It doesn’t take Giovanni Zarrella long this evening to win over the audience at the heristo Convention Centre. No sooner has the 48-year-old German-Italian taken to the stage at the Event Night of the 33rd TERRA WORTMANN OPEN than the distance between the entertainer and the guests is practically gone.
First, a spontaneous disco fox with the fans; later, on the packed dance floor, red roses for the ladies. Dressed in a light-coloured suit, with plenty of charm and a knack for striking just the right notes, his Italian pop hits provide the highlight of the evening. The Event Night has long since become more than just a social must-attend event on the fringes of the tennis tournament.
The GOP Varieté Theatre has brought along three acts that could hardly be more different. Gabriel Drouin from Canada makes his Cyr Wheel (an oversized hula hoop) glide across the stage with apparent ease. Strength, elegance and precision merge into a performance that seems almost weightless.
Completely different, but no less impressive: Kristina and Sebastian Richter. No sooner have you taken in one costume than the next is already there. Colours, fabrics, role changes – all in a fraction of a second. You look more closely. And still can’t understand how it works.
The Togni Brothers also leave the audience speechless. Michael and Dario from Birmingham combine acrobatics with a lightness that belies the actual risk involved. The brothers have already appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent” and have even performed in front of the Pope. On this evening in Halle, they receive a long round of applause for their partner acrobatics.
Whilst the Bückeburg party band Sunrise provides the perfect warm-up, Katharina Kleinfeldt – a presenter well-known from sports television – guides the audience through the programme with equal professionalism. There are also numerous famous faces amongst the guests: former world boxing champion Marco Huck is in attendance, as are Dietloff von Arnim, President of the German Tennis Federation, and rapper Kollegah.
Following his first visit last year, Kollegah has now brought along a painting he created himself, which is being auctioned off amongst the guests. “Last year I met lots of cool people here. So naturally, I’m straight on board when it comes to helping children who have been dealt a harsh blow by fate,” says the artist.
For despite all the entertainment, this evening is about more than just a good atmosphere. The proceeds from the auction will go towards the “Fruchtalarm” project. The initiative, which has its roots in Bielefeld, supports children with cancer in hospitals. Project manager Giuseppe Bentivenga is on hand to promote the charity’s work.
At the auction, the Kollegah painting was then sold for 4,750 euros. Martin Hörmann, an entrepreneur from Steinhagen, won the bid. The raffle also raised an additional 10,000 euros in donations, which the organiser will generously top up. Everyone involved is aware that the donations are in good hands with the Bodelschwingh Bethel Foundations, the local nurseries and the Gütersloh animal shelter. 300 prizes will be raffled off, with the top prize being a travel voucher from schauinsland-reisen worth 2,500 euros.
Following the official programme, Deniz Undav’s winning goal – which was met with loud cheers from those watching on TV screens – to make it 2–1 for the German national team kicks off a lively party.
