L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   MAY  23,   2013 PAGE  17 Festa della Repubblica Events in San Francisco NIcKOLAS MARINELLI As la Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) approaches, San Francisco's Italian Community is preparing for three events that have marked the day for decades in the City by the Bay. Besides the invitation-only celebration hosted by the Italian Consulate each year, San Francisco will pay special tribute to la patria on both ends of town. On Sunday, June 2, the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC) will host its 93 rd Annual Running of the Statuto Race. The San Francisco race was first run in 1920 in honor of the Statuto Albertino, the document by which Charles Albert, King of Sardegna, in effect created a constitution that laid the groundwork for the full unification of Italy two decades later. While the original Statuto Albertino was signed on May 4th, the SFIAC changed the celebration date to June 2 nd to coincide with Republic Day in 1948. It was on that day that the new, post-war constitution became effective in Italy (replacing the Statuto Albertino). The SFIAC's Statuto Race will be run again this year on Sunday, June 2nd, starting and ending at the SFIAC's headquarters at 1630 Stockton Street in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Those wishing to run in the race can register for $30 if paid by May 27 th , or $35 thereafter. An application can be downloaded by visiting the SFIAC's website: www. SFIAC.org Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization, Standup to Cancer. Also on June 2nd, the annual Italian Day in the Park will once again be held at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park. Under the auspices of Italian Community Services, the casual and fun event will once again present a program of Italian music and camaraderie. Lead by Maria Fassio Pignati, State President of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the program will feature special selections from the works of Giuseppe Verdi, whose 200th birthday celebration is part of this year's 2013 Year of Italian Culture in the United States. The Verdi statue behind the band shell in Golden Gate Park will once again be the focus of attention when the customary laying of a memorial wreath Giuseppe commemorating Verdi's contributions to the world of music will take place. Along with Cav. Pignatti, the wreath will be placed by the Honorable Mauro Battocchi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. All are invited to attend the festivities at the Music Concourse, across from the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, on Sunday, June 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Scholarships Awarded by the Associazione Liguri Nel Mondo and volunteer records, and their essay about their respective Italian ancestral descendence. Each winner has been accepted to at least one four-year college or university, and was given a check for $1000. The event was attended by several multi-generational families (2, 3 &4 generations). The scholarship committee was chaired by Bob Figone and included Anna Maria (Gatti) Lawrence and Adele (Ricci) Della Santina. Liguri nel Mondo scholarship presentation (left to right): Jesslyn (Vanni) Lane, Francesca Gambonini, Adele Della Santina, Bob Figone, Haley (Devincenzi/Callegari) Smith and Monica Appiano On May 17th, the Associazione Liguri Nel Mondo di San Francisco celebrated their 2013 Scholarship Awards at a cocktail and dinner reception held at the Fior D'Italia Restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach. The four winning recipient applications that scored highest of the 16 high school students (of Italian descent, of course) who applied from all over the Bay Area, received scholarships from the organization. Those who were awarded scholarships were: Monica Appiano of Sacred Heart Cathedral High School in San Francisco; Francesca Gambonini of St. Vincent High School in Petaluma; Jesslyn (Vanni) Lane of Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills; and Haley (Devincenzi/Callegari) Smith of Carlmont High School in Belmont. The Scholarship Committee scored the applications as related to the students' scholastic May 23, Thurs. -Italian Cultural Institute. Walking Together Opening 814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Runs through June 14, 2013. For information (415) 788-7142 orcontact.sanfrancisco@esteri.it May 24, Fri. - "The Explorer": symphonic composition by Francesco Traversi, Bing Concert hall in San Francisco . For information http://www.sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/201213/SFS-at-Bing-Concert-Hall.aspx May, 27, Mon.-Fourth Annual Memorial Day Scampagnata. A traditional Memorial Day picnic, 11:00am-2:00pm at The Italian Cemetery (540 F Street in Colma). For information call (650) 755-1511. May 30, Thurs.- Italian Emigration to Peru from Colonial Times. Volare Restaurant (561 Columbus Avenue in North Beach, San Francisco). For information, MGDerenzi@msn.com June 2, Sun.- Statuto Race; Start and Finish: San Francisco Italian Athletic Club at 1630 Stockton Street. For information visit http://www.sfiac.org/ June 5, Wed.- Italian Cultural Institute. A celebration of 20th-century Italian poetry; Book presentation and poetry reading (IIC, 814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco). For information: 415 -788 7142 contact.sanfrancisco@esteri.it June 12, Wed.- Italian Jazz Month, Stefano Bollani Trio, Venue: SF Jazz Festival. For information: http://www.sfjazz.org/ June 13, Thurs. - Italian Jazz Month, Enrico Rava Quintet, Venue: Yoshi's. For information: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco June 15, Sat. - Viva L'Italia Gala Dinner, An evening to benefit the performance of the Verdi Requiem (October 25, 2013); Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. For information visit http://www.sfyic.org/gala-dinner-on-june-15-2013/

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