July section a

ITALIAN TIMES THE

Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 36, NO. 2, SECTION A JULY/AUGUST 2014

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ICC President/Festa General Chair Gina Spang invites all to experience the thrill of being Italian at the 37th annual Festa

Dear Friends of the ICC: Everyone has his or her own event that kicks off their summer; for some it is the end of the school year, for others it is the 4th of July, maybe the first day that the temperature reaches 75 degrees, but the event that kicks off my summer is Festa Italiana. It is something that has been part of my summers

International singing sensation Patrizio Buanne making his Festa debut, July 19 & 20.

for a long time and, for whatever reason, it is the event that kick starts my summer.

This year’s theme for Festa Italiana is “It Feels Good to be Italian.” Everyone seems to love Italian food, wine, art, fashion and the Italian language. We hope that Festa Italiana provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy our cul-

Celebrity chef/author Maria Liberati to cook at Cucina Showcase.

ture and have fun being Italian. We have focused on bringing in more Italian entertainment, are proud to announce the return of Palermo’s Pizza and are happy that Glorioso’s Italian Market will be providing the Italian sausage. Italian cooking demonstrations will again be taking place in our Cucina Showcase, the Italian Idol is going strong, our Grand Parade is back and Bartolotta’s may have a few surprises for us with the fireworks Friday night in honor of our day of service, which honors and acknowledges our law enforcement, fire fighters, teachers and military.

This is the second year that Festa is using a mobile app which has all the information on entertainment, the map of the grounds, food vendors, directions to Festa and the daily schedules available on your smart phone or iPhone.

Visit the apps store and download it today.

The Hunger Task Force is again partnering with Festa Italiana, and we are asking our guests to donate

Be part of the essence of Festa Italiana. Attend the Festa Mass and march in the procession on Sunday, July 20.

generously and bring non-perishable food items to the Festa Mass on Sunday, July 20. Last year we collected over 5,000 pounds of food, and this year we have set our goal at 7,500 pounds.

Festa would not be possible without the effort of our dedicated volunteers. There are thousands of hours that our volunteers contribute to the planning before Festa as well as the many hours staffing the grounds during Festa, so thank you to everyone who has taken their time and energy to help with this year’s Festa Italiana.

There is much more to be excited about, so read all about it in this special edition of The Italian Times.

I look forward to seeing you at Festa! Enjoy!

Gina M. Spang ICC President Festa General Chair

Here’s what you need to know about Festa

It is with great pleasure that we publish the July/August 2014 Festa Italiana edition of The Italian Times. We have attempted to provide our readers with information on nearly all aspects of the 37th annual Festa, produced by the volunteer members of the Italian Community Center. We hope you enjoy the stories, the features and the photographs.

We want to thank everyone who placed advertising in this issue. Without the support of our advertisers, it would be impossible to publish this large of a newspaper. We encourage our readers to patronize those Please turn to page 4A

The Blue Whale, known from The Adventures of Pinocchio, is part of the Grand Parade of Festa Italiana. The Blue Whale was designed and built by artist/sculptor Gina Jorgensen with the assistance of Cosmo Carini.

Enjoy a gondola ride from family, friends or your significant other during your time at Festa Italiana, July 18-20.

Times photos by Joe Spasiano and Tom Hemman

PAGE 2, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Get your advance Festa tickets now 3-day pass available online only

Can’t wait for Festa Italiana?

Then get your advance admission tickets now. Festa officials have kept the price for an advance admission ticket for the 2014 festival the same as the last two years – just $10. That’s a $3 saving over the gate admission price.

The 37th annual Festa is Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds).

Attendees can also purchase a three-day pass for just $25. The

Enter Festa’s cash raffle

Liz Ceraso, manager of the 2014 Festa Italiana raffle, announced that this year’s raffle will feature cash prizes.

First prize will be $5,000, second prize will be $1,000 and third prize will be $500.

Raffle tickets are available at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee.

Prices aree $2 each, three for $5 and seven for $10.

Italian Community Center members and Festa volunteers are encouraged to purchase and sell raffle tickets.

The raffle serves as an important fund-raising activity.

Festa attendees can witness the drawing of winning raffle tickets on Sunday, July 20 before the fireworks show on the Miller Lite Stage. Winners need not be present. All winners will be notified after Festa.

pass is available online only at www.FestaItaliana.com.

In fact, the easiest way to order advance tickets – good for admission any of the three days – or the three-day pass is to go to www.FestaItaliana.com and purchase them with a credit card. Once on the website, click on “Buy Tickets Now,” follow the instructions and print your order. These online tick-

et-purchasing opportunities will be available through July 17.

There are three other ways you can get your advance tickets.

• Stop in at the Festa Italiana office at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, during regular business hours (7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday). Advance tickets will be sold at the ICC through July

17.

• Call the ICC at 414-223-2180 and have your credit card ready.

Your tickets will be mailed to you.

This offer ends Monday, July 7 to allow staff the time that is necessary to process all of the orders.

• You can also use the form that accompanies this article to order your advance admission tickets.

Please turn to page 41A

As a benefit of membership in the Italian Community Center, each member is entitled to one free Festa Italiana ticket, which is good for admission to the festival any one of the three days.

There are two ways for members to obtain these member-only tickets.

Those members who wish to pick up their tickets in person can stop in at the ICC office reception

desk weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Be sure to bring your current membership card with you. You will be asked to present the card.

Those members who cannot pick up their tickets in person can order them through the mail. You must include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

Ticket requests that do not have the return envelope will not be

processed. Mail orders must be received by Monday, July 7 to allow sufficient time for processing and delivery to your residence.

The 37th annual Festa is Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 on the Summerfest grounds.

Anyone with questions can call Salina Castro at 414/223-2180 or email her at scastro@italianconference.com.

ICC members: Get your free Festa ticket

THE ITALIAN TIMES

631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually

Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Gina Spang Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . Rosemary DeRubertis Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Italian Page Editor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-Woytal Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors and Staff Writers/Reporters . . . . , .Mario A. Carini Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon, Blaise DiPronio, Paul Salsini, Natalie Wickman, Patrick Cifaldi, George Koleas, Christina Ziino, Fran Tollefson Annette Robertson and Susan Christiansen Staff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano, and Tom Hemman For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org.

Copyright 2014 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved

All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times.

In addition, the Newspaper Committee reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center.

The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward Association.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 3, SECTION A

Gondola rides bring special Italian feature to Festa

Is there anything more romantic than a ride on a gondola?

Gliding over calm waters with the moon up above, music in the background and a handsome gondolier smoothly propelling the shiny sleek craft, maybe even serenading?

Festa Italiana will again offer that opportunity to young and old this year with three working gondolas available for excursions in the Summerfest lagoon all weekend long.

Since gondolas returned four years ago, they have become one of

the major attractions for Festa, but there were years when they weren’t available. Let Bill Jennaro, who has earned the title “admiral” for his work in obtaining and managing the vessels, tell the story: “The Treviso family had a dream of bringing gondolas to Milwaukee, and so the father started building them and making them available for Festa. There were two sons, Tony and Gaetano. They were at Festa for maybe 10 years and it was very successful. The gondolas made Festa unique among the festivals here.

Festa’s gondoliers are seen here with Bill Jennaro (center) the manager of gondola operations. From the left: Sal Galioto, Anthony

Frigo, Jennaro, Tony Emmiti and Patrick Longo. This year, Festa will have three gondolas available for rides in the Summerfest lagoon.

Jennaro, a past president of the Italian Community Center, has been the manager of gondola operations since the Italianized boat rides returned to Festa four years ago. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Here’s what you need to know about Festa

During Festa Italiana, July 18 -20, stop by to see our cars, Vespa and Moto Guzzi display, just southwest of the Calypso Lemonade Stage.

PAGE 4, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

from page 1A businesses that have placed advertising in this edition.

We also hope that everyone who reads this issue will be able to attend Festa Italiana. The festival opens Friday, July 18 and runs through Sunday, July 20 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (the Summerfest grounds) along Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront.

The staff of The Italian Times is looking forward to covering the festival. Our reports on the 37th annual Festa Italiana will appear in the September 2014 issue.

I wish to thank Paul Salsini, Blaise DiPronio, Pat Cifaldi, Natalie Wickman, Susan DeSanctis Christiansen, Christina Ziino, Fran Tollefson and George Koleas, who volunteered to write stories for this issue. My thanks also to our regular contributors Italian page editor Enrica Tarantino Woytal, Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon, Mario A. Carini and Annette Robertson. My sincerest thanks to Anna Pitzo and Danita Wendorf for doing the proofreading. I want to acknowledge sales representative Faye Ann Kessler, who did a tremendous job doing the advertising sales for this issue.

If you happen to misplace your print edition of this newspaper, you can also find a copy of it online at the Italian Community Center’s website, www.ICCMilwaukee.com.

You can also follow Festa Italiana by downloading the mobile app for your Apple or Android device (go to festaitaliana.com for details and on Twitter @FestaMKE). Become a fan of Festa on Facebook at www.facebook.com/festaitalianamil waukee to join the conversation.

Use the hashtags #MyItalian and #FestaMKE to share your thoughts on Festa. You can also call 414/223-2808.

See you at Festa!

– Thomas Hemman Times Editor

THE ITALIAN TIMES

THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 5, SECTION A

Top-of-the-line Vegas entertainer Stephen Sorrentino making Festa debut

By Patrick Cifaldi Festa Italiana will present a topof-the-line Las Vegas entertainer, Stephen Sorrentino, as a headliner on Saturday and Sunday night, July 19 and 20. Sorrentino will be performing his award winning “ Voice in my head” extravaganza.

His name may not jump into your head here locally but, coast to coast, his name is known by the people he performs with such as Dionne Warwick, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey and Larry the Cable Guy. They also know him as being awarded the ‘Male Impressionist of the Year’ for three consecutive years by his peer entertainers.

You may have seen him on television shows, such as “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” “Hollywood Squares,” and “7 Days”. You have also seen him in the movies and plays over the last 30 years. Most notably, he co-starred with Debbie Reynolds on her last tour through the United States and Europe. If you have been to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, you probably have seen his name as a marquee headliner.

Sorrentino will perform his high powered family-styled Las Vegas comedy and musical routines.

He, along with his professional band, will tickle your imagination by using costume, music and his incredible impressions. You will believe you are watching the original performer leading you to say, “Now I remember Stephen Sorrentino, I’ve seen him before.

How does he do all that?”

This reporter caught up with Sorrentino by telephone while he was the headliner, with his band, on an Alaskan Cruise Ship. He was just coming out of a rehearsal at that time.

Italian Times: Your parents were musical entertainers. Can you tell us a little about them?

Stephen Sorrentino: Well, I’m a third generation entertainer. My father’s-father was a club owner and bandleader. My father played the saxophone and met my mother who was a singer in the late 1950s.

Together, they performed Italian songs and even put out a few records.

IT: You have been entertaining since you were 5 years old. Your professional training resume lists some of the country’s finest performing arts schools and on the job training sites like Chicago’s Second City. You play virtually every musical instrument. What is your favorite?

SS: I enjoy the piano the most.

But I have to say my favorite is playing the flute. It gives me a chance to play the music of Jethro Tull and the likes.

IT: Have you ever played Milwaukee before? You will be playing in an outdoor venue where the weather can be a factor.

SS: Yes, I was at the Milwaukee casino – Potawatomi – once and had a wonderful experience.

Regarding the weather, I’m currently in Alaska, and a few days ago I was next to the equator, so I come prepared for everything.

Stephen Sorrentino

IT: You have worked closely with Debbie Reynolds. Are you doing anything for her now?

SS: I am, as a matter of fact.

Last week at this time, we were doing her auction together. I hosted her television show and am currently writing her new show as we speak.

IT: Betty White and you have a special charity cause you work on together. Can you tell us what it is?

SS: Betty and I have worked together for years on the “Dogs for the Deaf” program. This is a program that matches up specially trained dogs with needy deaf peo-

ple. The dogs are trained to alert the people of a fire alarm or doorbell.

IT: You were named “Male Impressionist of the Year” by the International Guild of Celebrity Impersonators for three years running. An honor for sure. Who is your most famous impression?

SS: I’m most famous for doing Elton John. In fact, I worked for him when I was 18 years old.

Through that job, I got to meet John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Peter Townsend, Billie Jean King and so many more. I do over 100 voices Please turn to page 35A

Congratulazione, Festa Italiana XXXVII

The wait is almost over! Introducing the 2015 Lexus NX. Available for pre-order at

Lexus North Shore (just west of Bayshore Town Center)

1433 W. Silver Spring Dr, Glendale, WI 53209 414-228-9000 • www.lexusnorthshore.com Please bring this ad in for a courtesy car wash compliments of General Manager Joe Palmisano & Lexus North Shore. (Valid thru 10/31/14).

PAGE 6, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Patrizio Buanne, Ambassador of Dolce Vita, will delight Festa crowds

By Paul Salsini International singing sensation Patrizio Buanne, who has thrilled audiences around the world and recorded chart-busting albums, will be the featured attraction at this year’s Festa Italiana.

The singer who is known as “The Ambassador of Dolce Vita” will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, on the North Stage.

Now on an extended tour of the United States, the dark, ruggedly handsome singer has already won over a legion of fans with albums rooted in the pop traditions of his Italian homeland.

His records have sold millions of copies, he has performed before thousands of people from Africa to Australia (not to mention a pope), and he has developed a devoted fan following.

After a recent concert, a Philadelphia critic declared that Buanne has “an instinctive ability to convey real emotion.”

Patrizio Buanne was born in Vienna and spent his childhood in Naples and Vienna. By the age of 17 he could speak fluent Italian, German, English, French and Spanish and then added Polish.

But at an early age his gift to be able to sing and entertain people was evident. His parents owned an Italian restaurant, where, of course, Italian music was played.

“I would sit on the floor and play with my toys and listen to the songs,” he remembers. “And

because they are so catchy, I would sing along. Then I was caught in the act doing it and my father would go ‘Come here, sit down.

Sing a little bit.’”

At the age of 8, Patrizio received his first guitar and at 11 made his first appearance in talent contests.

For a while, he had his own rock and roll band and when he was 17 a music industry manager heard him sing and proposed a performance on the occasion of a papal visit to Poland. His song, which was half in Italian, half in Polish, was heard by the 85,000 people in attendance and led to his first local record deal.

When his father died of cancer that year and Buanne himself suffered a perforated ulcer, he said, “It was music and the goal to make my family proud that kept me alive

and made me strong.”

His first album, The Italian, released in 2005, reached the top 10 on the pop charts in the United Kingdom, where it went gold in a week. The album was also certified as platinum in South Africa and New Zealand, and reached triple platinum status in Australia. He toured in Australia, Asia, South Africa and Europe the following year and his live concert DVD was broadcast on PBS, which led to his first U.S. tour playing 2,000-3,500

capacity venues.

That first album, The Italian, his second album, Forever Begins Tonight, and his third album, titled simply Patrizio, have sold millions of copies. He is now working on his fourth album.

Buanne discussed his music in an email exchange with this reporter.

Italian Times: You’ve been on an extensive tour of the United States and seem to visit here often. Is there something special about American audiences?

Patrizio Buanne: The American audience is indeed special. Why? Well, you are the nation that invented show business. You have Elvis, Sinatra, Big Band, Jazz, Swing. It is the entertainment capital and melting pot of the world and where audiences are spoiled to hear so much different stuff. No matter how many million albums I have sold or how famous a singer is in his own territories – the U.S. has its own rules.

I am very much satisfied with what I do and where I am in the U.S., as it has been many years that I am invited to tour the U.S. and play from wonderful 3,500-seat Please turn to page 34A

of Wauwatosa 414-476-6900 Home of the Italian Sausage Sliders Roman Potato Chips Cheese Ravioli in Red Sauce Garlic Focaccia Bread Sticks CHECK US OUT! WE ARE LOCATED ON THE NORTH END OF THE FESTA GROUNDS BOOTH #4.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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"May Festa live forever."

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 7, SECTION A

Competition time shortened for Festa’s 2014 Cannoli Eating Contest Will Tony Paulis be able to retain his championship for 6th time?

By Natalie Wickman Finishing preparations are being made for this year’s Festa Italiana Cannoli Eating Contest, which will last for four minutes instead of six.

Marie Lieber, Cucina Showcase Manager, said when the contest length was six minutes, some contestants began to feel ill, which prompted the change.

Festa attendees can see the competition Saturday, July 19 at 3 p.m. at the Cucina Showcase sponsored

by Piggly Wiggly. The cannoli will be provided by Peter Sciortino’s Bakery, co-owned by Joe Vella, the vice president of the Italian Community Center, which hosts the annual Festa.

Returning to the competition this year is Anthony Paulis, the defending champ since 2009. The 2010 contest ended in a tie between Paulis and Tom Carlson of Minnesota. Paulis told The Italian Times that he has heard that Carlson may be back this year to challenge him.

Anyone, 18 or older, may register for the contest starting the opening day of Festa, Friday, July 18. Lieber will pick 10 names from the registrants to compete. Of course, the defending champ, Paulis, is automatically entered.

“Some of the women I’ve seen over the years have outeaten some

of the male [contestants],” Lieber said. “I can bank on at least three of our contestants being women.”

Paulis said he hopes to break his record of eating seven full-sized cannoli in four minutes. A training routine keeps Paulis on track during the weeks leading up to Festa. “(My plan is) more consumption of water-based fruits and a little more exercise than previous years in preparing for this year’s contest,” Paulis said. “Previous years, I ate a lot of gelato, but I think the waterbased fruit (watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe) is the way to go.”

In some previous years, the contest used mini-size cannoli but opted for a change last year.

