After 4 years of hopping onto the Stampede western bandwagon, Osteria de Medici, the Italian restaurant who has hosted the likes of Christopher Reeve, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Costner and George W Bush, has once again pushed the envelope with their Stampede venue and challenging views on the LGBT community by hosting Stampede’s FIRST gay-themed event, simply called, The “O” Party.
After over 26 years on the corner of Kensington Road and 10th Street NW, and 4 years operating one of Cal...
After 4 years of hopping onto the Stampede western bandwagon, Osteria de Medici, the Italian restaurant who has hosted the likes of Christopher Reeve, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Costner and George W Bush, has once again pushed the envelope with their Stampede venue and challenging views on the LGBT community by hosting Stampede’s FIRST gay-themed event, simply called, The “O” Party.
After over 26 years on the corner of Kensington Road and 10th Street NW, and 4 years operating one of Calgary’s most popular Stampede tents, owner/operators the Terrigno family decided it was time for another change. “With Calgary becoming more metropolitan and liberal, especially in its views and opinions on the LGBT community, we were still surprised that the Calgary Stampede did not have any specific events tailored to be gay-friendly, ” says Maurizio Terrigno, general manager, along with Tara Somers, Marketing Director & Events Coordinator. “We already have the market cornered for gourmet cuisine, amazing service and product knowledge.....during Stampede, we take all that, put a Western twist on it, and put it outside in our tent….so why not take our venue, which is different than all other Stampede tents, and do something completely new that Calgary hasn’t seen before?.”
Osteria de Medici’s The “O” Party will be held on Sunday, July 14th from 11am-midnight; revelers will start the day off from 11am-2pm with the “Brokeback Brunch”, served by local politicians. General admission for the all day, all night event starts at 3pm, with proceeds going to “Crowns for Kids”, a charity founded by the infamous Miz Ronda, who coordinates toy drives at Christmas all across Alberta, and has done toy drives in San Diego, while she was Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Miz Ronda is the host of the “O” Zone, and this premiere event features 50/50 draws, door prizes, dance contests, and performances by world –renowned Cirque de Sole performer Safire, flash mob dances by Studio Bollywood, and North America’s #1 Lady Gaga Impersonator. Live DJ’s, LED hula-hoop dancers, and fire-eaters come out to play after 9pm in what is sure to be Calgary’s most exciting event of Stampede 2013. All media and photographers are welcome; please contact tara@osteria.ca for more information, and to purchase tickets for this event.
Named after the medieval aristocratic Italian family that helped to develop the Italian culture and Italian cuisine, Osteria De Medici was established in 1989 through the fruits of 27 years of restaurateur experience of Antonietta and Rocco Terrigno. Now recognized as one of Canada's premier fine dining establishments, Osteria De Medici has become a favorite of celebrities and locals alike, and continues to attract the most demanding and discriminating diners from around the world.
