AMHS, TUSCANY CLUB, AND PASSATEMPO MEETUP SUPPORT FESTA ITALIAN IN FREDERICK, MD
On an incredibly hot day, with temperatures upwards of 90 degrees, several brave souls from AMHS, the Lucchesi nel Mondo-Tuscany Club, and the Passatempo Meetup attended the 4th annual Festa Italiana in Frederick, MD. This year’s Festa expanded in scope in terms of activities, events, and sponsors – which is a very positive thing! Some of the highlights of the day included a presentation on Baltimore’s Little Italy, by Suzanna Molino, who wrote the book “Baltimore’s Little Italy:
Heritage and History of the Neighborhood”. Suzanna talked about the many transitions of the community but how Little Italy has remained whole and intact, and is still a vibrant part of the Baltimore landscape. Also, food presentations on making fresh mozzarella, fresh pasta, and fresh ricotta cheese; musical performances by The Monaldi Brothers and Joan Tacchetti Grauman (accordion); and a performance by Allegro, a professional dance touring company from Wheeling, WV. It was also very good to see presentations by the Casa Italiana Language School and the Italian Cultural Society Italian Language program.
One of my personal highlights of the day was a performance by the Italian native singer, actress, and award-winning language educator Simona Rodano, “La Fata Italiana” (the Italian Fairy). Simona, who is based out of New York, has created a unique edu-tainment language-through music program for young children. At the Festa, La Fata brought a group of children to the main stage where they acted out words in Italian, then sang the words to taped music sung and orchestrated by Ms. Rodano.
It was quite a heartwarming performance, to see so many young children act out words in Italian (much like charades), then sing along – in front of a very captive audience! It was also very gratifying to see how, through music, learning a language at such a young age can be fun. It was very satisfying to see a number of AMHS members who came out to support the Festa, including Luciana Caleb, Nancy Coviello, Lucio and Edvige D’Andrea, Nancy Hurst, Joe and Pam Lupo (there on behalf of the Casa Italiana Language School), Vince and Dora Marinucci, Tricia Maltagliati, Albert Paolantonio, and Sarah Scott. From all of our perspectives, the festival is a great celebration of our shared Italian heritage and it is also for a very good cause – all the proceeds go to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County.