“I asked Joe Vella to make regular size [cannoli] because, first of all, they’re easier for (Sciortino’s) people to fill (with ricotta). Second of all, it’s much easier to keep track of how many each contestant eats.”

Lieber said she expects the contest emcee of past years, Tony Ricotta, to be back again. However, Tony Ricotta is a stage name. His real name is still unknown to Lieber. “[Ricotta] is absolutely hilarious.

He comes dressed in [either] a red or blue suit and he has his hair all slicked back,” Lieber said. “I tried asking him who he was but he just

Anthony Paulis of Milwaukee retained his title as champion of Festa Italiana’s Cannoli-Eating Contest for the fifth consecutive year in 2013 as he downed seven regular-size cannoli in four minutes, two more than anyone else in the competition held at Cucina Showcase. Paulis sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, who is seen here with his son, Giuliano, in his arms, has won the title outright in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. He tied for first place with Minnesotan Tony Carlson in 2010. Giuliano was 2 years old at the time. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

gave me a funny grin. Honestly.”

The contest winner receives $75, a “first place” T-shirt and inevitable bragging rights if he/she chooses to use them.

“You have to be amped for [competition,] but at the same time, if you don’t have some nervous ten-

sion than you know you aren’t ready,” Paulis said. “So as long as I am amped as normal, and [have] a little nervous tension, should be all good.”

Paulis warned his competitors that they should be on top of their game

Present this Tanino’s coupon and get $2.00 off any large pizza.

Valid for dine-in, pick-up or delivery. Expires 8/31/14.

PAGE 8, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Cucina Showcase offers a full schedule of activities and demonstrations

If you’re looking for fun and food at Festa Italiana, Marie AndaloroLieber, Cucina manager, says you should be sure to grab a seat in the Cucina Showcase. Sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, the Cucina Showcase will feature some new restaurants and chefs’ daily cooking demonstrations.

Maria Liberati is also returning to Festa. She is a former supermodel and the author of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking book series.

In February 2010, the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards selected the second book in the series, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Da Vinci Style, as “Best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA.” She will be promoting her second book, Special

Here’s the cover of the book by Maria Liberati, who will demonstrate her cooking skills at Festa.

Foods & Special Memories, at the Milwaukee Public Market as well as in the Cucina Showcase.

She developed her interest in cooking in Italy, studying and working with chefs in trattorias and bed-and-breakfasts throughout the country. Liberati also began writing restaurant reviews and articles about food. She is considered one of the foremost experts on Italian cuisine and has been described as the “Italian Martha Stewart” by Celebrity Chef Magazine. She has also appeared on many radio and television programs to talk about cooking.

She will be cooking for audiences all three days of Festa – Friday, July18 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, July 19 at 5:15 p.m. and Sunday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Some of the Cucina’s favorites will be returning with new and exciting dishes. The schedule is printed at the conclusion of this article, posted on the website (www.festaitaliana.com) and available on the Festa mobile app (which can be downloaded on the Festa website).

Cannoli-Eating Contest There will, of course, be the traditional Cannoli-Eating Contest, which will take place on Saturday.

Those who think they can down more cannoli than the reigning champion, Anthony Paulis, are welcome to enter any time prior to the deadline on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Paulis entered the competition for the first time in 2009 on a dare

Cucina Showcase Primary Sponsor

from a friend. He won the contest that year. The next year, he tied for first that year with Tony Carlson, a Minnesotan. Since then, Paul has won the title outright.

Names will be drawn for the 10 contestants at 2:45 p.m. and the contest will begin at 3 p.m. If you need to practice, you’ll have up to four minutes.

Kids’ Pizza-Making Contest On Sunday, the Children’s Pizza-Making Contest sponsored by Due Sorelli will take place on stage starting at 2:45. There will be two age groups – 5 to 9 and 10 to 17.

This year, instead of signing up ahead of time, the contestants are asked to be in the Cucina at 2:15 p.m.. They will then sign up and names will be drawn for each age

group at 2:45 p.m.

1st Chef’s Recipe Contest Here’s the something new: the first annual Chef’s Recipe Contest.

Contestants had until June 13 to enter their recipe. A committee of five judges will select five recipes.

Those lucky persons will be asked to make (or finish making) their dish in the Cucina Showcase on Sunday. A panel of five celebrity judges will select the winner of the first Golden Spoon Award. They are: Joe Bartolotta, local restaurateur; Peter Sandroni, chef and owner of LaMerenda; Maria Liberati; Lori Fredrich, On Milwaukee. com and Burp!, and Marilynn Mee, host of mid-day WKLH radio. There will also be a

Buona Fortuna, Festa Italiana

Please turn to page 10A

from

The Vella Family

Giuseppe, Maria & Luigi Vella Proprietors

“AMERICAʼS FINEST”

We specialize in: Italian - French Bread Rolls - Cookies - Cannoli

1101 E. Brady St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 272-4623 • Fax: (414) 272-1456 www.petersciortinosbakery.com

Tuesday – Saturday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Please visit our booths at the 37th annual Festa Italiana, July 18 - 20, 2014.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 9, SECTION A

Cucina Showcase offers a full schedule

from page 9A surprise celebrity emcee. First and second prizes will be awarded. A “little something” will also be given to the runners-up.

Andaloro-Lieber is also welcoming back vendors Oro d Oliva, E. Formella & Sons, Due Sorelli, and Ferrero USA. New this year will be the participation of Miller Brewing with a sampling of some of its new products.

Cooking demonstration schedule Here is the chefs’ demo schedule: Friday, July 18: • 11:45 a.m. – Andrew Schneider/Patrick Murphy, LeReve Patisserie & Café • 12:45 p.m. – Zak & Sarah Baker, Pizza Man • 2 p.m. – David Magnasco, The Chef’s Table • 3:15 p.m. – Ana Docta, Kasana Restaurant & Bar • 4:15 p.m. – Tina Conley and Dean Cannestra, Divino Dine & Wine • 5:30 p.m. – John LeClair,

Mozzaluna Pizzeria & Ristorante • 6:30 p.m. – Celebrity Chef/Author Maria Liberati Saturday, July 19: • Noon – Jessie Sousa, Zin Uncommon California Italian Fish Bones • 1 p.m. – Ruth Weill, Centro Café • 2 p.m. – Michael Watson, Buca DiBeppo • 2:45 p.m. – Names drawn for participants in Cannoli-Eating Contest

Sunday, July 20: • 1 p.m. – Tony Evans, Bravo Cucina Italiana • 2 p.m. – Chef’s Choice Recipe Contest

Due Sorelli, meaning “Two Sisters” in Italian, is a company that was formed by two sisters, Laurel and Rosemarie Torre. Both Laurel and Rosemarie, are culinary experts in their own right, and it’s their love and enjoyment of great food that is the foundation for developing their company.

Rosemarie’s love for preparing

and serving gourmet food took her to Milwaukee Area Technical College where she graduated, with honors, from both Food Production and the Culinary Arts programs.

She now proudly brings her talent and expertise to the public through Due Sorelli.

During the many years of entertaining family and friends, and

• 3 p.m. – Cannoli-Eating Contest • 4:15 p.m. – Suzzette Metcalfe & Hannah, The Pasta Tree Restaurant & Wine Bar • 5:15 p.m. – Celebrity Chef/Author Maria Liberati • 6:30 p.m. – Chris Nowak, Maggiano’s Little Italy

• 3 p.m. – Names drawn for participants in Children’s PizzaMaking Contest • 3:15 p.m. – Childrens Pizza Making – 5 - 9 year olds • 4:15 p.m. – Childrens Pizza Making – 10 - 17 year olds • 4:45 p.m. – Tommy White, Jr., Mia Familia Italian Restorante & Steak House • 5:30 p.m. – Miles Borghgraef, Lake Shore Bistro • 6:30 p.m. – Celebrity Chef/Author Maria Liberati

About Due Sorelli, sponsor of children’s pizza-making contest

ITALIAN PIZZA RESTAURANT Celebrating 42 years in business and we have only ONE location and it’s in West Allis.

Full menu - Italian & American Cuisine PLEASE DON’T CONFUSE US WITH ANY OTHER FILIPPO’S RESTAURANT!

delighting them with good food, Laurel has developed her own unique style of cooking.

Together, Laurel and Rosemarie have developed their own distinctive concepts for preparing and seasoning food where, using only the finest ingredients available, they bring together old world flavors with new world concepts so everyone can enjoy the best of both worlds...great taste with convenience.

Due Sorelli features uniquely fresh tasting dry seasoning blends and is a proud member of Something Special from Wisconsin.

All Due Sorelli products are Wisconsin made, from our gardens to your table. Simply add a few of your own ingredients to any Due Sorelli product for a wonderful culinary experience.

This year at Festa Italiana, Due Sorelli is again sponsoring the children’s pizza making contest at the Cucina Showcase. The event will take place Sunday, July 20 at 3 p.m. Details appear in another story.

These two sisters will also have products available for sampling at the Cucina Showcase.

Congratulations Festa Italiana from

Koepsell's

Festival Popcorn Wagons Jim Kocovsky Mary Lynn Kocovsky

Visit our popcorn wagons at Festa 2014!

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Dine-In, Pick-Up & Delivery available (limited area)

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PAGE 10, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Some tasty changes announced in Festa’s food lineup

By Natalie Wickman Pizza, Italian sausage, eggplant strips and sfincione, cannoli and rice balls are predicted to be big sellers at this year’s Festa Italiana (as they traditionally are), according to Joe Vella, chairman of the Festa Food Committee and coowner of Peter Sciortino’s Bakery.

Dean Cannestra, of the Festa Food Committee, said 17 booths will be present this year, with six to eight smaller specialty ones. This is down from 35 booths plus portable trailers in previous years.

Vella said a new feature this year will be a larger variety of wine to try.

“We’re going to have different wines from different regions of Italy throughout the different realms,” Vella said.

This year’s Festa vendors are Alioto’s, Nino’s Italian Bakery, Pietro’s Pizza, Trattoria Di Carlo, Divino Wine & Dine, Mille’s Spaghetti Factory, Gelateria Italiana, Glorioso’s Italian Market, Saz’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Papa Luigi’s, Carini’s La Conca D’Oro, Peter Sciortino’s Bakery and Cafe, Venice Club, Cataldo’s, Angelo’s Pizza, Palermo’s Pizza, Catalano Fruit and Lemonade, Koepsell’s Popcorn, Nuts For You and Sil’s Mini Donuts.

Café La Scala won’t be returning to Festa this year. However, the restaurant, located at the Italian Community Center, will be open during all three days of the festival - Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 with extended hours, including breakfast starting at 6 a.m.

The Fallucca family, which owns the Milwaukee-based pizza manufacturing company, Palermo’s, will be in charge of the pizza this year.

Palermo’s will be offering a variety of pizzas. The Fallucca family is a longtime supporter of Festa Glorioso’s Italian Market will be in charge of Italian sausage.

Glorioso’s, a participant and supporter of Festa since it began in 1978, will have its Italian sausage available with mild or hot giardiniera or, if a guest desires, the sandwich can be dipped in Italian marinara sauce, according to Felice

Glorioso, creator of Glorioso’s sausage recipe.

Glorioso’s will also operate its regular booth featuring other Italian sandwiches.

Beer will be supplied by Miller Coors and served by a professional crew under the direction of Major Goolsby’s, a longtime Festa Italiana sponsor.

Calypso brand lemonade and its flavored variations will be available, courtesy of King Juice Company.

“The main objective is to get people to come down and enjoy a great variety of foods from local restaurants,” Vella said.

“Everything’s fresh down there and it’s a great experience.”

Left: Here’s Maria Purpora helping to prepare food for Festa guests in the Papa Luigi’s booth. Papa Luigi’s is entering its fourth year as a participant in Festa Italiana.

(Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Saluti Festa Italiana from

Catalano’s Fruit & Lemonade

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 11, SECTION A

What’s special about the Festa Mass?

Father Kitzke says it’s ‘joy’

By Paul Salsini In many ways, the Sunday Mass at Festa Italiana will continue the tradition that has made it the centerpiece of the festival.

More than 20 priests, deacons and brothers will spread out along the altar, and the volunteer Festa Choir, directed by Michael Kamenski, will sing beautiful hymns in Italian, Latin and English. More than 25 societies will be in the procession and more than 50 ushers under the direction of Ted Catalano will guide worshippers to their seats.

The Mass will begin at 11 a.m. in the Marcus Amphitheater. Gates will open at 10:15 a.m.

This year, however, the main celebrant will be the Very Rev. Timothy L. Kitzke, chaplain of the Italian Community Center for the last 14 years.

With Father Mike Michalski, Father Kitzke is co-pastor of the parishes of Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, SS Peter and Paul and Three Holy Women.

Father Kitzke was born in South

Milwaukee and did his priestly training at St. Francis Seminary, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

Ordained in 1989, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his priesthood in May of this year.

Father Kitzke took time to answer questions from The Italian Times.

Italian Times: You’ve been the chaplain of the Italian Community Center for 14 years. What does that mean?

Father Kitzke: As chaplain, I am responsible for being present at the ICC for various celebrations and ceremonies. I am called to offer prayers and start off meetings of the various groups that are part of the Italian community in Milwaukee. I am available for any special needs that might arise for members of the ICC, e.g. hospital visits or anniversaries.

IT: Why did you agree to be the chaplain?

FK: The Italian community in Milwaukee is wonderful, and since

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The Very Rev. Timothy L. Kitzke

I have been working here for so many years, it is another way to help out.

IT: You’re of Polish descent. Do you see any similarities between the Polish and Italian communities and cultures?

FK: Between the two ethnic heritages, there is a great similarity. A rootedness in Roman Catholicism, a deep devotion to our traditions, a love of Mary the Mother of God, deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist and an abiding love for the saints in bringing us closer to God. In addition great food and a love for the family!

IT: Is there something special

about the Italian community that attracts you?

FK: Here is a deep love for God and the Church and an abiding sense of community, family, love, support and loyalty.

IT: With all your parish responsibilities and other duties, why did you agree to be the main celebrant at the Festa Mass?

FK: I am honored to serve at the Mass anytime, but especially for the Festa Mass which brings together a great group of people giving thanks and praise to God. IT: What’s special about the Mass at Festa Italiana?

FK: One word – joy. The presence of Christ and pride in our history and deep love for the Eucharist provide for a wonderful time.

IT: Can you tell us anything else about what will happen at the Mass?

FK: It will be a time for reconnecting to friends and, through our celebration, finding new hope in the middle of all the craziness of the world. The ancient traditions become new, and we are all better for it.

IT: What do you like to do when you come to Festa?

FK: The Mass and Procession fill me with joy and energy so I can mingle with the crowd reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!

IT: What’s your favorite Italian food?

FK: Anything that’s fattening and prepared with goodness!

Wedding • Anniversary • Christening • First Holy Communion • Wedding Supplies • Unity Candles • Cake Toppers • Guest Books • Toasting Glasses • Tulle Circles • Jordan Almonds • Silk Flowers • Ribbon & Card Printing • Personalized Italian Plaques • Capodimonte Flowers

Josephine Pappalardo 414.507.8638

By Appointment Only

Our best wishes to the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana on 37 great years!

PAGE 12, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa Italiana Mass Choir seeks voices; rehearsal schedule set

All voices – soprano, alto soprano, tenor and bass – are welcome to sing in the Festa Italiana Mass Choir. The Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 20 in the Marcus Amphitheater on the far south end of the festival grounds.

Singers should have prior choir experience and must attend at least three of the rehearsals at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 5400 W. Washington Blvd., Milwaukee.

Festa Choir CD available

The rehearsal dates and times are Tuesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., July 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and the final rehearsal on Thursday, July 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Attendance is mandatory for the July 17 rehearsal. Italian and Latin language coaching will be provided by Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor.

To register for the choir and to get more information, please contact the director, Michael Kamenski at 414-453-1928 or by eat mkamensmail ki@saintsebs.org (please use “FESTA CHOIR” in the subject line).

Following the celebration of Mass on Sunday, July 20, numerous religious societies and organizations will march in procession from the Marcus Amphitheater to the North Stage for the Benediction. Here, the members of the Society of Our Lady of Fatima are seen carrying their vada in last year’s procession. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

A CD, “Inni e Canti,” made by the 2011 Festa Choir, continues to be available for purchase. The CD includes 15 selections, along with all the lyrics for each song: Inni e Canti, T’Adoriam, Ostia Divina, Noi Vogliam Dio, Ave Maria (Italian), Vergin Santa, Mira il Tuo Popolo, Dell’Aurora Tu Sorgi Piu Bella, Let Us Raise Hymns and Songs (trans. Inni e Canti), O Divine Host, We Adore You (trans.

T’Adoriam Ostia Divina), We Long for God (trans. Noi Vogliam Dio), Ave Maria (English), Holy Virgin (trans.

Vergin Santa), Gaze Upon Your People (trans. Mira il Tuo Popolo), Than The Dawn You Arise Ever Fairer (trans.

Dell’Aurora Tu Sorgi Piu Bella), Ave Maria (Latin) Orders can be placed through http://www.inniecanti.com.

Call put out for Festa Mass ushers

Ted Catalano, Mass & Procession Committee member and ushers manager, has issued a call for at least 15 new ushers to step up and volunteer for this year’s Festa Italiana Mass on Sunday, July 20.

To be an usher, you must be at least 16 years old. The only other requirement is that you attend a brief instructional meeting at the Italian Community Center on Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m. At that time, information on the duties of an usher during the Mass and the procession, which follows the Mass, will be discussed.

Catalano requests that new ushers sign up with him early and then follow through on their commitment. To volunteer as an usher or for more information, call Catalano at 414-305-9769.

At least 55 ushers are needed every year for the Mass, which has drawn up to 15,000 people.

Catalano said he has about 40 dedicated ushers who show up automatically each year.

