Acclaimed Calabrian Singer-Songwriter Michéal Castaldo to Perform at the Italian American Museum

Michéal Castaldo's latest cd titled,

"Bergamot: Like a Breath of Fresh Air"

Thursday, September 5th (7:00 PM)

Italian American Museum

155 Mulberry Street

New York, NY 10013

Please join us for a special musical performance by independent Classical Crossover artist Michéal Castaldo.  Michéal's latest cd, Bergamot, is a lively, upbeat recording of original, Calabrian folk, Italian classics and classic American hit songs, all sung in the Calabrian language.  The music on this cd preserves Michéal's southern Italian culture, is very unique and creative and features Mediterranean tempos which bring in a flavor of Greek, Byzantine and Spanish influence. 

Copies of the cd will be available for sale and signing.

Suggested donation of $10 per person

PLEASE RESERVE EARLY 

To reserve a place for this special double feature, please call the

Italian American Museum at (212) 965-9000 or email: ItalianAmericanMuseum@gmail.com

A Look at Boston's 94th Annual "Feast of All Feasts!"

The 2013 Feast of Sant'Antonio di Padova da Montefalcione

Viva Sant'Antonio!

Photos courtesy of Bobby Maida

Dear readers, our friend Bobby Maida, recently returned from his trip to Boston's North End, where he and members of the East Harlem Giglio Society and Sons of San Paolino di Nola participated in the annual Feast of Saint Anthony. Bobby was kind enough to share some of his wonderful photos with us.

The New York contingent presented a plaque to Boston's San Antonio di Padova da Montefalcione Society declaring their support and solidarity 

(Above and below) An explosion of confetti rains down on the crowd 

The procession makes its way through Boston's North End

(Above and below) Along the route, devotees make donations 

Bobby and the guys had the privilege of carrying the Saint 

The festivities continued deep into the night

At midnight Saint Lucy joined Saint Anthony

For more fantastic pix by Bobby Maida visit https://bobbymaidasgigliopictures.shutterfly.com/

Announcing the 2013 Feast of San Padre Pio, Tuckahoe, New York

Photo courtesy of Bobby Maida

Sponsored by the Generoso Pope Foundation

September 20th—22nd

Hours: Friday 5PM—9PM; Saturday 2PM—10PM; Sunday 2PM—7PM

Generoso Pope Foundation

24 Depot Square

Tuckahoe, New York 10707

(914) 793-7777

Free Admission

Food • Live Entertainment • Vendors

Friday, September 20th at 6 PM: After Mass will be a procession from the Church of the Assumption (100 Pleasant Avenue) into Depot Square.

Sunday, September 22nd at 7 PM: There will be a procession from Depot Square to the Church of the Assumption.

Danny Vecchiano & The Giglio Band will lead both Processions

* All schedules and activities are subject to change, so please check with organizers for any updates.

A Look at the 2013 Festa di San Rocco in Astoria, Queens

Viva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

On Saturday, August 24th, I had the great privilege of attending the annual Festa di San Rocco sponsored by Societá Gioventú Quagliettana in Astoria, Queens. As always, our Quagliettana brothers and sisters did an outstanding job hosting the celebration, but this year was a little extra special for me because I had the thrilling opportunity to carry the Saint. 

After a wonderful service by Father Vincent at Saint Joseph's Church (43-19 30th Ave.), we enjoyed a delightful meal and some music outside the society's clubhouse at St. Rocco's Place (37-04 28th Ave.). The festivities lasted deep into the night.

I offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to Quagliettana Society for their hard work and generosity. Viva San Rocco!

Passing on the love and devotion

Family and friends pose for a group photo outside the society clubhouse

This lucky young man had the honor of carrying the relic 

The color guard beam with pride

The procession makes its way to Saint Joseph's Church

Devotees carry votive candles

(L-R) Vice-treasurer Rocco Fasano,

Father Vincent and President Vincenzo Carpinelli

(Above and below) Members of the ladies auxiliary sing devotional hymns 

Exiting a packed Saint Joseph's Church

After Mass we made our way back to the society clubhouse 

Michael Aromando and The Metropolitan Festival Band 

The revelry continued into the night with great food and music

For more photos visit us on Pinterest

Also see:

• Pix from the 2012 Fiaccolata di San Rocco in Astoria, Queens 

• Enjoying the 2012 Sagra di Fusilli (Festival of Fusilli) with The Societá Gioventú Quagliettana of Queens, New York

• A Look at the 2012 Festa di San Rocco in Queens 

• Fiaccolata di San Rocco, 2011

Opening Night at 'The Feast'

Thankfully the rain subsided and the crowds began to arrive

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Contrary to all the rumors I heard, this year's Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn is back. 

After work, I made my way to 18th Avenue to partake in the opening night celebration. Highlights include:

Venerating Santa Rosalia at the outdoor chapel 

Enjoying some delicious seafood...

