Highlights of Taste of Italy: A benefit for the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Held on October 16 at the historic Pico House in downtown Los Angeles, Taste of Italy brought together a crowd of Italians, Italian Americans and Italophiles to enjoy an elegant evening of food, wine, musical performances and much more. Present the Consul General of Italy, Hon. Nicola Faganello, several Los Angeles City Councilmembers, State Assemblymen Anthony Portantino and Mike Gatto, presidents and members of many local Italian American organizations and the community at large, Taste of Italy turned out to be a very successful event, geared at supporting the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles.

About the Italian American Museum

The Italian American Museum is located in the Italian Hall, a historic building in downtown Los Angeles that was constructed in 1908 to serve as a social and cultural center for the Italian community. Located in what was once the core of the city’s little Italy, the Italian Hall was the site of countless events such as weddings, banquets, meetings, rallies, concerts and dances. Today, the Italian Hall is the oldest surviving structure in Los Angeles built specifically for Italian occupancy.

When the historic significance of the Italian Hall became evident in 1988, the Italian community organized a group to secure use of the Hall and raise funds to develop a museum. The Historic Italian Hall Foundation was incorporated in 1993, and in 1998, was granted a 501 (c) 3 exemption as a non-profit organization. Slated to open in 2011, the Italian American Museum will feature historical and art exhibitions, an oral history and research archive and a multimedia center.

The Museum will serve as a mixed-use facility, hosting lectures, festivals, meetings and a variety of community events. It will be cooperatively administered by the Historic Italian Hall Foundation and the City of Los Angeles. For more information visit www.italianhall.org