Consider placing your ad in The Italian Times on a regular basis. Lower costs equal bigger results. For details, call (414) 223-2801 or send an email to Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Come and see us at Festa Italiana, July 18-20, at Booth #4A

When visiting our booth at Festa Italiana, try our tasty sfingi – fried dough rolled in sugar.

Tony & Nina Sgroi and Daughters

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 13, SECTION A

Festa attendees can help Hunger Task Force with food donations before Sunday Mass Goal is 7,500 pounds of non-perishable items

Festa Italiana officials are urging people who come to the festival on July 20 for the Sunday Mass to bring along non-perishable food items for donation to the Hunger Task Force.

The goal this year is to collect 7,500 pounds in donations, said Gina Spang, Italian Community Center President and Festa General Chair.

The Hunger Task Force will be

collecting these items near the entrance to the Mass, just outside the South Gate.

Last year, 5,100 pounds was collected for the Hunger Task Force before the Festa Mass.

“I want to encourage all of our ICC members and all of our Festa volunteers to join the public in making these non-perishable food donations and help us to achieve our goal of 7,500 pounds,” Spang

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said.

Festa first started teaming up with the Hunger Task Force in 2009. That year, about 1,000

pounds of food was donated. Each year since, the total donation has gone up. The 5,100 pounds collected last year was the highest mark.

The Festa Italiana Mass and Procession Committee has issued its annual plea for donations to offset the cost of the religious celebration on Sunday, July 20.

“We’re extremely grateful and appreciative of the support we have received from the sponsors of the Mass and procession over the last several years,” said committee cochairs Vivian Balistreri and Sal Lo Coco. “It is a very costly undertaking to convert the Marcus Amphitheater from a concert venue into a place of worship.”

“For the last several years, a number of people have stepped forward with individual donations to help defray those costs, and we hope that people will be similarly moved this year,” the co-chairs said.

Every year, the overnight transformation of the Amphitheater is accomplished successfully by the Mass Committee, as evidenced by

comments received on a regular basis from people – including visiting clergy – who attend the Mass for the first time.

The Mass and the traditional procession that follows have, since the beginning, been an essential component of Festa Italiana. Festa itself is an outgrowth of the street festivals held at Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church to honor patron saints.

Persons interested in making donations for the Mass and procession are advised to send checks made out to the Italian Community Center with “Festa Mass” written on the memo line. Mail those checks to the ICC at 631 E. Chicago St.,. Milwaukee 53202-5916.

Donations by credit card can be made by calling Constance Palmer at 414/223-2808.

Persons with questions are invited to call Lo Coco at 414/9619823 or 262/617-8727 or Balistreri at 414/690-1299.

Festa Mass Committee seeking donations to July 20 celebration

Cafe La Scala wants to make lunch your favorite meal of the day!

Now available a different lunch buffet Monday through Friday, 11am - 2pm for just $8.50 per person!

Monday – Tex Mex: Black bean salad, soft flour torillas, crispy corn torillas, ground beef, grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, chicken enchiladas, rice and beans.

Tuesday – Pasta Abbondanza: Caesar salad, Italian pasta salad, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, penna pasta, meatballs, tomato basil sauce, Alfredo sauce.

Wednesday – Southern BBQ: Cobb salad, cole slaw, pulled pork shoulder, Mississippi roast beef, mac and cheese, fried potato wedges, corn bread.

Thursday – Italian: Antipasto, rice balls, pasta alla eggplant, chicken Florentine, minestrone soup, sautèed cauliflower.

Friday – Fish Fry: Tossed salad, tuna pasta salad, baked cod, fried cod, French fries, parsley boiled potatoes, potato pancakes.

Also try Cafe La Scala’s new lunch and dinner menu, including our famous pizza, with your favorite beverage!

Cafe La Scala is open Monday through Saturday for Breakfast: 6am - 11am; for Lunch, 11am - 2pm; and for Dinner: 5pm - 9pm, Monday-Thursday, 4:30 pm, Friday and 5pm-10pm, Saturday.

Closed Sunday.

Cafe La Scala at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee • Free Parking (414) 223-2185 •www.LaScalaMilwaukee.com PAGE 14, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

Festa seeks 1st Communicants for Mass

Do you have or know a child receiving his/her First Holy Communion this year?

Members of the Festa Italiana Mass and Procession Committee are inviting all First Communicants to participate in the 2014 Festa Mass and Procession on Sunday, July 20 at 11 a.m.

For more information, please contact Shannon Drezek by phone at 608/577-6353 or by email: smd7759@yahoo.com.

The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, July 8. Children are not required to be of Italian descent to participate.

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa’s opera tent brings The amazing and sparkling you memorabilia, classic Kay Sparling providing her expertise to Festa recordings and live performances

By Blaise DiPronio Festa Italiana’s Opera Tent will feature and exhibit the late Dominic Frinzi’s virtual museum of opera memorabilia. It will include photographs and posters plus listening stations for sampling famous arias and other performances.

The items shown are changed and rotated yearly since Frinzi’s collection is way too large to exhibit at one time. It will seem as if a time machine has landed at the lakefront and taken you back in time to Milwaukee’s Old Third Ward and the Italian immigrant neighborhood where operatic arias were part of the street noises heard daily.

Kay Sparling and her assistants will be there to answer all questions and guide you into that wondrous world of song and music.

In addition to the exhibit, there will, of course, be different live performances throughout the festival. Below you will find a list of the various artists and their expected play list followed by a schedule of all the acts so that you can plan accordingly.

These are the performing groups: Kay Sparling Theatrical Productions: Kay Sparling, International Dramatic Soprano, will sing arias from Verdi’s and Puccini’s greatest operas: Madame Butterfly, La Forza Del Destino, II Trovatore, Tosca, Turandot, La Gioconda, to name a few. She will be joined by several regional singers from Wisconsin, Chicago and Minnesota, who will sing duets, arias and small ensembles from Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Puccini operas. They will also offer famous Neapolitan songs. Sparling’s group has performed at Festa since 2004. They will present a different concert on each day of Festa.

Wisconsin Opera Apprentices: These award-winning opera singers Please turn to page 16A

The opera novice guide

By Blaise DiPronio If you’ve never visited Festa’s Opera Tent because of feeling intimidated by opera’s reputation of exclusivity and uppitiness, and you didn’t want to be discovered as culturally illiterate, fear no more. Clip this article and its list of terms and go on and wander into the tent, and you can sound like a regular snobby aficionado.

Bluff yourself into an opera buff!

Its complete name is ‘Opera in Musica’ or ‘a work of music’. The name comes from the Latin ‘opus’ which means ‘a work’. In effect, each piece in an opera is a ‘work’ and a collection of pieces or musical compositions is an opera since ‘opera’ is the plural of ‘opus’.

‘Operetta’ or ‘small work’ is the Italian diminutive of ‘opera’ and

usually denotes a light, comic opera (where nobody dies at the end). The word opera has even worked its way into our every day English.

Television’s soap operas were and are serialized dramas with recurring characters involving a variety of family lives staged in a sentimental, melodramatic fashion where nobody dies at the end since the story never ends.

However, there have been occasions of characters dying and then coming back to life (as the ratings warranted). The ‘soap’ designation was attached due to early sponsorships by soap and detergent manufacturers. Most viewers were housewives back when their out of the home employment was unheard of, and Please turn to page 16A

Buona Fortuna, Festa Italiana!

TONY MACHI FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES

By Blaise DiPronio Almost a decade ago, an internationally known opera singer, who had relocated to Wisconsin from New York, wandered into Festa’s Opera Tent intrigued by what she might find. What happened next impacted on her life and the tent’s future. She met, of course, our legendary Dominic Frinzi, famous lawyer and lover of opera, who was the then producer and manager of the tent and the rest, as they say, is history. The singer is the present manager of the Dominic H. Frinzi Memorial Opera Tent, which she produces with exhibit manger Sal Quarino.

Kay was raised in Springfield, Ill. She has been singing professionally since the age of seven. She started out in roles in musicals and later started studying classical music and opera in high school.

After graduating from college, she won some national competitions and received two scholarships to study opera abroad. Kay lived, studied and worked in Italy, Germany and Austria for the next five years. She was then invited to work with the renowned opera coach, John Wustman, who was also Luciano Pavarotti’s coach. She accepted his invitation and returned to the United States where she lived and sung in Chicago.

In 1990, The Metropolitan Opera invited her to train in the Dramatic Soprano literature, particularly operas composed by Verdi.

After moving to New York City and training there for two years, Kay toured Europe’s opera houses and cathedrals. In 1997 she was appointed Head Cantor of the New York City Archdiocese and also an official singer for the State Department which included engagements at Gracie Mansion, the U.N., the White House and the Geneva Convention. After the 9/11 tragedy, she was appointed by then Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s office to be the Catholic cantor for the funerals and memorial Masses for all the fallen service officers.

In 2003, Kay moved to Wisconsin where she founded the Sparling Conservatory and Sparling Theatrical Productions.

Since that time, she has coached 350 high school and college singers, aided 167 students to receive scholarships in college performing arts programs and produced 46 profes-

Kay Sparling

sional singers in musical theatre and opera.

Kay first sang at Festa in 2006.

This will now be her fourth year as the opera agent/producer- the role previously filled by her friend Dominic, who died in Jan. 28, 2008.

When asked what her mission and goals for the tent were, she stated, “For the last three years I have organized the talent and hosted the Opera Tent at Festa. My greatest joys are all the people who have wandered in to check out the performances and the museum and that have been delighted at what they have heard and seen. I cannot count the many times people have come to me and explained that they have never heard opera live or recorded and how much they surprisingly enjoyed it. They express that they are going to start listening to recordings and live performances. This type of relaxed recruiting is essential to keeping the art alive.

“Another wonderful thing that the tent provides is a venue for all the talent in the area that have difficulty finding such venues in this region. Their appreciation is great for the opportunity to perform in their trained genre. And finally, it offers a tremendous opportunity to encourage our young singers to train and carry on the traditions of virtuoso singing. Festa is many times the first stage where these young singers are able to perform.

It serves as a great training ground and for the audience relieves the old stereotypical ‘stuffy’ attitudes with a breath of ‘hip’ fresh air.”

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Banquets up to 75 people.

Stop in and enjoy our entire menu.

At Festa, visit us in the Miller Area for our Calamari, Meatballs on a Stick, Eggplant Spiedini, Pork Sandwich and Risotto Rolls.

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 15, SECTION A

Festa’s opera tent brings you memorabilia, classic recordings and live performances

from page 15A are from the ages of 17 to 25. They all train in the voice studio of Kay Sparling’s Conservatory. They will sing an array of vocal literature that will include Italian Art Song, Neapolitan Song, Opera, Operetta and Musical Theatre. This group will perform on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20.

Vivace! Jill Bruss and Joe Graziano & Friends: Mezzo Soprano Jill Bruss, and Tenor Joe Graziano will be joined by other professional regional singers for arias and scenes from opera and Italian songs. Many of these singers perform with the Florentine Opera and other regional stages. They will perform on Saturday, July 19.

Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra: This group of 15 instrumentalists and one tenor soloist perform authentic Italian folk music, opera and operetta. They have performed at Festa for many years and will perform this year on Saturday, July 19.

South Shore Youth Opera Ensemble: This is a group of 20 area high school and college singers and string players who perform an array of operatic arias, ensembles and chorus numbers. In addition, they offer string solos. They have performed at Festa for many years and will perform this year on Sunday, July 20.

Kerry Hart & Friends: Mezzo soprano and professor at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Kerry Hart will be joined by four other opera singers to perform various operatic literature. These singers have performed for many regional theatres in Wisconsin and the region. They will

Kerry Hart

perform on Sunday, July 20.

Lectures: Kay Sparling will offer three lecture/demonstration/discussion sessions during Festa. During these entertaining events, Sparling will reveal obscure facts about the following great artists and play excerpts and answer any questions that the audience might have on them. On Saturday, July 19, there will be a onehour session on Donizetti. On Sunday, July 20, there will be an hour session on Italian tenor Di Stefano and an hour session on Italian soprano Tebaldi.

Schedule Friday, July 18: • 6:30 p.m. – Kay Sparling Theatrical - Part 1 Saturday, July 19: • Noon – Lecture by Kay Sparling- Life of Donizetti • 1 p.m. – Wisconsin Opera Apprentices- Part 1 • 2:30 p.m. – Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra • 4 p.m. – Vivace! Jill Bruss & Friends • 5:30 p.m. – Kay Sparling Theatrical- Part 2 Sunday, July 20: • Noon – Lecture by Kay Sparling- Di Stefano- Italian tenor • 1 p.m. – Wisconsin Opera Apprentices- Part 2 • 2 p.m. – Kerry Hart & Friends • 3 p.m. – Kay Sparling Theatrical- Part 3 • 4:15 p.m. – Lecture by Kay Sparling- Tebaldi- Italian soprano • 5:30 p.m. – South Shore Youth Opera Ensemble

Young opera apprentice Mary-Kate Bock and her teacher, dramatic soprano Kay Sparling are seen here performing in the Dominic H. Frinzi Memorial Opera tent. Sparling was the talent coordinator for Festa’s opera exhibit. Bock was part of the group of last year’s opera apprentices who appeared at Festa in 2013. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

The opera novice guide

from page 15A washing dishes and clothes was their main stay. (Did I just write that?). And of course, there was and is the Country and Western Grand Ole Opry (old opera) in Nashville. Oprah, I’m not too sure about.

Opera singers’ voices are characterized and treated similar to musical instruments and rated by their ranges in the musical scale and their dramatic effect on stage.

Women’s voices/roles are divided into three groups: • A soprano is a woman who can sing in the range of the highest notes. Therefore, she’s usually the main character or heroine in the work.

• A mezzo-soprano has a lower note range, and she tends to be the evil person or seductress.

• A contralto is the lowest female voice and is usually reserved for the lesser roles depicting older, wiser women.

The males also have three major voice ranges starting with: • The tenor who is the one with the highest note hitting voice. He, then, is usually the hero or romantic interest in the drama.

• The baritone is the voice in the middle note range. He is often the villain or evil person.

• The bass is the lowest voice range and it’s normally reserved for roles of kings and fathers, suggestive of age and wisdom.

The Falsetto or ‘little fake’ is a last voice and it’s sung above the natural range of a male voice – such as a man imitating a woman for comic effect. Thus, not too many

Jillian Bruss

falsettos in dramatic opera.

There are many more operatic and musical terms, usually in Italian. Too many, in fact, that can be discussed for our purposes here but, in order to bluff our way while in the opera tent, you should know a little about the following: • Aria: It’s a solo voice piece written for and sung by the main character.

• Banda: A small group of musicians playing instruments somewhere (front or back) on the stage but never in the orchestra pit and, a lot of times, part of a military group or scene(thus our military ‘’bands’).

• Bravo: The equivalent of oral applause (see side note on applause) signifying splendid and excellent. Brav(o) for a male, brav(a) for a female, brav(i) for a group/chorus,. Bravissim(o)(a)(i) is the superlative of bravo and means truly exceptional.

• Cadenza: It’s a type of singing vocalization usually at the end of an aria and it features lots of fast and high notes. Let’s say it’s just a way of showing off a particular voice.

• Coloratura: It’s usually a soprano (by now you should know that’s a female voice type) with an agile, light voice who can sing fast and high notes (see cadenza above).

• Diva: From the Latin ‘goddess’ or ‘divine’ or a ‘queen ‘ of something. Classically, it’s the main female singer of an opera company.

The male equivalent is the rarely used ‘divo’. Today, of course, it also means a person who considers herself much more important than oth-

PAGE 16, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

ers and thus extremely demanding and fussy when it comes to privileges. We all know a diva, don’t we?

• Libretto: Literally, the ‘little book’ or booklet, it’s the dramatic text or script.

• Maestro: A master with consummate skills in an art such as a music composer or conductor. The ‘o’ ending (and not the ‘a’ for female) can be used for both men and women to the dismay and consternation of the politically correct obsessed.

• Opera Buffa: A funny, farcical and comic opera and not the more familiar tragic and emotional one.

Thus, the word ‘buffoon’.

• Opera Seria: The opposite of buffa explained above. Thus, the serious, tragic and dramatic opera.

• Pianoforte: Invented in 1709 in Padua, Italy by harpsichord maker Bartolomeo Di Francesco Cristofori. Its original name was gravicembalo col piano e forte (roughly: soft and loud instrument keyboard). It was shortened to pianoforte (softloud) and eventually, to just piano. Contrary to some rumors, our own past ICC President and renowned attorney, Henry Piano was not named after the instrument, but he does play a mean accordion.

• Pizzicato: An Italian musical direction ordering the pinching and plucking of a stringed instrument without using a bow. Also, the victim of a legendary and notorious purported Italian male trait practiced throughout the country. Make that pizzicata for these purposes.

You should now know why the ‘a’ and not the ‘o’.

• Prima Donna: Literally, ‘the first lady’. The female singer who plays the heroine or main character. Keeping in mind what was said about diva above, it has come to mean a temperamental, self-centered person. Madonna is the slang of ‘mia donna,’ or ‘my lady’ and Madonna is Madonna.

To applaud or not to applaud?

A quandary is a state of uncertainty and perplexity and opera and classical music have a few of these. For the novice or recent convert to the musical fine arts, its most troublesome is the anxietyinducing: “When do I applaud?” dilemma.

Being the first to clap at a misconceived ending can draw stares of disdain from the cognoscenti (the Italian equivalent of the French connoisseurs or our high-brow know-it-alls) and beads of sweat for the well-intentioned neophyte.

