CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN il Bollettino INSTITUTE dedicated to the history and culture of Italians in America

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Dean’s Letter Personaggi: Alfredo Bascetta Symposium: Re-thinking Italian American Studies 3 2010 Conference: Terre Promesse 4 Italics Expands Its Role Italian American Studies Advisory Council 5 Italian Ancestry Mapping Project 6 Teaching Italian American Literature, Film, and Culture Staff News 7 Queens College Italian American Club 8 In Piazza: Association of the Molise Region in America Audience Profile: Claire and Anna Pipolo 9 IAFSAC: Delegate Spotlight on Baruch College Student News 10 Book Reviews 11 Call for Papers: The 3 Fs Save the Date: Hybrid Moments back Calendar of Events Mental Health Conference

The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute is a University Institute under the Aegis of Queens College/City University of New York LETER FROM THE DEAN create some form of national dialogue. In ______early October you can join us again for RE-THINKING ITALIAN-AMERICAN our Italian American Mental Health and Welcome to the sixth issue of the STUDIES, A NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM Wellness Conference. In addition, we have Calandra Institute’s newsletter, il Bollettino! included herein a call for papers for next September 10-11, 2010 Here you will read about our recent activities spring’s fourth annual conference, dedicated COORDINATORS including the 2010 annual conference to food, fashion, and film and how they are dedicated to "Terre Promesse," the Mapping Fred L. Gardaphé, Distinguished Professor articulated within the Italian and Italian/ Project, newly appointed members of the Anthony Julian Tamburri, Dean American cultures. We look forward to Italian American Faculty and Staff Advisory seeing you at these and others events. The Calandra Institute will host a Council, and more. The verallo task that lies ahead is one symposium of distinguished professors We have continued to make progress and holders of endowed chairs whose of a long-term commitment that asks in these initial years of moving the Institute work includes Italian-American studies. us to gather as a community of Italian forward, while maintaining its original goals In light of recent developments—such as Americans at large—and not boast as and overall mission that date back to its those in the state of Arizona—regarding individuals—and investigate the myriad founding in 1979 as the Italian American immigration and ethnic studies and their of topics that others have defined for us. reverberations around the nation, the Institute to Foster Higher Education. This is one of the fundamental goals that Calandra Institute sees the need to gather These past six months proved subtend our many activities and events: our colleagues who, among other tasks, challenging and satisfying, as expected to create a broad-reaching dialogue. That may also develop and direct programs in when new ideas are brought to the table. said, the Calandra Institute shall indeed Italian-American studies, in order to discuss We continued our regular programming their work as it pertains to twenty-first- continue to engage with the greater Italian/ and added a number of special events. The century “ethnic” studies. The symposium American community. So, keep your eyes Italics 2.0 webcasts began well, delivering will examine the definition of Italian- and ears open for future announcements, coverage of a series of issues, one of which American studies and the development of as our activities will continue to explore was the campaign to preserve Brooklyn’s Our the field; new methodologies of examining the multifarious sectors of our extended the various modes of articulation of Lady of Loreto Church. Jeff Dunston and community as we move forward. cultural expression; the building of national Charles Piazza provided us with the history We enjoy great support from all. and international networks, sharing of of the initial negotiations during one of our Our colleagues and friends within CUNY resources, and bridging of gaps; and the webcasts. Our “Documented Italians” series, continue to be supportive, and many relationship between cultural brokers and in turn, revisited the theme of immigration elected officials. of the Italian/American community are with the film Merica (2007), which most encouraging. We continue to benefit FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 investigates the complexities of migration from the unyielding support from both 5:00-6:00 p.m. Press conference and the migrant’s desire for national Chancellor Matthew Goldstein’s Office 6:00-6:30 p.m. Welcome and opening belonging using the parallel stories of Italian of CUNY and President James Muysken’s 6:30-8:00 p.m. Roundtable discussion immigration to Brazil in the 1800s and the Office of Queens College. Dulcis in fundo, What is Italian-American studies and current Italian-Brazilian migration to Italy. what are the responsibilities of a Chair? a most sincere "thank you" to our Italian- Many new events are in the planning. Reception to follow American state officials and their colleagues! In September, we shall host the first SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 gathering of Distinguished Professors of Buon’estate a tutti! 9:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Italian American Studies in an effort to Anthony Julian Tamburri, Dean

PERSONAGGI il Bollettino is published by the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute ______ALFREDO BASCETTA QUEENS COLLEGE/CUNY Joseph Sciorra 25 West 43rd Street, 17th floor New York, NY 10036 In the pantheon of Italian-American singers recording in the Neapolitan PHONE: 212-642-2094 FAX: 212-642-2030 tradition is the versatile tenor Alfredo Bascetta. Born on September 14, 1889 in the town of Pietrastornina (Avellino province), Campania, he EMAIL: [email protected] arrived at Ellis Island on November 6, 1911 and settled in East New York, WEBSITE: qc.cuny.edu/calandra Brooklyn. The singer began recording in 1917 and worked for Columbia, OKEH, Victor, and other noteworthy recording companies. His records DEAN: Anthony Julian Tamburri include “Le ragazze di New York,” “O squarcione,” and “Se n’e’ fuiuto MANAGING EDITOR: Lisa Cicchetti banchiere.” Bascetta was also a prolific composer of comic and sentimental tunes, many recorded by singers EDITOR: Maria La Russo like Nina de Charny and Giuseppe Milano. In 1922, the Italo American Corporation produced a film COVER ART: Vicolo (detail) by Joanne Mattera (now lost) based on his hit “Mamma luntana!” (Distant Mother!) that was filmed in Naples and starred Bascetta. In 1927, Bascetta wrote and recorded the topical song, “Lacrime’e cunndannate” (The Tears of Contact the Calandra Institute to be the Condemned), protesting the arrest, trail, and death sentence given Sacco and Vanzetti. Contemporary included on the email list, or to receive a Italian artists continue to perform this song. The aging Bascetta moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, to reside printed copy of the newsletter. with his daughter Gemma, where he died on December 6, 1982, at age 93.

