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Recently, I did a ZOOM presentation sponsored by I AM Books in Boston on my 2015 book, Bebop, Swing and Bella Musica: Jazz and the Italian American Experience.  The book, to which local Chicago writer David Anthony Witter also contributed, documents the amazing, untold story of how Americans of Italian descent blended their specific musical talents...

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Regarding the Dr. Seuss controversy, the impulse to remove racial, ethnic or sexual imagery aimed at impressionable young children is a noble one; however, and I ask this question with the utmost sincerity: Why did none of this concern materialize in 2004 with the animated film “Shark Tale”? In that cartoon, aimed at children, the villains ar...

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A huge warehouse. Rival gangs. Bad blood. It all came together when a group of gangsters, dressed as outsiders, surprised their rivals and murdered them in cold blood on a cold February day. We all know the story: the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago, Feb. 14, 1929. Actually, no. The gang rub-out described above refers to the Wah Mee Massacr...

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The Pickwick Film Classics series plans to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s film, “The Godfather II,” with special showings on the Pickwick’s new Megatheatre screen on Jan. 19 at 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. Show times will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The evening show will include a 6:30 p.m. performance on the Wurlitzer orga...

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Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago - 500 N Michigan Ave. Suite 1450 - Chicago, IL. Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CDT). From its origins in New Orleans through the Big Band, Swing, Be-Bop, and Modern Era, Americans of Italian heritage have made vital contributions to Jazz Music. Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Louie Bellson, Lenni...

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An advertisement in the window of a River North marketplace has garnered some criticism over what some believe is an offensive message about Italians. In one of the storefront windows of Eataly Chicago, a large sign features a photo of white truffles with the slogan: “BRING HOME AN ITALIAN, WORTH THE SMELL.” The advertisement continues with smaller...

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February 20 @ 6:00 pm - Beck Rooms - 400 South Orange Ave Walsh Library South Orange NJ. RSVP: Visit Organizer’s Website for latest details and RSVP Instructionshttps://www.shu.edu/alberto-institute/upcoming-events.cfm Join author Bill Dal Cerro for a discussion of his book, which explores how Italian artists drew strength from the musical traditio...

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With the exception of Louis Zamperini in 2014 "Unbroken", it has been almost impossible to find Italian American positive characters in the Hollywood storytelling of last decades. While Italian Americans have proved their talent and their hardworking attitude with an exceptional positive contribution to American society, economy, culture in any pos...

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Seminar Format---Works in Progress--- Book Sales, Signings, Raffles, Give Aways! WE SUPPORT ITALIAN AMERICAN WRITERS---you should too! Network Network Network.... Bring your checkbook and credit card---100s of titles from our presenters and from the library......call 708 345 5933 to reserve your place or Register on our Casa Italia Web Site.&n...

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Aside from being great jazz musicians, what do Steve Gadd, Louie Bellson, Flip Phillips, Tony Scott, and Frank Capp have in common? You wouldn't know it from their last names, but each of these talented gentlemen are of Italian heritage. Sometimes names were changed (Americanized) for the sake of simplicity or fitting in. Cappuccio became Capp, Sci...

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