Tag Archives: Federico Fuoco

Italian Day Sunday June 11, 2017

29 May

ItalianDay2017One of our favourite community events is back, Italian Day which will be held on Sunday, June 11th. This year’s theme is Amore, which means love in Italian. Organizers chose the theme because “love lies at the heart of Italian culture and its lifestyle. It is  a universal language and an exchange evoking many things: affection, romance, passion, respect, creativity, and commitment.  It is life, unity and the pursuit for an emotional connection and is shared in relationships, arts and culture, at the dinner table, in our daily work, in pursued dreams, and in community.” For Italian Day 2017, organizers wish to celebrate Amore in all aspects of life and the magical power it holds to inspire, connect and create infinite possibilities and experiences, both individually and collectively.

For Italian Day, Commercial Drive from Broadway to Grandview will be turned into one long piazza. Many of the restaurants will have outdoor seating areas, food trucks will be dotted along the stretch, live music will take place on several stages and much more. This year, we hear there will be some talent flown in from Italy to celebrate.  Danilo Ciaccia and his band ItalyAMO will be performing. As well 2 DJs from an Italian Radio Station, DJ Osso and Pippo Lorusso will be on hand at the 5th Avenue Stage mixing things up. You can also expect Federico Fuoco to entertain the crowds as will be singers from Vancouver Opera. If you stop by the Napier Greenway at the Britannia Community Centre, East Van artist Paula Luther will be hosting a free workshop ‘Little Hearts Project’. Materials are supplied and everyone is welcome to stop by and participate. This event runs from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, there will be a Bike Valet set up at the Royal Bank of Canada at 1st Avenue & Commercial. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian.

Photo Credit: Italian Day

 

 

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Italian Day Returns To Commercial Drive Sunday June 14

11 Jun

ItalianDay2015ArtIn East Van, we are fortunate to be home to some great community events. One of our favourites happens this Sunday, Italian Day.  This is your chance to experience everything Italian from the food, to the music to the culture. The 5th Annual Italian Day returns to the Drive with this year’s theme being ART.  So you can expect to find Italian art showcased or you can make your own. The Britannia Community Centre will be hosting an interactive photo-art project between Noon and 3:00 pm in the Britannia Courtyard. As well, I’m Impressed Paper Arts Ltd. will have supplies available so you can create your own art.

The Drive which is very much alive most days of the week will be transformed for Italian Day where you will be able to walk the Drive from Broadway to Venables and find over 100 merchants and guest vendors, a line up of food trucks and carts, more than 20 restaurant patios and an array of things to see from Italian honey bees to classic cars and motorcycles. The Italian Cultural Centre will be hosting live opera at the Grant Street music stage as well as jazz with Cory Weeds.  Of course, you can expect to find Federico Fuoco center stage drawing a crowd as always at the 2nd Avenue Main Stage along with Carmelina Cupo.

For the kids, there will be lots to see and do including arts and crafts in the Little Italy Kids Zone and Funswing amusement rides in Grandview Park as well as balloon twisting and face painting. Other street activities also include the Whitecaps/BMO Fun Zone with kicking cage as well as the Car2Go sponsored Bocce Court. Some new additions to this year’s festivities include a new third stage at Grandview Park which will showcase Italian martial arts demonstrations by Blood and Iron as well as improv by Theatre Temp from Templeton Secondary School and Marionette Puppet Shows by Carnival Sized Cinnamon Hearts. Opening Ceremonies kick off the event at Noon on the Main Stage at Second Avenue and festivities run till 8:00 pm.  There will certainly be something for everyone here. Come out and celebrate all things Italian!

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Italian Day Coming To The Drive Sunday, June 9th

3 Jun


ItalianDays2013

How would you like to be Italian for just one day? Well on Sunday, June 9th, you will get the chance to experience everything Italian from the food, to the music to the culture.  The 4th Annual Italian Day returns to the Drive with this year’s theme being Carnevale di Venezia.  The Drive which is very much alive most days of the week will be transformed into a ‘Venetian style’ which will include masks, costumes, street entertainers, music, food, fashion, contests and much more.