2 IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ ANNUAL CONFERENCE In Friday’s closing panel, “Little Italies,” Disaster, the Landscape of Coal, and the TERRE PROMESSE Stefano Luconi examined the features that Making of Transnational Identity in West ______characterized Italian urban settlements Virginia.” Many victims of the Monongah Rosangela Briscese during the period of mass immigration. tragedy emigrated from San Giovanni in Such neighborhoods were hardly Fiore (Calabria), where popular aphorisms The Calandra nstitute’sI third annual homogenous, with Italian immigrants and using misheard or mispronounced versions conference, “Terre Promesse: Excursions their descendants typically comprising about of “Monongah” emerged to convey irony Towards Italian Topographies,” held from 65% of various Little Italy populations. or cautionary advice: “Te piensi che vado April 22-24, 2010, was dedicated to the Jerry Krase explored how the meanings of a Mironga?”; “Non vado mica a Mironga”; theme of cultural landscapes. Scholars, neighborhood space are changed by their or “È una Minonga.” These sayings “reflect writers, architects, filmmakers, and visual inhabitants. Some of America’s most famous the collective trauma delivered to the town’s artists presented work on issues concerning Little Italies, he pointed out, are preserved psyche when disaster struck so many . . . place-making in Italy, amongst the Italian as spectacles or “ethnic theme parks.” The dislocated memories are vocalizations diaspora, and in colonial locales. Dana David looked at the questua bread of the forgotten connections between the Dean Anthony Tamburri, President distribution procession by parishioners emigration destination and the home paese.” James Muyskens of Queens College, and of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Luisa Del Giudice gave the closing Consul General Francesco Maria Talò Williamsburg. David described the questua keynote address, “Gastronomic Utopias, opened the event with welcoming remarks. as a “visual map of relationships” that has Promised Land,” in which she discussed the A small sampling of the conference’s thirty- the potential to foster new connections mythic land of plenty known as il paese di nine presentations is outlined below. between long-established residents and Cuccagna (Cockaigne) in relation to Italian In the opening panel, “Traveling newcomers in the neighborhood. emigration. With origins in Boccaccio’s The Writing,” Joseph Cosco presented the The “Creative Spaces” panel included Decameron, Cuccagna motifs circulated creative non-fiction piece “The Dead Sang Antonino D’Ambrosio presenting two widely in oral and semi-literary culture. with Dirt in Their Mouths,” which recounts films from his multimedia visual art Eighteenth-century street performers sold his visit to Italy in an attempt to make sense series, La Terra Promessa. D’Ambrosio’s art broadsides that described in lavish detail of his grandfather’s death in World War I. installations, made from found materials the mountains of cheese, cauldrons of Fulvia Masi’s paper “Found in Translation” such as volcanic tuff rocks and hand-carved maccheroni, rivers of fine wine, and roasted considered symbolic representations of stone, are influenced by his father and chickens falling from the skies. As such, la madreterra in literary and vernacular uncles, who were masons and bricklayers. Cuccagna documents the deprivations of writings. In “Click to Enlarge: Connecting Sound space designer Lorenzo Brusci Italy’s lower classes, for many of whom Memories, Places, and Cultures in the discussed his project “Architettura Sonora/ hunger and poverty persisted well into the Virtual Paese,” Robert Oppedisano Applied Acoustics.” Brusci creates “sound 1950s, and it functions as a symbol for discussed the Internet as a way to “rewrite environments,” integrating innovative many peasant immigrant experiences. The your own personal geography,” using his acoustic tools into the designs of public aspiration for abundance that could not be own virtual exploration of Cittanova, his spaces such as urban parks. His goal is to achieved in the old world was a driving force family’s hometown, as an example. provide everyday life with areas where the for immigration, and food was a primary The “Sacred Spaces” panel featured extraordinary is possible by making “a more element. America was in fact referred to as examinations of Protestant, Jewish, and active sound experience” available. “Cuccagna.” Del Giudice believes Cuccagna Catholic experiences in relation to place. In the panel “Points South and West continues to animate the Italian immigrant Dennis Barone presented “To Struggle II,” Jim Cocola provided a topographical worldview and its cultural practices. Her for a Place at the Table: Italian-American analysis of John Fante’s fiction in his presentation may be viewed on the Internet Protestants in Italy,” and Christina Bettin paper “A Northern Southern Italian of at www.livestream.com/italics. looked at the architecture and style of the Eastern Western United States.” A The Calandra nstituteI staff extends synagogues established by Italian families Colorado native who moved to California, their gratitude to all the conference in Israel in her paper “The Role of the Holy Fante (and his alter-ego character Arturo participants whose engaging academic Place: Memory and Nostalgia in Italian Jews Bandini) occupied an unstable ethnic papers and stimulating creative explorations Who Emigrated in Israel After World War position in the West. In the novel Ask the made the event a tremendous success. • II.” Joseph Sciorra discussed the religious Dust, Bandini reflects that while he was not feasts staged in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, considered white among the “Smiths and in light of the neighborhood’s recent Parkers” of Colorado, in Los Angeles he is gentrification by newcomers unfamiliar almost—but not totally—Anglo. Simone with Italian Catholic devotional practices. Cinotto’s presentation drew on case studies His paper showed that many long-time of the Rossi, Gallo, and Gausti wineries in residents are “plagued by a nagging ‘feeling California. Cinotto attributes their success of discomfort’” as hipster spectators “turn to business knowledge and social capital neighborhood religious processions into and networks. exotic rites staged by the local natives— Joan Saverino combined personal ethnographic subjects captured in the reflections and scholarly research in “Il Luisa Del Giudice discussed Cuccagna, "a perpetual gentrifying gaze.” Fuoco di Minonga: The 1907 Mine Carnival of abundance and indulgence."

IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ 3 ITALICS television show “Jersey Shore,” and for redevelopment and housing renewal. THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN TV featured Professor Donald Tricarico, To help bring attention to this issue, Italics Queensborough Community College, 2.0 inaugurated an Internet outlet which MAGAZINE EXPANDS ITS ROLE CUNY. Tricarico provided an in-depth premiered with the leaders of the Save Our AND BROADCAST VENUES analysis of Italian-American youth culture Lady of Loreto Church Committee (on ______from a social-psychological perspective. In www.livestream.com/italics). William Schempp response to the high degree of interest in this Additional programming includes symposium, Italics employed an additional Italics TU, an Italian language production Throughout the winter 2009 and spring format with a live broadcast via the Internet. with Dean Anthony Tamburri, Nota Bene, 2010 season, the Italics team continued to The colloquium can be viewed in its entirety hosted by Dr. Fred Gardaphé, Distinguished provide the Italian-American community at www.livestream.com/italics. Professor of Italian American Studies, and with innovative programming on CUNY Italics also featured a rally organized the annual October special Italics Jukebox, TV (channel 75) in addition to creating new to help save Our Lady of Loreto Church hosted by correspondent Lucia Grillo. Internet and live streaming formats. Such in Brooklyn from real estate developers. Tune in to Italics at the start of the new efforts resulted in offering programs to a Built more than 100 years ago by Italian season in September! And be sure to see wider audience and expanding Italics’ role as immigrants who settled in the area, Our October's coverage of Italian Heritage and a valuable national and international Italian- Lady of Loreto is considered architecturally Culture Month with a special four-part series American news network. and historically significant by scholars, in collaboration with CUNY TV. • TheItalics team documented for viewers architects, and clergy. The church has been a colloquium entitled “Guido: An Italian closed and deconsecrated for more than a Italics: The Italian American TV Magazine American Youth Style” convened at the year by the Diocese of Brooklyn. Activists CHANNEL 75 Institute. The colloquium was conceived to in the Italian-American community are Last Wednesday of the month address perceptions about Guido culture attempting to preserve the church in 10 am, 3 pm, 11 pm that emerged in the wake of the reality keeping with the larger community’s desire Repeats Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 10 am

