Tariffs Slow Down Italian Agri-Food Exports to the U.S.
Italian agri–food exports to the U.S. stalled sharply in May, with growth slowing to just 0.4%, according to Coldiretti’s analysis of Istat data. The decline follows a strong start to the year, when exports grew by an average of 11% in the first quarter. The slowdown is attributed to mounting uncertainty over the global trade environment and the lo...
A historic evening at the United Nations!
On July 22, NIAF proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of Italy’s membership in the United Nations alongside the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations at UN Headquarters in New York City. Distinguished remarks were delivered by NIAF President & CEO Robert Allegrini, NIAF Chairman John Calvelli, Permanent Repres...
St. Louis reality show ‘Spaghetti Wars’ to debut this weekend
A new reality series shot in St. Louis’s The Hill neighborhood is making its debut this weekend at Hi-Pointe Theatre. The Italian food-based reality show, “Spaghetti Wars,” focuses on two family teams pitted against each other in a cooking challenge. The show’s creators told FOX 2 the show’s premise is “Family Feud” meets “The Sopranos” meets “Shar...
Matteo Bocelli Announces Fall U.S. Dates For Falling In Love Tour
Rising pop star Matteo Bocelli announced U.S. tour dates for his Falling in Love World Tour. Matteo will kick off his US tour in New York City at The Gramercy Theatre on September 11 and will include 14 dates across the country, including a stop at The Sun Rose in Los Angeles on September 16. With his eagerly-anticipated second album, Falling In L...
Italian American Legend Connie Francis Belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
As the nation remembers Connie Francis, one question, amplified by disbelief, grows louder: Where the girls are? Everywhere but the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it seems. “The Rock Hall has faced ongoing criticism for under-representing early female pop vocalists and girl groups — many of whom, like Connie Francis, laid the foundation for pop and rock...
Fostering International Connections Through Tradition and Innovation with Dawn Marie Hays IAP 376
What if the rich flavors of Italian American culture could speak the stories of centuries? This episode promises a delicious exploration of Italian American heritage, as John and Pat take you on a captivating journey through the heart of Little Italy in New York City. From the humorous mishaps with Sicilian garduna to the challenges of sourcing aut...
Connie Francis, 'Who's Sorry Now?' and 'Pretty Little Baby' Singer, Dies at 87
Connie Francis has died at the age of 87, two weeks after it was revealed that she'd been hospitalized due to "extreme pain." Francis' close friend, Ron Roberts, who is the president of the musician's label Concetta Records, confirmed the news on Facebook early on Thursday, July 17. Roberts wrote, "It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that...
Love charms, frog bread, letters and wakes: How the Irish and Italians handled emigration to the US
The idea for Rituals of Migration emerged when we began to compare the customs surrounding emigration from Ireland and Italy. In Ireland, local communities bade farewell to emigrants they would never see again by holding an “American wake,” an all-night ceremony with drinking, music, and keening. In Italy, although the chances of returning were muc...
What is driving pasta’s resurgence in the US?
Pasta has long been a budget-friendly staple in many US households, but over the past year as inflation has continued to creep up and consumer sentiment down, sales of spaghetti, penne and the plethora of other pasta have ticked up – fueled in part by a nearly 11% bump in social conversations and 36% increase on restaurant menus in the past year, a...
Whatever the genre, Dion's music still focuses on life's larger questions
What does a longtime musician, troubadour, rock and roll hall of fame inductee and contemplative Catholic do for an encore? If you're Dion DiMucci, you just keep on making new music, and singing the praises of a Christ-centered existence. DiMucci, known throughout his nearly 70-year recording career by his first name Dion, distinguished himself fro...
Nonna's nominated for an Emmy Award!
Netflix's Nonna's featuring Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire, Lorraine Bracco and Joe Manganiello has been added to the 2025 Emmy Award Nominees list under "Outstanding Television Movie. The awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 14. In Nonnas, the Netflix movie based on Joe Scaravella’s nonnas-centric restaur...
Native Americans & Italian Americans to Hold Next 'Solidarity Session – Bridging Cultures Against Cancel Culture' on July 22
The Italian American One Voice Coalition (“IAOVC”), and The Native American Guardian’s Association (“NAGA”), announce the next collaborative session on July 22 bringing Native American, Italian American and other communities together to oppose the pervasive threat of cancel culture. These “Solidarity Sessions – Bridging Cultures Against Cancel Cult...