The day will be filled with activities including outdoor cooking demonstrations which be hosted by award-winning Chef/Instructor Romy Prasad. Cooking demonstrations will take place throughout the afternoon and are conducted by 3 different Vancouver Chefs showcasing some yummy Italian favourites! The audience even has an opportunity to sample some of these delightful treats. This is where you will find me! I heard a Twitter rumor that there will be Scroppinos available.  What is that you might ask? A Scroppino is a Venetian drink made with lemon sorbet, vodka and white wine. Bellissimo!

Some favourite contests will be returning which you can participate in including pizza tossing, grape stomping, pasta eating and watermelon eating. And, of course, there will be music. The musical lineup includes showman Federico Fuoco, international singer/songwriter Carmelina Cupo and Langley’s youth Ukulele Ensemble. Britannia Community Centre will be offering a drop-in mask-making workshop. The Italian Cultural Centre will be selling pastries and setting up a “Little Italy” Kids Zone in Grandview Park.

While on the Drive, don’t forget to purchase raffle tickets for the big draw. Prizes include:  Two tickets to Italy compliments of Columbus World Travel,  ECM Espresso Coffee Machine,  spa package for two compliments of Flaming June Day and a deluxe specialty food basket, courtesy of Renzullo Food Market.  Raffle tickets will be available at the BIA Information Booth as well as other locations along the Drive. The raffle draw date is August 15, 2013. Italian Day kicks off at Noon and goes till 8:00 p.m.  Come out and be Italian for a day! Ciao.

 

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Dinner, Comedy and Dancing Tonight At Federico’s Supper Club

24 May

FedericosSupperClubTomatoandBoccacini

Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Drive, and Jeff Turner Entertainment Group are featuring two of Canada’s best comedians tonight. The comedy show opens with Ben McGinnis who is a native of Vancouver and will entertain you with his caustic wit.  The comedy headliner is Carter Hortie. Carter is a veteran of the comedy scene and has been delivering his satirical comedy for over 15 years across North America.

Come out for dinner before the show and enjoy a 3 course meal.  Reservations are being accepted from 6:30 p.m. onwards.  The comedy portion of the evening begins at 9:30 p.m.  Then cap off the evening with live music by Federico Fuoco and Shannon Green and a little dancing.   All this for $50 not including taxes and gratuity of course.   For reservations call 604.251.3473 or book on-line.

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Federico’s Supper Club

19 Apr

Federicos_circa_1920 - 30's

The home of Federico’s Supper Club at 1728 Commercial Drive, has a long history of entertainment dating back to the 1920s.  Federico’s Supper Club is located on the same site as the former Grandview Theatre which is pictured to the left in all its former glory.   In later years, this property housed Luigi Moka’s Ristorante where Federico Fuoco grew up watching his father, Gianni Fuoco, entertain the patrons of Luigi’s with his band.

In 1999, Federico Fuoco established his supper club which has predominantly been a venue to dine and dance the night away.   In recent years, Federico’s Supper Club has been offering up a greater variety of events.  Some of the those events include live music featuring the likes of legendary blues musician, Wes Mackey.

FedericosSupperClubwes_mackey

Wes Mackey will be performing next Wednesday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m.  Not a show to be missed for any blues lover.  Prior to the show, come early and enjoy $9 pasta dishes during their Pasta Hour Special which runs from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. as well as 50% off select wines.   Pasta Hour Special is offered every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Also, on these days, you have the choice of the Chef’s Tasting Menu which offers you a 6 course Tasting Menu for $49.

This Friday is the return of the Dinner, Comedy and Dance Nights which is a co-production with Jeff Turner Entertainment Group. This is a once a month event. Stay tuned to Federico’s website for upcoming shows. On deck this evening, is Patrick Maliha at 9:15 p.m.  Whether you are coming to dine and dance with a group, or dinner with the family after work,  the food and service at Federico’s Supper Club just can’t be beat.

FedericosSupperClubPatrickMaliha

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