RO on the GO! : A Celebration of All Things Italian!

In 2010 the Legislature of the Province of Ontario passed Bill 103 into law, forever declaring the month of June as Italian Heritage Month. Its mandate is to promote and preserve Italian heritage for future generations of Italian Canadians. It's also an incredible platform for all Canadians to celebrate this dynamic culture. Here a just a few of the celebrations I attended in the Greater Toronto Area!

JUNE 1st "Castello Italia" @ Casa Loma

The kick-off to this year’s festivities took place at the enchanting Casa Loma in Toronto. Reminiscent of a scene from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, the castle’s regal gardens set the stage for a cultural extravaganza where guests could indulge in delicious dishes prepared by some of the city’s most recognized Italian restaurants.
Drink was also in abundance with aromatic vintages hailing from the renowned wine regions of Piedmont, Tuscany and the Veneto including homegrown varietals from Niagara. Entertainment was provided by multi-genre artists performing operatic, jazz, traditional as well as contemporary music. While the inner gateway was lined with Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis appealing to Italian automotive enthusiasts, those wishing to investigate the elegant corridors of castle’s interior found on the third floor an exhibit honouring five prominent Italian Canadian families whose contributions greatly impacted the province’s economic and cultural landscape. My hat goes off to the Liberty Entertainment Group and countless other organizations assisting in creating this incredible event. And stellar emceeing by my husband, Toronto radio personality, Tony Monaco and legendary CHIN Radio broadcaster Franco Valli!

Reminds me of the parking lot in Monaco!

Tony Monaco (Z103.5 FM), Franco Valli (CHIN Radio), Fabio Gestufatto (NCIC)

Lenny Lombardi (CHIN Radio and Television), Fabio Gesufatto (NCIC)

The afternoon entertainment! Daniele Monticelli, Christopher Dallo, Belinda Naccarato, Vincenzo Benenati

JUNE 3rd Italian Flag Raising Vaughan

The storm clouds broke just in time for this 3rd annual celebration. Raising the flag in honour of Italian Canadians and their contributions were Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and members of City Council.Organized by the National Congress of Italian Canadians the launch of June’s Italian Heritage Month of Ontario was commemorated by flag raisings not only in Vaughan but also at Toronto City Hall and Queen's Park.

Gino Cucchi (NCIC), Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Deputy Mayor Gino Rosati, Councillor Marilyn Iafrate

Mary Mauti, Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase, Former Vaughan MPP Candidate Peter Meffe and Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca

Borsaglieri

JUNE 12th ICFF Launch @ TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre and Ritz-Carlton

The 2014 Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) kicked-off SENSATIONALLY!! "The Best Offer", the opening film at the TIFF Lightbox Theatre and the party afterward at the Ritz-Carlton were both unforgettable. I congratulate the founders of the ICFF on a job EXTREMELY WELL DONE

Screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre

Emila Capo, Tony Monaco and friends!

Tony photo-bombing my pic with actor Steven Baldwin

Andrea and Ali

My sister-in-law Lucy Langstaff and celebrity chef, Massimo Capra

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Peter Eliopoulos (Peter & Pauls)

Tanya Phillips and Fabio Gesufatto

Nick DiDonato (Liberty Group) and Tony Monaco

JUNE 21st "Caboto Picnic" @ Veneto Centre

In honour of the Italian explorer, Giovanni Caboto, this 3rd annual picnic offered people an afternoon of entertainment and cuisine ITALIAN STYLE!!