By Tom Padula
This Evening was a memorable one for a variety of reasons. The Solarino Social Club Committee, Kitchen and Service Staff, President Santo Gervasi with Secretary Maria Formica and Vice President Nuccio Formica ensured that this Father’s Day celebration would be one to remember. They prepared the hall to perfection, welcomed all guests old and new, invited No Limits Band with Ross Talarico, Tony Merlino and Joe Bonanno to keep the music and dancing going throughout the Night. Their music repertoire is much loved by all.
The Committee also allowed the inclusion of a Floor Show by Elvis Presley impersonator, comic and entertainer Damian Mullin to showcase his talents to an appreciative audience. Some Birthday Presentations and Dessert were moved forward for this Special guest artist. The one hour plus entertainment saw social club member Antonio Danzi playing his pretend guitar skills whilst Elvis sang.
A whole lot of the guests encircled Elvis Presley as if he was truly there! The performance was filmed by very many guests for their social media platforms. After the entertainment they held Damian Mullin back for photos and chats since he imitated Elvis Presley singing all his songs in that one-hour spectacular. This type of entertainment is better held in a theatre like afternoon of song and music since some of the guests could not stand up for a closer look at the performing artist.
Solarino Social Club needs more active members to join their Committee or provide assistance to manage more activities. The future journey of Italian Clubs is a challenging one as the intergenerational reality begins to bite. I am confident that the role of Italian Clubs, including Solarino Social Club, is a rosy one. Whilst waiting for the future to arrive, we shall enjoy each Dinner Dance held every second Saturday for the year.
All the tables were filled with groups that don’t want to miss out on their Saturday Night Dinner Dance at Solarino Social Club. A truly active Club for the last 55 years and with the President and a few others who have remained loyal to this Club since then, offering their love and service to remember their loved Paese of Solarino in Sicily and to hold their Community together here in Melbourne.
The advances in Communications with Social Media platforms and online services has given this Club and others the opportunity to showcase their wonderful activities. Many of the members travel to Sicily, Italy and elsewhere during our winter months. The connections with family and friends overseas is now stronger than ever. We need peace in the world for these connections to become possible with real physical presence. A few guests from Sicily join this Club during the year. The welcome is always genuine and much appreciated by all.
Read the story on page 5 of Allora!, available now at newsagents.
