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THE FEAST OF SAN GENNARO, L.A’S PREMIERE ITALIAN FOOD & CULTURAL FESTIVAL, RETURNS TO THE GROVE/FARMERS MARKET
FOR A SECOND YEAR

Event Kicks Off With "Prima Notte" Charity Benefit, Hosted by Comedians Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla

(LOS ANGELES, CA, June 24, 2005) - The Grove/Farmers Market will welcome the fourth annual Precious Cheese Feast of San Gennaro LA presented by Ralphs, LA’s most popular Italian food and cultural festival, for the second year in a row. The Feast of San Gennaro, which features rides, games, entertainment and the best Italian food in the city, will be held on September 23-25th on Grove Drive (between Beverly and 3rd). The festival will open September 22nd with Prima Notte, a star-studded charity gala hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. The event will honor Italian jazz great, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, his former wife, with Smith performing a tribute to their years together.

The Feast of San Gennaro LA is just one of the events presented by Kimmel, producer Doug DeLuca and the San Gennaro Foundation, the non-profit organization they started, which is dedicated to helping underprivileged children and perpetuating cultural identity in the Italian-American community (www.sangennarofoundation.org). Held for its first two years in Hollywood, the event moved to the Grove last year.

“The Feast and The Grove are both all about building community…it was an instant fit from the start,” said DeLuca. “The Grove, and the Farmers Market, welcomed us with open arms and it paid off. Year one at The Grove we attracted more than 100,000 visitors and actually helped increase their sales revenues for the weekend.”

Grove Drive, which stretches between Beverly and 3rd Street, proved to be a perfect location for the event. “Some of my best childhood memories are of the San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy on Mulberry Street in New York,” said Kimmel. “I think for the kids of Los Angeles, the food, music, rides, games and lights of The Grove Drive will be something they remember fondly when they, too, become overweight adults.”

The Precious Cheese Feast of San Gennaro LA presented by Ralphs features Italian food from more than 50 of LA’s top Italian restaurants, a wide selection of fine Italian wines, live music, carnival games and rides, street performers and strolling musicians. A host of Italian-themed activities take place throughout the three days including bocce ball tournaments, grape stomps, fashion shows featuring Italian designers, celebrity chef demonstrations, readings by Italian authors and playwrights, Kid’s Corner activities and the crowning of Miss San Gennaro.

“Prima Notte,” will feature an all-star tribute to Italian jazz master, Louis Prima and Keely Smith. Money raised will go to benefit a wide variety of children’s charities including Friends Sharing & Giving in Los Angeles, the Foundation’s keystone program that mentors, supports and helps underprivileged children through lectures, workshops, fieldtrips and scholarships.

“The Feast of San Gennaro brings so many great things together: great food, great music, great atmosphere and a great cause too. It’s a ‘must attend’ event for anyone who loves life as much as the Italians and Italian-Americans. I wouldn't miss it for the world,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Rick Caruso, President & CEO of The Grove’s Caruso Affiliated said, “The Grove has a commitment to being a ‘town center’ that respects the community’s unique character and reflects the spirit of its residents. Events like the Feast of San Gennaro help accomplish that goal by creating community ties and in this case, showcasing Los Angeles’ Italian population. We are thrilled to host the festival for a second year.”

“We are delighted to welcome this wonderful festival back to the property,” said Stan Savage, Director of Marketing and Tourism for the original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax. “Farmers Market is pleased to be participating in this fund-raising endeavor and we look forward to the San Gennaro Foundation’s success in organizing this year’s Feast.”

There is no charge for admission to the Feast and the hours daily (Sept. 23-25) are 11 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Tickets to “Prima Notte” on Sept. 22 are $100 and $250. For more information about the Feast and purchasing tickets, call 1-877-832-1418 or visit www.sangennarofoundation.org. The main entrance to the Feast is on Beverly Blvd. Parking is available at CBS Television City and the Petersen Automotive Museum with free shuttle service to the Feast. No parking is available at The Grove or Farmers Market.

The Grove is a world renowned retail, dining and entertainment destination, offering an array of national and one-of-a-kind stores, unparalleled anywhere in the country. The Grove offers a unique combination of style, substance and quality. For more information, please call The Grove Concierge (323) 900-8080. Farmers Market is an original, delightfully eclectic mix of more than 100 shops and restaurants. “The last best place in L.A.,” it’s beloved by locals and tourists alike. Discover a variety of cuisines (Asian, Argentinean, Greek, Mid-Eastern, pizza, pasta, sushi, deli, and more). Stroll among grocery stands, souvenir shops, and stalls where artisans work. On weekend summer evenings, bands play at the Market’s two beer & wine bars, creating a free casual open air party. (9-9 Mon.-Fri., 9- 8 Sat., 10-7 Sun.).

Event posted by Don Rose