L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 19 Italian Music in the Community: Roman Holiday Ensemble ANDREW BAGLEY A pianist, composer, and arranger playing jazz clubs around Mission Valley in the mid 1980s, when the couple first met, it was love at first sight. Smoldering soul mates reconnecting, within two weeks they were engaged then later married. Since then, they have been together for twenty-eight years performing music together in perfect harmony as Roman Holiday Ensemble celebrating the joy and love of life true to their Italian-American culture, lifestyle and heritage. Roman Holiday Ensemble based in San Diego is comprised of husband and wife team Tony DiBona, band leader and pianist, and Giovanna DiBona, lead vocalist, show producer, choreographer and costume designer. Their high-energy musical and theatrical productions continue to delight audiences everywhere performing every type of Italian music from operatic, romantic Neapolitan, lively folk, ItalianAmerican popular hits of the 50s, Italian jazz, Frank Sinatra, Louie Prima, Dean Martin, Italian wedding music. The idea to start Roman Holiday Ensemble began after Giovanna received a phone call from a booking agent in Los Angeles who was searching for an Italian band with costumes and dancers to perform at a Japanese convention in Hawaii. The call was premature as Roman Holiday had not yet formed. However, the call served as an impetus in forming the troupe. Giovanna, having lived in Bavaria previously for many years, performed in various choirs and folk dance groups in traditional costume. They discovered there was a demand for traditional ethnical Italian music and costumed dance in San Diego, so the two started to create a repertoire of songs as Giovanna assembled and created the costumes for the performers while Tony left the jazz scene. In the meantime, both worked full-time jobs. Tony a native San Diegan born in Little Italy worked for the Navy in electronics. His parents were from Castellammare del Golfo, province of Trapani in Sicily. Giovanna was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her grandparents were from Montagano, province of Campobasso in the region of Molise. Upon relocating to San Diego in the 1980s, she landed a position at the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau as Communications Director where she remained with the organization for twenty-eight years before retiring. Both come from musical Italian families playing folkloric songs. As youngsters, Giovanna received classical opera training while Tony started playing piano at the age of eight when his parents bought him a piano that cost a remarkable $800 at the time. Tony later donated the same piano to the House of Italy where it remains today. They have been members of House of Italy for several years and in the past performed at the annual Lawn Program for many years. In 2002, the band produced a Dance" to the "Tarantella" and "Money Dance", this CD is a must for any Italian bride or DJ who specializes in ethnic weddings. Tony and Giovanna also serve as entertainment directors for the San Diego Sicilian Festival held Tony DiBona & Giovanna DiBona national bestseller CD, "The Italian Wedding" which features all the lively and passionate songs traditionally heard at an Italian wedding reception. From the "Grand March" to the "First annually in May where Roman Holiday Ensemble has performed for the last twenty years. More information can be found on their website at www.romanholidaymusic.com. Oct. 4, Fri. - Venerdi Convivio Performance Series, Convivio Center, Little Italy. Rosario Monetti and Jim Bianchi perform. Doors open 7:30 PM performance begins at 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. $10 advance/$15 door includes refreshments. For information: www.conviviosociety.org Oct. 6, Sun. - Our Lady of the Rosary Church Festa, OLR Church, Little Italy. Recitation and presentation of the Rosary followed by distribution of the roses at 11:00 AM. Mass celebrated at Amici Park 12:00 PM. Procession through Little Italy to the Embarcadero with benediction to follow at OLR. For information: http://olrsd.org/ Oct. 10, Thurs. – VERDIthon, New Central Library Auditorium. San Diego Italian Film Festival presents 2 feature length films back to back: Rigoletto and La Traviata. Free. 10:00 PM to 5:00 PM. For more information: http://www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com/event/verdithon/ Oct. 11, Fri. - Kettner Nights, Little Italy. Come for a night filled with arts and design. 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. For more information: http://www.littleitalysd.com/events/ Oct. 12, Sat. - Columbus Day Grand Ball, Heartland Masonic Hall, El Cajon. United Italian American Association presents 44th Annual Ball with live music, dancing, Italian buffet dinner, open bar. Tickets $60. 5:00 PM to 1100 PM. RSVP to Victor at 619-469-0795 by Oct. 7. Oct. 12, Sat. – Cinema Little Italy, Amici Park, Little Italy. Outdoor film showing: "Ciao Professore!" $5. 7:00 PM. For more information: http://cinemalittleitaly.com/ Oct. 13, Sun. - Festa Little Italy, Little Italy. Celebrate 18th Annual Little Italy Festa with Italian food, 3 music stages, Italian chalk art painting, Italian motor sports exhibit, stickball exhibition game and more. Free. 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For information: http://www.littleitalysd.com/events/littleitaly-festa/ Oct. 19, Sat. - Sons of Italy La Costa dei Fiori, St. John's Parish Hall, Encinitas. Celebrate 35th Anniversary Dinner Dance Sweetheart Ball with live music, dancing, Italian buffet dinner, open bar, silent auction. Tickets $50. 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. RSVP to Mimi at 760-943-8494. Oct. 19, Sat. - Meyer Fine Art, Little Italy. 6th annual Vintage Italian Poster Exhibition. Free exhibit open TueThu 11:00 to 5:00 PM and Fri-Sat 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For information: http://www.plmeyerfineart.com/

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