Denver Feast Band canceled after 114 Years

After 114 years, the Potenza Lodge has canceled the appearance of the Denver Feast Band at the St. Rocco Feast.  The event will take place August 14-15-16, at their hall and at Mt. Carmel Church.  They blame a shortage of funds for the cancellation.  This puts 28 musicians out of a job for that weekend. 

The band has been in existence since 1895 and was once called the Italian Colonial Band of Denver.  Dr. J. L. Gerardi is the fifth or sixth director of the Feast band following, George Smart, Rube Eckhander, Phil Romeo and Angelo Police.  Dr. Gerardi has indicated that even though the band’s primary engagement was the St. Rocco Feast, they also play for the Feast of St. Anthony, and the Vail American Days Parade on the Fourth of July in Vail.  The band has been held together the past several years because of the St. Rocco Feast. 

Dr. Gerardi has indicated that he will probably retire the band for good and cover future events with other groups that he leads.