PORTSMOUTH — Ivan
Gherardini’s heavy Italian accent floated through
the air and could be heard above others’ conversations
and over a jazz vocalist singing an old Nat King Cole song
at the Strada Festiva in Olde Towne.
Gherardini was in his element – a grand
exchange of Italian culture with anyone who wanted to experience
it. He talked with friends and offered passers-by samples
of his Italian gelato – a creamy, frozen treat made
from an all-natural family recipe he said had been passed
down for three generations.
He was one of several vendors serving up
Italian dishes at the festival of music, games and food
Sunday – part of the 12-day TodiMusicFest 2005 that
is taking place in five Hampton Roads cities.
He said he wants to share Italian culture
with more people in the region, not just through his gelato,
but by enjoying other authentic Italian food, good music
and, most important, good company.
TodiMusicFest organizers this year said
they have similar goals. “We want to make this the
most successful summer festival on the East Coast,” said
festival director Howard Bender.
This is the TodiMusicFest’s fourth
year, and Bender said attendance has grown steadily. When
it started in 2002, about 6,200 guests attended, he said.
The following year, it jumped to about 10,260. And, last
year, about 11,700 people attended, he said. The festival
continues to grow, he said, because of Hampton Roads cities’ support,
and because there’s always something new.
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This year, organizers
introduced TodiTangos , Tango music featuring Italian violinist
Gennaro Desiderio and pianist Cristiana Pegoraro, scheduled
for Friday evening at Aldersgate United Methodist Church
in Chesapeake.
Next year, Bender said, he hopes to offer
the festival in at least one additional Hampton Roads city
and add a sports component, which he vowed to keep secret
until then.
The more Italian
culture shared, the better – as far as Gherardini
is concerned. He went to the San Francisco area about 30
years ago to grow his gelato business. He traveled to other
countries, still working on the business, and settled in
Virginia Beach about eight years ago. Since then, he’s
made connections with other people who don’t just
love Italy, but they love life, he said.
A club that he belongs to called “We
Love Italy” is about just that. People of all races
and backgrounds are welcome to share in the cultural exchange
that goes even beyond the festival Sunday, he said as he
played one of his favorite jazz compact discs in his booth.
Meanwhile, friends, their children, and
a wrinkly puppy with a red, spiked collar gathered around
waiting to spend some time with him.
“I’m looking for passion,” he
said. “If you don’t know passion. You don’t
know love.”
Reach Nicole Morgan by phone at
(757) 446-2443 or by email at nicole.morgan@pilot
online.com.
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