Little Italy Gala - A Success!!!

Last night's Little Italy Gala at the Peralta Building in Downtown San Jose was a huge success. Over 300 people attended the elegant event. Upon entering, the guests were greeted by a masked woman and a glass of prosecco! The interior was transformed into a piazza in Italy. Participating restaurants brought delicious food to sample, along with wonderful wines. But the highlight of the evening was Pasquale Esposito singing traditional, as well as newer, Italian songs and arias. The crowd was dancing and moving to his music.
And then for the comic relief of the evening - yours truly!!! Pasquale had been singing on the stage, but then came out into the audience and proceeded to the stairs where he sat down. Thinking that he was taking a break, I approached him to ask him for a picture. In my polite way, I said, "Possiamo fare una foto insieme?" (can we take a photo together), and he looked at me a bit puzzled and replied, "Certo" (certainly). I thought his response was a bit stunted...but didn't think twice about it. He then stood up, and with a microphone to his mouth, proceeded to continue singing while posing for a photograph with me!!! I had no idea that he was still performing, otherwise I would have never interrupted him. Needless to say, I was totally embarrassed!!! But at least I gave my husband a good laugh :)

Little Italy Gala in San Jose, CA

This weekend I am attending the very special Little Italy Gala - a fundraiser for the Littly Italy project of San Jose. The article in this week's Metro highlights the event. It should be lots of fun filled with wonderful food, wine, and of course, Pasquale Esposito!!!

Fancy Cars Helping to Build Little Italy in San Jose

This last Monday, I participated (with Tesoro) in an event at Club Auto Sport in San Jose that helped to raise awareness and funds for the new Little Italy project in San Jose. This project plans to re-establish the once thriving Little Italy community with Italian shops, restaurants, and even a pre-school! The Italian roots, which were so important to the building of San Jose, are being replanted with the help of numerous volunteers and businesses that see the importance of keeping the Italian community alive in San Jose.
The event was held at the classy Club Auto Sport - a "condominium" complex built to house collector, sports, and race cars. The venue was first class and drew many people who were treated to world class wines, food, and entertainment while wandering by Lamborghini's, Maserati's, and Ferrari's!!! Wonderful vendors of Italian items and organizers of specialty tours to Italy were on hand to enhance the Italian theme of the event. Many of the guests came because of their love for Italy and all things Italian (including the fancy cars!)

Somehow I could see myself in this yellow beauty, with a scarf on my head, zipping along down the Amalfi Coast...would anyone like to join me???