Event Commemorating
Italian Culture Week and the
Columbus Day Parade
October 9th - 13th, 2003
I would like to share with you folks the three events which we at Liberty News Online had the priviledge of covering with exclusivity. However, before I get started, I would like to give a generous acknowledgement to Dr. Berardo Paradiso, the
President of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, who is also a very highly successful businessman in New York. Had it not been for Dr. Paradiso, coverage of these events would have never been possible. Additionally, it gives me great pleasure to also acknowldge Mr. Alfred DeMaria, who had gone to extraordinary lengths in order to make the necessary provisions for our media staff to not only cover these most memorable cultural events, but enjoy a most delicious dinner as well. Thank you both for your wonderful hospitality.
On with the show! Our first event, which took place at the beautiful "Jolly" Madison Towers Hotel at Madison Avenue and 38th Street
I had the pleasure of meeting the person who worked with Mauri Eston, the composer of the hit Broadway musical "Nine", starring Antonio Banderas Mr. Mario Fratti. In speaking with Mr. Fratti, I learned that this musical was inspired by one of Fellini's -`-films, Eight and a Half, which Mr. Fratti just plain fell in love with. He and Mauri Eston then decided to work for seven years on reviving the originl that was done twenty years ago, and which starred Raul Julia. It is a seven-time Tony award winner. Additionally, Mr. Fratti wrote over seventy seventy plays that were published and performed, such as "The Cage", "The "Victim", "The Return", (all "short named" plays) . His plays span over 19 countries in many different themes, all of which are "universal" (culturally independent), Mr. Fratti explained that it is these themes which account for the worldwide coverage--every culture experiences them.. Mr. Fratti explained that Italians write when they "have something to say", without any concern as to the profits of their story.
Other dignitaries on hand were Dr. Nino Foti, who is the President of the Associazione Internazionale Magna Grecia as well as one of the key organizers of the evening's event. Dr. Foti introduced me to a number of different dignitaries and ministers who spoke about the various industries throughout Italy and the significance of the Italian culture.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Berardo Paradiso, the President of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, who has a great affinity with the Italian culture as well as the American people. I aquired a great wealth of informaton about the Italian culture--the festivities, the people, and business--from this world renowned business leader.
Dr. Paradiso was elected President of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce in May, 2003, and has been with and has been a member for the past two Presidential adminsitrations. He has worked very closely with past Presidents. Dr. Paradiso was born in Italy in Alberto, a small town in Italy, nearby to Benedento in the Region of Campagne near Naples. He was raised in Naples and attended the University of Naples, where he received his PhD in Engineering. Dr. Paradiso then moved to Switzerland, where he met his wife. There, he then went to work for a mechanical engineering firm, and moved to Puerto Rico to open a factory for them. He later moved to New York, in '81, where he started up his own business, built of a eighteen factories, which manufacures over 4,000 different kinds of tools for cutting a wide variety of different materials, including concrete, and steel. He strongly believes in the product of Italy, and is spending his time to promote Italy as a nation, a culture and a product. He is working with Franco DiAngelis, the Executive Director of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce nad other officers and member of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Paradiso is coordinating events where the Primeminister is also partaking. He has done a campagne to increase the membership of the IACC via things like the J1 Visa, which is a granted to the chamber and given to Italian professionals; it allows them to spend up to eighteen months in the U.S. for purposes of learning a trade. Also available is a young executive membership program, which allows young executives to join the Chamber by paying a small fee, and giving them an opportunity to explore the visions of the Chamber and learn where they may contribute what they have to offer. Dr. Paradiso pointed out that the Italian Dr. Paradiso stated that the there is a tremendous move to change the image of Italy from just an exporter of fine foods--cheeses, olive oil, wines--to a nation that has produced outstanding machine tools, packaging companies, beautiful cars, planes copters (August is a world leader) and more. When asked about the price issues of clothing and other luxury items, Dr. Paradiso pointed out that, when it comes to things like clothing, Italians tend to sway more of their budget into looking respectable than toward other so-called "necessities" of life. He spoke about the raising of both the Italian and American culture to a point where Italy can be well regarded and respected by the U.S. for everyhing it has to offer. Lastly, with regard to the stigma of mobsters associated with the Italian culture, Dr. Paradiso responded that "Every country and culture has its bad apples, but Italy has so many positive things to offer that it is not worth dwelling on this kind of stigma, and that the U.S. media people haven't been the most kind in their publicity of Italian folk, with their emphasis of this kind of stigmatic association of Italian culture.
