Do you like art, paper mache, and building things? Well this group combines art, engineering to build giant paper mache floats.
ABOUT US:
It was always my dream since I moved from Italy to share Sciacca’s splendid Carnival tradition in America. Over the past years, by showing and talking about the carnival I was able to gain some interest among my friends. Thus, the artistic group “A Little Taste of Sicily” was formed on December, 16, 2009 in Revere, Massachusetts under a non-profit organization called Italia Unita Inc. of Massachusetts.
This group combines the art of paper Mache and engineering to build giant mechanized floats by adapting to the traditional techniques used in Italy. We would also like to continue to get involved in building floats for local events and parades, such as the Fourth of July parade in Wakefield, and also be involved in other local ones. We just love to see how a tradition of float building from Italy could be appreciated over here. It is a different structure and way of building floats.
Our group is composed of students who balance school, work and our own personal lives to make all of this happen. We try to make the experience of building floats fun and not all work.. It’s just like a jigsaw puzzle only you start off with wood and need tons of imagination. With food, jokes and music we would work each night constructing the float. This would make the time go by quicker and memorable. After months of work, we would assemble the float for the first time and have the joy to see our final result. The assembly is a very satisfying moment for the all group because we see all of our hard work come together into one giant piece.
The art group:
GOAL FOR THIS YEAR PROJECT :
This summer, Italia Unita’s artistic group, “a Little Taste of Sicily” is looking for funding to organize our first outdoor carnevale event and build a giant mechanized paper mache float for the Fisherman’s Feast in the North End. The money raised will help pay for the materials of the float, rental expenses such as garage, trailer, and generator, and for the dancers to dance to traditional carnival music. Just like they do in Italy, we would like to recreate the Carnevale tradition on a smaller scale. With our float, we will transform the streets of the North End with a traditional carnevale atmosphere that includes music, dancing, and of course the giant float of art. The fisherman’s feast society already approved the project and invited us to organize this event for them for free. All sketches are ready for the new float and good to be constructed. The dance center is also ready to start practicing for their new dance. The only thing that is missing is the money to pay for all of these expenses. Just like before, I know that my art group can achieve this and make this dream become a reality. With your help and a little contribution, all of this can become a reality. We will be celebrating this Carnevale event August 18-19, 2012 in the fisherman feast North End Boston. Please feel free to join us during the festival.
Break Down Funds
I plan to use $1000 dollars to pay for the materials of the float. Another $200 dollars will go towards paying for the dance group. Then $200 dollars will go towards the trailer and truck rental from Uhaul. We will also rent a generator for two days which will end up costing another $120. Last we will pay $ 600 for rent expenses from the month of May till early October. This is where we will store the float. The remainder of the money will go towards paying for expenses of the pledgers. Any contribution will help pay for all of this.
I would like to make this event yearly, and to make it grow and get more people envolved. Also I would like to turn this into a feast of arts for the Boston area, wihch the community can enjoy and the participants will have a great time participating.
This is the float we are trying to build for this year:
You are wondering, can we get this job done? Thanks to the help of Italia Unita, we were able to participate in two parades in Wakefield for their Fourth of July parade and a Columbus day parade in East Boston. We also were able to organize Italia Unita’s first Carnevale event in East Boston which turned out to be a great success. Music, traditional dances, and costumes filled the night just like the carnival tradition in Sicily.
Thank you for any donations that you will or have made. It is greatly appreciated, and will make a difference in making this dream of mine become a reality.
Please view our work: http://www.littletasteofsicily.com/pastprojects.htm
Past Carnevale event organized by us indoors:
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9SIpcEOvTw&list=UUPvdDi8hx4v753t-bH_1wbQ&index=5&feature=plcp
part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuYkNgK8Soo&list=UUPvdDi8hx4v753t-bH_1wbQ&index=4&feature=plcp
and here is what we hope to achieve in the future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXeuXv1FP0&list=UUPvdDi8hx4v753t-bH_1wbQ&index=8&feature=plcp
Simple banner ( decorative piece)
Cannoli
Ceramic Boat
Madonna Del Soccorso Painting
Venizian Mask for sale ( similar to this)
We are not rich and cannot afford cool awards. Sorry. This is my first time using this website.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
1
Backer
$50.00
pledged of $2,300 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 12, 2012.
