ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL. 37 NO. 8
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Dance the night away with the Doo-Wop Daddies on Feb. 13
Get on your dancing shoes and enjoy the greatest rock and roll hits of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s with the legendary Doo-Wop Daddies at the Italian Community Center’s Winter Rock and Roll Blast on Saturday, Feb. 13. Doors to the Pompeii Grand Ballroom will open at 6 p.m. with the Doo-Wop Daddies taking the stage from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Admission prices are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available now at the ICC front office. You can also order them by calling 414-223-2180 and using a credit card or by filling out the form accompanying this article and sending it with your payment to ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Event
flyers with ticket order forms are also available at the ICC. Your advance tickets will be available at a will call window the evening of the show. This event, which is expected to attract a full house, is a fundraiser for the nonprofit ICC. An optional Italian dinner buffet will be available in the ballroom starting at 6 p.m. The price will be $12.95 per person. Those purchasing the buffet will be issued a wristband. There will be full bar service available all night. Another dining option on the evening of the show is ICC’s Cafe La Scala, which will be open starting at 5 p.m. The Doo-Wop Daddies, who last Please turn to page 5
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La Befana meets, greets and gives gifts to the children at ICC party
The legend of La Befana was celebrated for the 14th consecutive year at the Italian Community Center at a luncheon event for children (really, children of all ages). La Befana, the Epiphany Eve gift-bearing witch of Italian folklore, journeyed to the ICC on Saturday, Jan. 9. Each child had a chance to meet and even give a big hug to La Befana. In turn, she presented them with gifts and candy which she brought with her from Italy. Here, a youngster named Francesca is shown hugging La Befana. The kids also got to decorate their own Christmas cookie and kids of all ages had a chance to make their own ice cream sundaes with a variety of delicious toppings. Several more photos and a report from the party can be found on pages 10 and 11. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Carnevale awaits all those who want to celebrate The Doo-Wop Daddies. (Photo provided by Mike Sturino)
Evening of Italian tradition, merrymaking set for Feb. 6
By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Cast aside your burdens for one spectacular night as the Italian Community Center celebrates its 37th annual Il Grande Carnevale on Saturday, Feb. 6. Show your creative side by wearing a costume or mask. Dance the night away. Be treated to a fabulous double-entrée dinner and a tantalizing sweet table. Be a witness to the tradition and pageantry that includes a coronation of royalty, a gleeful parade of those in costume and mask, spectacular fireworks and a few surprises that are sure to add to the excitement of the evening. Organizers hope that all of the
pomp and circumstance will make you shout “Viva Il Carnevale!” In fact, “Viva Il Carnevale” (“Long Live Carnevale”) is the theme for the Italian Community Center’s 37th annual Il Grande Carnevale. Saluting the traditions of the past and the hope of the future, Carnevale will bring together generations of families and friends for a celebration that no one should want to miss. The fun begins at 5:11 p.m. in the galleria with a cocktail reception (cash bar). The Italian Conference Center’s renowned hors d’oeuvres will be served. Guests will be called into the Pompeii Grand Ballroom at 6:11 p.m. for the start of the program
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and dinner. The dinner will feature a combination entrée of chicken Roma and a petite filet mignon. There will be bottles of wine at each table to enjoy with the meal. The table wine is courtesy of Sal and Marie Purpora (who the ICC has bestowed the honor of royalty as you will read in this article). After dinner comes the program that co-chairs Joanne Czubek and Rosemary DeRubertis say will be “a combination of exciting entertainment, colorful pageantry and tradition.” Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, and I Bei Bambini, the Children’s Italian Please turn to page 6
Cosa c’è dentro? What’s inside?
President’s message
Come to St. Joseph’s Day luncheon Bring your children to Festa di Pasqua Interested in ICC’s Italian classes?
Defining Carnevale Italy’s No. 1 hits
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Italian organizations doing good deeds in the community page 12 Crossword puzzle
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Members news
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Sezione Italiane pagine 16-17 Mike Piazza elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame
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