Page 25 - April May Final Flipbook

“The Renaissance started in Italy—in Florence and in other places, in the early
1500s,” said event organizer Dalia Vidor. “We wanted to do something a little
bit different. It also fits in really well with our venue.”
One reason for this, Vidor said, is that the Renaissance was essentially started by
wealthy Italian families, like the Medici family (members of which will attend
Carnevale Fantastico), whose appreciation for art and culture led to them put-
ting their money behind certain artists, and giving them more of a platform.
Their popularity spread, and the rest is history.
“That’s what sparked the Renaissance,” Vidor said. “They were also really into
fashion and poetry. It was just this amazing time period.”
Italy is the birthplace of great artists like, say, Leonardo de Vinci, and composers
like Gregorio Allegri. But it’s also the birthplace of amazing food, and Carnevale
Fantastico aims to please in that department. They boast a number of Italian-
themed delicacies, including fried calamari, polenta, meatball sandwiches and,
of course, as the old saying goes, “Don’t forget the cannoli.”
There will also be a live Italian cooking demonstration, guaranteed to make you
hungry and teach you a thing or two about how to construct a yummy meal. In
this demonstration, chef Mamma Focaccia and her two daughters will take the
stage and show their audience exactly how to make a variety of Italian dishes,
and offer reminders on why, “the heart of any meal is food, laughter, and loves,”
which echoes a quote from a prominent local Italian chef you may have read in
our previous issue of Local Happenings.
For those with a sweet tooth, the fair will also have various gelato flavors and
other desserts, as well as wines from all over the world. Of course, the Napa Valley
world-famous vineyards are just a short drive north of Vallejo, so there’s no reason
not to expect that Carnevale Fantastico’s organizers will impress in this department.
“The Renaissance community has been planning on this for quite some time,”
Vidor said. “We’re expecting an excellent turnout, because who doesn’t love
Italian food and wine?”
When it comes to theater celebration, Carnevale Fantastico is going all out.
With the festival’s more than 15 different music, dance and performance acts,
Vidor said they’re sure to have something for everyone. Some notable themes
include an Italian-themed performance of Romeo and Juliette that promises to
reveal the “real story” behind the events of the famous play.