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The majority of Italian immigrants in New Orleans were from Sicily and started to arrive in large numbers in the 1880s to escape a homeland that had fallen into a corrupt, dangerous, and unlawful state. They arrived in a city where previous Italian immigrants had established a decent-sized community, dating back to the French era. In fact, the Ital...

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March 7, 2020 from 1pm to 2pm The National Park Service with present a discussion on the Sicilian Migration to New Orleans. Henri d’ Tonti efforts in 1686 led to the settlement by Bienville of New Orleans. Later in the 1820s, an Italian Consulate was opened. The Mandarin Orange was introduced by Sicilians to America via New Orleans. On March 17, 18...

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Three-year-old Rowan Boudreaux counted beads of different colors held together on little metal chains. He said each number out loud, getting very excited when he reached 8. Then he found a wooden piece hanging nearby with the number 8 written on it and a small metal hook next to it. He hung the chain of 8 beads on the No. 8 hook and moved on to his...

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The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central has officially postponed its food and wine festivals and trade fairs previously scheduled for March in Houston (March 29-30) and New Orleans (March 31). The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (Los Angeles) has also postponed the festivals’ sister event in Los Angeles previously scheduled for A...

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Tucked into Decatur Street in the middle of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Central Grocery and Deli is a third generation, old-fashioned grocery store founded in 1906 by Salvatore Lupo, a Sicilian immigrant who was famous for creating the muffuletta. The 114-year-old shop hasn’t changed, and the muffuletta has been sliced and carved the exact same wa...

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The windows that NBA players operate in are as thin as the space between two fence posts. For the most part, completely clean looks exist only in theory. Defenders who make mistakes are still long and quick enough to make up much of the ground they might have ceded. Nicolo Melli struggled with this at first, but after a rocky start to his NBA caree...

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US Navy Lt. Stephen Decatur’s ship was piloted by four Sicilians to enter Tripoli and blow up the USS Philadelphia, which had been taken by Libyans in the first Barbary Coast War. When you hear the words in the Marine Corps Hymn : “To the Shores of Tripoli,” walk on Decatur Street in New Orleans, or visit any city in America named “Decatur.” Do you...

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World renowned artist and sculptor, Franco Alessandrini was born in Sansepolcro, Italy in 1944.  At the early age of 14, Mr. Alessandrini was recognized as a master artist, beginning his career with his first one man show in 1958.  His formal study of art and training was in Florence.  He quickly continued building his portfolio and his reputation...

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At the age of 40, when Mother Cabrini crossed the ocean for the first time to begin her work in America, she was penniless, alone, and couldn’t speak English. Without doubting herself, she pioneered the building of schools, hospitals, clinics, and orphanages. She was not satisfied with simply establishing the facilities, so she dedicated her life t...

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That favorite time of year again, and a labor of love for Italian families….St. Joseph Day.  Many families, Catholic Churches and schools are starting to gather their supplies, treasured ornamental items, and baking for St. Joseph Altars.  This is a time honored tradition that started right here in our New Orleans Area, and let’s make this one our...

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