512 Ligonier Street, Suite C, Latrobe, PA 15650

Prima La Comunità
Guests at the Latrobe Italian Spring GalaPrima La Comunità presents the Latrobe Italian Spring Gala, April 24

Latrobe Italian Spring Gala 2026

Please join us for a fun-filled fundraiser supporting 512 Coffee & Ice Cream, Latrobe Italian Festival, and the Saint Vincent Summer Institute in Rome.

The Venue Live! Casino Pittsburgh

Register for the GalaSponsor the Gala

The Latrobe Italian Spring Gala is brought to you by Prima La Comunità’ through a partnership of 512 Coffee and Ice Cream and the St. Vincent College Summer Institute in Rome.

“Thank you to Prima La Comunità for supporting the Latrobe Italian Festival. Your generosity has enabled us to bring some of the area's top musical performances to the festival. We are blessed to have a community partner!”
–Michael Ciotti, owner of 512 Coffee and Ice Cream
“Thank you to Prima La Comunità and the Latrobe Italian Spring Gala for supporting our students attending Saint Vincent College's Summer Institute in Rome. Your generosity opens up this life-changing opportunity to students who otherwise could not afford to live and study in the Eternal City. We are blessed to have a community partner who seeks out impactful ways to connect with our region's Italian heritage.”
-Jerome Foss, Ph.D, Director of the Saint Vincent College Summer Institute in Rome

Register for the Gala

Benvenuti to the Third Annual Latrobe Italian Spring Gala!
The Venue Live at Live! Casino Pittsburgh – Greensburg, PA

Join us for an unforgettable night celebrating Italian culture, cuisine, and community! This lively fundraiser supports 512 Coffee and Ice Cream’s Latrobe Italian Festival and the scholarships for students attending Saint Vincent College’s Summer Institute in Rome.

Indulge in a mouthwatering Italian buffet, sweet desserts, live entertainment, and a complimentary wine and beer bar featuring imported and domestic wine and beer. Eat, drink, celebrate—and help bring the spirit of Italy to Latrobe!

Friday, April 24, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Festivities begin at 6:00 PM

Register for the Gala

About the Festival

The September air carried the warm scent of freshly baked goods and simmering tomato sauce throughout Latrobe. Italian and American flags flapped playfully against the backdrop of the Laurel Highlands. It was the annual Latrobe Italian Festival, and the entire town was buzzing with excitement.

You could feel the festival pulsating along Thompson Street in the First Ward. Michael Ciotti, owner of 512 Coffee and Ice Cream, beamed as he watched families flood the street. It wasn’t just about the food, the music, or the parade.

It was about celebrating the rich tapestry of Latrobe’s history, the love for family and tradition, and the enduring spirit of a community bound by its roots. And Michael knew, with a certainty, this was his dream come true, a celebration of his roots and a way to revitalize the community he loves.

We look forward to you joining us for the fourth annual Latrobe Italian Festival.

Partnering with Saint Vincent College's Summer Institute in Rome (SIIR)

About SIIR

Open to students from any college or university, Saint Vincent College's Summer Institute in Rome (SIIR) is housed at Sant’Anselmo, a Benedictine monastery and pontifical university on the tranquil Aventine Hill. Students live, learn, and dine with the international community of monks in an interpersonal experience of Saint Vincent’s shared Benedictine charism.

Explore Rome and Beyond: Outside of class, excursions throughout the city of Rome and Northern Italy are incorporated into the program. Trips beyond Rome follow in the footsteps of Saint Benedict as students visit his original monasteries of Subiaco and Monte Cassino and explore medieval and Renaissance Assisi and Florence.

KEY COURSES:

  • Theological Origins of the Early Church: Taught by Saint Vincent faculty in theology, this course examines the theological debates of the first Church councils through the lens of early Christian Rome.
  • Images and Evangelization: Christian Art in the City of Rome: Art historian Dr. Elizabeth Lev explores the city of Rome as the cradle of the Christian tradition in the visual arts.
  • Roman Political Thought: A cornerstone course of the SIIR, taught by Saint Vincent faculty in politics, history, or philosophy, this course seeks to understand the Roman conceptions of statesmanship and virtue.
  • Ancient Practical Wisdom: Taught by Saint Vincent faculty in philosophy, this course is dedicated to rediscovering valuable ethical insights from ancient Roman philosophers and their Greek inspirations.
    Galileo and the Rise of
  • Modern Science: Taught by Saint Vincent faculty in physics or mathematics, this course traces the life and numerous scientific discoveries of Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science.