Little Italy is clearly the place to be in May. Food, culture and all-out celebrations descend on the neighborhood this month, and there’s something for everyone, Italian or not. Whether you’re hankering for some mouthwatering pizza and pasta or hoping to take in some traditional Italian music while strolling through the streets, May has what every Italophile is looking for. Read on for a full rundown of the month’s happenings. Taste of Little Italy combines old and new worlds in heart of San Diego Much to the delight of gourmands and lovers of Italian fare, the Little Italy Association will present the fourth annual Taste of Little Italy on May 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. Offering everything from traditional Italian pizza and pasta to sophisticated and eclectic culinary treats, the event gives participants the chance to tour the neighborhood on foot while supporting local eateries. This year, organizers are putting the spotlight on the newest restaurants to the neighborhood, and visitors can enjoy live music as they sample appetizers, entrees, beverages and desserts from the area’s well-known and yet-to-be-discovered establishments. Some of the delectable treats to be sampled are fusilli with pink pancetta sauce from Bencotto Italian Restaurant, pipian-crusted brie with jalapeno jelly from Indigo Grill, mini meatballs and sausages from Petrini’s and, of course, pizza by the slice from Filippi’s Pizza Grotto and Landini’s Pizza. Prosecco, wine, beer and coffee will also be offered along the way. Proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Little Italy Association, which is dedicated to the ongoing improvement and enhancement of the neighborhood. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tasteoflittleitaly.com or by calling (619) 615-1092. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 on the day of the event. Mangia!

Get ready to party, Sicilian style. On May 22, the 18th annual San Diego Sicilian Festival rolls through Little Italy, and the festival will once again bring the delights of the Italian island to the heart of San Diego. This year, due to its popularity, the festival has expanded, and will offer all the dancing, music, food and entertainment that can fit between Kettner Boulevard and Columbia Street from Beech to Grape streets. “The purpose is to highlight the culture that Sicilian immigrants brought to San Diego when they started arriving around 1915,” said Giovanna DiBona, who volunteers to help organize the festival every year. “They imparted the culture of Sicily, and it’s such a rich history.” DiBona said that, in support of that rich history, organizers have enhanced the cultural pavilion, where arts, crafts and historical displays will provide a glimpse at Sicilian culture. Outside of that pavilion, however, is where the party really starts. A parade will herald in the festival, complete with traditional Sicilian costumes, music and dancing, before which attendees can participate in various activities, such as a pasta-eating contest, traditional grape stomp and a simulated Italian bridal procession. Last year, the bridal procession didn’t have to be simulated, as DiBona and organizers threw an impromptu wedding for a couple that was volunteering with the festival. “I found out they were going to get married in the county administration building with no one around because they had no money for a wedding and no family in the city,” DiBona said. “We found an unclaimed wedding dress at a dry cleaner’s, loaned them my husband’s tuxedo, and had this wonderful event you could never forget. It was just magical.” Entertainment on the festival’s four stages this year includes a cooking demonstration and book signing by the Food Network’s Giada de Laurentiis, a performance by soprano Cristina Fontanelli and a show from the nationally-acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble. And one of the biggest draws, of course, will be the food. “Whether you’re Irish or German or whatever, you can enjoy the cultural impact of Sicily on San Diego,” DiBona said. “We have a very thriving Sicilian community here, and it comes out in full force for the festival.” The festival is free to attend, and offers free activities for children throughout the day. Free parking is available at the north end of the county administration building, 1600 Pacific Highway. For more information, visit sicilianfesta.com. Preserving the history of Little Italy The Little Italy Association and San Diego State University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Youth and Space (SDSU ISYS) have teamed up in an effort to document the history of San Diego’s Little Italy community. The two organizations announced that the LIA was awarded a grant from Preserve America, a national initiative, to gather documents, photos and other memorabilia to preserve the neighborhood’s history. The LIA will hold an event on May 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Washington Elementary School, 1789 State St., inviting residents from across the county to get their personal histories as part of the Little Italy community documented in the project. Attendees are encouraged to bring with them personal anecdotes, photos, videos and other artifacts that will be included in the historical preservation. Students from SDSU ISYS will be on-site to conduct interviews, scan family photos, save videos and take photos of artifacts. All time periods are of interest for the project, from the first days of settlement in the area to recent events. The Preserve America program provides funding to designated Preserve America Communities, like Little Italy, to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning. Refreshements will be served and there will be free two-hour parking at the Union and Date streets lot and the State and Elm streets lot. The event is free. For more information, visit www.littleitalysd.com/preserve-little-italy/ or call (619) 233-3898.