Exciting Things To Do In Little Italy!

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Posted: 5/19/05 at 6:00pm

A Sensory Summer In Little Italy
There is no more exciting community in New York City...
By Les Schecter

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New York, Thursday, May 05, 2005:

There is no more exciting community in New York City than Little Italy - America's Authentic Italian Neighborhood.® Located in lower Manhattan, this historic area is one of New York City's most popular tourist attractions.

Its streets are quaint and narrow - Mulberry, Hester, Mott, Grand, Broome and Baxter; its architecture often goes back a century; its smells and aromas (of restaurants, cafes and Italian specialty food shops) are a sensory window to the Italian soul.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Italian immigrants to America settled in this neighborhood and brought their culture, heritage and religious beliefs with them. They got married, started families and opened their own businesses, including restaurants, cafes and food stores. In recent years, the neighborhood has begun to experience a major revival due to gentrification and an influx of trendy people and businesses. But Little Italy has succeeded in retaining its "old world charm."

From Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Mulberry Street - the heart and soul of Little Italy - is turned into a Pedestrian Mall every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, creating one of New York City's most exciting al fresco dining areas. More than 35 restaurants set up sidewalk cafes in front of their establishments where they serve food and drink. As you can imagine, it offers great people watching. And there's no better time to 'do' Little Italy than during the summer, where people have come to enjoy the many free weekend family activities that comprise Sorrento Cheese Summer in Little Italy - a summer-long festival of Italian food, music and culture. (Read sidebar "Summer Calendar")

Little Italy is culturally alive at other times of year too. The annual Feast of San Gennaro has been held every year since 1927 (except for 2001). More than one-million visitors from around the world soak up the atmosphere and pay homage to San Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples. This year, The Feast will be held from September 15 through September 25.

In December, the neighborhood is transformed into a winter wonderland for the annual Sorrento Cheese Christmas in Little Italy holiday festival. Other activities during the year include Sorrento Cheese Carnivale in Little Italy and Tuesday and Thursday Opera Nights in Little Italy.

While strolling along Mulberry Street, notice the giant colorful tapestries hanging from some of the buildings. Created by world-renowned environmental graphic designer Lance Wyman, they were commissioned by Sorrento Cheese as part of the company's nationwide efforts to support artistic projects in Italian-American communities.

No visit to Little Italy would be complete without visiting the community's two major houses of worship - Most Precious Blood Church, the National Shrine of San Gennaro, located on Mulberry Street between Canal and Hester Streets, and Old St. Patrick's, located at Mott and Prince Streets.

Call 212/302-0551, or visit www.littleitalynyconline.org for more information.

SORRENTO CHEESE SUMMER IN LITTLE ITALY 2005 Schedule

(All events are free and will take place on Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets unless otherwise noted.)

Sat, May 28, 2:00 PM

Oyster Shucking Competition

In front of Sal Anthony's SPQR Restaurant, 133 Mulberry St

Mon, May 30, 2:00 PM

Concert Starring Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie and The Shangri-Las

Mulberry St Parking Lot between Canal and Hester Sts

Sat & Sun, June 4 & 5, 2:00PM

Outdoor Opera Performances

Sat & Sun, June 11 & 12, 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Street Performers (Buskers)

Sat & Sun, June 25 & 26, 2:00-5:00 PM

Taste of Little Italy

(hosted by Gianni Russo) Food samplings and cooking demos by local chefs, Concert by recording artist Gianni Russo

Saturday, July 2, 2:00 PM

3rd Annual Little Italy Pasta Eating Competition

In front of Sal Anthony's SPQR Restaurant, 133 Mulberry St

Sunday, July 3, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM

Performances by Zoppe Italian National Circus

Outdoor Parking lot on Mulberry between Canal and Hester Sts

Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10, 2:00 PM

Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra

Saturday, July 16, 2:00 PM

Tastings of olive oils and cheeses (Di Palo)

Saturday, July 23, 2:00 PM

Outdoor Opera Performances

Saturday/Sunday, August 13 & 14, 2:00 PM each day

2nd Annual Little Italy Mario Lanza Singing Competition

Saturday, August 20, 2:00 PM

Little Italy Cooking Demonstrations featuring chefs from local Italian restaurants

Sunday, August 21,2:00 PM

Italian Authors Day (Book signings by famous Italian authors)

Saturday, August 27, 2:00 PM

Concert by Italian Youth Choir (Community House of Music)

Sunday, August 28, 2:00 PM

Pizza Preparation Competition (with sampling)

Saturday, September 3, 2:00 PM

Battle of Red Sauce All-Stars (featuring chefs from various Little Italy restaurants)

Sunday, September 4, 2:00 PM

Cooking Pasta With Red Sauce (Cooking demos using Tuttorosso sauce )

Saturday, October 8, 1:00 PM

Little Italy's Annual Columbus Day Parade

Mulberry St between Canal and Houston Sts

3:00 PM

Sorrento Cheese Columbus Day Concert starring recording artist Gianni Russo




Updated On: 5/19/05 at 06:00 PM