Knowing when to applaud is actually very easy as long as you can see the conductor. This can be difficult during operas as maybe the orchestra pit is way too deep or your cheap seat is too far away. So, if possible, just stare at the conductor. Conductors signal the finality of a performance by lowering their hands to their sides. When the hands remain in front of them, the music/song is to continue and, at times, in a quiet, almost silent fashion, and no sounds should be made even in a perceived silence.

So to repeat, wait until the hands hit the sides. That’s all there’s to it!

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Enjoy Cinema Italiano while at Festa Italian films and travelogues playing each day

By Blaise DiPronio When you’ve had enough walking at Festa Italiana, take a well deserved break and stop in at the Cinema tent located in the cultural area at the north end of the Festa grounds and grab some free popcorn, purchase a beverage, then sit, relax and enjoy an Italian film or travelogue.

Films are a big part of the Italian cultural experience, and they are deeply woven in the country’s fabric. Since the development of the Italian film industry in the early 1900s, Italian filmmakers and performers have enjoyed great international acclaim and have influenced film movements throughout the world.

Probably Italy’s greatest contribution to film was its neorealism period which developed during and following World War II. Films like Rome, Open City and Bicycle Thieves are still admired today, and directors like DeSica and Rossellini are studied in film schools.

As a follow up to neorealism, the Italian comedy film genre sprouted with lighter, comedic flare, probably as a welcome relief from the bleak and poverty ridden post war period. The marriage and divorce ‘Italian style’ movies with iconic Sofia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni come to mind.

Then came the legendary poetic and introspective era of the likes of Fellini, Antonioni and Pasolini.

After a period of lesser and undistinguishable productions in the ‘70s and ‘80s, a resurgence came about with the critically acclaimed works of directors like Benigni and Tornatore and their famous La Vita E’ Bella and Cinema Paradiso.

In recognition of their importance and influence to the industry, as of 2013, Italian films had won 13 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, the most of any country.

In celebration of Italian film, Festa’s Cinema Tent will introduce the public to the connection that Italy has had and continues to have with the movie industry. The tent will house a variety of attractions.

It will have a movie theater where acclaimed films, starring or directed by Italians and/or Italian Americans, will be shown daily (with English subtitles) along with travelogues of Italy. This year’s film titles and times are as follows (with synopses of each appearing at the end of the article): Friday: • 2 :30 p.m. – L’ultimo Bacio • 5 :30 p.m. – Benvenuti al Sud

Saturday:: • 2:30 p.m. – Buon Giorno Papà • 5:30 p.m. – Bianca Come Il Latte Rossa Come Il Sangue

Sunday: • 2:30 p.m. – Benvenuti al Sud • 5:30 p.m. – Bianca Come il Latte Rossa Come Il Sangue The tent’s walls will be covered with posters, biographies and other trivia regarding some of the best known Italian movies.

As an added feature, this year there will also be a life-size Oscar statue, so you can make believe that it’s Academy Award Night and you’re on the Red Carpet with the stars. Take your picture with this Oscar, and you’ll experience instant glamour without going to Hollywood.

Lastly and most tasty, it will also have an espresso bar serving

THE ITALIAN TIMES

coffee, sweets, and Italian beverages like Limoncello, Campari, Sanbuca and Bellini.

Synopses Benvenuti al sud (Welcome to the South) (2012) Directed by Luca Miniero.

The film begins with Alberto Colombo (Claudio Bisso) as a postal employee. He has been passed up for a promotion to a coveted Milan position and, following a comical yet ill-fated attempt to secure another such opening, is assigned to two years postal purgatory in Italy’s southern region. Alberto’s wife Silvia (Angela Finocchiaro) chooses to remain in the civilized north while Alberto is subjected to his penance.

The ensuing journey is a farcical romp through social stereotypes and false assumptions which leads him to re-evaluate his own system of beliefs. Steeped in Italian cinema’s rich history of neo-realism and romanticism it seems that ‘amore’ is the parallel undercurrent to the film. Love reigns supreme beneath the comical veneer as a southern mama’s boy, Mattia Volpe (Alessandro Siani) garners courage to express his affections for local beauty Maria (Valentina Lodovini).

Alberto and Silvia teeter on the brink of their faltering relationship, and her brave trip to the south will either break or change them forever. It is a wonderful introspective on preconceived notions that prove false or wrong when people misunderstand one another, combined with breathtaking scenery of Italy’s southern coastal regions.

Bianca Come Il Latte Rossa Come Il Sangue (White as Milk, Red as Blood) (2013) Directed by Giacomo Campiotti.

Leo is a typical sixteen-year-old: he likes to chat with friends, play soccer, joyride on his scooter and listen to his iPod. School is agonizing to him. Then a new and ‘different’ history and philosophy teacher arrives who encourages the students to live deeply and follow their dreams. Leo feels he possesses the strength of a lion but is held back by a terrifying nemesis: the color white. Everything in his life that represents deprivation and loss is white. On the other hand, red is the color of love, passion, and blood-red is the color of the girl of his dreams, Beatrice.

Eventually, Leo discovers that she has an illness related to the color white. His fear leads him to dig deep into himself, bleed and be reborn in order to understand that dreams cannot die. He must find the courage to believe in something greater than himself.

Buon Giorno Papà (Out of the Blue) (2013) Directed by Edoardo Leo. Andrea is a handsome and selfassured thirty-eight-year-old. He is single, superficial and a ladies’ man with a skyrocketing career in an important agency for product placement. Everything in his life of one-night stands seems to be going great until one day, after returning home, he finds Layla, a decidedly extravagant seventeen-year-old, who claims to be his daughter, conceived during a fleeting, long time ago, summer romance. And she is not alone...there’s also her grandfather, Enzo, an aging ex-rock star.

And they have come to stay!

L’ultimo Bacio (The Last Kiss) (2001) Directed by Gabriele

Muccino.

Parenthood stirs up a wealth of mixed emotions in this drama from Italy. Carlo (Stefano Accorsi) and Giulia (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) are a couple in their late twenties who realize they’ve crossed the final threshold into adulthood when Giulia discovers she‘s going to have a baby.

Even though Carlo has already settled down, he sees parenthood as the first step towards becoming the sort of middle-class suburbanite he’s never respected, and he’s not happy about it. Carlo’s friends are also having mixed feelings about the onset of maturity: Adriano (Giorgio Pasotti) can’t decide if he should go through with his marriage to Livia (Sabrina Impacciatore), Paolo (Claudio Santamaria) is trying to find a way out of going into business with his

father and Alberto (Marco Cocci) seems to be waging a one-man war against monogamy by seducing as many women as possible.

Meanwhile, Giulia is having her own misgivings about parenthood, and her mother Anna (Stefania Sandrelli) is torn between happiness for her daughter and dread that she’s now old enough to be a grandmother, and Anna’s malaise isn’t eased by the lack of compassion shown by her husband (Luigi Diberti).

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 17, SECTION A

Festa’s Regional Exhibit continues its tour of Italy to beautiful Lombardia

By Christina Ziino Regional Exhibit Manager Snowcapped mountains.

Glistening lakes. Medieval towns.

Modern skyscrapers. All this and more await you in the diverse Italian region of Lombardia (Lombardy in English). If you can’t make the journey, the next best thing is to come to Festa Italiana’s Regional Exhibit on the north end of the festival grounds and tour this interesting area without leaving town! No passport or luggage needed.

The exhibit will showcase many of Lombardia’s diverse aspects.

One of Italy’s largest regions, Lombardia lies in the northern part of the country, sharing a border with Switzerland. Stretching from the Alps to the lowlands of the Po Valley, it is home to a wide range of landscapes. Its cuisine boasts more rice than pasta, more butter than olive oil and is, of course, delicious.

Another aspect that defines the region is its expanse of rolling hills that encompass the distinctive Franciacorta area, famous for its vineyards and wine production.

The charm of the great lakes is a great tourist draw, attracting visitors to Sirmione and other wellknown destinations dotting the western coast of Lake Garda, while Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are no less beautiful, surrounded as they are by stately homes, parks and picturesque small towns.

Italian Marketplace returns to Regional Tent

By Fran Tollefson Visit the marketplace in the Regional Tent at Festa Italiana and shop for some calia, semenza or torrone sold from the Sicilian cart. Browse through the selection of Italian merchandise such as soaps, ceramics, glassware and jewelry, dish towels and aprons.

Look for Italian themed children’s melamine bowls and cups.

Shop for Papa Alioto’s Spices or an exclusive line of sauces and salad dressings, found only at Festa Italiana.

The Italian Community Center’s Culture Committee also invites you to try your luck in winning raffle baskets with Italian products.

The marketplace in the regional tent, which this year is saluting Lombardia, is the only place to purchase the “Italian Holy Bear.” This adorable eightinch green, white and red bear.

He has a halo on one foot and the Italian flag on the other foot.

The map of Italy decorates his chest. It will a real bargain at $10 and is a great gift for children, grandchildren, any proud Italian or “wannabe” Italian.

The Culture Committee invites everyone to take a walk to the north end of the Festa grounds to visit the Lombardia exhibit and visit the marketplace.

The region is also characterized by the great flat tracts of the Po Valley lowlands, covered by shimmering mirrors of water and rice paddies: this is the typical landscape of Lomellina, the land of rice harvesters, steeped in tradition.

The region has countless other distinctive facets. Lombardia, aided by its geographic position and fertile soil, will captivate you - nature, history, art and culture marry in harmony with innovation, technology, fashion, entertainment, and a contemporary outlook.

The beautiful and iconic opera house, La Scala of Milan, stands in contrast to the beautiful glass skyscrapers dotting the city’s landscape. Some consider Milan to be the fashion capitol of the world.

This city, which will host World Expo 2015, is constructing some of the most modern and unique facilities in preparation for this major event. Over 148 countries will gather in Milan to ponder how to feed the world in a responsible and sustainable way.

In addition to a photographic journey through Lombardia, inside Festa’s Regional Exhibit, you will learn about world famous people

Lombardia is darken on this graphic.

from this region that have shaped the world of music, religion, fashion and industry. Courtesy of Reina Bros. International Auto, there will be a Guzzi motorbike on display.

Guzzi was one of the pioneers of motorcycle racing. Vintage photos will also be on display.

Milan’s panettone and other Christmas sweets are renowned worldwide, as are the almond-flavored Amaretto liqueur from

Saronno, Mantua’s sbrisolona (crumb cake), and nougats from Cremona.

Lombardia’s wines go by names like Grumello, Inferno, and Sassella della Valtellina, while the wines and spumante produced in Franciacorta occupy a monumental spot in this category, particularly the Bonarda and Barbera wines of Pavia Province.

The Italian Community Center Culture Committee will again have beautiful and tasty raffle baskets.

Ticket prices will be $1 each or six for $5.

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Our South Milwaukee restaurant is currently under construction due to water damage this past winter.

Come visit us at our Cudahy location for the same great menu! Sal, Frankie and the staff will happily welcome you!

Please like us on Facebook at PapaLuigisII for updates on our grand re-opening!

THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 19, SECTION A

La Grande Parata della Festa Italiana will take place on July 19 and 20

By Susie Christiansen Festa Parade Manager Since Saturday and Sunday are such family-oriented days at Festa Italiana, our Grand Parade will

wind through the Festa grounds at 5 p.m. both days (July 19 and 20) celebrating la famiglia (family), la cultura (culture) and all things Italian. This year, the parade will

On the Saturday and Sunday of Festa Italiana, children are selected to ride on the Pinocchio mobile in La Grande Parata (The Grand Parade). Children are asked to wear a costume or a mask. (See sepearate article.) The mobile, which was designed and built by

PAGE 20, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

begin at the north end and conclude at the south end of the grounds.

The parade will proudly present Pinocchio, Geppetto, Blue Fairy

Italian Community Center member Cosmo Carini, has been a popular feature of Festa since 2009. The mobile’s panels tell the original story of The Adventures of Pinocchio by Italian author Carlo Collodi. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

and Topo Gigio, Tradizione Vivente (the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee), I Bei Bambini (Children’s Italian Dance Group), Italian Regional and Renaissance Dance Group, a celebration of Carnevale, the Sicilian Carretto (Cart), our large wooden Pinocchio on a tricycle and our beautiful Pinocchio float. There will be a gorgeous horse and carriage carrying our Carnevale Re and Regina Dan and Chris Conley and Nonno & Nonna Charles and Doris Evans, and so much more.

There will be children – lots of children – in Venetian masks and in other costumes. Italian music will fill the air and jugglers will entertain.

This year, we will be joined by members of the Madison Area Jugglers, the premier juggling club from our state capitol. The audience will no doubt hold their breath as they watch the jugglers send objects sailing through the air.

There will also be candy, prizes and beach balls tossed into the crowd watching the parade march on.

You can be assured that the parade will be colorful, entertaining and filled with Italian music.

Festa Italiana celebrates the music, culture, food and spirit of Italy, as well as our community, family and good friends. We strive to create a festive atmosphere and fond memories that you will enjoy and remember throughout the year.

Join us in the celebration.

A presto!

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa parade: Calling all children

By Susie Christiansen Festa Parade Manager Not only do we invite all children to march in the Grand Parade wearing either an Italian costume or a clown costume, but we also present a NEW, really fun opportunity for children to participate.

You provide the children, we provide the masks. We are looking for 20 children to walk in the parade, wearing feathered Carnevale masks.

Festa Italiana is just a few weeks away, so there is no better time to get ready than now.

Search online for a colorful clown costume or Italian costume. Search the shops. Have nonna make an Italian costume – a labor of love that will surely result in an amazing costume.

Or allow us to feature your children in beautiful Carnevale masks supplied by the ICC.

We would love to have as many children as possible march in the parade. Imagine how happy and festive and touching our parade will be with the sweet faces of children throughout.

That is our dream. Help us realize it.

If you are interested in any of the mentioned areas, please contact me, Susie Christiansen, at susie@iccmilwaukee.com.

The story of Italian cheese

A recent estimation suggests there are 450 types of cheese made in Italy, which is just behind that of the United Kingdom and France.

Of the Italian cheeses, 34 have been granted a protected status by the European Union.

Most of the world-famous Italian cheeses that have been given the protected designation of origin status (PDO) have historic origins. For example, Pecorino has a heritage that goes back some 2,000 years.

While the official histories of Italian cheeses might be slightly Please turn to page 41A

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 21, SECTION A

Bartolotta Fireworks ready to shake, rattle and roll the Festa grounds for 37th time

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Since its beginning in 1978, Milwaukee’s Festa Italiana has been known for its spectacular nightly fireworks shows. Festa officials are promising a continuation of that tradition this year.

The responsibility for the nightly pyrotechnics productions for the 37th consecutive year is in the very capable hands of the Bartolotta Fireworks Company of Genesee Depot, Wis. Their shows will be presented at 10:30 p.m. each night – Friday through Sunday, July 18-

20.

Jeff Bartolotta, who with his brother, Jim, owns the company, promises that Festa patrons will be treated to “good old-fashioned Italian fireworks.” That means that, while the sky will be ablaze with dazzling color, special empha-

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PAGE 22, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

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sis will be placed on noise – both in the air and on the ground.

“Italians like to ‘feel’ their fireworks along with seeing the colors,” Bartolotta said.

While some shells used in the show are produced at the Bartolotta plant in Waukesha County, the vast majority is imported from China. “Every year, we bring something new and different to Festa. Our shipment just came in, and we’re excited about some of the bigger shells in the inventory. Festa crowds love those big, booming fireworks. These new shells will definitely produce that effect,” Bartolotta said.

For Festa’s opening night, Bartolotta will have a special salute to those who serve our country in the military, as teachers and first responders.

It usually takes about 20 people to set up and fire the Festa fireworks show, which is launched from what’s known as Summerfest Island. It iss a veteran crew that works the Festa show. “Many of them have been with us for more than 25 years,” Jeff said. The crew is a mix of men and women.

The most tedious labor in presenting the Festa shows comes before the first shell is fired on opening night, Jeff said. “It takes a good four or five hours to set-up.”

The setup includes unloading the trucks, setting all the tubes and other equipment and getting all the pyrotechnics according to the plans that are drawn up for the show.

When the company was founded in 1977 by the late Sam Bartolotta, it produced just a handful of shows each year. Thanks in good part to their much talked about abbondanza-style shows, word about the crowd-pleasing Bartolotta Fireworks shows quickly spread.

Today, Bartolotta Fireworks Company produces about 500 shows a year, including the 4th of July shows in Milwaukee County parks along with several of the biggest event-related shows in the state. Summerfest’s “Big Bang,” on Wednesday, June 25, is Bartolotta’s most prominent show slated in 2014.

As one might expect, the 3rd and 4th of July are the busiest days of the year for the Bartolottas. On July 3rd and on Independence Day, the company is at work in numerous Wisconsin communities and employs about 400 people for those days to get the jobs done.

Bartolotta also produces fireworks shows for some of the other ethnic festivals presented on the Summerfest grounds.

Festa’s Piazza di Pompeii offers unique shopping experience

In the tradition of Italian marketplaces, Festa Italiana will present its “Piazza di Pompeii.”

Manager Judy Menos is assembling an array of vendors from around the country for everyone’s shopping pleasure.

The Piazza di Pompeii can be found southeast of the Miller Lite Stage and northwest of the Spiked Island Adult Lemonade Stage.

Shopping the piazza begins when the Festa “doors” open on Friday, July 18 and continues until closing on Sunday night, July 20.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 23, SECTION A

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 25, SECTION A

Grazie, Friends of Festa Attorney Angela Dentice Angelo’s Pizza

Catalano Fruit and Lemonade

Divino Wine & Dine Restaurant Due Sorelli

E. Formella and Sons Electrolux

Glorioso’s Gold Imports and Diamond Center, Ted Glorioso GT Creative Designs

Harder Funeral Home, Jim Guardalabene, Associate King Juice

Kohl’s Color Wheel

Mille’s Spaghetti Factory

Nino’s Italian Bakery & Deli Oro di Oliva

Papa Luigi’s

PepsiAmericas

R&R Insurance Services, Inc Reina International Auto/ European Gelato-Brookfield Sciortinos’ Bakery Sil’s Mini Donuts

Trattoria di Carlo U.S. Foods

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is now available at Cafe La Scala and in your grocer’s freezer – ask for it by name!

