L'Italo-Americano

16 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 The Federated and the Sons of Italy celebrate "Columbus Day" luIgI sMAldINo This year's Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus did not pass unnoticed or forgotten even by those where the clergy had intoned its praises to the Lord along with the devoted. The rest of our countrymen and Italian Americans, nearly a half million, chose to stay home Ann Potenza, Irene Buongiorno, Ted Seibel who profess otherwise. But still another page has been extirpated from the program usually associated with such an unforgettable event: in place of the traditional dinner-dance, in the course of which a couple of Americans of Italian extraction would be honored with the Columbian Award, the 65th celebration in the annals of the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California was instead, a Columbus Day Family Festival and the 621st in the history of the world attracted, give or take a few, about 275 people, most of whom Italian Americans at Casa Italiana, next to St. Peter's Italian Church, harboring nary a thought to the Great Navigator and the equally Great Discovery that changed not only the physiognomy of the entire world as well as entire destinies. Parenthetically, we should cite one man present at Casa Italiana. His name is Cav. Andrew Asaro, 93 years young last July and the erstwhile president and founder of the late Sicilia Culturale Society, to whom we extended our fraternal embrace : "I would not have missed this for all the rice in China, he said. Were I to go to my reward before you, please see that I am remembered". Its obvious indeed. There are those who care deeply and those who care much less. Exhorting people to attend important functions such as these were also spoken and written by the President of the Federated, Mrs. Ann Potenza, who wrote: "We saved Columbus Day in California, so let us celebrate what we saved". In case memory fails all of us, she was referring to an obscure politician who proposed not to have Columbus Day anymore and substitute with a Native American Day, a day already observed the last Friday in September. As it stands today, 2013 is the Year of Italian Culture, October is "Italian Heritage Month" and Columbus Day remains intact. THE CEREMONIES Following the religious services in the church, the United Lodges of Southern California of the Order Sons of Italy in America conducted a civic ceremony at Casa Italiana begun by the welcoming words of the Federated' Vice President Vita Zaccaria, followed by the National Anthems of Italy and these United States, sung by soprano Nina Lomonaco Perez, who was accompanied by pianist Keiko Halop. The ceremony included the Honor Guard offered by Monroe High School, the Knights of Columbus headed by Ron Manna, the Pledge of Allegiance intoned by Immediate Past President of the Federated, Rosemarie Biagetti Vanderhaar, and the fervent Community Highlights In theaters: Enzo Avitabile Music Life The film Enzo Avitabile Music Life, coming out on October 25 in LA's theaters, describes not only the passion, constant research and musical experimentation of the Enzo Avitabile and Jonathan Demme artist, but also the controversial city of Naples that inspires him. Among the musicians who gathered in Italy to perform in an incredible jam session for Demme's documentary are Naseer Shamma, Palestinian singer Amal Murkus, and Eliades Ochoa of Buena Vista Social Club. On the Fringe of the NeoAvant-Garde A three-day conference dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Gruppo 63 took place on October 17-19 respectively at the Italian Cultural Institute, the Otis College of Art and Design, and the UCLA Royce Hall. Gruppo 63 was a group of poets, writers, artists and performers who founded a literary society in the city of Palermo, Sicily Region, with the purpose of bringing neo-avant-garde to the attention of the public. Tuscia Opera festival Orchestra performed for the IHCF The Italian Heritage Culture Foundation, committed to preserve and promote Italian culture, held a commemorative reception honoring Past President Mirella Ventress on Sunday, October 20 at Mr. and Mrs. Harrison's private residence in Malibu. The event featured quality wines from Lazio Region, a brief live performance by Soprano Chiara Giudice, and music entertainment based on some of Verdi's most celebrated works provided by 16 piece Tuscia Operafestival Orchestra. The IOF to "bring the feeling of Italy to SoCal" The second edition of the Italian Opera Festival, produced by The Italian American Opera Foudation, will kick off on October 25, 26, and 27 at the Soka University Performing Art Center in Orange County. The program to be performed by 16 pieces Tuscia Operafestival invocation of the pastor of St. Peter's Italian Church, Rev. Louis Piran. The keynote Columbian speech of the Vice President of the O.S.I.A.'s United Lodges of Southern California, Carmine Baffo, had many good moments of vast interest, and all the participants were duly introduced by perennial MC Andrew Pampuro, the editor of the State of California's Sons of Italy's "Il Leone". In lieu of the Consul General of Italy, Hon. Giuseppe President of the Federated ItaloAmericans, Ms. Ann Potenza, who spoke with such warmth and with such abandon. She was followed by other speakers: Ted Seibel, 3rd Vice President of the State's O.S.I.A., and finally by Vita Zaccaria. Columbus and Queen Isabella were enacted by Marco Pantano and Jennifer Mansueto. It was that kind of afternoon, also remembered by the word picture of Nina Lomonaco Perez of Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin), and the young Italian Marco Pantano, Ann Potenza, and Jennifer Mansueto Perrone, the Italian Government was represented by Consular Representative Ms. Irene Buongiorno, whose words preceded those of the President of O.S.I.A.'s United Lodges of Southern California, Gabe Domenici. Perhaps, the most concise words were expressed by the Kindergarten students of Franklin Elementary Magnet School as they cavorted smartly in the hall to everyone's applauses. The afternoon ended with a delightful cold lunch prepared by the Portofino Restaurant of Federated's Past President Nick D'Egidio. Community in pictures Orchestra will include Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"; Viva Verdi lyric concert featuring excerpts from "La Traviata", "Rigoletto", "Il Trovatore", and others; and the final Baroque Passion night. Part of the proceeds will benefit Caterina's Club Foundation providing meals for homeless children. The Festival will also feature The Italian Village: three days of entertainment for the whole family celebrating the music, art, fashion, food, and culture of the Belpaese in the presence of Italian designers, chefs, manufacturers, and artists. The new dictionary of Italian word combinations Presented by author Paola Tiberii on Monday, October 21 at Cal State Long Beach and at USC on the 22, the new Collocations Dictionary published by Zanichelli represents an extremely useful resource not only for students and non-native speakers but also for language professionals, as word combinations are strongly influenced by specific cultural traits. The presentation has been organized by CSULB, The G. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies, and USC Dornsif Language Center, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles. Italian American Heritage Month at the Los Angeles City Hall Italian Americans have played and still play an important role in the development of the City of Los Angeles, with valuable contributions in the fields of art, fashion, politics, cuisine, architecture, and others. In order to honor this legacy, City Council member Joe Buscaino, Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone, IAMLA Director Marianna Gatto, and many leading figures of our community celebrated the Italian American Heritage Month at the Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, October 18.

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