Community College; Maryann Feola from Guide that would feature the specialties of NEWLY CREATED ITALIAN the College of Staten Island. individuals who might serve as guest lecturers AMERICAN STUDIES ADVISORY A number of other professors have throughout the system. COUNCIL FORMED expressed interest in the Council and plan to 6. The Council discussed the possibility ______attend future meetings. of utilizing Calandra Institute speakers as Fred Gardaphé The Council’s collaborative efforts guest lecturers when possible. resulted in the following recommendations 7. The Council discussed online and Designed to advise the Calandra for future consideration: hybrid course development and agreed that Institute on its research and service projects, 1. Since CUNY does not formally count it should sponsor a Calandra workshop led the Italian American Studies Advisory the number of Italian-American students we by Professor Guarnieri to assist in creating Council met in February and created an serve, the Council agreed there is a need to awareness of online/hybrid possibilities and agenda that includes the development develop a voluntary questionnaire to identify to help develop courses. We will pursue of Italian-American studies and the Italian-American students in attendance at the possibilities of producing the workshop coordination of that development in relation the various units. during the fall semester 2010. to Italian language studies within the CUNY 2. The Council agreed that it would 8. The Council expressed interest in system. A second meeting was held in March be beneficial to create a listing of qualified re-establishing the Calandra Faculty Fellows and a subsequent meeting in May. adjunct instructors in the areas of Italian program and in exploring the possibilities of The Chair of the Council is r.D Fred language, Italian literature and cinema, and pursuing grants to support pedagogic and Gardaphé, Distinguished Professor of Italian-American studies that would serve as professional development. English and Italian American Studies, a hiring resource for all schools. 9. The Council suggested that the who teaches at Queens College. Professors 3. The Council discussed the creation Calandra Institute create a web page for involved in Italian-American studies of courses that would meet the general the Council that would contain members’ programs and/or research were invited from education requirements for students and to names, affiliations and email addresses. each of the CUNY units to participate. The serve as a resource to those members who 10. The Council suggested the following professors attended the initial will develop such content exploration of creating a certificate program meetings: Grace Bullaro from Lehman 4. The Council agreed for the need to in Italian and Italian-American studies, for College, Fabio Girelli-Carasi and Robert create an Internet space for communicating the community colleges. Viscusi from Brooklyn College; Morena ideas in between the Council meetings. 11. The Council expressed an interest in Corradi from Queens College; Samuel Ghelli Professor Gardaphé will investigate the regularly offering courses in Italian-American and Donna Chirico from York College, CUNY Academic Commons feature and studies at the Calandra Institute. Giulia Guarnieri from Bronx Community establish a group entitled Italian American To learn more about the Council, or if College; Antonietta D’Amelio from Baruch Studies Advisory Council. you are interested in becoming a member, College; Steven Belluscio, Maria Enrico and 5. The Council suggested that the contact the Chair, Professor Fred Gardaphé Tom Means from Borough of Manhattan Calandra Institute create a Faculty Expert at 212-642-2037. •

4 IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ Italian Americans is in the northeast region. this high degree of concentration is similar CALANDRA INSTITUTE'S States with the highest percentage of Italian to the large population of Italian Americans ITALIAN ANCESTRY Americans are, in descending order: Rhode residing in New York City during the 1970s. MAPPING PROJECT Island (19.0%), Connecticut (18.6%), ______New Jersey (17.9%), New York (14.4%), NEW YORK CITY TRI-STATE REGION Vincenzo Milione, Itala Pelizzoli and Massachusetts (13.5%), Pennsylvania Maps of Italian-American ancestry Christine Gambino (11.6%), Delaware (9.3%), and New in the New York City tri-state area Hampshire (8.5%). There are also higher- clearly demonstrate the trend toward The initial wave of Italian migration to than-average percentages of Italian Americans suburbanization. Italian Americans represent the United States primarily occurred during in Nevada (6.6%), Vermont (6.4%), Florida 16% (one out of six) of the population in the turn of the century, and scholars have (6.3%), Illinois (6.0%) and Ohio (6.0%). the region. The counties surrounding New chronicled this movement largely to the Fifty percent (50%) of the remaining states York City have more than double or triple major sea ports of New York City, Baltimore have less than three percent of the overall New York City’s percentage representation and New Orleans. These eastern seaports state population who are of Italian-American of Italian Americans (with the exception were especially attractive to first and second ancestry. This data suggests that residents in of Staten Island). As data for the Mapping generation Italians because they provided such states would encounter approximately Project is further analyzed the Institute will employment opportunities along with 33 individuals prior to encountering an provide updates regarding the publication established Italian-American communities individual of Italian ancestry. of the forthcoming monograph. For further which made adaptation to the new host information, contact Dr. Vincenzo Milione culture more manageable. After enhanced CITIES AND REGIONS by telephone at 212-642-2091 or email at educational opportunities and acculturation, Detailed maps depicting New York City [email protected]. • subsequent generations moved from the and the tri-state area (including parts of New urban Italian enclaves to regional suburbs York State, New Jersey, Connecticut and and other geographical locations throughout Pennsylvania) have been analyzed in efforts the United States. Italian Americans were to capture the suburbanization of the Italian- no longer dependent upon utilizing the American community. This type of regional Italian language in daily life and the lure analysis of select urban and suburban areas of professional mobility helped to fuel this is also being replicated for other cities and migration pattern. While in some cases their surrounding suburban areas, including: elderly Italians followed their children and Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and functioned to preserve language and culture New Orleans. In each region, a clear trend within the family, a pattern of assimilation demonstrates movement of younger and seemed more clearly evident middle-aged Italian Americans from urban The historical migration of taliansI to Distribution of Italian Americans within county, US centers to suburban counties since 1990. Census 2000 the United States has been and continues to be the subject of scholarly inquiry, although NEW YORK CITY a more comprehensive geographical analysis Many of the Italians that arrived in will enhance our understanding of the New York City through Ellis Island found changing nature of residential mobility in their way to downtown Manhattan into the contemporary America. The Institute is tenements of Little Italy neighborhoods. pleased to announce that staff members By the 1970s, Italian Americans were are currently engaged in the analysis of a dispersed throughout New York City with geographic mapping project which will approximately 25% of the population of depict Italian ancestry residency patterns Italian ancestry. in the United States and how such patterns From 1970 to the 1980s, approximately have changed over time. The proposed 40% of the New York City Italian-American monograph will contain a county by county population migrated to the suburbs of Distribution of the Italian American population by census directory of Italian-American residence in the Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut and tract, New York City, 2000 United States using data from the decennial Northern New Jersey. In recent years (year census and annual American community 2008) Italian Americans represent only 8.2 surveys. The proposed Mapping Project will percent of the population of New York City. also analyze data related to the following The figures at right demonstrates categories: age, gender, level of occupational residential patterns for the year 2000. City- attainment, and level of education. wide, Italian-Americans represented 8.6% of the population in the five boroughs of NYC. ITALIAN-AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL Italian Americans comprised 5.5% of the DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES population in Manhattan, 5.2% in the Bronx, As of year 2008, in the United States, 7.5% in Brooklyn, and 8.4% in Queens. Italian Americans represent 5.5% of the However, in Staten Island, Italian Americans Geographic distribution of Italian Americans in the New population. The highest concentration of represented 37.7% of the population and York City tri-state area, 2000

IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ 5 since the 1980s. Teaching Italian American Tomasi’s Like Lesser Gods, which she teaches TEACHING ITALIAN AMERICAN Literature, Film, and Popular Culture aims to in her Italian American Women Writers LITERATURE, FILM, AND facilitate the process by which this literature course. Gardaphé stressed the importance POPULAR CULTURE and culture can be used in the classroom of what happens outside the classroom. In ______to recover an intellectual and ethnic past, his essay, “Creating a Program in Italian Rosangela Briscese and create a more complex understanding American Studies,” he concludes that “the of American history and culture. As Giunta future of Italian-American culture will rely Editors Edvige Giunta (New Jersey emphasized, “the classroom is the protagonist on the continued relation between the City University) and Kathleen Zamboni of this book.” Informational essays survey academy and ethnic communities of the McCormick (Purchase College) presented scholarship in literature, cinema, television, United States.” In “A Lived History under their new book Teaching Italian American performing arts, history, and ethnic studies, Scrutiny,” the first essay to survey Italian- Literature, Film, and Popular Culture at while pedagogical essays address classroom American performance art, Sciorra describes the Calandra Institute on May 17, 2010. instruction in these subjects. Discussing the a “continuum of Italian-American vernacular Part of the Modern Language Association’s pedagogical pieces, McCormick stressed that expression, from religious processions to Options for Teaching series, the collection there is “no self-aggrandizement” from the performance art.” Tamburri, who contributed features more than thirty scholars and teachers who contributed to the book— two essays about television and cinema, teachers discussing innovative ways of they “do not believe they are spoon-feeding stressed the importance of the Modern teaching Italian-American works in courses truths to their students.” Rather, they view Language Association, a major cultural ranging from American literature and history teaching and learning as hard work, and institution, publishing the book. Giunta and to multiethnic and women’s studies. The are willing to acknowledge and overcome McCormick echoed his belief that Teaching editors were joined by contributors Mary student resistance. Italian American Literature, Film, and Popular Jo Bona (Stony Brook University), Rose De Bona’s contribution, “Rich Harvest: Culture can strengthen Italian-American Angelis (Marist College), Fred Gardaphé An Overview of Italian American Fiction,” studies programs and, by extension, foster (Queens College), Joseph Sciorra, and surveys approximately 120 years of writing. a deeper appreciation of Italian-American Anthony Tamburri (Calandra Institute) for a She noted the material reality of Italian- studies in the United States. • discussion of the book. American lived culture and the “aesthetic Giunta and McCormick opened the thematic” that emerges from this literature evening with an overview of the book’s as early as the 1880s. De Angelis’s essay background, themes, and objectives. As “Stripping Down: Gender Roles in Italian noted in their introduction, scholars have American Fiction by Women” guides been studying largely-forgotten Italian- instructors in the use of texts including American history and literary production Helen Barolini’s Umbertina and Mari Editors Kathleen Zamboni McCormick and Edvige Giunta

STAFF NEWS DR. MARIA LA RUSSO of verse by the late Sicilian-American poet ______was invited to participate in the interview selection process of Holy Vincenzo Ancona that Joseph edited with LUCIA GRILLO participated in the prestigious Cross High School (Flushing, Queens) Anna L. Chairetakis. Joseph presented his Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner students applying to a highly competitive paper “Vernacular Exegesis of the Gentrifying this past May, with her third short film, Ad summer Service Program. Selected candidates Gaze: Saints, Hipsters, and Public Space Ipponion (Ode to Hipponion), shot on location participate in an intensive leadership seminar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn” at the “Terre in Calabria, Italy. Lucia’s short documentary, conducted at the University of Notre Dame, Promesse” conference. The Immigration Terra sogna terra (Earth Dream Earth), about Southbend Indiana, or the College of Notre History Research Center at the University of Calabrian immigrants’ gardens in New Dame du Sacre Couer, Montreal, Canada. Minnesota awarded him a grant to consult Rochelle, New York, which had its premiere The philosophy undergirding the program the papers of poet, playwright, and lyricist screening at the Calandra Institute’s "Terre espouses that youngsters who are responsive Alessandro Sisca aka Riccardo Cordiferro. Promesse" conference, was honored with a leaders within the school setting can help ANTHONY JULIAN TAMBURRI delivered a series Special Screening at ModaMovie Film Festival others to be responsive citizens outside the of lectures this year on Italian-American in Calabria in June. More news about Lucia’s boundaries of the classroom. The Service studies, from critical analyses of movies acting and directing projects, complete with Program emphasizes leadership development and books to the representation of Italian video trailers, can be found on Calabrisella and commitment to one’s school with special Americans in mainstream media at the turn Films’ website: www.calabrisellafilms.com. focus to serve the Queens community. of the twentieth century. He also published JOSEPH GROSSO published the sixth volume JOSEPH SCIORRA's article “A Lived History several articles and book chapters in English of il Giornalino. Started in 2005 to highlight under Scrutiny: Italian American Performance and Italian on similar topics. His book, Una the writings of his students studying Italian Art” was published in Teaching Italian semiotica dell’etnicità. Nuove segnalature per in high school, this latest edition features the American Literature, Film, and Popular Culture, la scrittura italiano/americana, was published writings of more than 200 college and high edited by Edvige Giunta and Kathleen this past April in a series he edits, entitled school students studying Italian in the New Zamboni McCormick (Modern Language “Americana,” by the Florentine publisher York metropolitan area. Copies of the journal Association, 2010). In March, the publisher Franco Cesati Editore. He also received the can be obtained by contacting Mr. Grosso at Legas reprinted the 1994 Malidittu la lingua/ honor of “Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito [email protected]. Damned Language, a bilingual collection della Repubblica Italiana” this past spring.