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PAGE 26, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 27, SECTION A

Festa’s mobile app returns

Congratulations to Festa Italiana on 37 wonderful years!

Festa Italiana’s mobile app is now available. It offers festivalgoers everything they love about Festa.

After becoming Milwaukee’s first ethnic festival to launch a mobile app in 2013, the Festa Italiana mobile app, Festa MKE, returns for more mobile fun in 2014.

Experience the best of Festa, right at your fingertips: from indepth information about the entertainment lineup and food offerings, to details about Festa’s beloved attractions including bocce, wine tastings, cultural activities and more, Festa MKE has it all. If you’re a tech savvy festivalgoer, there’s no need to carry around a brochure – just grab your phone and go.

Festa MKE is available now for iPhone and iPad on the App Store . It is also available for ANDROID devices on Google Play™. There is no charge for the Festa MKE app, which is categorized as an “entertainment app.”

Festa MKE Features: • Full entertainment schedule of Festa’s stages for music, food demonstrations and cultural dance performances.

• Personalized scheduling – save performances to your iPhone, iPad or ANDROID’s native calendar.

• Interactive map showing where stages, attractions and specific vendors are located within the festival grounds.

• Comprehensive vendor directory helps you find your favorite food vendors and explore their menus.

• General information on tickets, parking and transportation, admission promotions, festival attractions and frequently asked questions.

• Weather app showing both the current day’s forecast and projecting ahead to the festival weekend.

• Social media integration – post to Facebook and Twitter or check-in to any location on the festival grounds.

• @FestaMKE’s Twitter feed offers the latest news and updates on all things Festa Italiana using #FestaMKE and #MyItalian Please turn to page 35A

Enjoy all the great entertainment, >ireworks and family-fun activities that Festa has to offer.

Congratulations and best wishes to ICC President/Festa General Chair Gina Spang and Festa managers and volunteers.

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PAGE 28, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Fine Arts tent will again draw a variety of artisans and authors

The popular Fine Arts tent, which includes both artisans and authors, will return this year on the North End of the Festa Italiana grounds, July 18-20. As of this printing, more than 15 exhibitors are scheduled to show their art works and books.

Located just past the U.S. Cellular Stage, the tent is shared with Italian Cinema. Just east is the Italian Mercato, and the Italian Regional Tent is just west. Just behind will be the Pompeii Sacred Art exhibit and Vintage Italian American Photo display.

“Almost all of our artisans are of Italian descent and represent most of the regions in Italy,” said Valorie (Sanfilippo) Schleicher, who has organized the tent for many years.

“Besides a mix of authors, there will be sculptors, jewelry makers, painters, photographers, ornate plaster workers, illustrators, ring makers, furniture makers, printmakers and those who make wearable art, pottery, ornaments and fused glass.”

Here are some of the artisans and authors commenting about their work.

Artisans: • Paula DeStefanis Christensen, who lives in Cedarburg, will be showing hand-painted wearables.

She just completed two public arts commissions, one for the Village of Grafton and the other for Shorewood. Now, she said, she is turning her attention to fine art painting.

Asked how she would describe her medium, she said: “Mixed. I love all things painting, drawing.”

What does it feel like to create?

“Like breathing.”

• Josh Christensen. Joining Paula is her son, Josh Christensen, a printmaker at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. He recently participated in the AIG Printmakers conference here in Milwaukee and was instrumental in gathering the young printmakers at MIAD in an exhibition and events. He has spent some recent time doing a community project with the students at the 66th Street School in Milwaukee.

• Eugene Orlandini, Milwaukee, maker of decorative plaster and architectural ornaments. He is working on the restoration of the Riverside Theater and will be starting some restoration on the Performing Arts Center’s Vogel Hall.

Orlandini Studios’ work graces some of Milwaukee’s most famous structures plus many private homes throughout the area.

Samples can be seen at http://orlandinistudios.com.

What inspires you? “Everything around me. It can strike at any time, something you see, a conversation you have with someone, or just having time by yourself.

Things can pop into your head at any time and inspire you.”

Shelly Orlandini, an emerging Paris and cultural photographer, who captures “the quiet moments of a bustling city at play and rest.”

Her images capture “the essence of what European life is, both romantic, historical along with a touch of pizazz.”

• Donna Pogliano, of Girly Girl Baubles and Beads. Pogliano, who lives in Bay View, said, “I am an accidental artist. I have a metal allergy and was tired of the one

THE ITALIAN TIMES

pair of gold earrings I wore every day for 20 years. When I discovered that I could make anything I wanted, I realized that I could make high quality custom-made jewelry and offer it at reasonable prices. I didn’t realize it would become a disease.”

“I describe Girly Girl jewelry as beautiful, durable, wearable art, perfect for gift-giving or as a treat for oneself. I feel fully engaged when I create, and I design primarily by instinct, letting the materials and the process lead me in whatever direction feels right.

Simple is best and tends to have a timeless appeal.”

• Mary Anne Schall, who lives in Shorewood, will be showing new necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

“I am a jewelry artist who manipulates wire into wearable pieces of art,” Schall said. “I feel that wire is a natural medium for conveying how lines express mood, form, and

texture. I use wire to explore the connections between mind, body, spirit, the organic and the industrial. Using a variety of techniques adapted from basketry, knitting and metal work, I combine silver, gold, and copper wire with pearls, precious gem stones, found objects, antique and ethnic pieces, fused glass, and china shards to create wearable works of art.

“It’s exciting to create. When I get started on a project, it’s hard to stop and put it aside. Everyone should welcome creativity into their lives and recognize it when it is there. It is so sad when I hear people saying, ‘Oh, I wish I was creative,’ because so often they really don’t realize they already are.”

• Valorie Schleicher, who lives in Wauwatosa, is an artisan, sculptor and photographer. She will be showing her Strong Women series and photography.

She has been honored with 12

Saluti da

awards for her Strong Woman Series, a collection of women’s faces within sculptural ground that symbolizes the various moments in their lives, moments defined through and about women.

“My medium is two-fold, using both clay and photography,” Schleicher said. “I can create from my imagination and form it, bring life to it. My photography is my connection to architecture, cultures and the connections between all people and what connected us to each other.”

More information is at www.vlsculptures.com • Adrian Spinks is a photographer who lives in East Sussex, England.

She said, “Photography has been a hobby of mine on and off for 40 years – right from my junior school days of developing black-and-white prints at lunchtime in a makeshift Please turn to page 32A

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 29, SECTION A

PAGE 30, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Lombardia genealogy to be displayed in Festa’s Regional Exhibit

By George Koleas This year’s Regional Exhibit at Festa Italiana features a presentation by Pursuing Our Italian Names Together, Chapter 22, (also known as the Italian Community Center’s Italian Family History Club) and the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society’s Italian Area Interest Group, on genealogy in the region of Lombardia and in other parts of Italy.

If you are researching a family from Lombardia, the following resources ARE referenced in the display.

Records of births, marriages and deaths can be found at the Diocese and in individual Catholic churches. The following are contacts at the Diocese: Bergamo: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. FRANCESCO BESCHI, Vescovo già ausiliare:S.E. Mons. LINO BORTOLO BELOTTI Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Duomo, 5 24129 Bergamo (BG). E-mail: cancelleria@curia.bergamo.it Brescia: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. LUCIANO MONARI, Arcivescovo-Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons. BRUNO FORESTI, Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons. GIULIO SANGUINETI Vescovo già ausiliare:S.E. Mons. VIGILIO MARIO OLMI, Indirizzo della Curia: Trieste, 13, 25121 Brescia (BS), E-mail: Via curia@brescia.chiesacattolica.it; diocesi@brescia.chiesacattolica.it Como: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. DIEGO COLETTI, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Grimoldi, 5, 22100 Como (CO), E-mail: comunicazione@diocesidicomo.it Crema: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. OSCAR CANTONI, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Duomo, 27 26013 Crema (CR), E-mail: ufficioamministrativo@diocesidicrema.it; curia@diocesidicrema.it Cremona: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. DANTE LAFRANCONI Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Sant’Antonio M. Zaccaria, 5, 26100 Cremona (CR) E-mail: curiavescovile@diocesidicremona.it Lodi: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. GIUSEPPE MERISI, Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons.

GIACOMO CAPUZZI, Indirizzo della Curia: Via Cavour, 31, 26900 Lodi (LO), E-mail: curia@diocesi.lodi.it Mantova: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. ROBERTO BUSTI, Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons.

EGIDIO CAPORELLO, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Sordello, 15, 46100 Mantova (MN) E-mail: info@diocesidimantova.it Milano: Cardinale Arcivescovo:S.Em. Card. ANGELO SCOLA, Vescovi ausiliari:S.E. Mons. ERMINIO DE SCALZI, S.E. Mons. MARIO DELPINI, S.E. Mons. LUIGI STUCCHI, Arcivescovo emerito:S.Em. Card. DIONIGI TETTAMANZI, Arcivescovo-Vescovo già ausiliare:S.Em. Card. FRANCESCO COCCOPALMERIO, Vescovi già ausiliari:S.E. Mons. MARCO FERRARI, S.E. Mons. ANGELO MASCHERONI, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Fontana, 2, 20122 Milano (MI), E-mail: com_soc@diocesi.milano.it Pavia: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. GIOVANNI GIUDICI, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza del Duomo, 12, 27100 Pavia (PV), E-mail: servizigenerali@diocesi.pavia.it Vigevano: Vescovo:S.E. Mons. MAURIZIO GERVASONI, Arcivescovo-Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons. VINCENZO DI MAURO, Vescovo emerito:S.E. Mons.

CLAUDIO BAGGINI, Indirizzo della Curia: Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, 14, 27029 Vigevano (PV), E-mail: info@diocesivigevano.it Not all family history records are at the Diocese or the church. Records of births, marriages and deaths can also be recorded in the town or archives. The town and archives with family history information in Lombardia are found at: Comune di Bergamo, Piazza Matteotti, 27, Palazzo Frizzoni, 24100 B e r g a m o Archivio di Stato di Bergamo, v. Tasso, 84, 24100 Bergamo Comune di Brescia, Piazza della Loggia 1, 25152 Brescia Archivio di Stato di Brescia, via Galilei, 44, 251521 Brescia Comune di Como, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 97, 22100 Como Archivio di Stato di Como, via Briantea, 8, 22100 Como Comune di Cremona, Piazza del Comune, 8, 26100 Cremona Archivio di Stato di Cremona, v. Antica Porta Tintoria, 2, 26100 Cremona Comune di Lecco, Piazza Diaz, 1, 23900 Lecco Comune di Lodi, Piazza Broletto 1, 26900 Lodi Comune di Mantova, Via Roma, 39 46100 Mantova Archivio di Stato di Mantova, via Ardigo, 11, 46100 Mantova Comune di Milano, Piazza della Scala, 2, Palazzo Marino 20121 Milano Archivio di Stato di Milano, via Senato, 10, 20121 Milano Comune Di Pavia, Piazza del Municipio, 2, 27100 Pavia Comune di Sondrio, Piazza Campello, 1, 23100 Sondrio Archivio di Stato di Sondrio, lungomallero Cadorna, 28, 23100 Sondrio Comune di Varese ,Via Sacco, 5, 21100 Varese Archivio di Stato di Varese, via Col di Lana, 5, 21100 Varese A guide to writing letters to any of these locations to request information about your family is located at https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Italy_Letter_Writing_Guide.

A mailing list is a way for people with a common interest, to share information and ideas about a particular topic by e-mail. ITA-LOMBARDIA is a mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in Lombardia.

For questions about this list, contact the list administrator at ITA-LOMBARDIA-admin@rootsweb.com.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

• Subscribing. Clicking on one of the shortcut links below should work, but if your browser doesn’t understand them, try these manual instructions: to join ITA-LOMBARDIA-L, send mail to ITA-LOMBARDIA-Lrequest@rootsweb.com with the single word subscribe in the message subject and body. To join ITA-LOMBARDIA-D, do the same thing with ITALOMBARDIA-D-request@rootsweb.com.

• Subscribe to ITA-LOMBARDIA-L • Subscribe to ITA-LOMBARDIA-D (digest) A list of mailing lists for other regions and towns in Italy can be found at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jfuller/gen_mail_country-ita.html.

POINTers (Pursuing Our Italian Names Together): In e-Mail (PIE) is an electronic mailing list devoted exclusively to Italian Genealogy and related cultural topics. You can subscribe to PIE by going to: http://groups.google.com/group/pie-online.

To lean more about Italian Genealogy, go to www.familysearch.org. This is a free site. There is a login page where you can set up a free account and start to record and preserve your family history, but this is not required to view the information on the site. At the very top of the page is the word “Search”. This will provide a pull down menu. Select “Wiki”. In the box “New to Genealogy?” click on “more research help” in the box. Select “Learning and How to’s”. Select “By country”, then select “Italy”. A list of articles about Italy will appear. The Mormon Church, the parent of this website, is in the process of digitizing the considerable store of records that it has microfilmed throughout Italy and the world. You can return to the home page by selecting “Search” and use this site to search for records about your family. Return to this site again and again, as more records are constantly being digitized and added. A list of Lombardia resources is found at: https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=114549&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Italy%2C%20Lombardia%20%28Regione%2 9%22 Our members are researching their families from many different parts of Italy. We welcome you to visit our website at http://www.orgsites.com/wi/point22/. You will find our meeting dates, our last meeting minutes, and the list of surnames our members are researching. You are welcome to attend the next meeting of Pursuing Our Italian Names Together, Chapter 22, on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at noon.

Please feel free to bring guests. We welcome anyone with an interest in Italian family history. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me, George Koleas, by e-mail at GeorgeJK676@wi.rr.com or by calling 262-251-7216 after 7 p.m.

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JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 31, SECTION A

Treasures of the Italian Pompeii Church presented in Festa exhibit

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor In a continuing effort to convey the importance that Italians have long placed on their religious beliefs and customs, Festa Italiana presents its inspirational Pompeii Church Exhibit, a tribute to Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church, which was built by Milwaukee’s immigrant Italians in the city’s old Third Ward. The Pompeii Church served the community at its Jackson Street location from May of 1905 until its demolition in October of 1967.

This year, the Pompeii exhibit will be in the same area aswhere all of the festival’s cultural, arts, operatic and cinematic presentations are located in an area north of the Cucina Showcase and east of the Giuffre Bros. Crane Stage. The area is called “Heritage Square.”

A great share of the artifacts that are displayed in the Festa exhibit were salvaged before the demise of the church, which occurred under an urban renewal project order, said Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian and exhibit chairman.

Some of the attractions in the Pompeii exhibit will be: • The Our Lady of Fatima grouping. Carini described the display as a beautiful four-piece grouping, featuring the Blessed Mother and three children. The grouping was hand-carved in wood in the Trentino area of northern Italy in 1930, he said.

• The Addolorata (the Sorrowful Mother) statue, which appeared on the side of the main

altar at the Pompeii Church. At Festa, it will be fronted by the statue of Christ in Repose, a kneeling angel, candelabra and other artifacts from the church. The Christ in Repose statue was put on view at the Pompeii Church each Good Friday near the bottom of the main altar.

This statue was donated to Festa in memory of Elizabeth Pinchar by her husband, Frank.

• La Madonna del Lume (Our Lady of Light), the patron saint of Porticello, Sicily. The Madonna del Lume setting once graced the north side of the Pompeii Church. At Festa, La Madonna del Lume will be displayed with a stream of ostensori (monstrances), which were used during the Benediction ceremony, Carini said. Some of these monstrances date back to the 1850s and were made in various European countries including Italy, Germany and Austria.

• The Our Lady of Lourdes statue, which was displayed at May crowning ceremonies at the Pompeii Church. It was donated to Festa by the C.W. Purpero family in memory of Rosalie Purpero.

• One of the two angels that graced the sides of the altar of the Pompeii Church. This was a gift to Festa from Salvatore and Antonina Alfino, who were wed at the church on June 26, 1926.

• Statues of St. Joseph and the Christ Child that were among the original statues in the Pompeii Church.

People who plan to visit the Pompeii exhibit are asked to do so before 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. The exhibit will officially close at that time, Carini said.

Volunteer Rosalia Ferrante stands alongside a statue of St. Rosalie, one of the many religious artifacts displayed in the Pompeii Church Exhibit during the festival weekend. Ferrante has long been a volunteer for Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini, who is in charge of the exhibit. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Festa’s Fine Arts tents features artisans and authors

from page 29A darkroom. For many years I have ignored or chosen not to acknowledge my friends’ comments and encouragement about my photographs, but eventually after much cajoling, I had some printed onto canvas and had them exhibited. No one was more surprised than I was when they sold off the walls!” For more information, visit: http://www.asphotoart.co.uk • Yvonne Stevenson, of Bad Dog Studio, will be showing abstract paintings, primarily in vivid colors.

She described her work: “I am primarily a painter...oils, acrylic and mixed media. I also design jewelry.

Of course, the fascination with color and design spills over in life in landscaping and interior design.

Sensitivity to color and design are integral to all areas of life.

“Both my mother and father always loved to create things and started me with projects very early.

I still have examples of projects from four years of age when my mother taught me embroidery and started me on a sewing machine. I have always been fascinated with color harmonies, and those projects afforded my earliest opportunities to mix colors.”

• Debra Stubbe BurkartOrlandini will be showing some new paintings and drawings of Milwaukee and Italian landmarks.

