TRIOLENNON WOWS AUDIENCE
The many AMHS members and others who came to Casa Italiana on Saturday evening, September 27, 2014, were rewarded with a really enjoyable concert by the TrioLennon which consists of Roberto Molinelli on viola, Luca Marziali on violin, and Alessandro Culiani on cello.
Their wonderful program was arranged by Armida Oradei, a member of the Holy Rosary Parish Council. The three musicians, who come from Le Marche, mostly played Beatles songs--but like you've never heard them before!! A jazzy version was so intense that one of the musicians broke the horsehair string on his instrument (he said the horse must be crying). Roberto Molinelli, the leader of the group, explained to the audience that on the plane ride over from Milan, Luca and Alessandro suggested that he come up with something special for their respective performances at the Italian Embassy and at Casa Italiana the following night.
Then Roberto said the two guys proceeded to go to sleep while he stayed up trying to think of “that something special” they could do. So here's what they came up with. They played the American national anthem interspersed with how Vivaldi would have written it, in a baroque style. Then they played the Italian national anthem mixed in with Michael Jackson's “Billie Jean” and “Smooth Criminal.” It brought the house down!! The audience clearly enjoyed this talented group of musicians.
THOUSANDS ENJOY VILLA ROSA FESTIVAL
This year’s Villa Rosa Festival was a success by any measure, as thousands of Italian-Americans and friends came out to the popular annual festival in Mitchellville, Maryland. Maybe it was the beautiful sunny weather in the 70s. Or maybe it was the delicious food and plentiful wine. Or else the music of the Four C Notes singing the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ songs (a tribute to the smash hit, Jersey Boys) that brought back fond memories to many. Whatever the reason, the festival’s organizers have reason to be pleased. Under the leadership of Darlene DiBattista, her team and the many volunteers did an outstanding job. To pull this off, months of planning were necessary and thankfully everything went smoothly. And we could not have asked for better weather, which was a big relief to all.
The crowd was estimated at 4,200 people, and many of those who came to the festival on September 7, 2014, came with their family and friends. It was good to see everyone having a good time—from the kids on the pony rides to the adults (and some kids) singing and dancing to songs like “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” The C Notes, who were fresh off a performance in Chicago at Wrigley Field, were obviously very popular with the audience. But first, there was an outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Ezio Marchetto (pastor of Holy Rosary Church), assisted by Father Alex Dalpiaz (chaplain of Villa Rosa). Of course there was the food—the delicious sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches from A. Litteri (you better have gotten them early!!), lots of pizza, chicken, polenta, and gelato from Dolci Gelati. And they did a brisk business at the cannoli stand too—it seems that everybody loved the cannoli provided by Vaccaro’s Desserts (was it a coincidence that Nick Vaccaro’s cannoli got a rave review in the Washington Post Food Section just a few days earlier?).
Other vendors who donated goods or services were Turano Baking Co., Sorrento Trattoria, Good Time Amusements, Clowns4U and Hartman Bros. Many AMHS members volunteered to help. Dick DiBuono, John and Eileen Verna, and Lucio and Edvige D’Andrea sold the wine. Lucio’s and Edvige’s language skills came in handy as they explained our Society to some Italian visitors. At the adjoining AMHS information booth, Ennio DiTullio, Joe and Joann Novello, Sarah Scott, Jeff Clark and Nancy DeSanti provided information about the Society and promoted our upcoming programs. Kudos to Romeo Sabatini and Helen Free for all their help as well. Several festival attendees expressed interest (and joined our Society), and several people who stopped by the booth commented that they enjoyed the programs and like the Notiziario—always good to hear!!
Next door, AMHS board member Bruno Fusco, assisted by AMHS member Dora Leo-Santacroce, sold tickets to the October 18 program at Casa Italiana (“Le Canzoni Più Famose di Sanremo”). Also, AMHS past president Omero Sabatini set up a table under a nearby tree to sell his book, a translation of “I Promessi Sposi,” with a big poster in front showing Pope Francis with a personal quote stating he had read “I Promessi Sposi” three times and it’s on his desk for a fourth reading. AMHS members had a great opportunity to showcase our Society to the many festival goers. A big thank you to Darlene and her team and to all the volunteers and donors for making the festival such a success!!