International Food and Song Festival 2010

April 25, 2010

On Sunday, April 25th, the Club held its Eighth Annual Food and Song Festival at the home of Stephanie and Tom Loo.  With over 250 members and guests, the Festival set a new attendance record with twice the number of people who attended the first Festival in 2003!

The Festival featured great foods from around the world including a number of live cooking demonstrations.  In addition to the Asian and Hispanic food stations and their chefs, the Festival had Brazilian dishes made especially to welcome the GSE Rotary groups coming from and going to Brazil this year.  As always, the Festival highlighted the extraordinary number of ethnic dishes made by our own members and guests.  The Festival is appreciative of this year’s sponsors:  Ron Davis and Santa Monica Ford (Hispanic station) and Martifer Solar (Brazilian station), Bourget Bros. (pop corn and dessert) and the many members who sponsored the live Hop Woo Restaurant Wok Cooking demonstration, including the demonic roasted pig for the event.  The world bar highlighted different types of beverages from around the globe -- from Singapore slings to German beer.  Rotary International was well represented by the beers, wines and mix beverages from around the globe and served at the Festival.

The afternoon was highlighted by the live music featuring Savi Labensart and Haqumai Sharpe who performed a number of memorable arias from La Bohème,, Don Pasquale, Gianni Schicchi, Tosca and other great scores.  Tom Larmore’s singing was also a hit with the crowd.  

As a family event, the Club was treated by Michael Cates and his staff offering gymnastic lessons to the many young children who attended.  Many of the children were Mike’s regular students and couldn’t wait to show off their skills high above the Pacific.  The Festival gave our Club an opportunity to meet and work with a dozen Santa Monica Rotactors who provided great support for the event.

The Festival only occurs because of the dedication of its committee who included:  Brett Carter, Karim Jaude, Julia Gates, Sally Pai, Judy Iriye, Lynette Shitshido,  Nicole Pratt, Monika White and Tom Loo.  Savi organized the operatic music and Monika White the folk music.  Michael Cates, Nat Trives and Ron Davis provided invaluable assistance in our activities and food stations.