Food & Film Series Starts Off with a Big Night

The Nevada City Film Festival and Miners Foundry kicked off their “Food & Film Series”, Saturday, April 14th with a sold-out audience of 200 people, some traveling from as far as San Francisco and Lake Tahoe/Truckee to attend.  This exciting, and unique cinematic, dining, and cultural experience featured the 1996 award-winning film “Big Night” starring a then young, up and coming cast of Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rosellini and Marc Anthony. “Big Night” is the story of a failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers who gamble on one special night to try to save their business.  Following the film guests were treated to a fantastic traditional Italian feast, just like the one in the film, prepared by Owner/Chef Robert Smith of the Old 5 Mile House.

The Miners Foundry’s beautiful Stone Hall was the perfect setting for the evening’s festivities.  Miners Foundry staff and former caterers from the Stonehouse Hospitality Academy, Dustin Fernandez and Donald Johnson, along with the Foundry’s Event Coordinator Kat Kress and Nevada City Film Festival volunteer Jill Locks created a beautiful and elegant dining room that included fresh flowers, soft light from candles and antique chandeliers, and music from Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Claudio Villa, Lou Monte, Jerry Vale, and Rosemary Clooney. At the end of the evening it was Clooney’s version of “Mambo Italiano” that ignited a jubilant mambo line that circled around the hall with guests dancing and laughing.

Full Circle Press designed and pressed exquisite menus for guests to take home and savor the evening.  Photographer and artist Darlene Freitas, owner of Freitas Studio Gallery in Nevada City, donated a stunning image taken during her three month journey of exploration and enlightenment in Italy.  Mr. Stephen DeSena, President of the Nevada County Italian Cultural Foundation presided over the evening as Master of Ceremonies.

Thank you to everyone who attended; to our amazing volunteers – Molly, Warren, Willow, Chris, Gretchen, Seth, Gayle, Ed, Larry, and Jill; KNCO Newstalk 830am; the Nevada County Italian Festival; Full Circle Press, Darlene Freitas, Robert Smith and his staff at The Old 5 Mile House, the hard-working staff at the Miners Foundry and the Nevada City Film Festival!  For more photos from the event go to our Facebook page.

The next event in the “Film & Food Series” is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” on Saturday, May 12th.  For more information and to reserve your tickets go to www.minersfoundry.org