There will be originals, prints and greeting cards derived from her original art. “My medium is nontraditional,” she said. “I use acrylic paint on raw canvas and then draw the details with magic marker. I love to paint and I love to draw, and this technique allows for both loves to unite and complement each other.

“I am constantly thinking and producing art. Sometimes the most obscure thing will trigger an idea for a piece of art. I’ve been known to wake up in the middle of the

night and start sketching out ideas or at least take notes.”

• Timothy Westbrook, fiber artist, uses the arts as a vehicle for social and economic change focusing on sustainability and art education. “Concept: Relating fossil fuelbased materials and byproducts to fossils, specifically dinosaur bones.

While the petroleum based plastic bags are not a direct link to dinosaur fossils, they inspire creativity and an outside-of-the-box pondering of where do our consumer products come from. I am interested in raising consumer awareness and education of product creation, distribution and lifeline.”

• Marie White, who lives in Iowa, will be showing hand-painted ornaments and pottery. She explained, “I have owned my own art business for over 35 years and have literally shipped all over the world. I have worked for many famous people throughout the years, even the Queen of England!

And I have clients in all 50 states. I specialize in quality hand painted ornaments that you cannot find in any store. My days are long and seven days a week to do the volume that I do. I generally start at 5 a.m. and most days go to 9 p.m.

Stressful, yes, and when I’m under the gun for a deadline, it is grueling. But I can take a breather here and there and work on finding my ‘family’ in the Italian towns.”

• Angela White, Cedar Rapids Iowa, will be showing horse hair pottery. “Art is in my family blood,” she said. “I was practically born in an art studio. I have been told all my life that the day I was born my mom (Marie White) went to work at her studio all day not knowing she was in labor. So you could say I was born into it. Since then, I have been raised around art. With that said, my mom never pushed me to do art.

It was more if I like drawing pen-

PAGE 32, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

cils, they would show up; if I mentioned colored pencils, a new set would appear.

“I love to create things. I love to stick my hands in the clay, get dirty, and work up a sweat. To be able to be right with the world as I work whatever is around me doesn’t matter anymore—it’s just me and what I am doing.”

Authors: Art Cola from Burlington was an educator for 35 years as a history teacher and school principal. His books include “Papa and the Leprechaun King” with John Colainni, “Papa and the Gingerbread Man,” “The Shamrock Crown and the Legend of Excalibur” and “The Stone Cutter Genius.” His most recent novel is “The Brooch,” which picks up where “The Stone Cutter Genius” left off and yet it stands alone in its development of plot.

He is also working on a movie project, “Ring of the Magi,” based on “The Stone Cutter’s Genius.”

More information is at http://legendarytalesofarthurcola.w eebly.com/ • Paul Salsini, a longtime Milwaukee journalist, teaches at Marquette University. His first book, the award-winning “The Cielo: A Novel of Wartime Tuscany,” was followed by “Sparrow’s Revenge: A Novel of Postwar Tuscany,” “Dino’s Story: A Novel of 1960s Tuscany” and “The Temptation of Father Lorenzo: Ten Stories of 1970s Tuscany.” The fifth book in the series is “A Piazza for Sant’Antonio: Five Novellas of 1980s Tuscany” and brings the characters into a new decade.

“These people have just stayed in my head, and I want to write their stories,” he said.

He is also the author of a children’s book, “Stefano and the Christmas Miracles.” More informa-

tion is at www.ATuscanSeries.com • Deborah Stevens, author of “The Serpent’s Disciple,” said, “Anyone who likes to combine some history with fiction, I believe, will find ‘The Serpent’s Disciple’ an interesting read. In 1978, Pope John Paul I was about to release a list of names of the clergy within the Vatican who belonged to an illegal Italian Masonic Lodge known as Propaganda Due, or P2. The next day the Pope was found dead.

This we know to be fact.

“P2 did exist and was believed, by many, to be behind the death of Pope John Paul I. In fact, most of the ‘The Serpent’s Disciple’ is based on widely accepted fact. The main characters and prophecy are, of course, creations of my imagination.

“I am working on the sequel which I am very excited about. This one will again be set in Italy.”

Her website address is: www.deborahstevensauthor.com.

Festa dei Candelieri

Residents of Sassari, the secondlargest city on the island of Sardinia, will hold a celebration on Aug. 14 to commemorate their long heritage of candle-making. Every year groups of men parade through the streets carrying candlesticks three-meters high decorated with vibrantly-colored ribbons and flowers. Enthusiastic crowds cheer them on as they race one another through town to the tune of drumbeats and fife music.

The origins of the festival are said to be found in the medieval era when the area was settled by migrants from Pisa, who brought the art of candle-making with them. The candles of Sardinia came to be symbols of gratitude to the Blessed Mother for survivors of the Plague in the 1700s, and this is thought to be why the celebration falls on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa’s vintage Italian photo exhibit brings back a lot of fond memories, provides perspective for younger generations

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Always one of the most viewed and most commented upon attractions at Festa Italiana is the Vintage Italian Photo exhibit that will appear in the Pompeii Church exhibit, north of the Cucina Showcase and east of the Giuffre Bros. Crane Stage. The official name for the area is “Heritage Square.”

When witnessing the thousands of people who annually view the vintage photo exhibit, expect to see a wide range of emotional reactions.

Some will break out in tears upon seeing a photograph of a deceased family member or relative they so loved and cherished.

Some will be beaming with a smile when see a photograph of their mother, father or grandparents in a work setting or in a military uniform or enjoying themselves at a picnic from years gone by.

You certainly will see a lot of people conversing with each other as they view the vintage photos and recall the good-old-days.

For younger generations, the exhibit gives them an opportunity to see what life was like for their ancestors from the living conditions years ago, to the kinds of work they performed and the experiences they had.

This year, several hundreds photographs of families, street scenes and business places of Milwaukee’s early Italians will be showcased in the vintage photo exhibition at Festa Italiana, Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 at Maier Festival Park.

One section of the exhibit will be devoted to Italians and Italian Americans who served in the military. Another section will feature wedding photos taken 60 or more years ago.

Returning to the exhibit will be pictures of Milwaukee’s early Italian families, their livelihood and the kinds of activities in which they participated, said Mario A. Carini, who coordinates the photo exhibit.

Even Italians who aren’t from Milwaukee can relate to these photographs because their parents or grandparents likely had similar

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kinds of experiences, he said.

Several years ago, the ICC acquired numerous historic photographs from Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the City of Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD) of the old Third Ward and the Bay View area of Milwaukee, which were the primary settlements for most of the city’s early Italians. Some of these photos will be on display at Festa.

The MPS photos mostly depict activities in the early and mid 1900s at the Andrew Jackson School and Social Center on Detroit

Street in the old Third Ward.

Carini noted that these photos “reflect the importance the center had in the lives of the early Italian immigrants. It was at the center that they were introduced to American institutions and lifestyles.”

Many of the pictures on display this year will be shown for the first time at Festa, Carini said.

Visitors are reminded that both the vintage photo exhibit and the Pompeii Church exhibit will officially close at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.

Laura Rollin of Green Bay looked at the wedding photos that were part of the vintage Italian American exhibit at Festa Italiana 2013. The photos displayed are part of the Italian Community Center’s extensive collection, estimated to be one of the largest of its kind in the United States. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

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Meetings third Tuesday of the month at the Italian Community Center– 6:30 p.m.

Buona Fortuna!

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Dr. David A. Radke THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 33, SECTION A

Patrizio Buanne, Ambassador of Dolce Vita, will delight Festa crowds

from page 7A theaters to small, charismatic, but renowned, jazz clubs and now also huge festivals. And that’s in a country that has a lot of competition. I think playing in the U.S. is playing among the best in the world. The audiences are very challenging and spoiled and I like exactly that. My shows are, of course, always the songs and hits that I am known for, but my shows are never the same.

IT: This is your first time in Milwaukee, right?

PB: Yes I have never been – and I am curious to see it. I have been invited for years to sing there and at other Italian festas but I don’t really think my music is the typical pizza-slice-and-cannoli soundtrack that would match the atmosphere.

It’s like dancing tarantella with very classy Italian shoes – it would hurt. But since I have a lot of fans that have together convinced me and my team I am now sure that in the evening the mood will be a bit more romantic and energetic and I am confident that my repertoire, voice and performance will be the perfect setting for this beautifully organized festival. At the end we Italians do not just like to listen to ourselves only (hahaha) but we have a soft spot in our hearts for beautiful music and it is my honor to carry on that legacy in this modern world.

IT: In an age when young singers often seek to impress very young audiences, you describe yourself as a crooner in the tradition of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Would you talk about your style of singing?

PB: Yes, sure. I wasn’t as inspired by Sinatra as I was by Neapolitan music and the music of the 50’s and 60’s of the U.S. in general. Particularly Mario Lanza, Jerry Vale or the Platters made a big impact on my way of singing.

Big charismatic voices. I am a crooner – a romantic singer – or as they call me, “The Ambassador of Dolce Vita.”

IT: What are some of the favorite songs you like to sing?

BP: Neapolitan songs and songs that touch people’s hearts in general. There is not only one song but many, many great songs.

IT: Your most recent album, Patrizio, has more of an international flavor.

PB: Patrizio was released in 2011 and reached multiplatinum

Patrizio Buanne

status worldwide, hit Number 5 on the U.S. Jazz Billboard charts and was followed by concert tours in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, South Africa and the U.S. Patrizio added more strings to an already elegant bow. It was recorded in Hollywood’s Capitol Studios with Humberto Gatica (Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson).

On one level, the album remained true to my role as an ambassador for Italian song, which is my trademark, and these songs are, of course, also featured on the album (“Never Never Never,” “Estate,” “Mambo Italiano” or “Tu vuo’ fa l’ammericano”), but Patrizio found me broadening my horizons and it put more of an international slant on my natural way with a song.

The album included new songs written especially for me such as Diane Warren’s “Why Did You Have To Be?,” “This Kiss Tonight,”

by U.K. songwriter Paul Barry and the self-penned “Solo Tu (My Baby).” Moreover, there are spirited interpretations of standards such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” the Willie Nelson-Patsy Cline hit “Crazy,” and “You’re My Everything,” like you’ve never heard before.

See I wanted my fans and people to know that “I’m not just an Italian guy singing Italian songs.

It’s important to give people the kind of music I am known for, but I

also wanted to open myself up artistically and give them something else or rather something “more of me.” That’s why we called the album Patrizio. I wanted to present my passion for interpreting any great song, no matter if it was Italian, American or something new.”

IT: Mostly, you sing Italian songs. You seem to have a mission to tell the world about Italian songs, is that right?

PB: My Dad passed away when I was 17. He had cancer and I was devastated. All that I had were wonderful memories that I relived by singing those songs. You never get over it, but you learn to accept it. Seventeen years later I am singing those songs because they are beautiful and I want to share and explain that there is so much more than just “O sole mio “ or “Volare.” It would be like saying Italian food is just pizza and spaghetti.

IT: Yet you don’t just stand there and sing. You really get into your songs, right?

PB: I can’t help it. It is in my veins and blood. I have a temper and I am passionate. I am Neapolitan.

IT: With such an intensive schedule and such an energetic program, how do you keep your stamina up? Any secrets?

PB: It is in my DNA. Some people play football or go and work out for hours in the gym. I love singing and putting a smile on people’s faces. At the end of the day a wonderful compliment by a lovely couple or a smile by a sweet girl gives you a lot of energy and confidence. I am a people person.

IT: Obviously, you attract many female audiences, young and old.

This must be very flattering. We understand some fans have become quite aggressive. How do you handle that?

PB: I have no respect for people that are aggressive and rude, and people know and feel that, so that makes them want to change their attitude immediately. It is, though, understandable and flattering when girls/ladies are star struck and suddenly want everything and more.

IT: Any last words for your Milwaukee audiences?

PB: I want to make sure that my appearance at this very well renown Festa will be remembered and treasured for many many years, and I am looking forward to meet and sign everyone’s special edition CD after the performance and to have the chance to see all the happy faces.

Viva la Dolce Vita!!!!!!!!!

LIKE: www.facebook.com/patriziobuanneo fficial Twitter:@patriziobuanne www.youtube.com/mondobuanne

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The Italian Conference Center in the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest) Call David at 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Stephen Sorrentino is bringing family appropriate act to Festa Italiana

from page 6A male, female and even cartoon characters. My favorite impression is doing Sammy Davis, Jr. IT: Your cousin is Bruce Springsteen. Have you ever done his voice in your act?

SS: (Laughs.) We know each other’s act and have a cousin’s agreement that I won’t do his act if he won’t do my act.

IT: What can we expect from you at Festa Italiana this year?

SS: I’m bringing my Las Vegas show “Voices in my Head” and my band, (the dancers will have the weekend off). It’s a musical comedy, with audience participation. I work for The Disney Company so it is

clean and funny. I will be doing the voices I just mentioned and the likes of Lady Gaga, Jerry Lewis, Frankie Valli, Sonny and Cher, Bart Simpson, Rodney Dangerfield and many more.

IT: Can we get a preview of the show on line? (This is the Las Vegas Show with the dancers, who will not appear at Festa Italiana this year).

SS: Just go to stephensorrentino.com. This will highlight my Las Vegas Style show. It is about three minutes long and free of any charges to viewers.

IT: Can you sum up your career so far?

SS: A nice Italian boy from Long

Island, New York, makes good in

Las Vegas.

Stephen Sorrentino

The Bronx Wanderers ready to rock and roll with Festa crowds

Festa’s mobile app returns

Returning to Festa for the sixth consecutive year is crowd pleaser The Bronx Wanderers, known as the “Ultimate Tribute Band”. This family-based group is comprised of founder Vinny Adinolfi, also known as “Yo Vinny”, as well as his two sons, drummer Nicky “Stix” and Vinny “The Kid,” who plays several instruments including guitar, piano, violin, and bass.

According to their website (www.thebronxwanderers.com), their music can be described as one part “oldies” and two parts Rock ‘n Roll.”

Some classics from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s such as “Sherry,” “Runaway” and “Teenager in Love” are part of their musical repertoire but may also include modern pop songs such as Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida.”

The Wanderers’ renditions of songs from artists such as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dion

Dimucci, Dion & The Belmonts and The Rascals, will transport you back to that nostalgic era with their dynamic stage presence and high energy and especially their true to form vocals.

The group maintains a very busy touring and performance schedule and recently entertained crowds at festivals in the Kansas City and Chicago.

In May, the group played the Italian festival in Kansas, City, Mo. The Bronx Wanderers website: www.thebronxwanderers.com.

from page 28A

At Festa, everyone’s Italian!

Learn to say common Italian phrases and read up on traditional Italian foods and specialties.

Download the Festa MKE app today and let your Festa mobile experience begin! Make sure to spread the word to your friends.

Look for the complete entertainment schedule of artists and showtimes online at www.festaitaliana.com or by downloading the new Festa Italiana Mobile App. It also is on page 25 of this section.

The schedule will also appear in the grounds brochure.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

BREAKFAST IS SERVED! Cafe La Scala is now serving breakfast.

Monday – Saturday, 6 a.m.-11 a.m.

Fri ata (Italian-style omele e) • Breakfast Sandwiches • French Toast Three Egg Omele e • Two Eggs, any style • Much More!

Cafe La Scala at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee FREE PARKING • (414) 223-2185 www.LaScalaMilwaukee.com

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 35, SECTION A

Bruce in the USA – Springsteen celebration band – bringing ‘glory days’ salute to Festa

Hailed as “the ultimate celebration of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s legacy,” Bruce in the USA is more than just another tribute. This high-energy musical experience is a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band show. Taking the genre of performance art to a whole new level, Bruce in the USA is considered the World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen – a.k.a. “The Boss.”

Artist website: http://www.bruceintheusa.com.

Bruce in the USA

After successfully debuting at Festa 2012, Bella Cain is returning for another engagement

Returning to Festa for the second year in a row, Bella Cain is a young, high-energy six-piece Top 40-country group based out of Kenosha, Wis., that delivers an explosive performance at every show. With a “big” guitar sound, they also bring five-part harmonies, fiddle, steel guitar, piano, banjo, a solid rhythm section and both male/female vocals. Festival attendees seeing Bella Cain can expect the hottest new country music of today.

Artist website: http://bellacain.com.

Bella Cain

52nd Street – Playing the Music of Billy Joel – at Festa

52nd Street – Playing the Music of Billy Joel, is an eight-piece band from Milwaukee, Wis., made up of some of the most talented musicians in the region. The show is packed with hits from start to finish, featuring songs that made the “Piano Man” from Brooklyn one of the top selling and most beloved artists of all time.

Artist website: www.fiftysecondstreet.com.

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The “A” Sides open for 52nd Street Band

The “A” Sides are a seven-piece band from Milwaukee, Wis., that acts as the “official” opening band for 52nd Street – Playing the Music of Billy Joel. The “A” Sides’ set includes quintessential hits of the Motown era as well as R&B favorites. This fun-loving group knows how to get the party started.

The “A” Sides

631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI Call David at 414/223-2800 or visit ItalianConference.com Get the word out about your business by advertising regularly in The Italian Times. Special discounts available, starting wiht 3 ad insertions.

For details, call 414-223-2801 or send an email to Editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org.

PAGE 36, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Legendary accordionist Dick Contino back in form for 37th Festa

After missing last year’s Festa Italiana to have surgery, the “legendary virtuoso of the accordion,” Dick Contino, returns for his 34th appearance at the Milwaukee festival. He celebrated his 84th birthday this past January and resides in Las Vegas. Contino continues to perform across the nation, appearing at several Italian American festivals. He’s known for his millionsellers “Lady of Spain” and “Tico Tico” and giving his audiences his all. The Dick Contino fan club is expected to be out in full force for his Festa shows.

