Inspired by Sinatra as a boy, he started performing the songs a few years later
Frank Sinatra is a big deal for Vincent Romano. “Thanks for the great music,” he wrote on his Facebook page, Vincent Romano Sings the Songs of Sinatra. “You changed my life.” In an interview, he explained how that change involves singing Sinatra’s best, mostly at retirement homes. “Seeing all the people get up, dance and relive their glory days is...
Local artists will pay tribute to Jerry Blavat at this year's Italian Market Festival
Jerry Blavat, the Philadelphia radio DJ and performer best known to his fans as the "Geator with the Heater," will be posthumously honored with a musical tribute during the Italian Market Festival on Ninth Street next month. The annual block party at the nation's oldest outdoor market will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 and S...
Federal Judge Declares IAOVC Has Standing to Sue in West Orange Lawsuit Over Columbus Monument
The Italian American One Voice Coalition (“IAOVC”), America’s largest independent Italian American anti-bias educational organization received notification that its litigation against West Orange, NJ for removing the Columbus Monument moves a step closer to success. "We are extremely proud to report that the Federal court has just declared that IA...
The Italians of Newark
During the Great Migration, countless Italians chose to settle in Newark, New Jersey. These immigrants developed their own Italian enclaves and preserved their culture in their own way. Churches were erected and clubs were formed. Many came with only a few dollars and were listed as “peasant” or “laborer” when they entered the United States. They c...
National Italian American Foundation Meet & Greet
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 6:00 PM EDT. Heinz History Center - 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA. Register here. Join the History Center’s Italian American Program for a reception with representatives from the National Italian American Foundation. During the meet and greet, attendees will learn more about how our organizations work to preserve and sh...
The Italian American Cultural Association of Virginia has established the Columbus Statue Renovation GoFundMe project
The Columbus Monument had been a fixture in the Richmond community at the entrance of Byrd Park for 93 years before the evening of June 9, 2020 when the Columbus Statue was illegally torn down, vandalized, set on fire, and thrown into nearby Swan Lake by individuals protesting. Since that fateful evening in 2020, The Italian-American Cultural Assoc...
Newark Street Dedicated to Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli worked his way to Newark, New Jersey for the dedication of a street in his honor. Valli, 88, joined Newark and Essex County officials, along with the New Jersey Hall of Fame for the ceremony, which was held just around the corner from where he grew up. The ceremony took place on the Eve of Vallie’s show at the New Jersey Performing Ar...
Terracotta fountain gifted to Rehoboth from Italian sister city
In the spirit of continued collaboration and friendship, Rehoboth Beach officials and their counterparts from Italian sister city Greve-in-Chianti recently celebrated the future placement of a terracotta fountain in Cranberry Park’s Garden of the Navigators. The two communities have been sister cities since 2010. Greve is believed to be the birthpl...
Going to the Jersey Shore? Don’t miss the Padre Pio Shrine
With spring upon us, we begin thinking of summer and for most of us that means vacationing at the South Jersey shore. In Landisville, N.J., about 30 miles from the shore, a beautiful treasure greets travelers: The Padre Pio Shrine. The shrine was established by Marie and Pete D’Andrea, owners of a well-known family farm in the area, after a trip to...
2023 UNICO National Americanism award goes to Richard DiLiberto
Unico National, America’s largest Italian-American Service Organization, is awarding its 2023 Philip Mazzei Americanism Award to Richard A. DiLiberto, Jr., at its annual convention in Sanibel Harbour, Florida, in July. The award is named for Philip Mazzei, an Italian patriot, physician and vintner, who became a close friend and neighbor to Thomas J...
A street dedication to NJ living legend Frankie Valli
How does a man with this much talent and this much fame still have this much stamina at 88 years old? Frankie Valli. Who else would I be talking about? People who see him perform in his golden years rave about how his voice is still pure as ever. And he will be performing again with the Four Seasons on Friday, April 28 at New Jersey Performing Arts...
Flavia Loreto photos at Consulate General
The Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia in May will observe a nine-day celebration dedicated to the theme of “sustainability.” In keeping with the theme, the celebration includes an exhibit of nature photographs by Flavia Loreto. The photos in the exhibition were captured in the woodlands of the mid-Atlantic region. An exhibit opening and re...