6 IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ COUNSELOR'S REPORT and his experience with the outstanding American society.” In addition, concerns ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB faculty at Queens College, who helped guide about “stereotyping” and “negative him in his transition to higher education. perceptions about being Italian American” AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES He was the first in his family to graduate emerged for several students. A diverse EXPAND AT QUEENS COLLEGE college and become a college professor. He range of opinions about television programs ______intertwined the McCarthy Era with Arthur including Jersey Shore and The Sopranos Joseph Grosso and Pierre Tribaudi Miller’s A View from the Bridge and examined were expressed. Talerico and other club the struggle Italian immigrants encountered. members reported that Jersey Shore presents Throughout the 2009-2010 academic Muzio encouraged attendees to learn about a “distorted image of Italian Americans.” year, there were many exciting Italian- their ethnic heritage and family history and Students unanimously expressed that American educational and cultural initiatives to maintain a “positive attitude” in efforts to open discussion of such issues and Italian- offered on the Queens College campus. foster self esteem. American studies programs are essential to Enrollment in Italian language classes Following this animated presentation, an increased understanding and acceptance continue to increase, interest in the Calandra a small number of student members of of what it means to be Italian American in Institute’s summer Study Abroad language the Italian American Club participated in contemporary society. program in Perugia is at an all-time high, a multi-faceted survey designed to assess We are pleased with the accomplishments submissions for il Giornalino (the publication attitudes toward their ethnic identity. The of the club leadership and members, of writings from students studying Italian sample included eight female and six male and eagerly look forward to next year’s throughout New York) have significantly students ages 18 through 23. In addition, programming and events. • increased, courses offered in the Italian personal interviews were conducted with American Studies program and student four of the club officers. Following is a brief registrations have expanded, and the faculty summary of the findings: and staff association (ARIA) sponsored • The majority of students eportedr several events. being third generation Italian American. The most dramatic change, however, • When queried about their ethnic has been the success of the Italian American heritage, eight students reported being Italian Club. Under the leadership of newly elected (regardless of place of birth). One indicated club president Italo Talerico, the club has Italian American; one reported Sicilian; two become one of the most active on campus. students reported mixed heritage, including The club initiated the academic year by Italian; one indicated Latino-Hispanic; Joseph Muzio reads excerpts from his memoir "Buddy marching with students from other CUNY one Croatian. Remembers: Then and Now." campuses in the Columbus Day parade, • When asked how they preferred to organized bake sales, bowling tournaments, identify themselves five students reported film events, participated in club fairs and “Italian”; five students reported “ Italian ITALIAN HERITAGE AND international festivals, and sponsored Italian American”; one student identified as “Italian/ language tutorials. Regarding these activities, Sicilian”; one student as “Sicilian”; one CULTURE COMMITTEE OF Talerico states, “I’m happy to have become student identified as “Columbian”; and one NEW YORK, INC. president of the Italian American Club. To student as “Croatian American.” have helped turn this club around, from • English is the primary language being barely active to where it is today, has spoken at home for six respondents while given me great satisfaction and a sense of Italian and Sicilian was reported by two personal achievement. To make positive students. Spanish and Croatian each received changes like this is good for the Italian- one response. American community.” • The median grade point average for Recently, the club hosted an alumni respondents is 3.3 (ranging from 2.8 to roundtable, inviting Joseph Muzio (’55) 3.8). Students reported a range of majors to read excerpts from his memoir, Buddy including Italian. 50% of respondents Remembers: Then and Now. The book reported career plans to become teachers recounts his parents’ life emigrating from with remaining students reporting interest southern Italy to Queens, New York. Muzio in law, psychology and business careers. believes that every family has a story that Thirteen students reported plans to attend needs to be told. His exploration into his graduate school. family story helped him to have a “clearer From both the preliminary quantitative understanding of myself and who I am.” and qualitative data analysis it was evident Members of the Board of Directors of Muzio discussed how his parents attempted that the issue of ethnic identity is very the IHCC. Cav. J. Sciame, second from to make him and his sister “Americanized” important to students. Similar to the right, is holding this year’s poster. For and the inherent conflict in choosing to discussion by Professor Muzio, some club more information on the IHCC and this identify as Italian or American. He also members reported that their family “negated year’s theme, you can visit http://www. explored themes of religion and education their ethnicity in favor of assimilation to italyculturemonth.org.

IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ 7 IN PIAZZA the Realm of Fantasy,” opened in March the town of Bonefro (Campobasso province) CULTURAL ASSOCIATION 2007 and featured the fantastical necklaces and has lived in Long Island City since 1994. of Italian artist Bianca Peracchi. This craft Along with his wife Rosemarie Buzzeo, OF THE MOLISE REGION exhibit was followed by another, “Caprice Alfredo Brunetti has also sponsored Molisani IN AMERICA in Wood,” highlighting the woodworking wine tastings, classes in Italian conversation, ______of Italian-American Michele Brunetti, who and film screenings. The Association recently Joseph Sciorra immigrated to the United States in 1958. He held its third annual barbecue in Ridge Road worked as a carpenter for twelve years before Park, in Hartsdale, New York. For more The latest enuev for Italian-American turning his talents to creating carvings out of information email [email protected] or culture has been established in a former ash, mahogany, walnut, and other woods. call 917-734-8964. • optometrist’s storefront in Long Island City, In 2008, the Association mounted two Queens. In what has been rechristened the separate exhibitions of Italian photographs “Buzzeo Building” at 31-16 36th Avenue, by Mauro Presutti and Paolo Cardone. The Alfredo Brunetti founded the “Cultural following year, a “photographic reportage” Association of the Molise Region in America” of the 2009 earthquake in Abruzzo by Flavio in 2007 to feature the central Italian region’s Brunetti depicted the haunting devastation artistic and culinary offerings. Brunetti, in the city of L’Aquila. Renowned Italian- the Association president, arrived in New American photographer Tony Vaccaro York City four years ago from Oratino presented works from his opus, including (Campobasso province), where he previously portraits of Sophia Loren, Pablo Picasso, served as town mayor. Georgia O’Keefe, and Frank Lloyd Wright, The Association’s space is a gallery where as well as dramatic images of post-World War several exhibitions have been mounted over II Italy, in a striking show held December Alfredo Brunetti, President of the Cultural Association of the past three years. The first show, “In 2009–April 2010. Vaccaro has his roots in the Molise Region in America

AUDIENCE PROFILE FROM THE ARCHIVES neighborhood thought it was dangerous,” ______CLAIRE AND ANNA PIPOLO Claire, 78, shares, “but we always felt it was ______extremely safe.” In the 1950s, they moved Rosangela Briscese to the Wakefield section of the Bronx, then to Jackson Heights, Queens, before settling in Bay Terrace. While Anna and Claire agree their current neighborhood does not have the “heart and soul” of East Harlem, they enjoy the relative calm and quiet Bay Terrace offers for “kids and old people,” Anna, 80, jokes, “and we’re old!” Avid golfers for the past thirty The Fugitives at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, September 13, 1965. From left to right: Eugene years, they live within walking distance of Gregoretti, John La Barbera, unidentified drummer, the Clearview Golf Course. The Pipolos Dennis La Barbera, and Billy Giramonte. are also opera enthusiasts and hold subscriptions to the Metropolitan Opera. The World’s Fair (1964-65) in Flushing They estimate they have been attending Meadows Park, Queens, introduced me Calandra events for close to fifteen years. to many cultures. By 1964, my brother Dennis, my best friend Eugene Gregoretti, Anna and Claire Pipolo ride the Their favorite programs include the and I formed the Fugitives, named after the express bus from Bay Terrace, Queens, to documentary film screenings of I Build the popular TV show. Having the opportunity to attend the Calandra Institute’s monthly Towers (September 18, 2007), about Sam perform at the World’s Fair was an incredible events. The sisters were born in East Rodia’s Watts Towers, and Louis Prima: experience. Our stage was the New York State Harlem during the Great Depression—at The Wildest! (April 15, 2008). Since their Pavilion, which seemed at that time right 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue, parents and grandparents spoke to them out of a science fiction fantasy. It was worlds near Rao’s Restaurant—and lived in only in English, the sisters feel they had away from our small neighborhood in South a brownstone with their parents and limited exposure to Italian language and Ozone Park, even though the distance was grandparents, who came from the culture while growing up. They come to only a few miles. It was raining hard that day, Campania region. They have fond the Calandra Institute to “connect with but we performed anyway. We did not want memories of East Harlem, from its Italian their roots.” Anna and Claire share a deep to disappoint the audience, made up entirely of our families. bakeries to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel appreciation for “Calandra keeping us in — JOHN T. LA BARBERA Feast, where they once saw Carlo Buti touch with all things Italian and Italian Bergen Community College and I Giullari di Piazza perform. “People who were not from the American!” •

