This is what happens when Andrea Bocelli asks you to bring Celebrity Fight Night to Italy…
In December of 2012 Jimmy met Andrea Bocelli in an elevator at the Ritz Carlton in New York when Andrea informed him Muhammad Ali was his hero. The next week Jimmy took Andrea to meet Muhammad in his home. In 2013 Andrea performed at the Celebrity Fight Night Event with Jennifer Lopez and thereafter he sent Jimmy an email and asked if he would do him a favor and bring Celebrity Fight Night to Italy.
In September 2014 Celebrity Fight Night Foundation joined together with Andrea Bocelli and his wife Veronica and their Andrea Bocelli Foundation for their Inaugural 6 day event for charity in Italy.
We flew 98 guests and celebrities First Class aboard Mark Cuban’s private jet. The flight departs JFK and flies directly to Pisa, Italy, returning to JFK. We’ve had numerous private planes fly to our previous events.
Guests stay at the magnificent Four Seasons Resort in Florence and spend 6 days with Andrea Bocelli, his celebrity friends and other prominent business executives from around the world including many Horatio Alger Award Winners.
Along with Andrea singing most every night, one of the highlights each year has been an evening at Andrea Bocelli’s home in Forte dei Marmi where he has performed with David Foster, Lionel Richie, John Legend, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn and others. Andrea has topped off the evening by playing piano and singing with his guests until 4:00 a.m.
Previous trips have also included dinner in front of Michangelo’s Statue of David with Andrea singing, a Private Train Ride and Private Tour of the Vatican, dinners and cocktail receptions hosted by some well-known Italian families. The Ferragamo Family hosted us at their Palace, Roberto and Eva Cavalli opened the door to their beautiful private estate for dinner, the Pucci family shared their residence with us for a social gathering, famous Italian designer Stefano Ricci hosted our guests at the historical Teatro Della Pergola, Valentino hosted an exclusive reception at their Valentino Maison in Rome, showcasing Valentino apparel and tailors at work, the Cartier family hosted a brunch at their boutique in Florence, Ermanno Scervino hosted our guests at the Palazzo Vecchio.
The Grand Gala in Florence on Sunday is held at the famous Palazzo Vecchio built in 1299 where Andrea performs with the Maestro Zubin Mehta & the Firenze Orchestra. Past Honorees have been Sophia Loren, George Clooney, and Sharon Stone.
Many guests shared that this was trip was an “Experience of a Lifetime” and continue to attend each year.
Proceeds from the Event Benefits the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, St. Vincent de Paul for the Homeless, Andrea Bocelli Foundation and other charities.
