A homeless woman made famous after a video of her singing an Italian aria in a Los Angeles subway station has agreed to open Saturday’s festivities for the new Little Italy district in San Pedro. Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino and his director of communications, Branimir Kvartuc, have spent the past week also assisting the woman, Emily Zamourka, a Russian immigrant, in finding shelter. The musician said she became homeless about two years ago.

Plans now call for Zamourka to sing for the opening of the 5-10 p.m. outdoor festa at Sixth and Centre streets in San Pedro to kick off the development of a Little Italy historic and commercial district. She’ll join film and sports celebrities for the event that will feature music, dancing, sign unveilings and plenty of Italian food for outdoor dining.