L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano PAGE  18 THURS DAY,   MAY  9,   2013 Stars of Puglia – A special night in Los Angeles PUGLIA CENTER of AMERICA It was a great night the one at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, where the Puglia Center of America awarded Hollywood star Joe Mantegna with the Puglia's Italy Award of Excellence in America – Special Edition. Almost 200 guests attended the evening, together with a delegation of the Comunità Pugliese della California. Several Hollywood celebrities were also present: among them, the Emmy Award Doris Roberts, Frank Mancuso (ex President of Paramount Pictures and currently chairman of Motion Picture and Television Fund Corporate Board of Directors), and Jack Gilardi of International Creative Management. IIC director Alberto Di Mauro opened the ceremony underlining the value of the initiative organized by the Puglia Center of America, while Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone also mentioned the architectural and artistic beauty of the Puglia Region. Vice President of Puglia Center of America Valentina PopaLamonarca briefly explained the story and the value of such an From left: Tenor Luciano Lamonarca, Valentina Popa Lamonarca, Actor Joe Mantegna, Consul General Giuseppe Perrone and IIC director Alberto Di Mauro award, introducing actor Joe Mantegna with a collage of scenes from the most important films of his long career, until the most recent "Criminal Minds", where Mantegna plays FBI special agent David Rossi. With an entertaining but also touching speech, the actor remembered his Italian origins and shared memories of his trips to Italy; then, in front of his family and of the numerous guests, Mantegna was awarded with the Puglia's Italy Award of Excellence in America, whose symbol was specially created by ceramist Agostino Branca of Arte Ceramiche Branca. The actor said he will be honored to promote future events organized by the Puglia Center of America. Italian Woman's Club 90th anniversary celebration Actor Joe Mantegna holding his award, created by ceramist Agostino Branca Please join us for our 90th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 18th at the Castaway, 1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank, CA at 11:00 am. There will be a fashion show, silent auction, vendors, and a great lunch! For more information, please contact Rosa Di Masi Stevens at (310) 339-9799. We hope to see you there! Accompanied by Japanese pianist Kyomi Kato, Tenor Luciano Lamonarca, also president of Puglia Center of America, closed the ceremony with a performance of Tristezza by Francesco Paolo Tosti, of the Neapolitan song Tu ca nun chiagne di Ernesto De Curtis, and of Niun mi tema from the Opera Othello, as a homage to Giuseppe Verdi for his 200 anniversary. As a perfect completion to such a ceremony, guests were offered gourmet food from the Puglia region, prepared for the occasion by Chef Giuseppe DiMola and Il Fornaio restaurant in Beverly Hills. But the night didn't end there: it was instead the base for two new projects to be realized soon: one is a two day festival that will feature shows, exhibitions and meetings on Puglia, which will have Mr. Mantegna as a promoter; the other one is a video that the same actor will shoot in Puglia in 2014 and that will promote the region all over the US. May 10, Fri.-San Trifone Society Dinner Meeting. 6pm mass followed by dinner and meeting at Casa Italiana. Dinner is $15 per person. For information call Mike Foschetti (323) 257-0302. May 13, Mon.-The Garibaldina Society Council Meeting7:00pm. All members are welcome to attend the monthly Council Meeting. Coffee and Dessert will be served. For information, call (323) 223-5005. May 16, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California General Meeting at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). 7:00pm Dinner ($15 pp), 8:00pm Meeting. Please RSVP by Monday before meeting to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie Crispie (818) 246-5749 or annpotenza@aol.com. May 17, Fri.- Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182. May 18, Sat.- OCAIW Meeting-11:00am Zito Grill (17320 17th Street, Tustin) $25.00 Program to be determined. Call Linda 714.812.4410. May 18, Sat.-Club Italia's Mother's Day Dinner Dance- Club Italia is celebrating Mother's Day at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth (corner of Lassen & Mason). We will be singing and dancing to the sounds of "The Sicilian Band". The fun starts at 6:30pm. Be sure to call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 2970507 or (818) 426-1489. May 18, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society "Il Ballo Per La Festa Della Mamma" (Mother's Day Ball). Cocktail Hour 6:00pm, Gourmet Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The John De Luna Band. Dress Semi-Formal: Gentlemen: Coat & Tie, Ladies: "Party" Attire. Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received no later than May 13, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. May 18, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. May 18, Sat.-Italian Woman's Club- We will be celebrating our 90th Anniversary at the Castaway (1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank, CA, 818-848-6691) at 11:00 a.m. For information, please contact Rosa Di Masi Stevens (310) 339-9799. May 20, Mon.- ICF Branch #67 Dinner Meeting 6pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). $15.00 per person. For reservations contact: Nick M. D'Egidio (President) (562) 947-2819, Guy Masciotra (Life Member Emeritus, Past President) (818) 848-1862, or Pat Mages (Recording Secretary) (805) 492-9658. May 22, Wed.-Abruzzesi & Molisani di California Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Villa Scalabrini. The cost of the dinner is $15.00. For reservations, please call Adelio Di Gregorio at (818) 985-0951 or Sam Petrilli at (818) 768-1956. May 23, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. The Garibaldina Society Women's Extension cordially invites you to the Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. Cocktails 4pm, Dinner 5pm sharp!, Dancing 6-8pm. Pasta dinner includes Salad, Pasta, Sausage, Glass of Wine & Dessert. Dancing. Dress Casual. $10 Members- $12 Guests. For reservations: Jean Giacomelli (626) 281-6639. June 1, Sat.-Families of Italian Lineage Bus Trip to the Festa di San Gennaro in San Diego. Cost of Bus $15.00, entrance fee to the Stadium $5.00. For information call (949) 3635348. June 1, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. June 2, Sun.-Santo Padre Pio Society- Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter 's Italian Church (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles), 10:30 a.m. For information please call President Maria Bruno at (818) 241-4672. June 9, Sun.- Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Open House (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). 9 am to 1 pm hosted by San Gabriel District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812. June 9, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812. June 9, Sun.-Feast of St. Anthony of Padua at St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass 11:00 am; Procession follows; Dinner Dance at Casa Italiana 1:00 pm. Reservations: 323-2258119, ext 10. June 15, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. June 15, Sat.- OCAIW Meeting- 11:00am Roma D' Italia (611 El Camino Real, Tustin) $25.00 Introduction of new Board members. Call Linda 714.812.4410

• Cover