Dick Contino

Vince Chiarelli Band makes Festa debut

The Vince Chiarelli Band is a continuing legacy of The Vince Chiarelli Combo from the 1950s through the 1970s. Vince continues to make his voice heard by writing his own music, but also continuing to play the great songs written and taught to him by his grandfather. In addition to playing authentic Italian and Sicilian music, Vince plays classic standards, lounge music and other popular hits from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tom Jones and many more. Don’t miss the debut of this band at Festa 2014. Artist website: http://vincechiarelliband.com.

In addition to playing with his band, Chiarelli will be performing as an acoustic soloist in Festa’s Wine Tent each night.

Vince Chiarelli

Singer Franco Corso ready to melt hearts

A talent that started at a church in Italy has taken Franco Corso around the world, and now here to Milwaukee’s Festa. With a voice that melts hearts and instills passion, Corso is the latest pop-opera recording artist on the international scene. Dubbed “The Voice of Romance,” his unique blend of popItalian and American operatic style has a magic quality that seems to mesmerize. Franco has performed around the world and been compared to the likes of classic luminaries such as Caruso, Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti and Josh Groban.

Artist website: http://www.francocorso.com.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Sparkling debut last year results in return engagement for Tre Bella

After making a smashing debut at Festa Italiana 2013, Tre Bella is returning which is sure to please its fans. Tre Bella is a three-part harmony female group with a flair towards Italian and Italian American pop music. In Italian, their name means “Three Beauties” but when they combine their powerful voices they become “One Voice.”

The trio was formed initially by JoAnn Robertozzi, a vocalist and actress who is also the founder of Ti Piace-Italian American Presentations, a non profit group that is dedicated to promoting positive images of Italian Americans through art and culture. The other two members of the group are Lorraine Ferro and Rosie DeSanctis, both of whom have artistic and musical backgrounds in singing as well as acting.

The group’s harmonies have often been compared to the Andrews Sisters and Destiny’s Child and their song repertoire includes Italian and Italian American favorites as well as other American tunes. Tre Bella performs at a variety of events and venues such as Italian American festivals, community and other civic events.

Artist website: http://www.trebella.us.

Tre Bella

Italian-born vocalist Natalie Pinto returns

Born and raised in Cosenza (Calabria), Italy, Natalie Pinto has recorded several hit albums, performed in film, television and theatre, and captivated audiences around the world performing at sold-out concerts and festivals.

Currently residing in New Jersey, Natalie continues to perform internationally and domestically as a vocalist and entertainer including throughout the U.S., Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and headlining on cruise ships.

During her career she has recorded and performed in four languages including Italian, English, French and Spanish. Her diverse repertoire will take audiences on a romantic journey to Europe and then back again to Broadway, all in one show.

Natalie Pinto’s website: http://www.nataliepinto.com.

Naples native Tony Spavone is back to sing for his fans

Restaurateur and singer. That, in a nutshell, describes Tony Spavone, who is back for another series of shows at Festa Italiana.

A native of Naples (Campania), Italy, Spavone emigrated to the United States in 1965 and worked at his father’s restaurant in Chicago. But singing was, and continues to be, one of his great loves.

He received classical training in voice at the Conservatory in Chicago and later returned to Italy for additional training to perfect his Neapolitan style of singing.

Examples of that style can be heard on the four albums he has produced: “Core N’ Grato,” “Canta Napoli,” “Neapolitan Classics” and “Smile.” The list of selections on each CD can be found at the singer’s website, www.tonyspavone.com.

On occasion, Spavone serves as

both restaurateur and singer. He often entertains diners at Tony Spavone’s Restaurant in Bloomingdale, Ill.

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 37, SECTION A

Fesrta favorite Moreno Fruzzetti to sing again

This Italian born native hails from Pisa, Italy, part of the beautiMoreno ful Tuscany region.

Fruzzetti now resides in New Jersey, where he continues to bring Italian music to the ears of people across the nation. He was recogin 2008 by nized Organizzazione Musica Italia, when he was awarded the title of “Ambassador of Italian Music in America.”

Fruzzetti promises to bring you some traditional Italian songs, Italian pop and the American classics to make his show a truly Italian-American celebration.

After Milwaukee’s Festa, he will be performing at six other Italian festivals across the United States.

These includes ones in Youngstown, Oh., Sacremento, Vandergrift, Pa., Calif., Tannersville, N.Y., San Francisco, Calif. and Reno, Nev. For more information and to order his CD recordings,

visit: www.MorenoFruzzetti.com Fruzzetti will be performing some of the songs from his latest album “Pensando” during his Festa shows.

Making their debut, Matt Macis and Hannah Timm

Matt Macis & Hannah Timm – Live! In Concert, is a song, dance and comedy revue that is truly one-of-a-kind for the 21st century. There’s no doubt that show business duos have captured America’s hearts for decades over. Think of combining the laughter that ensued from Donny and Marie Osmond, the harmonies of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and the knockout dance routines of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Now, for the first time ever, Matt Macis and Hannah Timm bring it all (and more) with their own unique flair, in one tight-knit performance. While being polished and celebrated entertainers individually, Matt and Hannah have come together to bring audiences unforgettable entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

Artist website: http://www.mattandhannahlive.com.

Singer Erica Hoyt followng in father’s footsteps

Erica Hoyt followed her father, country artist Scott Hoyt, from Nederland, Texas to Nashville at the age of 13. In Nashville, Erica discovered a passion for music all her own. She has since performed on stages across the country with artists such as Loretta Lynn, Phil Vassar, The Oak Ridge Boys, Craig Morgan, Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray and Danny Gokey.

Wrapping up her debut album, this singer-songwriter has the unique ability to both entertain and evoke emotion through her heartfelt performances. Artist website: http://www.ericahoyt.net.

New to Festa, Hannah Timm is an accomplished actress, singer and dancer. At 22 years old, Hannah is the current reigning Miss State Capitol 2014 in Pennsylvania for the Miss America Organization. Fresh off of an eight-month run for the Sight & Sound Theatres, she’s completed a multishow run for Shrek – The Musical. Hannah’s song, dance and personality are sure to capture festival attendees hearts and ears.

Artist website: http://hannahtimm.webs.com.

Anita’s Dance Center has developed a national reputation throughout the past 12 years, performing before more than one million people. The group has met and/or performed at events featuring: Paula Abdul, Chubby Checker, Aaron Carter, Brett Favre, The Jonas Brothers, Cris Judd, Jay Leno, Nigel Lythgoe, Liza Minelli, Donald O’Connor, Anthony Robbins, Jordin Sparks, and Raven Symone.

Artist website: http://www.danceadc.com.

At 25 years old, Matt Macis has headlined casinos, performed at festivals, theaters, cabarets, night clubs, colleges and private galas around the U.S. and Canada. He has opened for nationally acclaimed entertainers including Deana Martin (daughter of Dean Martin) and Shirley Jones. His talents have allowed him to circle the globe several times over in performing his signature “Tribute to Michael Jackson.” While his passion is singing timeless classics of the Great American Songbook, his repertoire spans the pop standards of the past century. His delightful music, hilarious comedy, memorable song-and-dance routines and more make him a can’t miss at Festa 2014. Artist website: http://www.mattmacis.com.

Hannah Timm as a solo act

Young talent from Anita’s Dance Center appearing

Festival Strings, a MPS musical ensemble, playing at Festa

The Festival Strings, a musical ensemble under the direction of Becky Arthurs and Jacqueline Crema, is returning to Festa

Italiana for the third consecutive years. The ensemble came into existence through a Milwaukee Public Schools’ summer program.

Festival Strings is seen here performing at Festa 2013. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

PAGE 38, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

Matt Macis as a solo act

Tom Sorce Band with special guest vocalists appearing

The Tom Sorce Band will perform each day of Festa Italiana with a different special guest vocalist.

Tom Sorce is a versatile guitarist and producer of quality music for over 40 years. His band includes Jeff Stoll (piano/bass), Mike Miller (sax/flute), his son, Tom (drums) and John Ricco (congas). The band plays a variety of Louis Prima music and blues and jazz standards.

On Festa’s opening day, July 18 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), Milwaukeebased jazz vocalist Anita Stemper will sing with the group. Stemper was the lead vocalist for Opus, one of the Midwest’s most popular jazz fusion bands in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Today, she performs regularly with her own jazz trio.

Joining Sorce and company on Saturday, July 19 (noon-1:30 p.m.) will be vocalist Kim Marie, who many know as the founder and one of three vocalists with the goodtime rock and roll band, the Oldies

But Goodies Spectacular. She is also is a versatile jazz vocalist.

On Sunday, July 20 (noon to 1:30 p.m.), the Tom Sorce Band will have 2014 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Hall of Fame inductee Janet Planet singing with them.

Planet, a Fox Valley native, has performed internationally and has had a productive recording career.

Planet is just the second female artist to be inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

The Russo Brothers guarantee an Italian-style show with Las Vegas flirt

Growing up in a family that listens to all classic Italian-American artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Louis Prima, the Russo Brothers – Nick, 26, and Dominic, 22 – caught onto this musical styling at an early age. Born and raised just outside of Milwaukee, the brothers grew up imitating these artists along with Pavarotti and Elvis Presley when they were just three years old.

Dominic has all the vocal chops he’ll ever need to sing the great ItalianAmerican standards with passion and style. Performing classic songs with modern kicks, the Russo Brothers have remarkable voices and captivating style. Their show is one you don’t want to miss.

“This will be a Las Vegas-style show, featuring the music of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin with the big band sounds and female dancers,” said Dominic.

After this visit to Festa, they have a gig in the Italian Community Center’s Courtyard Music Series on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Vocalist Jayne Taylor will be joining them for this engagement.

Artist website: http://www.therussobrothers.com.

Photo: Nick Russo (far left, on keyboards) and Dominic Russo (far left, wearing hat, on vocals. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

The Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz to get each day of Festa off to a groovy start

The Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz, a 10-piece horn band with three vocalists, is returning to Festa. Covering rock and rhythm & blues hits from the late ‘50s through today, this energetic group provides the perfect way to kick-off your festival experience.

Listen to the greatest hits from the early 1960s to today’s hits.

Italian Community Center members should recognized the singer on the far left on the accompanying photo. That’s Laura Easey-Jones, an artist, who painted the four large paintings in the ICC galleria. These paintings are reproductions of of a bit of Michelangelo’s work done in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy.

For more information on The Noyz Boys and Gyrlz visit: http://www.moodswingbands.com/live/.

Enjoy the good-time rock & roll of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular on Festa’s Friday and Saturday night

This multi-talented band was formed by vocalist Kim Marie over 25 years ago after she completed seven years in Las Vegas and a gig for Chevrolet at New York City’s Lincoln Center and in various cities around the country.

Kim Marie said her goal in forming the band was to gather the most talented Milwaukee area musicians from bands popular in the 1960s, and regenerate the nostalgic feel of the ‘60s rock and roll era in Milwaukee.

Joining Kim Marie today are vocalists Tony Clementi and Chuck Travis, keyboardist Brian Lorde, drummer Bruce Cole, lead guitarist Tom Sorce, bass guitarist Bob Sanders, saxophonist Mike Miller, trombonist Jay Allison, and trumpeter Mike Betts.

The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular will perform Friday night and Saturday night, July 18 and 19 after the fireworks show on the North Stage.

Sicilian Serenaders keep up a Festa tradition

Look for three men in red vests, carrying instruments and singing, and you’ll find yourself in the presence of the Sicilian Serenaders.

Find out how inexpensive and effective newspaper advertising can be. Contact The Italian

Times for details.

Phone: 414-223-2801 Email: themman@italiancc.org

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Those three men are Peter Balistrieri on guitar, Tom Pappalardo on accordion and Ted Pappalardo on mandolin.

They represent the second generation of the group which was founded in the early 1950s by their fathers, Frank Balistrieri and Joe Pappalardo, both of whom are deceased.

The current Sicilian Serenaders perform in the Milwaukee area throughout the year. You might have seen and heard them at the Italian Community Center’s “A Taste of Italy” this past April.

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 39, SECTION A

Tradizione Vivente ready to perform at Festa

By Rosa Loeffelholz Tradizione Vivente is once again proud and honored to be part of Festa Italiana. The group’s 38 members come together in the early part of the year for weekly practices to perform for the thousands of visitors who come to Festa to celebrate their heritage or those who just come to taste the food and enjoy the entertainment.

We credit our performances to the creative choreography of Mark DeSanctis and Susie Christiansen.

They restage traditional dances from regions around Italy and they develop them into high-energy performances.

We look forward to seeing you and don’t forget to hang around after our performances for your chance to show off your dancing skills by joining us for our traditional audience participation dance called, “la tarantella”. All are welcome!

Our performances will be nightly on the court at the T.J. Bartolotta Festa Stage.

Festa’s Children’s Stage offers variety variety of fun shows and activities

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Rick Alswager, manager of the Children’s Stage at Festa Italiana, has put together an engaging variety of entertainment and activities for both young and old to enjoy during the 37th annual festival, Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 on the Summerfest grounds.

The entertainment lineup includes returning favorites such as Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo, I Bei Bambini (The Children’s Italian Dance Group), Anita’s Dance Group and The Magic of Rick Allen and a new act, Doug The Jug. The opening act each day (at 2 p.m.) is Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo led by “The Bug Whisperer” Tony Gustin. The Creepy Crawly Zoo is a traveling, live invertebrate exhibit

that encourages children to have respect and curiosity for life. The Bug Whisperer is a dynamic theatrical educator, who leads his audience on a fun journey of discovery, complete with plenty of laughter and interesting facts. For more than a decade, he has excited, inspired and educated children about some the most common and rarest invertebrates, animal species that do not possess or develop a vertebral column. Be ready to get up close and personal with Tony’s tarantula and other creepy crawlers.

Taking the stage at 3 p.m. daily is I Bei Bambini under the direction of Susie (DeSanctis) Christiansen and Ashley DeSanctis. These youngsters are keeping the art of Italian song and

This duo has a link to the original Sicilian Serenaders in the person of accordionist John Carini. He played for two decades alongside the late Frank Balistrieri, who played guitar and sang. When the Italian Serenaders play at Festa, Carini will be joined by guitarist Ron Erskine.

Carini, a native of Porticello in

Italy’s Sicily region, has been playing accordion since he was 14 years old. During his career, he’s written big band arrangements and music for jingles. Erskine’s wife, the former Domenica DiSalvo, is also a native of Porticello.

Carini and Erskine started working together in the early 1980s.

Continued on page 41A

Look for theItalian Serenaders strolling the Festa grounds

PAGE 40, SECTION A - JULY/AUGUST 2014

Here’s Rick Allen (a.ka. Rick Alswager, is seen here. Rick will be performing his magic each day of Festa. He’s also the stae manager.

Entomologist Antonio Gustin brought his “Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo” to Festa Italiana for the first time in 2012. He and his exotic bugs from around the world are back in the lineup for the third time. Here, Gustin is showing an enthralled group of children a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

(Times photo by Tom Hemman)

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Variety of fun shows and activities at Festa’s Children’s Stage

from page 40A dance alive. The group features about 50 enthusiastic performers ranging from 2 to 14 years old.

Expect to recall the sounds of Italy as the youngsters, adorned in intricate costumes, dance to Italian folk melodies.

Appearing at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday only is Doug The Jug, who presents a humorous juggling extravaganza that includes a touch of magic woven throughout his program. Whether keeping five colorful rings in the air, manipulating top hats and boxes, or juggling three small children(!?), you never know what amazing feat Doug will attempt next. Portions of his performance are choreographed to classical and theme-related music, and audience members are encouraged to participate throughout this fun-filled program.

Young dancers from Anita’s Center Group.

The young participants in I Bei Bambini, the Children’s Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, took a bow after completing their final performance last year

Scheduled for 5:30 p.m. shows daily is Anita’s Dance Group. Part of Anita’s Dance Center in Muskego, this group has developed a national reputation throughout the past 12 years, performing before more than one million people. The group has met and/or performed at events featuring Paula Abdul, Chubby Checker, Aaron Carter, Brett Favre, The Jonas Brothers, Cris Judd, Jay Leno, Nigel Lythgoe, Liza Minelli, Donald

at Festa. The group is directed by Susie DeSanctis Christiansen and Ashley DeSanctis. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Doug The Jug

O’Connor, Anthony Robbins, Jordin Sparks and Raven Symone.

Concluding the entertainment lineup each day will be The Magic

of Rick Allen at 7 p.m. For more than 30 years, Rick Allen has been turning his passion for magic into entertainment of audiences of all ages. His warm, gentle humor and stunning magical effects are sure to impress. Allen not only uses completely original illusions, but also performs classic magic tricks in his fast-paced show.

A supervised children’s play area is adjacent to the Children’s Stage.

The story of Italian cheese

from page 21A unclear or lost in time, there is nothing unclear or in doubt about the Italian passion for food and the ability to create cheeses that are loved all over the world. One could even argue that Italians comprise the world’s most loved nation of cheese makers, if you include the consumption of mozzarella and ricotta. Mozzarella is, for example, the most consumed cheese in the United States, which is the world’s largest cheese consumer, representing 40% of all cheese eaten.

The Romans were passionate cheese makers and eaters and were responsible for introducing hard cheese making to European countries. Roman homes had a special kitchen set aside for cheese making called a caseale, where cheeses also were stored and aged. Pecorino Romano, a nutty and sweet sheep’s milk cheese, originated in Roman

times.

The proliferations of monasteries throughout medieval Italy were centers of cheese-making excellence. The English diarist Samuel Pepys is reported to have saved his cherished wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano from the Great Fire of London in September 1666 by burying it in his garden.

