Dear Friends, on behalf of the Board of Governors of The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere, I am honored to announce that the Foundation’s upcoming Festa D’Italia and Motori D’Italia weekend on September 23rd & 24th has been renamed The Anthony D’Andrea Festa & Motori D’Italia.

At Casa Belvedere, we're all about honoring and memorializing the legacy of those who came before us and left a footprint in our hearts. One such Staten Island hero is Anthony D'Andrea, lifelong Staten Islander and founder of the legendary Roadhouse Restaurant in Grymes Hill, family owned since 1971.

Tony loved cars, loved food, and most of all loved his family, friends and community. He was gregarious, outgoing, generous, and a role model for many of his employees throughout his 30+ years at The Roadhouse. His nickname “Tony Meatball” came about in the 1940's when Tony was very young and sought work on the docks. In exchange for an honest day’s work, Tony would have to give up his mom’s delicious, homemade meatball sandwich.

At Casa Belvedere, our members and constituents share Mr. D’Andrea’s family values, hard work, honesty, integrity, generosity and love for family, friends and community. And this spirit is at its best throughout Casa Belvedere’s Festa & Motori D'Italia's weekend activities. With various specialty food vendors, a showcase of extraordinary Italian make classic and performance vehicles, to live entertainment and kids activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

New this year: a contemporary art exhibit featuring paintings from local artists to take place in Casa’s fabulous, new, metro-style, Bacco Wine Bar. Also numerous fun activities including wine and spirit tastings, cooking demos, a Bocce Clinic, a Yoga Clinic, a pumpkin patch, a farm stand and so much more.

And now you can reach thousands of live and virtual visitors by sponsoring the event and/or advertising in the Festa/Motori program distributed to each visitor at the entrance gate. Please click here for the sponsorship form for more details.

We hope you’ll consider paying tribute to the legacy of Anthony D’Andrea by taking an ad in the Festa/Motori program or by sponsoring this very special, fun-filled weekend. Your generous support will go towards underwriting the foundation’s exceptional arts, cultural and educational programs as well as the continued restoration and renovation of Casa Belvedere.

So mark your calendars for Saturday, September 23rd from 12 Noon to 7 pm and Sunday, September 24th from 11 am to 6 pm. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Thank you!

Warm Regards,
Gina