Convivio

San Diego’s Little Italy has fast become a neighborhood bathed in an urban chic sensibility and one with its own mythos. But before the contemporary convergence of myriad restaurants and retailers, the neighborhood had modest beginnings with its history going back hundreds of years. It is a collective tale of immigration and assimilation–and an overarching theme focused on the individuals and families that helped to shape a neighborhood, a waterfront, and a city. The preservation of San Diego’s Italian historical narrative is a core component of the Convivio mission and vision. To that end, with the Italian Community Digital Archives, Convivio strives to collect, catalog, and convey the stories of Italian Americans through photographs, oral histories, exhibits, and other projects. Visit italianarchives.org to view our digital archives and contribute your historical photographs to the cause by contacting us.

Today’s Little Italy has become a culinary and cultural locus for San Diego residents and visitors. With the Little Italy Association at the helm of the rampant redevelopment of the neighborhood— beginning in the early 90s after decades of decline—what was once known as the Italian Colony has thus been reimagined, reinvented, and reinvigorated. Today, Little Italy is being hailed as a bold model for urban redevelopment. Moreover, with the arrival in recent years of a new wave of immigrants, a modern tale of toil has taken the place of the previous historical narrative of this colorful community.

The characteristics of these new immigrants (while in some ways not so different than the immigrants of past generations looking to make good in a new land), do contain one notable difference: These entrepreneurs have often arrived with a plan in place and requisite funding in hand. Consequently, they represent a vital component in the overall systemic restructuring of this neighborhood.

Little Italy has become an ever-evolving enclave, one that is at once suited for and defined by the vibrant and diverse demographic that composes its landscape—a neighborhood that has almost come to represent a microcosm of our cherished land of opportunity writ large. The new merchants setting up shop in the neighborhood have deliberately flocked to San Diego’s Little Italy, likely for the sense of community and for the ambience Little Italy fosters and of which they are also creators. So, too, are the new residents of Little Italy looking for a sense of community in a downtown setting when it comes to their selection of dwelling, and they are not only consumers but co-creators as well.

The neighborhood has taken on a different role, not one based on history or tradition but one based on a continually changing definition of purpose and place. The evolution of the neighborhood’s cultural artifacts, then, is a natural extension of these dynamics. But how does its changing identity and purpose affect the cultural heritage of the neighborhood? Regarding cultural artifacts and assets in the form of narrative, what stories are being told, who is recounting them, and what is being left out? Ultimately, how the neighborhood develops in the next several years and how it retains an Italian American identity or perhaps how it reshapes that identity will provide a context for rich scholarship.

San Diego’s Little Italy remains a salient element in Italian Americana. At Convivio, we are doing our own redefining of space and place at Amici House in the Little Italy Dog Park—contributing our voice to the overall narrative of the enclave. The charming restored cottage serves as the community’s cultural hub creating a third place for residents and visitors to the Italian neighborhood.

Ultimately, we at Convivio envision a large-scale Italian American museum and cultural center in San Diego and are working toward that goal. You can learn more on our site at conviviosociety.org/vision. In the meantime, we would love to hear from you! What makes Little Italy stand out for you? What would you like to see regarding programs at Amici House? Please drop us a line at conviviosociety.org/contact.

Strangers Among Us—Little Italy During Wartime

The Convivio Now and Again Series comprises oral histories from Italian-community members. In this excerpt from an interview with Fran Marline Stephenson, Fran discusses a dynamic experienced by many Italian Americans during World War II.

The war was getting really heavy, and a man in an officer’s uniform came to our door. He said, “I have some papers here, and I want you to read these. You have to leave your home and go to Oklahoma, and you’re going to go into a concentration camp. We’re going to take all the people who live near the waterfront because you’re too dangerous.” I said, “I don’t understand why we’re dangerous. My brother is in the Navy. I worked in an aircraft plant. And you’re telling me that you’re gonna put me in a camp with a bunch of people? I’m not a foreigner.” He said, “Well, your father doesn’t have second papers.” I said, “I’ll fix that, but don’t tell me you’re gonna take me out of my house. And who do you think you are, coming here and telling me…this is my country.” I just tore into him, that poor soul. And he just looked at me. He said, “All right, all right, don’t get excited.” And I said, “Excited? I’m furious to think that my government would come and tell me that they’re gonna put my family in a concentration camp. Shame on them.” He said, “Well, I’ll give you a month. If your father can write his name and go get his second papers, we’ll forgive you for that.”

