Hosted by cofounder Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, the 11th annual Galbani Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro is a three-day Los Angeles street festival celebrating Italian culture. Brimming with fine food, music, wine, carnival rides, and games organized by The San Gennaro Foundation—a non-profit dedicated to raising funds for Los Angeles charities supporting the homeless, veterans, and local school programs—the Feast promises fun for families while helping those in need.
The Italian Feast will be held September 28-30 between 11AM and 11PM to celebrate Italian Heritage Month in October. It will be hosted on Hawthorn Avenue between Highland and Orange in Hollywood.
On Thursday, September 27, an opening night fundraising gala, Prima Notte 2012, will kick-off the festival with a celebration of Italian Americans in sports, including Tommy Lasorda, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, and Lou Cordileone. Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla will also be there with Master of Ceremonies Mark DeCarlo. Louie Prima Jr. will be having a “swinging” big band performance with LA Improv closing the night with a “Comedy under the Stars” show featuring Italian American comedians.
“The Feast of San Gennaro is something my family and I look forward to every year,” Jimmy Kimmel said. “I have no doubt that that our eleventh year will be a great one.”
Throughout the weekend families will enjoy great food, music, a kid’s corner, bocce, bingo, and other activities. In honor of the Feast’s 11th anniversary there will be plenty of fundraising events for local charities, including a “Gravy – Sauce” competition hosted by The Meatballs of Comedy. Surprise celebrity guests will also join Galbani Cheese’s Chef Marco for live demonstrations of classic Italian recipes at the Galbani Cheese La Cucina Italiana Cooking Stage.
On Saturday, September 29, a procession of Saint Gennaro will begin on Hollywood Boulevard and conclude with a Mass presided by Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti.
On Sunday, the Order Sons of Italy in America and the Feast will partner for a live telethon on the main stage to raise funds for Veteran charities. The event promises to honor all things Italian while supporting the Los Angeles community.
“We have been bringing Italian culture to the heart of Hollywood for ten years running,” said Frankie Competelli, President of The San Gennaro Foundation in Los Angeles. “We are thrilled to once again, celebrate tradition, family, and great food with the community.”
The Galbani Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro was inspired by the Feast of San Gennaro in New York City which has celebrated Italian culture for over 80 years. Annually organized by the San Gennaro Foundation, the festival has helped raise over $750,000 for local charities in honor of Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples whose mission was to help others.
The festival venue is across the street from the Metro Red Line and directly behind the Jimmy Kimmel Live theater at 1651 N. Highland Ave.
General admission to the Italian Feast is $5. Kids under 12 have free admission. Tickets for the opening night gala are $100 for VIP admission and $50 for general admission. Reserved tables for 10 guests are $2,000 VIP, $1000 for general.
All proceeds benefit The San Gennaro Foundation, a 501(3)c non-profit created by Jimmy Kimmel and Douglas DeLuca, along with other prominent Italian American citizens.
For more information, visit www.feastofla.org or call (818) 508-0082.
