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If all the world’s a stage, South Philadelphia’s Italian community has provided it with an estimable list of players. Vocalists like Buddy Greco and Al Martino. Rock ‘n roll pioneers Charlie Gracie and Danny Cedrone, lead guitarist for Bill Haley and The Comets. Teen heart-throbs Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon and James Darren from the Bandst...

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Mired in a leadership dispute related to money, factions of two groups vow to hold separate San Rocco Festas this August. Those competing Italian festivals would take place on the same dates, but in different locations. One San Rocco Festa is set for Aug. 12-14 at a new location; a "field next to the Beaver Valley Auto Mall," at 750 Beaver Valley M...

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Catcher Vito Friscia was selected to represent Team Italy at Haarlem Baseball Week. Friscia will play under manager Mike Piazza as one of 24 players on the Azzurri Elite national squad. The Philadelphia Phillies have placed Friscia on the Temporarily Inactive List so that he can join the team at Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, the Netherlands from J...

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James Joseph Croce was born on January 10, 1943, in the Little Italy section in the south end of Philadelphia, Pa. His father was Giacomo Alberto Croce (April 14, 1914 – March 8, 1972) who had emigrated from the community of Trasacco (population 6,241 in the 2016 census) in the province of L’Aquila in the region of Abruzzo.  His mother was Flora Ma...

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Al DeGennaro, chapter president of Americans of Italian Heritage Council Inc., hosted a gathering of local Italian-American organizations on June 15 to they could share their plans for upcoming events. Representatives came from Christopher Columbus Monument in Elmwood Park, the Mount Carmel Club in Plymouth Meeting, the Holy Saviour Parish and Savi...

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Rose Tree Park was under a sea of green-white-red and red-white-blue on June 5 as flags of both Italy and United States fluttered in the wind and welcomed thousands of people to the 12th annual Italian American Heritage Festival in Upper Providence, PA. The cultural celebration of family, friends, food and fun featured Italian personalities, author...

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Rosemary Cappello feels that she has “lived a life that was very literary,” starting with a childhood where “learning was greatly appreciated and encouraged” and including a dynamic commitment to Philadelphia Poets, where she has been promoting, editing and publishing poetry since 1980. In April, she received a living tribute, hosted by Larry Robin...

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Philadelphia’s Gran Caffe L’Aquila named one of the Top Italian Restaurants in the World and the Top Italian restaurant in Philadelphia by a respected global Italian food & wine media program. Gran Caffè L’Aquila is the first restaurant in Philadelphia selected by the guide as one of the top restaurants in the world of Gambero Rosso. The award cere...

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I often realize how much my love for Italy has greatly increased since We the Italians was born, and therefore from the moment I started to tell those who live in America about my country. I found that it doesn't just happen to me. Luca Cottini is a fantastic Italian who teaches at Villanova University, in Pennsylvania. He perfectly embodies all th...

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Philadelphia’s Italian Market, established in the early 20th century to counter the high prices and food shortages during WWI, spans ten city blocks of Ninth Street in South Philadelphia. Vendors line the street selling meat, fish, produce, and spices from their stalls. The local businesses include a variety of restaurants and specialty shops. Over...

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