Fran Marline in 1942 sits on the fender of her first car, a Chevy Club Coupe, which she purchased with her brother. (Courtesy of Fran Marline Stephenson.)

And we got out a big sheet of paper, and I gave my father a pencil and said, “You’re gonna write your name.” He said, “What? I can’t.” I said, “You’re gonna learn, starting tonight.” And his hands were so thick because he pulled in [fishing] nets all the time that he couldn’t bend them. I put a pencil in his hand and I said, “Okay, now I’m gonna show you.” I took his hand and I said, “Federico.” I wrote, Federico. Now you write it by yourself.” And very slowly he copied it. He looked at it for a while and he said, “That’s my name?” I said, “Yes, Pa, that’s your name.” He said, “I’ve never seen my name written before.”

And so it was about four months later, we had to go to court, and all kinds of people were coming there to get their last papers. But they had to learn to say The Constitution of the United States. So we practiced it and we practiced it. “Pa, today we’re going and you have to tell the judge, say, ‘The Constitution of the United States.’” Well, I didn’t know what he’d kept in his head. But he got up in front of him and the judge said, “Mr. Marline, can you say ‘The Constitution of the United States?’” And he goes, “Lo conna-sta-too-shon,” and that’s all he said, “Lo conna-sta-too-shon.” And the judge pounded his gavel and said, “That’s okay—at least you tried.” And he got his second papers.

Members of the Marline family, circa 1937, stand in front of their home on India Street. (Courtesy of Fran Marline Stephenson)

And he was so overwhelmed, he said, “Gee, just think, I’m an American citizen now.” He was so proud. And even before he had his papers given to him, every flag day we used to have a little flag, and he’d put that outside the window—he had a little stand for it, let everybody know that he believed in this country. And what I learned in my lifetime in Little Italy was being different, and yet the same. We’re all the same people, we’re just different color, but we’re still the same people.

When it comes to iconic film scores, what comes to mind? Raiders of the Lost Ark, certainly. Star Wars, obviously. Chariots of Fire, naturally. The Godfather, irrefutably. In the pantheon of film composers (Italian or otherwise) Nino Rota certainly takes his rightful place, especially with his work on that last little film listed and with The Godfather Part II, which earned Rota an Oscar.

Creating memorable scores and working with a multitude of directors, Rota created one of his more enduring scores, however, for Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film, Romeo and Juliet. The film garnered worldwide attention and praise, while Rota’s love theme—hauntingly capturing the pathos of the star-crossed lovers—arguably represents the greatest love theme in film. Henry Mancini also put his touch on the theme, a lush arrangement that topped the charts in 1969 and forever emblazoned this melody in our minds and hearts, a testament, once again, to the timeless soundtracks that enhance Italian cinema.

What’s your favorite Italian film theme or score? What makes it stand apart for you?

Join us for FREE coffee as we celebrate the launch of our coffee bar!
July 1 – 3 • Soft Opening
7am – 3pm

Find us at the dog park in Little Italy (Date and Union Streets)

Get a free cup of freshly brewed coffee when you stop by to say hello.
Bring your friends and help spread the word of our new coffee bar in Little Italy’s Amici Park!

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When you don’t see Neapolitan tenor and Little Italy favorite Rosario Monetti belting out a favorite aria in awe-inspiring programs and venues locally and globally, you can find him overseeing his newest venture — Meshuggah Shack in Mission Hills — serving up a great cup of coffee, and often with a tune at no additional charge. You can also see Rosario perform in Little Italy at Amici House in the coming months where he assembles unforgettable shows. We sat down with Rosario to ask him about his latest endeavor.

What attracted you to this new venture?

It was by chance. A friend told me about the coffee kiosk on sale, and the funny thing is that we always talked about this little place and how much we loved it. Everything started from the previous owner who, about 10 years ago, turned a bank ATM into a coffee kiosk — yes, it was an ATM before. The quirkiness is basically the creativity of the old owner but even more the contribution over the years of the loyal customers — each of them has put in a bit of his own vision of the place.

As an Italian entrepreneur in San Diego, what have you noticed about differences in business (and lifestyle) practices between Italy and the U.S.?