Alfred DeMaria, whom I also had the pleasure of interviewing, is a partner in the labor law firm of Clifton, Budd & DeMaria, the oldest labor law firm in the country. Mr. DeMaria told Liberty News about one of the cases he endeavored, involving Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He explained that last year, when the mayor was invited to partake in the march of the Columbus Day Parade, Mayor Bloomberg wanted to bring along some of his friends who were members of the "Sopranos" cast. The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which chairs the Columbus Citizens foundation, decided it would not be appropriate for the Sopranos cast members to accompany the mayor, as he marched at the very head of the Columbus Day Parade. Being an Italian cultural organization, the Columbus Citizens Foundation Part of the Columbus Citizens Foundation's purpose is to promote Italian culture, which, as Mr. DeMaria had explained, would not be "promoted", but rather "denograted" were an Italian mafia family from New Jerseyto march at the head of the parade. The mayor refused on account that he himself was invited to the parade, and therefore was entitled to also bring "his friends" along--"Don't invite me and tell me I can't bring my friends along also." was the mayor's basic mindset. Mr.DeMaria's law firm filed the neccessary paperwork for an injunction against the mayor bringing Soprano cast members to the parade, on the basis that the Columbus Citizens Foundation, being host of the parade, had a right to invite whom they wanted to the parade, but were not obligated to allow just anyone to attend because "it was their parade." Rudolph Guliani, years back, also wanted to bring members of the Sopranos cast to the parade, but was told as well that he could not be able to, and Mr. Guliani reasoned that this decision, which was recommended by the highest attorney for the Corporation Council of The City of New York, was, after all, valid--he understood the point of view of the Columbus Citizens Foundation in regard this matter. The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a private charitable organization which supports a wide variety of charitable causes, including scholarships for young kids in the tri-state area, as well as other charitable causes--a million dollars to victims of the Twin Towers disaster. According to a book which Mr. DeMaria, informed Liberty News he had read recently, Italian's have been trying for the last five hundred years to erase the "mafia" stigma that has been associated with thieir culture, and commented that, had the mayor brought his friends from cast of the Sopranos, a widely publicized show on a premium cable channel, about a dysfunctional family that has been that way for multiple generations, along to the parade, it would have aggrevated the situation, and counteracted some of efforts of the Italian community to erase this negative image. In concluding, Mr. DeMaria had stated that he is still on friendly terms with Mayor Bloomberg--bygones are bygones--but was nonetheless a bit "gleefull" after reading the following day that the Mayor had not brought members of the Sopranos cast with him to the parade
We met lots of Italian-American ministers and Government officials at this wonderful event, with whom we had the pleasure of handshaking. There was also a most delicious array of food--Prosciuto, different Italian cheeses, shrimp salad, pasta and numerous other mouthwatering selections--and a most pleasent dining environment, including some enjoyable conversation with the corporates that sat with us at our table.
Bravo!
Columbus Citizens Foundation Reception and Concert to Benefit Families of Soldiers Lost in Iraq Friday, October 10, 2003 USS Intrepid Museum
On Friday, October 10, 2003, on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid, the Columbus Citizens Foundation hosted a benefit for the purpose of supporting families who's sons daughters, husbands and wives had been lost in the war with Iraq. The evening had enjoyable festivities, and was highlighted by an short but enthusiastic speech given by the Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City. Mayor Bloomberg, first opened his address to the audience in mentioning that New York City is where it all started; it is where the very first Columbus Day Parade ever took place in the entire country, about than three hundred years after Columbus came to the New World. He gave acknowledgement to the work of the Empire State Development Corporation and to Charles Gargano, for their contributions, and then proceeded to speak of the importance of Italo-Americans in their continued nurturing of the Italian a culture in the U.S.--that they do not to forget their heritage. The mayor questioned, in almost a pondering type of manner, what Columbus would have thought had he witnessed the great proliferation of Italian culture right here in New York City, in which over 700,000 Italo-Amerians reside. He then briefly spoke about Italy being far more than a small-agriculturlal focused country that produces fine wines, cheeses, olive oils and other gourmet delicacies, but nation that is well on its way to becoming a powerful force in the area of global industrialization, turning out some of the finest in automotive, aviation, and other mechanical technology. As an example, the mayor spoke of his own, private "Augusta helicopter", made by "an Italian manufacturing firm"; it is probably the most well-made helicopters anywhere. While I'm on the topic, Ferrari didn't exactly get its reputation because it manufacturing facility is located in a country from which fine Italian cheeses are exported worldwide. Mayor Bloomberg also gave a touching acknowledgement to two sons of the Viggiano family, one part of New York's bravest, and the other, New York's finest, both who were lost on September 11, speaking about their committment and dedication to their work, and how they have positvely influenced the people they came in contact with. In conclusion, the mayor stated that we will all remember Christopher Columbus, and the contribution he made, and the influence thereof upon the Italo-American community today, over 510 years later.
