It seems the Pizarro brothers were born lucky, lucky enough to have a grandfather who not only could recognize musical talent but also could nurture it.

When Dominic (now 15) was 3 1/2 years old, he began playing with a toy piano his grandfather had.

"When he saw I was interested in it, he took me to a teacher," Dominic says. "Then when my brother was that age, he started him learning, too."

Angelo is now 12. Today they play duo pianos and will perform at the 30th Annual Great Eldorado Italian Festival next weekend.

The festival has often been an event to kick-start or give a significant boost to a career. Last year, the newcomer was young crooner Mitch Franco (returning this year). Like Franco, the Pizarros have an amazing knowledge of music that was popular way before their time. They started with the classics, Beethoven and Mozart, but they've since discovered jazz and love the likes of Dave Brubeck and Oscar Peterson.

They've had a series of teachers, but lately have been teaching themselves. It seems, however, that the greatest teacher of them all is their grandfather, who "shows us a lot of videos."

When another piano team is mentioned in the discussion, the name Ferrante immediately prompts Angelo to add "and Teicher. We know them. Grandpa taught us about them."

So, on their agenda this weekend is a mix, "Sing, Sing, Sing," "Jump, Jive and Wail," "Fly Me to the Moon," "That's Amore," of course, and some Italian tarantellas. Also, some Louis Prima stuff, like 'A Banana Split for My Baby." There aren't very many people their age who have ever heard "A Banana Split for My Baby."

(By the way, if you like it and want to hear more, Louis Prima Jr. will be perfoming his signature tribute to his father at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Harlow's, 2708 J St., in Sacramento. Tickets are $35 and $45.)

The Italian Festival has always heralded the seasonal end of Reno's stream of street parties, and it has always been one of the most popular (and many would say the most fun). The intersection of Virginia Street and Fourth Street is the center of the action, a colorful stretch of food booths and an Italian farmers market, spotted with street performers. It has also been the most family-oriented, drawing a far less rowdy crowd than many of the others.

There's plenty of competition. On Saturday, there's a grape stomp open to all ages, and bocce ball takes place on the Train Trench Plaza next to the Eldorado beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday ($10 sign-up fee). For the novices at bocce, instruction and free family play is offered beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.

A crowd favorite year after year is the Great Italian Festival Sauce Cook-Off with Italian families from all over the West Coast creating their family recipes for guests to taste. Pasta tasting plates are sold at the Spaghetti Booth at 1 p.m. both days for $2, but be warned – they go fast.

New to the party this year is a display of dozens of Ferraris, sponsored by the Ferrari Club of America. They will line the south side of the Eldorado.

Italian festivals are ultimately about the food, however, and a special buffet will be served in the Eldorado Convention Center beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Street side, a popular attraction is the pasta sampler with tortellini, meat ravioli Bolognese and penne with pesto. Other specialties are sausage and peppers with polenta, garlic bread and gelatos.

Two of the most popular entertainers in the festival will return this year. Entertainment Director Jennifer Dominique says the hotel receives calls daily asking whether Moreno Fruzzetti or Mitch Franco will return.

Fruzzetti, a native of Pisa, has a strong tenor and sings opera and pop. He also plays the drums and accordion. Franco has had another year of seasoning since his last appearance, when he proved to be especially smooth with audience interaction while singing songs of Sinatra, Bublé, Martin and Darin, among others.

Franco will kick off the Saturday entertainment on the Rome Stage (Fourth and Virginia) at 11 a.m. The cast of the Eldorado's current "Hairspray" production will follow at 12:45 p.m. and Fruzzetti takes over at 1:30. Ray Massa's Eurorhythms (a rousing eight-member party band) will perform at 3:30, and newcomer Nick D'Egidio joins the Dry Martini Orchestra for "A Night With Frank Sinatra" from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sunday's Rome Stage schedule begins at 11 a.m. with Tre Bella (as the name implies, three female singers: JoAnn Robertozzi, Lorraine Ferro and a performer who uses the stage name "Rosie"), followed by the "Hairspray" cast at 12:45 p.m., D'Edigio at 1:30, Massa at 3:30, and Franco at 5:30.

Saturday, the Venice Stage at Third and Virginia streets will feature the Primo Basso band at 10:30 a.m., Tre Bella at 12:30 p.m., Bella Ciao at 2:30 and the Pizarro Brothers at 4:30. The brothers kick off the action Sunday at 10:30 a.m., followed by Tammurriatarock!, a jam band from Italy that mixes traditional music with reggae and Latin, at 12:30 p.m., Fruzzetti at 3, and Bella Ciao at 5.

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