It may be only lunedi, but it's time to start planning for a bella notte on venerdi.

That's because this Friday, October 28, the Italian Cultural Club at Columbia High School will sponsor its annual fundraiser ITALIAN DINNER/ MUSIC NIGHT in the Cafeteria from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Food will be catered by the Corner Shop Gourmet Deli of South Orange and will include such delicious offerings as polenta with marinara sauce or mushrooms, chicken cotolette alla Milanese, penne with mushrooms and fontina cheese, salad, dessert, coffee.

The night also includes music during dinner and performances by students and adults. The evening will be dedicated to Northern Italy and the regions of Liguria, Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The proceeds will help defray the cost of the evening and the activities undertaken during the year by the Club. Some of the proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to a charitable organization.

Past beneficiaries have included: Cooley's Anemia Foundation (twice); Casa Colombo of Millburn, NJ (towards the rebuilding of their Center due to a fire); Relay for life of West Orange (American Cancer Society- twice); the National Italian American Foundation (as a donation towards one of their scholarships for the Italian Language). The Club has also given a plaque to honor the Father Vincent Monella Center of Italian Culture of South Orange for its continuous support for the Italian program at Columbia High School. We have also given to the Museo d’Italia at St. Lucy’s church in Newark, NJ; the earthquake in Molise, Italy in 2002: and the earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy in 2008. Last year, the club donated to the Montville Unico for their Turkey 4 U students’ program.

The cost for adults is $25 each; students $15. Contributions for Booster are $5.00, Sponsor $10.00, and Benefactor $15.00 and above.

All checks payable to Columbia High School. Send to Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Att.: Mr. Domenico Tancredi. But also call to reserve at this time: 973-762-5600 ext.: 1617 or email dtancred@somsd.k12.nj.us.