The main difference from a business point of view is the easier approach to bureaucracy here, from the very beginning to the final step for the business to be active and alive. In Italy, the bureaucracy is a nightmare, which pushes away many entrepreneurs from my native country. The lifestyle also is very different —everything in Italy is delayed — breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 1:30 p.m., and dinner at 8:30 p.m. And, of course, the nightlife as well — and I mean daily nightlife — you go out at 11 p.m. over there, and here at 11 p.m., you are already in your dreams, sleeping.

What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs coming here?

To learn the American and Californian culture and lifestyle first, which gives you a better perspective and perception of who your future clients will be. What works in our own country, no matter how effective it is and how good we are over there, can be a failure over here. Long story short — whoever comes here for the first time and wants to be an entrepreneur has to put his native cultural ego on the side and be willing to accept the cultural differences of this place and be willing and happy to work with it; compromise and melt in with it; without, of course, losing his own authenticity and flavor.

Tell us about your passion and singing career.

My passion for music started when I was a kid even if I was not really aware that I was able to sing. Eventually some friends of mine were playing in a bar, and because they previously heard me singing in the car with them asked me to sing something and join them at this club. The song was “With or Without You” by U2, and it was a success. The people went crazy and requested me even the day after, and so I became officially part of the band. That was the moment I understood that I had the potential and the talent to be a professional singer. The real game changer came later on when I started studying music and voice, and my first teacher told me that my voice was naturally made to sing classical and opera, and here I am as an opera singer now.

What new musical projects are you working on?

I am working on organizing a beautiful concert with a 25-piece orchestra with the collaboration of an acclaimed orchestra director and music arranger who has arranged and directed the music for Andrea Bocelli and many other famous Italian singers. I am also going to Sicily for a week as a guest singer for an archeological and wine tour, and there are other projects that I will tell about and promote very soon.

What do you want people to know about Rosario Monetti?

Come see me at the Meshuggah! When I am there, most likely I will be singing while making coffees! Remember that a smile is always something available for everyone. For me, it’s all about my love for life, music, and a cup of great coffee.

Visit meshuggahshack.com for more information.

Another Italian-themed, hat-giveaway night with the Padres has come and gone, but not without its share of excitement and emotion as the Padres met the Rockies. To start the day, the U-19 Team Italy softball squad, playing this weekend in Irvine for the U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup, paid a visit to Amici House after a practice session at SDSU and before a stop at Petco Park for the captains to throw out the first pitch. Italian American singer Grace Giordano beautifully delivered the national anthem with culminating cheers from the 20,000 fans in attendance. Our thanks to Mona Lisa Italian Foods in Little Italy for the support and great food for the team’s reception. Thanks to the San Diego Padres for hosting Team Italy! For photos, please follow the link to our Facebook page.

Italian Heritage Night Photos >

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Meet Tom Cesarini, Convivio founder and executive director, and learn more about Convivio in our community!

SD Voyager Magazine >>

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018 @ 6:10PM

PADRES VS. MARLINS

The Little Italy Association and Convivio are proud to partner with the San Diego Padres for the 2018 Italian Heritage Night on Thursday, May 31.

Come celebrate with us for an evening of special guests and programming. Purchase your tickets today to have a chance to receive a limited edition commemorative San Diego Padres Italian Heritage Night hat and an option to upgrade to a VIP experience. The first pitch will be at 6:10 p.m.

SPECIAL GUESTS

National Anthem
Rosario Monetti

First Pitch
Nico Garbella // Team Italia
Giovanni Garbella // Team Italia
Erika Piancastelli // Team Italia (Softball)

TICKETS

VIP Admission*
Location: Pacifico Porch
Cost: TBA
Includes: Admission into Petco Park, seating in VIP section, commemorative San Diego Padres Italian Heritage Night hat, hot food (1-hour before and 1-hour after first pitch), free flowing Pacifico beer/water/soft drinks (1-hour before first pitch until 7th inning), and more.

(Tickets Coming Soon)

* Limited seats available.

General Admission
Location: Field Pavilion Upper Half
Cost: $29-$30 each**
Includes: Admission into Petco Park and commemorative San Diego Padres Italian Heritage Night hat.

** Subject to fees.

GET TIX!