RO on the GO! : Italian Heritage Month

So many incredibly events took place during the month of June to commemorate Italian Heritage Month and Italy's Festa Della Repubblica. Here are just a few!

Taste of Little Italy & CHIN Picnic
Congrats to CHIN Radio/TV International on this historic event! It's a special year as CHIN Picnic marks its milestone 50th Anniversary by celebrating alongside the annual "Taste of Little Italy". First held on Toronto Island and then the CNE, the picnic has come full circle finding its way back to its roots on College Street - the home of CHIN. If the amazing energy and high numbers are any indication then I predict this is going to become one of the greatest street festivals in Toronto. Thanks Lenny and Grace for the fabulous meal in the CHIN tent, the Rolling Stronz Band who made me an honourary "StronzA" (LOL) as well as Maria and Vince of Sicilian Ice Cream Co. for that GINORMOUS 'Coppa d'Amore.

Danny De Giorgis of the Rolling Stronz

Ali Bidabadi (CHIN), Tony Monaco

Maria Gallipo Sicilian Ice Cream

De Carolis Family

Tony Monaco Fans

Vinz!

Rolling Stronz

Dinner with CHIN

Best Buds Mike Giordiano and Tony Monaco

Italian Contemporary Film Festival
Celebrating the best in Italian Film at the ICFF Canada - Italian Contemporary Film Festival with kick-off at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Featured was hilarious comedy, QUO VADO with a fantastic after party at Roy Thomson Hall. Congratulations to festival co-founders, Cristiano De Florentiis, Paul Golini and Maurizio Magnicifo on a great eve...and excellent choice for premier flick.

Fabio, Robby, Tony, Joseph

Debby Rossi, Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, Councillor Rosanna De Francesca, Fabio Gesufatto

Chef Gianni Ceschia

Coucnillors Sandra Yeung Racco and Rosanna DeFrancesca with Debby Rossi

Domenic Mancuso and Lucy & Mike Langstaff

Movie time with my Langstaff family

Carassauga Italian Pavilion
Great time at the three-day Carassauga Festival . Special congrats to my dear friend, Carmela Liparoti and Micba Charity who organized the annual Italian Pavilion with a Venetian flair. Tony Monaco co-emceed on opening night introducing dignitaries and stellar musical artists, Angelo Sciortino, Claudio Santaluce and the hilarious Rolling Stronz band. The evening would not have been complete without a bittersweet performance by co-emcee Laura Tonelli who sang a beautiful song in memory of Vincenzo Benenati who we miss so much.

Laura Tonelli, Carmela Liparoti, Tony Monaco, Frank Trevisan

Laura Tonelli and the Rolling Stronz Band

John from The Bespokesman

Claudio and Sarah Santaluce

Castello Italia
VIVA L'ITALIA!! Congratulations to Nick Di Donato (Liberty Entertainment Group), Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, Fabio Gesufatto (Event Executive Producer) and Tanya Phillipps on another outstanding "Castello Italia". On Sunday one of Toronto's most historic landmarks, Casa Loma, was transformed into an Italian castle showcasing all things Italian from an exciting Ferrari display, Murano exhibit and of course wines and delectable cuisine from several renowned fine dining establishments. As the signature event for Italian Heritage Month 4500 people also joined in celebrating Italy's Festa della Repubblica. Incredible performances by Ivana Santili, Carlo Coppola, Dia D and many others. Keeping it all flowing were radio and television personalities Rick Campanelli, Suhana Meharchand, Tony Monaco, Andrea Trentadue and Sandra Carusi. This free cultural event would not have been possible without the collaboration of numerous Italian Canadian organizations...AUGURI to all.

DIA

ET Canada's Rick Campanelli and CBC's Suhana Meharchand

Nick Di Donato (Liberty Group), Lenny Lombardi (CHIN Radio TV), Tony Monaco (Z103.5)

Frank Spadone, Sandra Carusi, Andrea Trentadue (CHIN Radio TV)

Premier Kathleen Wynne

CHIN Radio Television Broadcasters

Michael & Silvana Tibollo with Grace Lombardi

Emcees Tony Monaco and Andrea Trentadue

Pat Finelli (Pizza Pizza), Nick Di Donate, Andrea Trentadue, Tony Monaco

Fabio Gesufatto, Josie Tedesco, Tony Monaco, Carlo Coppola

Flag Raising at Vaughan City Hall (June 3)

Although I'm a few pounds heavier (all that amazing food!) and a little tired after covering so many events for Panoram Italia Magazine, I'm sad to say that Italian Heritage Month has come to a close. What an incredible month it was as Toronto's Casa Loma was transformed into "Castello Italia", CHIN Picnic celebrated its 50th anniversary by joining forces with the Taste of Little Italy on College Street and so many other incredible events too numerous to mention! Since 2010 this annual celebration held throughout June has been growing leaps and bounds with festivities held across the province. The kick-off in Vaughan began with this raising of the Italian flag at City Hall which also commemorated Italy's Festa della Repubblica.