L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 9 Festa Italiana Portland Returns for its 25th Year P o r t l a n d ' s P i o n e e r Courthouse Square will s e e t h e r e t u r n o f t h e Annual Festa Italiana Portland in late August. This year is the Festa's 25 th anniversary. The Square covers an entire city block and has become a commu- nity gathering space, much like a piazza in Italian cities. On August 25, 26, and 27 it will be packed from edge to edge with newcomers, families, friends and many devoted Festa fans for a taste of Italian-American cul- ture. As in years past, admission is free to all events. In 1991, Portland city repre- sentatives contacted leaders in the Italian community and asked them to plan an Italian event in t h e S q u a r e . A c o m m i t t e e f o r m e d a s t h e F e s t a I t a l i a n a Association with a goal to pro- mote Italian culture and cele- brate the unique contributions that Italians have made in the Portland-Metro community. "With the help of Pioneer Square we had the chance to unite and share Italian culture with Portland," remembers Joe C a s t e l l a n o , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e Festa Association. "In Italy, the piazza is the center of all cele- brations and we had the oppor- t u n i t y t o s h a r e t h a t c u l t u r a l experience with Portland." Festa Italiana has become an institution in Portland, drawing t h o u s a n d s o f v i s i t o r s f r o m around the world each August. Festa Italiana is actually a week of events leading up to the 3 - d a y f e s t i v a l i n P i o n e e r Courthouse Square. The week begins on Saturday, August 20, with a Mass celebrated in Italian at the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, The Grotto. The Grotto is an internationally renowned Catholic shrine and botanical garden. At the heart of the shrine is Our Lady's Grotto, a rock cave carved into the base of a 110-foot basalt cliff, which features a life-size marble repli- ca of Michelangelo's Pietà. "They are very accommodat- ing and excited to have us this year. It is perfect for our 25th anniversary," says Anna Fazio Nassib, coordinator of the Festa Italiana Mass. Following the Mass, a recep- tion in The Grotto's outdoor plaza will feature homemade Italian cookies and pastries. On Sunday, August 21, the 2 5 t h A n n u a l F e s t a I t a l i a n a Bocce Tournament takes place at Club Paesano Cedarville Park w i t h t e a m s f r o m a r o u n d t h e West Coast signing up to com- pete. An Italian movie night occurs on August 23 at a local cinema. The featured movie this year is Benvenuti al Sud, an Italian comedy directed by Luca Miniero. The Festa really comes alive on Thursday, August 25, when the food courts and wine gar- dens open in the Square to the s o u n d o f l i v e m u s i c . T h e evening will begin with opera performed by Portland State University opera students, fol- l o w e d b y p e r f o r m e r A a r o n Caruso who specializes in clas- sic Neapolitan music. The headlining act this year is The EuroRhythms, a high-ener- gy band led by Ray Massa. This Portland Festa favorite has per- formed in Italy and all over the United States. Also scheduled this year is Mbrascatu, a popular local indie-band, along with the Vince Chiarelli Band who will o f f e r a l i n k b e t w e e n c l a s s i c Italian standards and modern hits of American pop. The music is wonderful but the Festa is also about great Italian food from several local Italian restaurants. Visitors can feast on calamari, pizza, pasta, cannoli, tiramisù and gelato, and they can toast the festivities with fine Italian wines and Peroni beer in the Festa's wine and beer gardens. Several vendors will offer everything from Italian clothing to olive oil. Italian entertainment, food, vendors, grape stomping, and a cannoli-eating contest will all be part of Festa Italiana. Puppets are always a big hit with chil- d r e n a n d t h i s y e a r t h e O l d e World Puppet Theatre presents No, No, No, Pinocchio, a tale of Pinocchio told using large jewel- l i k e m a r i o n e t t e s i n t h e p u p - peteer's uniquely Italian version. The music is by Rossini, con- ducted by Toscanini - now that's Italian! Children will love the show while they eat their gelato. Julia Loyacano, one of the charter members of the Festa Italiana Association looks for- ward to planning and participat- i n g i n t h e F e s t a e v e r y y e a r . "Since the beginning it has been a joy for me to watch the people of Portland enjoy some of the things I grew up with." Organizers and more than 300 volunteers that work at the Festa continue to be involved with the Festa for many reasons. Some feel a connection to their p a s t a n d e n j o y s h a r i n g a n d r e c o n n e c t i n g t o t h e i r I t a l i a n American culture. Others like to work at the Festa for the fun of being part of a great event. A complete schedule is avail- able at www.festa-italiana.org MIKE SCIARAFFO Andrea Algieri and Mbrascatu will bring their unique rock-folk sound to Festa Italiana PORTLAND ITALIAN COMMUNITY

• Cover