It was always there, every year, hanging on the small brown building just a block away from the Bohemian offices. ‘FESTA ITALIANA,’ read the large banner. Italian festival? Hmm. Finally, last year, I went. Good heavens! A room full of food, another room with a Sinatra impersonator and yet another room detailing the rich history of turn-of-the-century immigrants in Santa Rosa’s Little Italy neighborhood, now rebranded as the West End. Booths everywhere. People everywhere. A hell of a time, this Festa Italiana. Among this year’s entertainment are the Don Giovannis, Zighi Baci with Michael Van Why, Damiani Duo, the Roman Gladiators and Coro Allegro, and it all gets cooking on Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Veterans Memorial Building. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. 11am—6pm. $6—$10. 707.591.9696.
