The Brazilian Carnival Ball, casually referred to as the Braz, was an annual black tie fundraising event] in Toronto, started by Anna Maria De Souza.[1] [2] The event ran from its first year in 1966 to its last in 2012. During its running, it is estimated that the event raised $60 million for a variety of causes and institutions in Canada and South America.[1]
The Brazilian Carnival Ball began as a small fundraiser in 1966, the inaugural night taking place in the basement of the St. Agnes Church at Dundas and Grace Street in Toronto.[3] By 1974, the ball was taking place in the Royal York's Imperial Room.
In 2002, the ball took place in Paris, at Versailles.[4]
The final event took place on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The final night raised approximately $500,000 in support of de Souza Institute Foundation and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO).[5]