Who says that turning 106 necessarily means being old? At this age, L’Italo-Americano still looks young and fresh, constantly reinventing itself and improving, in order to move with the times. The newspaper proves this every day, and in particular it did it on the occasion of the long-awaited Anniversary Gala that took place on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Casa Italiana.
Recreating the magic atmosphere of the Italian city of Venice and its famous Carnival, the venue was elegantly decorated with colorful mask and floral centerpieces, and prepared to host over 100 guests among the friends, readers, subscribers, supporters, and sponsors of the paper. In their presence, L’Italo-Americano celebrated an outstanding and successful career, and its crucial role as a reliable and qualified source of information for the Italian American community, was acknowledged by many representatives of the Institutions and major organizations in attendance.
Among them were Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Giuseppe Perrone, Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California President Ann Potenza, IALA President Damian D. Capozzola, past President Thomas P. Cacciatore and other board members, ICF President Nick D’Egidio, Marisa Antonini, President of the Marisa Antonini Foundation, and American actor Lee Curreri (Fame).
As soon as the doors opened, the guests were welcomed entertained everybody with jokes and jests by masked characters typical of the Italian Commedia dell’Arte tradition: Arlecchino, Pantalone, and Colombina, played by actors from the renowned company Actors’ Gang.
The appetizers were served, immediately revealing the authentic Venetian inspiration of the exquisite menu, including baccalà, polenta, and bigoli pasta. After that, Master of Ceremonies Fernando J. Scarpa took the stage to introduce the protagonists and to illustrate the sense of this celebration. He underlined the importance of L’Italo-Americano to preserve the unity and identity of the Italian community over the years, and he briefly recalled its history from the very origin in 1908. The Emcee also thanked the publisher, Mr. Robert J. Barbera and his wife Josephine for the long standing commitment, as well as for the organization of such a pleasant evening with the collaboration of the newspaper’s staff and Michela Magrì, Deputy Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles.
Amusing and very well-orchestrated, the Commedia dell’Arte show was intended to engage the public in the funny vicissitudes of two young lovers – a heavy drinker Arlecchino and an excessively emotional Colombina -, opposed by her old father Pantalone who would like to give her in marriage to some wealthy business man in the room.
In order to escape Pantalone’s fury, the guests were invited to wear their complimentary masks, enabling poor Arlecchino to conceal himself among them. Of course, the marriage was allowed in the end, also thanks to the persuading voice of extraordinary Italian soprano Elisabetta Russo. