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7th Annual Precious Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro Returns to Hollywood September 26 - 28, 2008
Jerry Vale and Robert Barbera Honored at Prima Notte 2008
Communtiy festival celebrates Italian culture with three days of music, food, wine, rides and games
By Staff Writer
The San Gennaro Foundation kicks off October's Italian Heritage Month, a celebration of everything it means to be Italian, with their annual street festival in honor of Italian culture. Now in its seventh year, the Precious Cheese Italian Feat of San Gennaro, Los Angeles will once again take over Hawthorn Ave. (between Highland and Orange) in Hollywood.
"I am thrilled to be hosting our seventh annual Feast of San Gennaro," Jimmy Kimmel says "Look for me there; I'll be the one with my head buried in a sack of zeppoles."
The fun-filled weekend commences Thursday, September 25th with the opening night gala, "Prima Notte 2008," which raises funds for The San Gennaro Foundation's charitable programs benefiting underprivileged children, families and the homeless in Los Angeles.
Continuing in their commitment to honor prominent Italian-Americans in the community,
The San Gennaro Foundation will pay tribute to legendary singer Jerry Vale and publisher Robert Barbera. Hosted by event co-founders Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Corolla, Prima Notte is a start studded fund raising gala featuring some of the cities most prominent Italian-Americans and dignitaries joining together in support of the San Gennaro Foundation.
Music legend Jerry Vale will receive the San Gennaro Foundation "Italian Heritage Award" and Robert Barbera, publisher of the L'Italo-Americano Newspaper, celebrating its 100th anniversary, will receive the San Gennaro Foundation "Humanitarian Award." Master of ceremonies Mark DeCarlo will introduce special performances by Crisitna Fontanelli, Joey Gian, Tony O, Alfio, Deana Martin and the Pat Longo Orchestra. The evenings charity auction will feature: roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to Italy; luxury vacations to New York City and Miami's South Beach, VIP package to Jimmy Kimmel Live!; golfer's vacation to Arizona's Sonaron High Desert; autographed poster and tickets to Dancing with the Stars; autographed guitars from Madonna, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones; and autographed NFL helmets from Peyton and Eli Manning and Brett Favre, among many more great prizes.
Tickets for the opening night gala are available online at www.feastofla.org and are $100 each for open seating, or $2,000 for a reserved table for 10 guests.
"We have been bringing Italian culture to the heart of Hollywood for seven years running," says Frankie Completely, President of the San Gennaro Foundation, Los Angeles. "We are thrilled to; once again, celebrate tradition, family and great food within the community.
Inspired by the 78-year old New York City tradition, the Feast celebrates Italian culture entertainment and cuisine, and throughout the weekend will feature great food, music, genealogy research, a Kid's Corner, bocce, bingo, carnival rides, games and more. Surprise celebrity guests will join the cooking team Filippo and the Chef, as they demonstrate Italian recipes on the Precious Cheese Cooking Stage with Precious Cheese Chef Mark Sciortino.
"Precious Cheese is proud to be a presenting sponsor again this year helping to bring authentic Italian culture, entertainment, food and fun the Los Angeles area" says Jessica Ruth, spokesperson for Precious Cheese. "The San Gennaro Foundation's commitment to preserving Italian-American heritage resonates with the Precious Cheese brand and we look forward to continuing to raise funds for the organization and its programs."
The festival venue is conveniently across the street from the Hollywood and Highland complex, directly behind the Jimmy Kimmel Live Theater at 1651 N. Highland Ave. Hosted by co-founders Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Corolla, the Feast will be held Sept. 26-28, 2008 from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. General admission is $5 and kids under 12 are free. All proceeds benefit the San Gennaro Foundation, established to provide aid to children and families in need in Los Angeles.