Between 1850 and 1870, New Orleans boasted the largest Italian-born population of any city in the United States. Its early Italian immigrants included musicians, business leaders and diplomats. However, by 1910, the city's French Quarter was a "Little Palermo" with Italian entrepreneurs, laborers and restaurateurs dominating the scene. The majority...

Proseguono il 5 marzo ad Atlanta (Georgia); il 6 a Fort Lauderdale (Florida) ed il 7 a New Orleans (Louisiana) gli incontri del roadshow ITPC 2013 organizzato dall'ENIT di New York, in collaborazione con ITPC (Italian Travel Promotion Council). La direttrice che punterà verso est, metterà in campo due seminari il 12 marzo, a Washington in mattinata...

The granite crypt topped by the trumpet-playing angel stands on what was once a horseracing track, a fitting final resting place for the pony-loving Louis Prima. The inscription on his tomb in Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery is taken from one of his most famous recordings: "When the end comes I know, they'll say, 'Just a gigolo, ' as life goes on withou...

The United States wasn't her first choice, but by the end, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini would leave a lasting legacy in the heart of southern Louisiana. The patron saint of immigrants hailed from Italy and, by her early 30's, founded the Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She had dreams that this mission would take her beyond the real...

Tony Lo Bianco (actor, writer, director and producer) will receive the 2016 Louis Prima Arts and Entertainment Award at the 31st Annual Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Jan. 16 at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel.   Lo Bianco starred in the Academy Award-winning film "The French Connection.'' He has been nomina...

by Cheramie Sonnier Since St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church was established in 1841 in New Orleans' Tremé neighborhood, it has been "a church of the city's free black citizens." But, it also has had some strong Italian connections, said church secretary Linda Harris in explaining why the church hosts an annual St. Joseph's Altar.   "The c...

By Helen Williams   Proceeds from the 2015 West Bank Italian Open were presented at a recent Italian-American Society meeting to Luis Arocha, executive director of Café' Hope, a restaurant training program in Marrero for at-risk youth.   The presentation was made by the golf tournament's honorary chairman, Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni, and...

NOLA.com compiled this list with information from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Italian American Digest, from classified ads published in The Times-Picayune, and from our community reporters. These parishes, schools and entities will host St. Joseph Altars this month.   The custom of honoring St. Joseph on his feast day, St. Joseph's D...

by Angel Thompson   Sarah Marie Cardenia Vogel will reign as queen of the 45th annual Italian American Marching Club's St. Joseph Parade March 14 in New Orleans. The official crowning of the queen and pre-parade celebration will be held March 8 at 11:45 a.m. at Piazza d'Italia at Poydras and Tchoupitoula streets.   Cardenia Vogel...

Tickets are on sale for the American Italian Cultural Center and Piazza d'Italia's first Taste of Italy. The event is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the center, 537 S. Peters St., New Orleans. A patron party starts at 6 p.m. In celebration of Italian Heritage Month, guests will dine on Italian delicacies from more than 20 restaurant...