A Legendary Jersey Boy
Frankie Valli is a legendary Italian American singer. Known for his distinctive falsetto, his incredible career with The Four Seasons and wonderful solo career spawned numerous hit songs. His long singing career was very successful and it led to the enormous success of Jersey Boys, a Broadway musical that tells the story of the wonderful career of...
Ferruccio Furlanetto Leads Washington National Opera’s ‘Così Fan Tutte’
The Washington National Opera is set to present a new production of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte.” The opera, which will run from March 12 to 26, 2022 at the Eisenhower Theater, will mark the first fully-staged production for the company since March 2020. The Mozart masterwork will star legendary Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto as Don Alfonso in his...
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee Seeks Grand Marshal Applicants
The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is seeking their next grand marshal for its 31st annual parade and Italian festival to be held in from October 7-9 in Seaside Heights. Long-time Parade Chairman Michael A. Blandina announced, “Grand Marshal nominees should be civic minded individuals who are of good character as they will be the symbol...
UNICO celebrates 30th anniversary of Radunata
Local chapters of UNICO National met recently at Arcaro & Genell’s in Old Forge to mark the 30th anniversary of the “Gathering,” or Radunata, annual meeting of all the chapters. Radunata was originated by the late Joseph Preate, a past president of the Scranton Chapter. Chapters attending included Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Roseto and Carbon...
Greater Milford Italian-American Association to hold Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance
Milford. The Greater Milford Italian-American Association is hosting its first annual Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Patrick’s Community Hall, 111 East High St., Milford. The night will include dinner and dessert, live swing music, and dance music by our local DJ. There will be a prize for the best-dressed c...
Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti
The Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook, NJ is proud to present one of America's Got Talent Champion Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti. On Friday, February 18, 2022. Valentinetti is a crooner from Long Island, New York, who early influence was his Italian-American grandmother's love of the classic crooner sounds of Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sina...
“My Big Gay Italian Christmas” Heralds the Christmas Season
On December 10 and 11, the Hawthorne Pride Alliance Foundation performed “My Big Gay Italian Christmas” the last of the “My Big Gay Italian” series written by Anthony J. Wilkinson. The cast included Hope Foley as Josephine, Thomas Bushnauskas as Victorio Buccatini, Krissy Sciarra as Aunt Toniann, Rob Laub as the weatherman and Officer Gardner, Mary...
NFL's Greatest Play: The Immaculate Reception
In the decades before 22-year-old rookie Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception—considered the greatest play in NFL history—the Pittsburgh Steelers were mostly awful. From its inception in 1933 to 1971, the team posted seven winning records and no playoff victories. "They were a poem that didn't rhyme," says Bill Hillgrove, the team's longtime radio...
Roxbury community remembers 'inspirational' football coach Jim Fiorello
Gary Irwin still remembers his first day at Roxbury High School. He met veteran football coach Jim Fiorello in the physical education department office. Fiorello said, "You don't need to be nervous, as long as you make my coffee every day." Irwin said facetiously, but Fiorello at least pretended to be serious. Irwin made a pot of coffee every morni...
How Somerset native Greta Pontarelli's athleticism continues to dazzle audiences at age 70
Somerset native Greta Pontarelli now has 10 world titles for pole art after winning the Pole Art Italy World Championship. The 70-year-old athlete captivated the crowd with her original choreography for "The Alchemist." Pole art is an acrobatics routine that includes a pole. The athletes tell a story with their choreography. "'The Alchemist' is a s...
World renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has fond memories of Pittsburgh
Pittsburghers embraced Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on his previous visit to the Steel City. “What I certainly remember is the warm welcome that I received here,” said Bocelli, who will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. “Many have also spoken enthusiastically about Pittsburgh — its history, imbued in culture and art; its important...
Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 Annual Beefsteak Dinner
Morris County/Parsippany Sons of Italy ~ Lodge 2561 engages in various community charitable endeavors throughout the year. One way to raise money to promote those efforts is through charitable events such as their Annual Beefsteak Dinner that was held on November 20th at the Bloomingdale Fireman’s Hall. This year’s successful event brought out over...