June 3- 9, 2004
mixpicks
Repubblica Convention
With Jam on the River passed, it's time for Penn's Landing to spring into PECO Multicultural mode with its always-first festival, La Festa Della Repubblica Italiana. Commemorating June 2, 1948, the date Italy stomped out fascism and established a republican democracy, this event means more now than ever, with Iraq's own supposed liberation looming at June's end. Yet, this particular Sunday, organized by the Alliance of Italian American Associations, is no sort of day to spend worrying. Let your president do that. Instead, start first with the foods of La Festa; there'll be Famiglia di Amichi's porchetta and sausage sandwiches and desserts from Roselena's on Passyunk Avenue. After the big meals, you can get your digestion going by dancing to the likes of local Italian traditional vocalist Fulvio, opera singer Cristina Vuono or the gentlemen from the Munier Mandolin and Guitar Society. You could laugh while watching Il Coro Abruzese, a chorus of folk-song singing men dressed in the authentic costumes of Italy's Abruzzi region. (OK, you could laugh. But they'll breakuface.) For the hipster Milanese amongst you, dig a Benetton fashion show, snap your fingers to the heady Italian rockers Anthea, throw some balls with the Norristown Bocce League and check out the sleek Vespas, sleeker Ferraris and even sleeker Italian greyhounds on display while sipping vino poured forth in abundance.
La Festa Della Repubblica, Sun., June 6, noon-6 p.m., free, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, 215-922-2FUN, www.pennslandingcorp.com.
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