The farms and dairy factories of Lombardy in northern Italy make some of the world’s favorite cheese varieties, including taleggio, grana padano and gorgonzola, which is thought to have been first produced in the 9th or 10th century and named after the town from which it hails. There is evidence of the first trading of taleggio in the 10th century, although the name was not actually used to describe this table cheese until the 20th century. The best taleggio cheeses are made from raw milk from the summer Alpine pastures of Bergamo

Apply conventional wisdom when planning your next business convention. Hold it at the

Italian Conference Center

The Italian Conference Center offers . . .

• More than 22,000 sq. ft. of convention space.

• Professional planning & catering services • Handicap access.

• Ample, free parking.

• 7 day a week availability.

• Easy access to freeway and downtown.

To coordinate your convention plans, call David at (414) 223-2800 or visit www.ItalianConference.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

(Lombardy) and are matured in caves.

The way Italian cheeses are consumed is unlike that of any other nation with a huge emphasis on cooking and complimenting other foods. Many types of Italian cheeses were created to be served with salads, sauces, meat dishes and pastries and they still very much hold that status around the

who brought the production of mozzarella, provolone and gorgonzola to Wisconsin in the 1880s. In 2012, more than 961 million pounds of mozzarella were produced and more than 462 million pounds of other brands of Italian cheese were produced by state dairies, according to the Wisconsin Dairy Industry.

Wisconsin is the United States’ largest cheese maker.

from page 3A Persons using the advance ticket order form must have their envelope postmarked by July 5.

As always, children 12 and younger are admitted to Festa for free when accompanied by an

adult. No special ticket is needed for any of the entertainments acts in this year’s lineup.

The festival hours are 11:30 a.m. – midnight, Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday.

Get your advance Festa tickets now

world.

ORDER YOURimmigrants MONEY-SAVING ADVANCE It was the Italian

TO FESTA ITALIANA 2014

TICKETS

Name(s) ____________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________

City, State, Zip _______________________________________________

Phone ________________ Email _________________________________ I/we want to order _____ advance tickets @ $10.00 each.

Total amount enclosed: $________________________________________

Payment by check, money order and credit card accepted.

Credit Card No. _______________________________________________

Italian Conference Center at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee A block west of Summerfest

Credit Card Expiration Date _____________________________________

Mail this form with your payment to Festa Italiana, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Checks or money orders are payable to Festa Italiana. Your advance tickets will be mailed to you. Requests for advance tickets must be received no later than July 5, 2014.

JULY/AUGUST 2014 - PAGE 41, SECTION A

Persons with disabilities will be Festa’s special guests on Friday, July 18

The Italian Community Center welcomes all persons with disabilities to attend the 33rd annual VIP Day at Festa Italiana on Friday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be free admission for all those with challenges and their caregivers. Read the details on ordering admission tickets three paragraphs down.

Participating food vendors will offer two menu items and soft drink at half the regularly posted price during the three-hour period, said

Bill Jennaro, VIP Day chairman.

An anonymous area fruit wholesaler is again making a donation which will allow Festa volunteers to hand out two pieces of fruit to each VIP guest. This distribution will take place from the fruit stand in the Miller Oasis Area (the same location as past years).

To obtain VIP Day tickets, anyone with a disability is asked to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: VIP Day, c/o Festa Italiana

631 E. Chicago Street Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 Each ticket admits one VIP and one guest. Please include the name of the VIP and guest (any more than one guest per VIP is prohibited) and indicate the type of disability as well as any special needs.

This information is important to festival planners to ensure that all guests’ needs are met and that suitable accommodations are present on the grounds during VIP Day. For large group VIP Day ticket

orders, please contact Gina Manning in the Festa Italiana office at 414-223-2805 or gmanning@festaitaliana.com since mailing of tickets may not be possible.

The deadline for ordering VIP Day admission tickets in Saturday, July 5.

Returning as a VIP Day sponsor is Goodwill Industries.

“We’re looking forward to it and hope we’re going to have a nice turnout and good weather,” Jennaro said.

27th annual Wheels and Heels Rush on Festa set for opening night

Event benefits National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor The National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter will host its 27th annual Wheels and Heels Rush on Festa, a 5-kilometer run, wheelchair and hand cycling event and a 1-kilometer walk at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, the opening night of Festa Italiana.

Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers in various age divisions. In addition to the individual events, there will be family and corporation team competitions.

All participants will receive free admission into Festa Italiana that evening by wearing their free race T-shirt.

Registrations are now are accepted at

www.spinalcordwi.org/wheelsandheel.html. Those who sign up by July 4 are eligible for a reduced registration fee. For instance, an individual registration is $20 by July 4 and $25 afterward.

A family registration (for up to six people, two adults and four children) is $80 by July 4 and $100 after that date. A corporate team registration (for up to 10 people) is $200 by July 4 and $250 thereafter.

Event day registrations will be accepted starting at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the NSCIAS.E. Wisconsin Chapter at 414-384-4022 or email office@spinalcordwi.org.

The 5K run, wheelchair and hand cycling race begins just outside of the north end of the Festa grounds at 7 p.m. The 1k walk follows.

The NSCIA-S.E. Wisconsin Chapter is dedicated to serving those who become paralyzed as a result of spinal cord injuries or disease.

The organization is involved in the development of systems of comprehensive care, treatment, rehabilitation and community living, which includes functioning as advocates for independent living and advisors to peers and families of individuals with spinal cord injuries or diseases.

A portion of the proceeds generated by the Wheels and Heels Rush on Festa will be directed towards research efforts to help further the cause to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

The Wheels and Heels event was created as a means of raising public awareness and generating money for research.

Festa Italiana admission specials

Festa Italiana offers some opportunities for you to attend the festival for free or at a reduced cost.

Festa will take place for the 37th time, Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20, at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (the Summerfest grounds).

Pre-Festa deal Purchase one 12-pack or two 6packs of Peroni Beer at participating supermarkets and liquor stores and receive a ticket good for one free admission to Festa. This offer is valid while supplies last. For a

complete list of participating supermarkets and liquor stores, visit www.festaitaliana.com.

Everyday deal On each of the three days of Festa, children 12 years and younger, when accompanied by an adult, will be admitted for free.

July 18 deals From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 18, Festa Italiana is offering those with physical challenges along with their caregivers free admission. These free admission tickets must be obtained in

advance. Look for a separate VIP Day story in this section that has the details on ordering VIP Day tickets. This offer is courtesy of Summerfest, a VIP Day sponsor.

From 11:30 a.m. to closing, buy one admission ticket, get one free.

To honor, recognize and thank firefighters, law enforcement, teachers and the military, Festa is providing free admission to these service providers and one guest.

Present a valid employee identification at the cashier window at the Mid Gate to receive your voucher to enter the grounds.

Festa Mass From 10 to 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 20 at the south gate entrance only, there will be free admission to Festa Italiana when you attend the Mass in the Marcus Amphitheater, which will be followed by a religious procession through the grounds.

Mass attendees are strongly encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Hunger Task Force.

Festa Italiana has set a goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of food.

Milwaukee County Transit System offers hassle-free options to get you to and from Festa

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is making it easy for you to travel to and from Festa Italiana, July 18-20, on the Summerfest grounds.

A downtown shuttle service will again be provided along Wisconsin Avenue to the festival.

MCTS Freeway Flyers will take passengers to Festa’s Mid Gate from five park-ride lots.

Downtown shuttle service Shuttles will provide service roughly every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday, July 18; from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19; and from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.

Festa-goers can hop on the east-

bound shuttle along Wisconsin Ave. between N. 6th St. and N. Jackson St. At Jackson, the shuttle travels south non-stop to E. Chicago St. and then directly to the festival grounds’ Mid Gate. All inbound stops are on the south side of the street, except for the stop at Wisconsin and N. 6th St., which is on the northeast corner.

Stops along the route are indicated by the Summerfest smile logo.

When leaving Festa, shuttle passengers can board outside the Mid Gate. Stops will be made along Wisconsin Ave., between Cass St. and 6th St. The round-trip shuttle fare for adults is $3 in cash. The fare is reduced to $1.50 cash for children (ages 6-11), seniors (65 and older)

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and disabled persons with proper identification. Riders with a weekly or monthly pass can board the shuttle with an addition of $2.

Children under 6 ride free.

In all cases, exact fare is required.

MCTS has many local routes throughout Milwaukee County that connect with the shuttle.

Freeway Flyer service Festa-goers can catch a Freeway Flyer from these parkride lots: Brown Deer East (Brown Deer Road, west of I-43), College (College Avenue, east of I-94)), Holt (Holt Avenue, west of I-94), State Fair Park (S. 76th St. and W. Kearney Ave.) and Burleigh Lot/Mayfair Collection (north of Burleigh St., east of U.S. Highway

45 and at 114th St.). Parking is free at all park-ride lots.

Service operates every halfhour beginning a half-hour before the opening of Festa each day and ending a half-hour after Festa closes.

Round-trip Freeway Flyer fares are $6.50 for adults. For children, seniors and the disabled with ID, the fare is $3. Again, exact fare is required. People can also board the Freeway Flyer with a weekly or monthly pass plus $2.

Need more information?

Customers can find additional information and suggested routing via Google Trip Planner by visiting RideMCTS.com or by calling the 24-hour automated bus information line at 414-344-6711.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa expands wine offering at this year’s event

Festa Italiana is excited to announce an extensive line-up of wines for this year’s Festa Italiana!

Festa will focus on three of Italy’s wine regions, Veneto, Tuscany, and Sicily, with numerous wine varieties available for purchase from each region. “We are happy to have the opportunity to give people who attend Festa a chance to experience wines specific to Italian regions,” said Gina Spang, President of the ICC and General Chair of Festa Italiana. “We will have tents along the lake walkway identifying the three different regions of Italy. We have a northern, central and southern region of Italy highlighted this year. The tents will be set up so when you wonder from “region” to “region,” we hope our guests will feel like they have had a little taste of Italy.

“There are so many great wines that people don’t know about or haven’t tried. We think this is a fun way to bring more variety and more wine selections to Festa. We want to help people pair the various wines with the different foods on the grounds as well as the some of the recipes that will be demonstrated at our Cucina Showcase.”

The wines will be offered in separate “regional” tents and attendees can purchase either a flight sampling of the wines from that area or a glass of one of their favorites. Wines will also be offered for purchase by the case. Some of the wines that will be at Festa are: Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Valpolicella, Amorone, Chianti, Nero d’Avola, Lambrusco and more.

Winery representatives will be on hand in each tent to talk about the wines and answer questions. Hand-outs with wine information and food and wine pairing suggestions will also be available for people to take with them.

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Singers with sweet voices sought for Festa’s ‘Italian Idol’ contest

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Could you be Festa Italiana’s next “Italian Idol” winner?

For the eighth consecutive year, Festa Italiana is conducting its Italian Idol karaoke competition for amateur singers, 14 years and older. This year, the nightly event will be presented on the Cucina Showcase stage, starting at 8 p.m.

The 37th annual Festa takes place Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 on the Summerfest grounds.

The presenting sponsor of Italian Idol is WFA Asset Management Corporation, Nick Enea, President, The supporting sponsor is R&R Insurance Services, Inc., Jeff Thiel.

To register to compete in Italian Idol, persons who believe they have some degree of vocal ability are asked to come to the Cucina Showcase starting at 6 p.m. on the Friday or Saturday of Festa to sign up. Idol managers Christine Conley and Sandy Winard said they are looking for 16 contestants each night.

At the time of registration, contestants will be asked to decide what song they wish to perform.

They are allowed to choose any title from the extensive karaoke repertoire brought to Festa by Kim

Marie, the founder and one of the vocalists of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, a rock and roll band that is slated to perform later on Friday and Saturday at Festa.

Four of the 16 contestants will be selected by a panel of judges on both Friday and Saturday night to

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move on to the championship round on Sunday, July 20. The eight finalists will sing for a chance to win cash prizes on Sunday night. This year, the prize money is: $500 for first prize, $300 for second prize and $200 for third prize.

In the finals, the contestants

will be asked to sing two songs.

Last year, James Rosso of Cudahy captured the first prize.

Steven Mattox of Kenosha won second prize and Judy Smolen of Brookfield took third prize.

Winard will serve as the emcee each night.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Weather in Italy in July and August

Italy is not a huge country, but the weather from the top to the toe of this boot will vary pretty dramatically throughout the year. Plus, with the long coastlines and mountain ranges, the temperature can change in a matter of minutes as you go from town to town.

July and August are about the only months when you can expect to find some consistency across the country.

Taking a look at the average monthly high and low temperatures in three cities – Milan (northern Italy), Rome (central Italy) and Palermo (southern Italy) – you will find little difference.

The average high temperature in July in Milan, Rome and Palermo is 83º Fahrenheit (28º Celsius). The average monthly low temperature in Milan is 60º F (16º C). It stays a little warmer overnight in Rome – with the low temperature averaging 66º F (19º C) and quite a bit warmer during the nighttime hours in Palermo – 74º F (23º C).

The average high temperature in August in Milan is 82º (28º C) and the average low is again around 60º F (16º C). In Rome, the average high temperature stays around 83º F (28º C) and the average August low hovers around 67º F (19º Cº). In Palermo, the average high in August is 84º F (29º F) and the average low is 75º F (24º C).

Neither of the three cities averages more than a day or two of precipitation during July or August.

Please join us for fun and exciting activities at the LEGO® tent on the north end of the Festa grounds in the Kids Area Zone.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

Who will be the 2014 Festa bocce tourney champion?

Can this team, the Miller Light, repeat as Festa Italiana bocce tournament champions? Last year, this team won the title. The players, with their trophies are (l to r): Mark Catalano, Anthony Catalano, Mike Koczmorowski and Mike Lange. Twenty-eight teams participated in the 2013 tournament.

Organizers are hoping to have up to 32 teams participating in this year’s tourney. You can register your team to play by filling out the form on the right. Dan Conley, Festa Bocce co-manager reported that the Miller Lights are definitely returning to defend their title. Another team that will be invited to play will be the winner of Festa’s Bocce Bash on Friday, July 18.

This tourney was organized for businesses and organizations interested some fun head-to-head competition. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Play bocce for fun during your visit to Festa

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor One of the pleasant diversions at Festa Italiana is a game or two of bocce, the Italian version of bowling on the green.

The game continues to grow in popularity because people of all ages and physical abilities can play. Bocce sets – eight balls and a pallino (target ball) – are widely available, and the game can be played virtually anywhere there is an open space.

At Festa, grass bocce courts of regulation size are set up. This year, the bocce courts are in the area behind the Flags of Festa, just south of the Piggy Wiggly Cucina Showcase.

Catholic Financial Life is serving as the presenting sponsor of bocce at Festa this year.

Supporting sponsors are Palermo’s Pizza, U.S. Foods, General Casualty Insurance and Attorney Angela Dentice.

The price to play bocce remains the same as it has been for the last

several years: $2 per person per 12point game.

Open bocce courts for Festa attendees’ enjoyment will be available from Festa’s opening until just prior to the 10:30 p.m. fireworks on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 and from approximately 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.

On Sunday, Festa’s 37th annual bocce tournament will be played starting at 2 p.m. Assuming the entire tournament field is filled with 36 teams, the event could go on until 6 p.m. or a little later.

Volunteers needed Bocce co-manager Dan Conley said he is looking for volunteers for all three days during the open bocce periods. Volunteers would collect players’ fees, serve as referees and provide general supervision of game activities.

Persons who would be interested in volunteering can contact Conley at 414/759-5991 or email him at danconley@gmail.com. Volunteers receive free admission and free parking.

Futsal tourney planned for Festa

Details on a futsal tournament at Festa Italiana on Saturday, July 19 were being finalized as this edition of The Italian Times went to press.

Tournament coordinator Michael Palmisano told the Times that this will be a “6 v. 6” playoff, meaning there will be six players on each team.

The action will take place on

THE ITALIAN TIMES

the court ajacent to the T.J. Bartolotta Stage. Bleacher seating is available over the playing area.

Futsal is a variation of soccer that is played on a smaller field or surface than regulation soccer.

The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.

Celebrating Thirty-Six Years! with our 37th Annual Festa Bocce Ball Tournament Sunday, July 20th @ 2:00 p.m.

Presenting Sponsor

Festa’s Location: Summerfest Grounds Bocce Court Location: Straight back from the Mid-Gate (Chicago St. entrance) between the fountain & Flags of Festa area and the lakefront. Next to the Children’s Area.

Wanted...

• 32 Bocce teams consisting of 4 players each.

• Entry fee of $50.00 per team.

• The first 32 pre-paid teams will make up our tournament roster.

• This is a single elimination tournament with a consolation round (guaranteeing all teams will play at least two games).

• Trophies & Prize Money will be awarded to the 1st & 2nd place teams from the winners’ bracket. 3rd place will go to the winner of the consolation bracket and includes a cash prize.

• 1st place - $500, 2nd place - $300, 3rd place - $200.

• Other prizes and drawings throughout the event.

Please complete the form below and send a check or money order to: Dan Conley, Tournament Coordinator, at 1676 N. Cass St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Make checks payable to Italian Community Center.

ONLY ONE CHECK PER TEAM PLEASE. COMPLIMENTARY SUNDAY FESTA ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE MAILED TO THE TEAM CAPTAINS UPON RECEIPT OF THE TEAM “PRE-PAID” REGISTRATION FORM. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS $52 THIRTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL. For questions or more information, call 414-272-8249 or 414-759-5991 or email danconley17@gmail.com.

Come join us & help celebrate our 37th anniversary. Thank you!

REGISTRATION FORM Team Name: _____________________________________________ Team Sponsor: ___________________________________________ Team Captain: ___________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ Phone # _______________ Email address: ____________________ Player #2 _______________________________________________ Player #3 _______________________________________________ Player #4 _______________________________________________

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THE ITALIAN TIMES