MESROBIAN: PROVIDENCE TRIES TO OUTDO ITSELF WITH ALUMNI NIGHT AT AYF OLYMPICS
By Stephanie Mesrobian
24/mesrobian-providence-tries-to-outdo-itself-with -alumni-night-at-ayf-olympics/
August 24, 2009
What started years ago as an intimate gathering on Friday night
of Olympics weekend has evolved into a much anticipated evening of
friends, family, and alumni. AYF Olympics Alumni Night has become an
opportunity to reminisce, catch up on the latest news, eat, dance,
and be merry! It also has become a beacon of community pride as each
year the host community tries to present a superlative evening-the
one with the most delicious food and that extra something special.
For Providence, the pressure and competition run high. But this year,
that extra something special may be courtesy of the Senior Ladies of
Sts. Vartanantz Church. Every community has these ladies-they are the
backbone of the church and many of them are former AYF members, some
even Tzeghagrons. From their hard work and golden hands, some of the
most coveted foods in any cultural tradition are produced. This year,
the Alumni Night Committee, chaired by Karen Kaprielian Pilla and
Elyse Kaprielian Comella, convinced the Senior Ladies to "unlock the
vault." The Senior Ladies so graciously shared their prized kufta
recipe, and the Committee has prepared well-over 1,000 of these
savory delicacies.
Besides the wonderful mezze, Alumni Night will feature the music
and sounds of Hachig Kazarian (clarinet), Joe Kouyoumdjian (oud and
background vocals), Ken Kalajian (guitar), and Jason Naroian (dumbeg
and vocals). The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of
the Annual Olympic King and Queen and the recipients of the Varadian
AYF Alumni Spirit Award.
"Speaking for the entire Providence community, we are so excited
to welcome AYF alumni, family, and friends to Alumni Night," said
Karen Kaprielian Pilla. "We are especially looking forward to the
opportunity of recognizing great contributors to the organization
and the Olympic Games with the crowning of our Olympic royalty and
the announcement of the ‘Varadian’ AYF Alumni Spirit Award," says
Karen Kaprielian Pilla. "Our committee also is anxiously awaiting
its gastronomic review!"
Alumni Night will take place on Fri., Sept. 4 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at
the Rhode Island Convention Center, One West Exchange Street in
Providence. Also note that the Saturday Night Dance and the Sunday
Night Grand Ball will take place at the Rhode Island Convention
Center. Directions are below.
>From the north:
Interstate 95 South to Exit 22A. Follow the signs towards
Downtown/Convention Center. Go through the first light in the right
hand lane. Take your first right after the light. Take the next right
onto Exchange Street. After the next light, bear right between the
Hotel and the Convention Center to the North Garage.
>From the south:
Interstate 95 North to Exit 22A. Follow the signs towards
Downtown/Convention Center. At the light, turn right onto Francis
Street. At the next light, go right onto Sabin Street. Bear right
between the Hotel and the Convention Center to the North Garage.
>From the east:
Take 195 West. Merge onto 95 North to Exit 22A. Follow the signs
towards Downtown/Convention Center. At the light, turn right onto
Francis Street. At the next light, go right onto Sabin Street. Bear
right between the Hotel and the Convention Center to the North Garage.
>From the west:
Take Route 6 East to the "Route 6 East and I-195 South" on ramp. Take
a right and stay to the right following the signs to Providence and
Route 6 East (you will use part of the I-195 on-ramp to get onto
Route 6 East).
Stay on Route 6 East to the end (sign will read "6 East to 10 North")
and stay to the left. Continue to the Dean Street Exit. Once on the
exit ramp, stay to the left so that you will be on the left side of
the island when you reach the light. Turn left onto Dean Street (4
lane road). Then immediately take your first right onto West Exchange
Street to the Convention Center Garage.