San Diego News

SICILY COMES TO THE STREETS OF SAN DIEGO

The music, dance and cuisine of Sicily comes to the streets of San Diego's Little Italy on Sunday, May 20, 10 am-6 pm, as part of the 14th annual Festa Siciliana celebration on India Street.

Approximately 40,000 visitors are expected at the free annual event, which features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of the revitalized Little Italy section of San Diego's downtown.

People will be literally dancing in the streets, and no wonder. The event features the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble, whose repertoire includes a wide variety of Italian and Sicilian music as well as a swinging Louie Prima and Frank Sinatra (they were both Sicilian Americans!) show.

Costumed dancers will perform traditional Sicilian dance as well as swing, polka and other lively dances in a non-stop party atmosphere. Tony De Bruno and The Sicilian Band will also entertain at the event, among other local Italian entertainers and strolling musicians.

Visitors are encouraged to wear their most creative Italian costume to the festival. Judges will select a “best costume” at a contest at 2:45 pm and the lucky winner will receive two round-trip business class tickets, San Diego-Santa Barbara on the luxurious AMTRAK PACIFIC SURFLINER.

Food booths will line the streets to satisfy the hungry crowds by serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties. Festa visitors will also be able to relax at a wine and beer garden or shop among the many booths offering Italian-themed artifacts and services.

There will also be plenty of rides and children's games to make sure that the bambini don’t get bored.

New this year, the Sicilian Festa will feature a wide variety of artists and historians, dedicated to the preservation of Sicilian and Italian culture. They will be located in a large tent on site that will feature historic photos documenting the Sicilian American experience in San DIego. The nationally-acclaimed Los Angeles sculptor Claudio D'Agostino will also be on hand, in traditional costume, to demonstrate his technique to visitors and display his progress on a commissioned bust by the Italian actress Sophia Loren.

Log onto the Sicilian Festival web site at: www.sicilianfesta.com or call 619.469.2206 for more information.

GETTING TO THE FESTA IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER—TAKE THE TRAIN
Thanks to a partnership with AMTRAK, the Sicilian Festival is offering special rates to individuals and groups that would like to attend the festival with ease from destinations outside San Diego. Call 1.800.1477 for AMTRAK group rates, which can save up to 35% per fare!

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has 11 round trips daily from San Diego to Los Angeles and 4 round trips from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Stops between Los Angeles and San Diego are: Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Oceanside, Solana Beach.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact: Giovanna DiBona, 619.993.9550, sicilianfesta@cox.net


	SICILY COMES TO THE STREETS OF SAN DIEGO The music, dance and cuisine of Sicily comes to the streets of San Diego's Little Italy on Sunday, May 20, 10 am-6 pm, as part of the 14th annual Festa Siciliana celebration on India Street. Approximately 40,000 visitors are expected at the free annual event, which features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of the revitalized Little Italy section of San Diego's downtown. People will be literally dancing in the streets, and no wonder. The event features the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble, whose repertoire includes a wide variety of Italian and Sicilian music as well as a swinging Louie Prima and Frank Sinatra (they were both Sicilian Americans!) show. Costumed dancers will perform traditional Sicilian dance as well as swing, polka and other lively dances in a non-stop party atmosphere. Tony De Bruno and The Sicilian Band will also entertain at the event, among other local Italian entertainers and strolling musicians. Visitors are encouraged to wear their most creative Italian costume to the festival. Judges will select a “best costume” at a contest at 2:45 pm and the lucky winner will receive two round-trip business class tickets, San Diego-Santa Barbara on the luxurious AMTRAK PACIFIC SURFLINER. Food booths will line the streets to satisfy the hungry crowds by serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties. Festa visitors will also be able to relax at a wine and beer garden or shop among the many booths offering Italian-themed artifacts and services. There will also be plenty of rides and children's games to make sure that the bambini don’t get bored. New this year, the Sicilian Festa will feature a wide variety of artists and historians, dedicated to the preservation of Sicilian and Italian culture. They will be located in a large tent on site that will feature historic photos documenting the Sicilian American experience in San DIego. The nationally-acclaimed Los Angeles sculptor Claudio D'Agostino will also be on hand, in traditional costume, to demonstrate his technique to visitors and display his progress on a commissioned bust by the Italian actress Sophia Loren. Log onto the Sicilian Festival web site at: www.sicilianfesta.com or call 619.469.2206 for more information. GETTING TO THE FESTA IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER—TAKE THE TRAIN Thanks to a partnership with AMTRAK, the Sicilian Festival is offering special rates to individuals and groups that would like to attend the festival with ease from destinations outside San Diego. Call 1.800.1477 for AMTRAK group rates, which can save up to 35% per fare! Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has 11 round trips daily from San Diego to Los Angeles and 4 round trips from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Stops between Los Angeles and San Diego are: Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Oceanside, Solana Beach. FOR MORE INFORMATION contact: Giovanna DiBona, 619.993.9550, sicilianfesta@cox.net
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