The Chairman of the Columbus Citizens Foundation gave acknowledgement to Bill Guttentag and Robert David Port, who's documentary, "Twin Towers", received an Oscar for "Best Documentary, Short Subject". He also stated that the Columbus Citizens Foundation is donating $1,000,000 to the Millenium High School to minimize the impact of the debilitating after effects of September 11th. Also at the event were the General Chairman of the Columbus Celebration, Mr. Louis A. Tallarini, who gave acknowledgement to the many sponsors of the event, Mr. Attilio Fontana, the President of the Regional Council of Italy, a good friend of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, who spoke about the Italy's persistent alliegance to the U.S. in times of crisis, and other dignitaries and officials. The concert was very festive, and the foods served were quite tasty (I wondered if they had the same caterer as the evening before.) There was everything from fine, Italian breadsticks and crackers with baked-on cheese to a selection of Italian meats to a host of Italian cheeses. Hor D' Orveures were scrumptious. They also served Cappucino and Espresso, that was quite good.
Columbus Citizens Foundation
59th Annual Columbus Day Gala
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The evening started out with a generous cocktail reception, again, scrumptious Italian food and beverage. We then had the opportunity to partake in a photo shoot where Cindy Crawford, world renowned supermodel, presented Mr. Roberto Cavalli, world renowned Italian designer, with a special "crystal award.". At the gala dinner, which had been sold out for over a month prior. There was a wonderful introduction by Mr. Louis A. Tallarini, the General Chairman of CCF, followed by the singing of the National Anthems, where music was provided by Color Guard - NY Maritime College, Banda della Marina and sung by Vincenzo La Scola. Reverend Michael R. Moynihan, Pastor of St. Michael, the Archangel Church gave the invocation. Master of Ceremonies was Maria Bartiromo, and greetings were given by the Honorable Charles A. Gargano, the Chairman of the Board. Acknowledged Honorees were Matthew Classi, who received the Achievement Award in Business, and Joseph Philip Forte, Esq, who received the Achievement Award in Law, and the Honorable Antonio Bassolino, who received the Friend of the Columbus Citizens Foundation award. Roberto Cavalli, world renowned Italian designer extraordinaire, received acknoledgement for being the Grand Marshal in this year's Columbus Day Parade. I had the opportunity to briefly speak with Mr. Cavalli, who told me that "Life is beautiful--like fine Italian wine.--the more you taste, the more you enjoy it."
Entertainment featured Pepino DiCapri, famous Italian Jazz/Blues artist, and Elena Bonelli, well-known Italian singer/actress, who sang New York, New York with a touch of Italian spunk. Other celebrities who made an appearance were famed singer Lenny Kravitz, who came to the event because Roberto Cavalli is his designer. Mr. Kravitz's very words were "He's my designer; I don't wear any other clothes than those which he designs because he's the best in the business."
The groumet dinner was delicious; it was full course dinner with all of the trimmings, including authentic Italian desserts.
The grand finale of the Columbus Day Weekend celebration was, of course, the official Columbus Day Parade, which was filled with festivities. It took place on Monday, October 13th, 2003 in Manhattan (where the very first Columbus Day Parade ever took place.) The Grand Marshal was, of course, Roberto Cavalli, who was accompanied by hundreds of models riding on motorcycles while wearing his designes, a very unique touch if may say. Mayor Bloomberg was also present with other dignitaries from Italy. The parade was attended by thousands of spectators, and was adorned by beautiful floats and lots of festive decor--a memorable event.
For more information about sponsorships or any other information about the Columbus Citizens Foundation, log onto their official website, at www.columbuscitizensfd.org. For more information about the Italian American Chamber of Commerce here in New York, including their wonderful programs, log onto their website at www.italchamber.org.
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Leonora Volpe is a Prima Ballerina, and also the President of the Metropolitan Repertory Ballet. She has studied in England and the USA, and has written for different magazines and publications throughout the U.S.A., danced throughout the world at such venues as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Tribeca Center for the Performing Arts, and many others. Leonora will be writing about all kinds of dance events, performances, entertainment, concerts, benefits, galas, cultural events, and interviews with well-known people throughout the arts business. For more information, contact Leonora at lnlvolpe@hadofnyc.org
If you are interested in having us cover one of your events, feel free to notify us one week in advance, so we can add you to our master calendar, and have our Liberty News Staff come and write an article about your event. Feel free to email us at lnevents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616 between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm, and ask to speak to Steve or Maria.
The African American and Caribbean Section is headed by assistant editor Annette Johnson, and Liberty News Online Staff Writers contributing articles. It will cover articles about the African American and Caribbean communities throughout the U.S.A. For more information, feel free to email us at lncarib@hadofnyc.org. If you are interested in having us cover one of your events, feel free to notify us one week in advance, so we can add you to our master calendar, and have our Liberty News Staff come and write an article about your event. Feel free to email us at lnevents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616 between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm, and ask to speak to Annette or Steve