...or sausage & peppers...

...and a wide array of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I had brioche con gelato (Zuppa Inglese) and espresso

at Villabate Alba Pasticceria and Bakery

The Feast will run through September 1st! 

There will be a Procession from the chapel (18th Avenue & 72nd Street) at 2 PM on Sunday, September 1st. Mass will be celebrated at Santa Rosalia Church (6301 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219) at 4 PM.

Also see:

• It's Back! The Santa Rosalia Feast Returns to Bensonhurst

• The Twilight of the Feast

• The Feast of Santa Rosalia (18th Ave Feast)

Announcing the 2013 Feast of Santa Rosalia, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

A Look at NYC's 124th Annual Feast of San Rocco

Evviva San Rocco!

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Hundreds attended Sunday's celebration at Saint Joseph's Church
(5 Monroe Street) in Two Bridges, New York

Members of the Saint Joseph Society of Lodi, New Jersey (above) and Figli Maria S.S. Addolorata of Brooklyn, New York (below) were among the celebrants

Contingents from the Gioiosa Marina Social Club of Brooklyn,

New York (above) and San Rocco Societa di Mutuo Soccorso

of Fort Lee, New Jersey (below) also participated

Our friends from the Societa Gioventu Quagliettana

of Astoria, Queens joined in the festivities 

The color guard and standard bearer lead the way

The procession makes its way down Catherine Street towards Little Italy

Along the route, devotees pin donations onto the saint

There were light refreshments and dancing in the streets
outside Vanella's Funeral Chapel (40 Saint James Place)

The parade rolls down Little Italy's bustling Mulberry Street

Devotees carry votive candles during the celebration

Tony and Son's Festival Band were awesome

For more photos visit us on Pinterest

Also see:

• A Look at the 123rd Annual Feast of Saint Rocco

• A Look at the 122nd Feast of Saint Rocco

Announcing NYC's 10th Annual Feast of the Black Madonna di Tindari

T-shirts based on a flier from

the original social club/chapel

will be available for $25 apiece.

Sunday, Sept. 8th, (4:00 pm)

at the former site

of her devotion

The Phoenix Bar

447 East 13th Street,

off of Avenue A

Manhattan 

For a decade we have gathered each September 8th at the Phoenix Bar where we have recounted stories, recited poetry, sketched chalk drawing on the sidewalk, built an outdoor shrine, sung hymns in the open air, and danced to the rhythms of pizzica and tarantella. In doing so we have created a new sense of the past and our connection to it, and ultimately a new sense of who we are. We have created community. 

On this tenth anniversary, the festivities begin at 4pm and continued until last person decides to leave. Once again, the Phoenix Bar owner Brenda, the bartenders, and the patrons have graciously opened their space for this event. 

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. JUST SHOW UP!

For more information visit The Tenth Annual Feast of the Black Madonna of East 13th Street on Facebook

Also see:

A Glimpse at the 8th Annual Black Madonna di Tindari Festival

Feast of San Rocco

Viva San Rocco!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

August 16th is the Feast Day of San Rocco, patron Saint of the sick. Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, he is one of the principal patrons of Potenza (PZ), Castelmezzano (PZ), Quaglietta (AV), Orsogna (CH), Locorotondo (BA), Monteleone di Puglia (FG), Pietraperzia (EN), Palmi (RC), Scilla (RC), and Gioiosa Ionica (RC), among others. To commemorate the occasion I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Rocco. The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe Street) in Manhattan.

Prayer to Saint Rocco

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech you, from contagious diseases, and the contagion of sin. Obtain, for us, a purity of heart which will assist us to make good use of health, and to bear sufferings with patience. Teach us to follow your example in the practice of penance and charity, so that we may, one day enjoy the happiness of being with Christ, Our Savior, in Heaven. Amen.

Feast of the Assumption

Madonna dell'Assunta, Ravello

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

August 15th is The Feast of the Assumption, the celebration of the Blessed Mother's corporeal ascent into Heaven. In honor of this joyous occasion I'm posting "Praise to the Queen of Heaven" (Salvi Regina), a prayer from Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated by Peppino Ruggeri.(*) The accompanying photo was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Duomo in Ravello. Founded in 1086, the Duomo was originally dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. It has since been consecrated to San Pantaleone.

Praise to the Queen of Heaven

Hail to you Mary, Mother of Mercy

Life, sweetness, and spring of joy

In you we trust when in trouble or pain

To you we come when we are in tears

In affliction your comfort we obtain.

Hear our pleas, our sweet defender

Virgin Mother with all sorrow laden

To our God you prayers direct

Because our actions have no effect

The door of paradise open to all

When death for comes to call

Amen.

(*) Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated into English by Peppino Ruggeri, Legas 2009, p.139