Dominic DiFrisco funeral: Chicago mourns Italian-American titan
There was a final goodbye Wednesday for the man known as the "voice of Chicago's Italian-American Community," Dominic DiFrisco. Family and friends, and those who admired him, packed the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in the city's Little Italy neighborhood. With Frank Sinatra music playing, hundreds of Chicago's movers and shakers gathered for the c...
The Rev. John Pantuso left the priesthood decades ago for love. He then returned after his wife's death
A former Wauwatosa resident held many roles in his lifetime. He was a husband, a dad and — twice — a Catholic priest. The Rev. John Pantuso died April 26 at the age of 79. He had a unique personal history, leaving the priesthood for love and being reinstated after his wife's death. Pantuso's children, former Wauwatosa Ald. Bobby Pantuso and Joe Pan...
Fare Cinema: Italian Cinema in the World: A Conversation with Tiziana Amicuzi
Monday, May 20, 2019 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Italian Cultural Institute, 500 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1450 Entrance: Free. The second edition of a special event dedicated to Italian film industry professionals, highlighting their talent around the world. As part of the intiative, over 100 Italian cinema ambassadors will travel the globe to talk about...
Performance of "Rite of Tomorrow"
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Italian Cultural Institute, 500 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1450, Chicago (IL). "Rite of Tomorrow," a performance featuring Natalja Aicardi, Daniel Johanson, Roberta Terche Nocentini. In remembrance of the devastating earthquake that struck near the city of L'Aquila in 2009, affecting more than 45 towns, kil...
Herrin Festa Italiana holds annual lunch-in
Herrin Festa Italiana kicks off in just one month, and Tuesday organizers held a lunch to get preparations underway. Up to 400 people were expected at the Herrin Festa lunch-in at the Herrin Civic Center downtown. Attendees included Herrin's chamber of commerce, local government members, sponsors, civic center workers and Festa volunteers. The ev...
‘A Bronx Tale’ brings story of growing up gangster to vivid, violent life with heart and humor
“A Bronx Tale” opens with a do wop group assembled under a street lamp on the corner of Belmont Ave., crooning an homage to the Italian-American enclave that is home to young Calogero (a squeezable, adorable Shane Pry). The 9-year-old loves the Yankees, Mickey Mantle and his, dad Lorenzo (Richard H. Blake, who originated the role on Broadway), a bi...
Dominic DiFrisco, voice of Chicago's Italian-American Community, dead at 85
Dominic DiFrisco, the man known as the "voice of Chicago's Italian-American Community," died Saturday morning due to complications from lymphoma. He was 85. For decades, he steered the ABC7 broadcast booth during the annual Columbus Day Parade, providing color commentary with his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago-Italian history and achievements. ...
Save Holy Family Church & Allow Padre Pino Licciardi to Stay
THE FUTURE OF HOLY FAMILY CHURCH IS IN JEOPARDY! Padre Pino Licciardi is being told to return back to Sicily on June 30, 2019 from the Archdiocese of Detroit, while other priests older then him are allowed to continue in the Archdiocese. This will leave Holy Family Church without a resident Priest and will become administered by Old St. Mary's Chur...
Award-winning Italian film opens in Chicago
Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman” opened at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival where the lead actor, Marcello Fonte took home the top acting prize. Since then, it’s won numerous awards including the Italian Oscar Best Supporting Actor. The film follows Marcello (Marcello Fonte), an animal lover who runs a neighborhood dog grooming business. He adores his pre-te...
Nick Bosa: Domination from Day One
John Bosa, still imposing at 6' 4" and 230 pounds, is squeezed on a leather couch in a quiet corner of a Columbus, Ohio, Italian spot, next to his son Nick, now some 40 pounds heavier than his dad. John is nursing a Dewar’s on the rocks. After talking for an hour about the future first-round pick by his side, the first-round pick of 32 years ago br...
Legendary KC & The Sunshine Band to Headline Festa Italiana Saturday, July 20
Festa Italiana organizers are excited to welcome the iconic American disco and funk band KC and the Sunshine Band as a headliner of this year’s festival. The Grammy Award-winning band will headline Festa Italiana Saturday, July 20 at 9 p.m. at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds). With over 100 million records sold, three Grammy Awards...
‘Nite at the Races’ was a big success toward scholarships
The Salem Italian American Educational Fund and the Salem Italian Club recently co-sponsored “Nite at the Races.” The event was a huge success. We would like to thank all who attended, participated, volunteered, contributed and/or donated. We thank you for your generosity and willingness to invest in the education of future scholarship recipients....