Funding period
Apr 12, 2012 -
May 12, 2012
(30 days)
- 4 created · 0 backed
- Pasquale Balistreri 1434 friends
- Website: littletasteofsicily.com
Pledge $1 or more
0 backers
We will place your name on our website on the sponsor section at www.littletasteofsicily.com
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $4 or more
0 backers
We will email to you 10 great quality photos from Sciacca Italy which are taken by the official photo club “ Sciacca Vista Da Noi” that can be used has wall paper or whatever you would like. + You will receive the above.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $5 or more
0 backers
Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $8 or more
0 backers
Get a music mix cd of either famous Italian music, or famous Carnevale music. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $10 or more
0 backers
Place your name on the donation section on the float. Get a thank you letter sent to you via mail. Have your name placed on the donation section of our website. We will email to you a traditional Carnevale Di Sciacca music.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $12 or more
1 backer
We will mail to you a copy of the official 2012 float drawing on an 8x10.5 in paper with our logo sticker. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $15 or more
0 backers
Receive a short movie explaining how to build a paper Mache float from scratch. + You will also receive a descriptive PowerPoint presentation in how to build a float. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $16 or more
0 backers
Get a DVD with over 1000 photos of Sciacca and its Carnevale sent to you via mail. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $18 or more
0 backers
Get a professional SCIACCAVISTADANOI DVD sent to you that includes video clips of Sciacca Italy of life at sea, port, city, its people and much more. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
0 backers
Receive two traditional CARNEVALE DI SCIACCA DVD’s which include the parade of the floats to its particular song, and its dance group performance. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
0 backers
Get a professional photo from Sciacca Italy sent to you via mail, + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
0 backers
Have a three colored banner like the one shown bellow sent to you. You may choose three colors in any order you would like, or have the traditional green white and red sent to you. Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $25 or more
0 backers
Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep via mail+ Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $30 or more
0 backers
You will have your logo or name placed on the side of the float on a 11x18 paper. Thank you letter will be sent to you.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $30 or more
0 backers
You will get a small carnival mask specially hand made by my team. You can either wear it or use it for decoration. + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $60 or more
0 backers
• You will have your logo or name placed on the side of the float on an 11x18in space. • You will have your logo placed on our website, www.littlestateofsicily.com,for a year and on our facebook page “ a little taste of Sicily”. • you will also have your logo placed on flyers which will be handed out during the parade. COST ($60) you will also get a thank you letter sent to you.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $70 or more
0 backers
You will get a normal size Venice style mask ( similar to the one shown bellow) made for you by our team. They might be other designs available soon. The mask is more for decoration. + Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members. + get a Carnevale Di Sciacca DVD.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $80 or more
0 backers
Get a small ceramic boat piece ( similar to the one shown bellow) for decoration and have the boat named after you or your desired name. + Have your name placed on our website + Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members. + get a Carnevale Di Sciacca DVD.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $130 or more
0 backers
Get a large cannoli ( like the one shown bellow) made out of paper Mache just like the one shown in the picture sent to you for decoration. + Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members. + get a Carnevale Di Sciacca DVD.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $160 or more
0 backers
Get a large cannoli ( like the one shown bellow)made out of paper Mache just like the one shown in the picture sent to you for decoration. + You will have your logo or name placed on the side of the float on an 11x18in space. • You will have your logo placed on our website, www.littlestateofsicily.com,for a year and on our facebook page “ a little taste of Sicily”.• you will also have your logo placed on flyers which will be handed out during the parade. a Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep + Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $700 or more
0 backers
Get the Boat named after you or an appropriate name. + Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep via mail+ Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
Have a hand painted Madonna Del Soccorso Painting made by an artist from Sciacca Sicily called Roberto Massullo ( same one shown bellow). The price includes shipping cost. + Have your name placed on our donation section of our float (where people can see during the parade) + have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep via mail+ Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $2,800 or more
0 backers
we will give you the entire float after October 10, 2012 to keep. Unfortunatly we do not have a place to store the float, so it hurts to destroy it, or let it sit outside and get destroyed. If you live in the Boston area, then this price will include transportation. If you live in a different state, then we will have to talk about transportantion charges. we will also name the boat after you and have your name placed on our official flyer which will be handed out during the parade. + we will send you a copy of the flyer to keep via mail+ Have your name placed on our website + get a thank you certificate sent to you via mail signed officially by the board members.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
