By Stephanie Mesrobian
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.
Will the Rhode Island government’s announced 12 day shutdowns impact any aspect of the AYF Olympics Weekend events?