8 IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ ITALIAN AMERICAN FACULTY STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL STUDENT NEWS ______CAMPUS DELEGATE SPOTLIGHT: BARUCH COLLEGE Donna Chirico GABRIELLE PATI CARMINE R. TEDESCO MICHAEL LOVAGLIO The Calandra Institute is pleased to announce that Delegate Alternate Delegate Gabrielle Pati, a part-time Carmine R. Tedesco Michael Lovaglio is the staff member in the is the Controller of Director of Student Institute's archive library, is the recipient Baruch College where Affairs and Graduate of two scholarship awards. This past he is responsible for the Admissions for the School May, Ms. Pati received the Francesca management of all facets of Public Affairs at Pagano Award from the Department of of the Office of the Controller. Carmine is Baruch College. Prior to working at Baruch, Romance Languages at Hunter College. a true finance professional with extensive he held management positions in admissions In June, she was recognized for her experience in developing, implementing at Brooklyn College and City College as academic excellence by the National and administering finance and accounting well as other administrative positions at Organization of Italian American functions for organizations ranging from the Julliard School, Columbia University, Women at their 30th Anniversary Gala, multi-billion dollar international operations and Polytechnic University. Michael holds where she was awarded a prestigious (Alitalia Airline) to family owned enterprises a BA in psychology/art history from New scholarship bestowed to “outstanding (Global Equipment Corporation) to not-for- York University, and has taken coursework candidates to nourish and support profit operations (Queens Library). in the Experimental Psychology program educational advancement.” Gabrielle Carmine and his family immigrated at Brooklyn College. A seasoned student earned a Bachelor’s degree in English to New York from Andretta (Avellino affairs and admissions professional, Michael literature and Italian at Hunter province), when he was eleven years old. is particularly experienced in international where she founded the Dante Club, Carmine received his undergraduate degree admissions and credits his work at the City demonstrating early in her academic from Fordham University and MBA from University for his familiarity with global career her passion for Italian literature. Adelphi University. He is married and has trends in international education. Ms. Pati is currently a graduate student two sons, Gregory and Louis, who are both Although born in Brooklyn, Michael’s at Hunter College matriculated in interested in business related careers. Wife, parents and three of his seven siblings the Master’s program in Italian and Anne, is on the music faculty of St. Johns immigrated to the United States in 1957 Adolescent Education. Auguri! University and is a concert pianist. from Sala Consilina (Salerno province). ITALO TALERICO Carmine, one of the newest members, is Michael is honored to serve the Council pleased to serve as Council delegate. as Baruch College’s alternate delegate. Queens College student and president of the Italian American Club, The talianI American Faculty and Staff of origin.” Students who are born in the Italo Talerico received a Advisory Council works to ensure that Italian United States are not able to identity their Solomon Levine Memorial Scholarship Americans are treated fairly in accordance ethnicity because of this shortcoming. A Endowment from the Department of with their affirmative action status at CUNY. new approach would permit the counting Secondary Education. The scholarship The Council raises awareness about the of students across ethnicities, serving both is awarded to undergraduate or graduate position of Italian Americans through its CUNY as a model of student diversity and students who have earned a minimum presence on each campus in the work of its scholars interested in the study of ethnic GPA of 3.0 and are pursuing a career in campus delegates. identity and educational attainment. secondary education. Complimenti! At present, the Council is working with To learn more about the council, or if representatives from CUNY Central Office you are interested in becoming a campus to update the online student application delegate, contact Dr. Donna Chirico, Chair ON THE COVER of this issue is a detail of for admission. The current version does of the Italian American Faculty Staff Advisory the work of Italian-American artist Joanne not permit students to indicate ethnic Council, by telephone at 718-262-2687 or Mattera, whose paintings have been exhibited identification, but instead asks for “country by email at [email protected] • and collected internationally. Says Mattera, “My work is chromatically resonant, physically tangible, and compositionally reductive. I call it Coming soon from the Calandra Institute! lush minimalism.” Her work will be on view at Mediated Ethnicity: New Italian-American Cinema the Marcia Wood Gallery, Atlanta, in September, $28, 320 pages, ISBN 978-0-9703403-6-8 and in a solo show at the Arden Gallery, Boston, Edited by Giuliana Muscio, Joseph Sciorra, Giovanni Spagnoletti, Anthony in November. Mattera is the author of the Joanne Julian Tamburri, and featuring essays by twenty-two authors, Mediated Mattera Art Blog (www.joannemattera.blogspot. Ethnicity: New Italian American Cinema is an English translation of the com) that explores art and culture in New York City anthology Quei bravi ragazzi (2007), part of a growing analysis of Italian- and elsewhere. She plans to blog from Ortona a American history and culture by scholars in Italy. Mare, her mother’s hometown, in the spring.

IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ 9 BOOK REVIEWS in the writings of Pietro di Donato, Mari novel Sometimes the Soul: Two Novellas of Sicily, ______Tomasi, Jerre Mangione, Tina DeRosa, and Tony won a 1999 American Book Award. Her new Fred Gardaphé Ardizzone are explored. novel, What Makes a Child Lucky, brings us to Bona’s essay on faith brings new her beloved Sicily, origins of much of her art and perspectives regarding women and Catholicism, many of the great stories of Western civilization. confessing, and interpretations leading to Based on a Sicilian folktale of a boy who is sent By the Breath of Their insights such as, “Italian-American authors have by his brothers to steal an ogre’s treasure, the Mouths: Narratives regularly developed characters whose brand of narrative takes off from this familiar tale and Catholicism—unorthodox at best—requires moves in new and interesting directions that of Resistance in them to function in a doubly marginalized renew the story for a contemporary world. Italian America way—as Italian-American Catholics and as It doesn’t take a village to raise a child if you Mary Jo Bona Italian-American citizens.” have one good godmother—and ultimately that $24.95 paperback If you have ever thought that Italian- is what thirteen-year old Joseph realizes after he 978-1-4384-2996-0 American literature does not matter then doubt no is betrayed by his jealous brothers who send him www.sunypress.edu more! Bona’s mastery of the history and criticism to the mayor’s office. The mayor forces him on an of U.S. American literature demonstrates errand into the hills to deal with the very bandits Mary Jo Bona, Professor of Italian the centrality and vitality of this vein of the who killed Joseph’s best friend, Pasquale the American Studies at Stony Brook University, American literary goldmine. This is employed wine carrier. Joseph knows this terrain well from and the chairperson of the Women’s and Gender best in her chapter on the writer Guido gathering food for his mother’s cooking, but he Studies Program, is renowned for her teaching, D’Agostino, co-written with one of her graduate has no idea what he is about to encounter when scholarship and poetry. She has published essays students, JoAnne Ruvoli. The co-authors observe he meets an ancient woman and the bandits she and critical studies that have become essential D’Agostino’s attempt to contribute to U.S. cares for. reading in the field of Italian-American studies. literature as “allow[ing] him to discover echoes of Joseph’s experience and familial separation Bona advises graduate students, edits a book his soul, which also remained tied to his parents’ are clarified one day as he listens to a shepherd series at SUNY Press, has directed the Italian ancestral homeland—Sicily.” You don’t have to piping a song: “As a child I had lived inside American Studies Program at Stony Brook and is shed your roots in order to become American my own life with whatever I had found there, past-president of the American Italian Historical and you don’t have to write about your roots to so I never imagined life as separate from my Association. It is difficult to locate anyone as be an Italian-American writer. family, but now I saw and heard something new, committed as she is to the field of American Bona’s comparative style exacts readings of something greater than my small life, something multicultural studies and Italian-American such writers as Tina DeRosa and the Barbadian/ that had been created.” Joseph discovers the studies in particular, and now she has brought American writer Paule Marshall that invigorate personal power that comes from creating and it the best of her experiences and knowledge to bear the field. She examines intracultural influences by leads him to live a life in favor of art and against in a new publication. applying that approach to her readings of Louise destruction. He finds that his stories have power By the Breath of Their Mouths: Narratives DeSalvo, Mary Cappello, and Maria Gillan with that he never could have imagined; they can of Resistance in Italian America is Bona’s latest Rose Romano. make him visible or invisible, and through these publication, a unique study of Italian-American Her chapter on death and bereavement strange experiences, mediated by Immaculata, literature old and new. She uses a thematic explains much about the way Italian Americans the woman who cooks for the bandits, he learns approach that focuses on issues of justice, faith, examine their lives and mourn those they love how to prepare meals that sustain and nurture storytelling, land, history, influence, death and in the context of their cultural history. She him in addition to learning how to construct a revival. Through this work she builds a bridge concludes with a finale that will easily become life in the balance of good and evil. to the next phase of Italian-American literary the prelude to the next important study of It’s not just Immaculata’s words that teach criticism—the integration of Italian-American Italian-American literature. Joseph how to handle things; it’s sometimes just writings into the U.S. canon. the way she looks at him, as when he leaves her The entire work is pedagogically sound. to live with the bandits. As he turns to wave Whether you are reading the novels for the goodbye he sees her non-verbal behavior is that first time or teaching them for the tenth, you of indifference, “Then her face changed, and discover insights that transport you beyond without hesitation she looked right into my your own thinking to new levels of perception. eyes with the most compassionate look I have The elegant, careful style of writing is erudite What Makes a ever seen in my life . . . Before this moment I without being opaque. Each essay is constructed Child Lucky had only understood that word ‘compassion’ in through rigorously informed criticism, the result Gioia Timpanelli terms of deeds and actions. Deeds and actions I of working and rehearsing ideas for years before $19.95 hardcover understood; but a ‘look’ that could change you?” putting them down on the page, of testing those 978-0-393-06702-6 Creativity and compassion are just two of ideas in conference presentations, public lectures, www.wwnorton.com the many lessons learned by Joseph in this tale and classrooms, distilling those experiences into of adventure and maturity. Timpanelli adapts wisdom appearing in the written word. Gioia Timpanelli might be called the her verbal art to meet the needs of the page and “Acts of writing ensured Italian Americans “Dean of American Storytelling,” but I like to rewards the eye with rich imagery and the soul of at least two things: that they would not forget think of her as the Commare of the word. Like with strong sentiment. Often what she writes is an ancestral heritage replete with communal a wise friend, her stories and writings counsel pure music, and the songs she creates invite us and inclusive storytelling traditions; and that as they console, enliven as they entertain, and to sing along. She maintains a sense of presence assimilation in America could be deflected by unite us all with narrative threads that bind us that is key to the oral tradition, and is able to recording and establishing resistant voices in to ancient truths. Like a midwife, her labor with meet the demands of the written word. This narratives expressive of folk practices and words assists in the birth of new thinking about master storyteller has concocted a strange brew family cultures.” old things. out of familiar ingredients. What Makes a Child Justice and, more specifically, the relation Timpanelli has won many awards for her Lucky deserves a special place on every family’s of private justice to folklore traditions situated storytelling in television and literature; her last bookshelf. Brava maestra Timpanelli! •

