents and all of her siblings are, or have been, in the entertainment industry. During Lively's childhood, her parents would take her with them to acting classes that they taught because they did not want to leave her with a babysitter. Lively said that watching her parents teach acting classes helped her learn the "drills" of acting and gain confidence as she got older. Lively stated that as a child, her mother would bring her to Disneyland twice a week as an opportunity "to have some extra time to bond"; Lively has stated, due to all the time she spent there, she felt that she "grew up at Disneyland."

Lively was initially not particularly interested in acting, however during the summer between her junior and senior years of high school, her brother, Eric, asked his agent to send her out on a few auditions over a period of a few months. From these few auditions, she got the role of Bridget for ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants''. Lively filmed her scenes in ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'' between her junior and senior years at Burbank High.

Career

Lively began her acting career at age 11, when she appeared in the 1998 film ''Sandman'', which was directed by Lively's father. Lively describes her role in the film as having been a "bit part". Lively appeared in the film adaptation of the novel of the same name, ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'', in 2005 as Bridget, one of the four female leads. Lively's performance in the film earned her a nomination for a Teen Choice Award for "Choice Movie Breakout - Female."

In 2006, she co-starred with Justin Long in ''Accepted'', and Lively had minor roles in the horror film, ''Simon Says''. While ''Accepted'' was not well received by critics, Lively's performance was, earning her a 'Breakthrough Award' from Hollywood Life. In 2007, Lively played one of the two title characters in ''Elvis and Anabelle'' as Anabelle, a bulimic girl who hoped to win a beauty pageant. Lively said of getting into character for the role that she had 'shed serious weight' for her height. Lively stated that that process was difficult for her because food is “the No. 1 love of my life.” ''MovieLine.com'' praised her performance in the film and credited it as having been her "breakthrough role".

Lively was cast in the CW's series ''Gossip Girl'', which premiered in September 2007. She plays Serena van der Woodsen in the teen drama. Her first magazine cover was the November 2007 issue of ''Cosmo Girl'', where she discussed her time in high school and her career prior to ''Gossip Girl''.

In 2008, Lively reprised her role in the sequel, ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2''. Similar to the first film, Lively was positively received by critics. As of November 2009, the film had earned over $44 million at the box office. In 2009, Lively appeared as Gabrielle DiMarco, a minor role in the romantic comedy, ''New York, I Love You'', a sequel to the 2006 film ''Paris, je t'aime''. Despite positive reception from critics, the film had a poor box office performance.

One of Lively's most acclaimed roles to date is her supporting role playing the younger version of the title character in ''The Private Lives of Pippa Lee'' (2009). Paul Byrnes, of the ''Brisbane Times'', described Lively's performance in the film as being "sensational". In October, 2009, Lively began filming her scenes for her role as Krista Coughlin, in the 2010 film ''The Town'', based on Chuck Hogan's novel ''Prince of Thieves''. In the film, Lively's role has been described as "the sister of Jem and Doug's ex-girlfriend who has a 19-month old daughter, Shyne." The film, which also stars Ben Affleck, was released in the United States on September 17, 2010 to critical acclaim. In an interview with ''Marie Claire'', Lively stated that she wasn't relying on her career as an actress, having felt that having her own interior decorating firm would be a substitute as a back-up plan, and because of her 'fascination' with "colors and textures and layering things."

In January 2010, it was announced that Lively would play Carol Ferris, the female lead and love interest of Hal Jordan in the superhero film ''Green Lantern'', which was released in June 2011. The film grossed a worldwide total of $219,851,172. but was considered as a summer flop as it "failed to perform to expectations" even though it grossed more than its budget. Lively appeared in the music video for The Lonely Island's "I Just Had Sex" together with Jessica Alba in December 2010.

She will next star in Oliver Stone's ''Savages''. Lively was originally considered for the lead role in Steven Soderbergh's ''The Side Effects''. However, it was later reported Rooney Mara would replace her.

Personal life

Lively dated actor Kelly Blatz from 2004 to 2007; the two had been friends since childhood. In late 2007, rumors circulated that Lively was dating her ''Gossip Girl'' co-star and former childhood classmate Penn Badgley. In May 2008, after ''People'' magazine published photos of the two kissing while on vacation in Mexico, the couple became more open about their relationship. Lively and Badgley ended their three-year relationship in mid-September 2010, according to a representative for the pair. Lively has been dating actor Ryan Reynolds since October 2011.

During the 2008 United States presidential election Lively expressed her support for Barack Obama. Lively and Badgley appeared in a pro-Obama commercial, as part of MoveOn.org's Youth Vote program. The commercial, directed by Doug Liman, aired during ''Gossip Girl'' on CW, MTV and Comedy Central.

In 2011, she was featured in the annual ''TIME'' magazine 100 influential people. AskMen named her the most desirable woman of 2011. ''People'' named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.

Filmography

+ List of film credits
! Year	! Film	! Role	Notes
1998	''Sandman''	Trixie/Tooth Fairy	Film debut
2005	''''	Bridget Vreeland	Main role
2006	''Accepted''	Monica Moreland	Hollywood Life's Breakthrough Award
2006		Jenny
2007	''Elvis and Anabelle''	Anabelle Leigh
2008	''''	Bridget Vreeland
2009	''New York, I Love You''	Gabrielle DiMarco
2009	''''	Young Pippa Lee
2010	''''	Krista Coughlin
2011		Carol Ferris
2011		Glenda
2012		Ophelia

+ List of television credits
! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
2007–present	''Gossip Girl''	Serena van der Woodsen	Main role
2008–2010	''Saturday Night Live''	Girlfriend Host / Various Herself / Transsexual	"Jeff Bridges/Eminem and Lil Wayne" (Season 36, Episode 10, uncredited)"Blake Lively/Rihanna" (Season 35, Episode 8)"James Franco/Kings of Leon" (Season 34, Episode 2)

Awards

+ List of awards and award nominations
! Year	! Award	! Category	! Nominated work	! Result
2005	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Breakout Female	''''
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Female Hottie
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress Drama won
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Breakout Star-Female	''Gossip Girl''
2008	Newport Beach Film Festival	Achievement Award-Breakout Performance	''Elvis and Anabelle''
2009	Prism Awards	Performances in a Drama Episode	''Gossip Girl''
2009	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress Drama	''Gossip Girl''
2010	People's Choice Awards	Favorite TV Drama Actress	''Gossip Girl''
2010	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress Drama	''Gossip Girl''
2010	Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards		''''
2010	National Board of Review		''''
2010			''''
2010	Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association		''''
2011	People's Choice Award	Favorite TV Drama Actress	''Gossip Girl''
2011	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Actress Sci Fi/Fantasy	''Green Lantern''
2011	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress Drama	''Gossip Girl''

References

External links

Blake Lively cast bio at The CW

Blake Lively at TV Guide

Blake Lively At Her Hottest — slideshow by ''Life magazine''

Category:1987 births Category:Actors from California Category:American child actors Category:American female models Category:American film actors Category:American television actors Category:Baptists from the United States Category:Living people Category:People from Tarzana, Los Angeles Category:People from the San Fernando Valley

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