10 IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ CALL FOR PAPERS • Food as spectacle, e.g. sagre, the religious narratives, and individual curricula vitae. The 3 Fs in Italian Cultures: street feste, television cooking shows. Proposals to present creative work • Regional Italian-American hybrids; e.g., must include the work itself (plus a note Critical Approaches to Food, St. Louis toasted raviolis, New Orleans on technical requirements, and a brief Fashion, and Film muffuletta, Manhattan clam chowder. curriculum vitae). Films or videos must be ______• Cinematic depictions of food, e.g., Big mailed as a DVD by the deadline to: The 3 Night, Dinner Rush. Fs in Italian Cultures Conference, Calandra The Calandra nstituteI announces • Literary depictions of food. Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, 17th floor, its fourth annual confernce dedicated to • Cinematic, culinary, and fashion tourism, New York, NY 10036. the theme of food, fashion, and film. The e.g., slumming in Little Italies, agriturismo. Proposals will be evaluated anonymously conference will be held on April 28–30, • The Italian diaspora as a market for Italian through peer review and prospective presenters 2011 at the Institute offices. food and film. may expect to be advised of their acceptance In the second half of the twentieth • Current trends in Italian-Australian and or otherwise by December 1, 2010. • century, food, fashion, and film became Italian-Canadian filmmaking. fundamental icons of Italian culture. These • Film and fashion, e.g., Roma, Blood and AUTHOR AWARDS three cultural fora have become critical Black Lace, Valentino: The Last Emperor. ______arenas where the notion of an “Italian style” In addition to scholarly papers and We would like to congratulate two past is formulated, marketed, and consumed as panels, this conference is open to presenting Calandra Institute presenters whose work an articulation of identity at local, national, creative work (fiction, poetry, memoir, film, has recently been acknowledged: and global levels. Food, fashion, and film performance, etc.). The official language • Author Salvatore Scibona was named are key points of encounter in the symbiotic of the conference will be English. All a 2010 Guggenheim Fellow and was circuitry between Italy and its diaspora, presentations are to last no longer than included in the New Yorker’s “20 Under and have contributed to the construction twenty minutes, including audio and visual 40,” a list of twenty young writers who of identity within geo-political/economic illustrations that accompany presentations. “capture the inventiveness and the vitality spheres. This conference offers a venue for Deadline for submissions is September of contemporary American fiction.” Mr. the exploration of such identity markers and Scibona read from his acclaimed novel The 15, 2010. Abstracts for scholarly papers End (Graywolf Press, 2008) as part of the how they have shaped general perceptions of (up to 250 words, plus a note on technical Calandra Institute’s Writers Read series on Italians around the world. requirements, and a brief curriculum vitae) November 4, 2009. Suggested paper topics include, but are should be emailed as an attached document, • Angela Dalle Vacche received the Choice not limited to: by September 15th to [email protected], to Magazine 2009 Outstanding Academic • The history and culture of la miseria whom other inquiries may also be addressed. Book Award for Diva: Defiance and (poverty and hunger). We encourage the submission of Passion in Early Italian Cinema (University • Notions of authenticity and nostalgia in organized panels (of no more than three of Texas Press, 2008). Professor Dalle the invention of an Italian cuisine. presenters). Submission for a panel must Vacche presented as part of the Philip • Food as labor, e.g., the domestic kitchen, V. Cannistraro Seminar Series in Italian be made by a single individual on behalf of American Studies on February 25, 2010. African immigrants in Calabria. the group, with all the paper titles, abstract

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2010 or underground music—metal, punk, in performers’ musical personae. Antonino Hybrid Moments: experimental, singer-songwriter—and their D’Ambrosio (author and filmmaker), associated subcultures. Artists from Ronnie Gerry LaFemina (poet and musician), Carl Independent Music in Italian James Dio (Black Sabbath) to Vinnie Stigma Porcaro (Killing Time), Cliff Rigano (Dry America Symposium (Agnostic Front), from Natalie Merchant Kill Logic), and Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers) ______to Ani Di Franco, represent an Italian are among the scheduled participants. Prior Rosangela Briscese presence—sometimes veiled, sometimes to the event, the Institute’s “Documented overt—in the American music scene. Ethnic Italians” film and video series will feature How is it that an Italian-American identity has not been the defining feature a screening of Average Community on grandmother’s gesture against the evil eye of alternative musicians’ creativity, yet November 4. The documentary, by brothers became the internationally recognized symbol Italian-American artists’ italianità is revealed Fred, Christopher, and Joe Zara, is a for heavy metal music? What does the “Frank through name change or retention, lyrics, cinematic reflection on their experiences Sinatra of the punk scene” sound like? And cultivated persona, or performance style. playing in the punk band Prisoners of War in why do so many punk bands—the Ramones, On November 5, 2010, we are 1980s Trenton, New Jersey. • the Rezillos, Fugazi—want to be Italian? pleased to present the symposium "Hybrid The Calandra nstituteI has explored Moments: Independent Music in Italian the Neapolitan song, jazz, doo-wop, and America," which will bring together artists rap in relation to Italian Americans in past and scholars to discuss topics including the lectures and symposia. While these histories Italian-American influence in independent of Italian Americans are well documented, music-making, the experience of negotiating little is known about their contributions to ethnic identity and subculture identity, and various types of alternative, independent, the assertion, or lack thereof, of Italianness Members of the 1980s punk band Prisoners of War

IL BOLLETTINO •SUMMER 2010 • JOHN D. CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE • 25 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10036 • 212-642-2094 • [email protected] • QC.CUNY.EDU/CALANDRA/ 11 CALANDRA ITALIAN AMERICAN ITALIAN AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE INSTITUTE OCTOBER 7–9, 2010 John D. Calandra The ohnJ D. Calandra Italian American Institute (Queens College, CUNY) announces a Italian American Institute conference dedicated to counseling and psychological issues in the Italian-American community. Queens College, CUNY The conference will examine issues concerning ethnic identity development, grief and loss, personal 25 West 43rd Street, 17th floor narratives, women and family issues, and Italian Americans as consumers of mental health services. New York, NY 10036 Ultimately, the conference will focus on the development and changing nature of psychological and familial structures in the Italian-American community. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, family therapists, couples counselors, academic researchers, students, and those providing services to the population. The conference will also be of interest to members of the Italian-American community. CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Thursday evening reception and keynote address by: • Richard Gambino, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Queens College, author of Blood of My Blood Friday conference sessions include: • Joseph Giordano, MSW, co-editor of Ethnicity and Family Therapy • Aileen Riotto Sirey, PhD, founder of National Organization of Italian American Women, pioneer in ethnotherapy. • Saturday evening special film screening of Canvas with writer/director Joseph Greco and others. ALL EVENTS ARE FREE. TO REGISTER CALL 212-642-2094. For further information, contact Dominick Carielli, PhD: [email protected]

MONTHLY SERIES CALENDAR

PHILIP V. CANNISTRARO SEMINAR SERIES WRITERS READ SERIES DOCUMENTED ITALIANS IN ITALIAN AMERICAN STUDIES Monday, September 27, 2010 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 6 p.m. MARY CAPONEGRO reads from All Fall Down (Coffee Zampogna: The Soul of Southern Italy (2010), 82 min. Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 6 p.m. House Press, 2009) DAVID MARKER, dir. Living the Revolution: Italian Women's Resistance and Radicalism in New York City Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 6 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. JENNIFER GUGLIELMO, Smith College Readings from Avanti Popolo: Italian-American Writers In Altro Mare (2010), 56 min. Sail Beyond Columbus (Manic D Press, 2008) FRANCO LA CECLA, dir. Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 6 p.m. “The Power of What Comes After”: Italian-American Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 6 p.m. Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 6 p.m. Death Talk GIOIA TIMPANELLI reads from What Makes a Child Average Community (2010), 86 min. MARY JO BONA, Stony Brook University Lucky (W.W. Norton, 2008) FRED ZARA, dir. Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2010 at 6 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2010 at 6 p.m. Anti-Catholicism and National Security Politics in FRANK LENTRICCHIA reads from The Italian Actress Totó (2009), 128 min. World War II San Francisco (SUNY Press, 2009) PETER SCHREINER, dir. WILLIAM ISSEL, San Francisco State University Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 6 p.m. Special Guest Presentation Performing Italian in the American Songbook Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 6 p.m. MARK ROTELLA Italy in Early American Cinema: Race, Landscape, and the Picturesque GIORGIO BERTELLINI, University of Michigan

> All SEMINARS, READINGS, and FILMS take place at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, 17th floor, Manhattan All events are free and open to the public. Pre-register by calling 212-642-2094. Photo ID requested by building concierge.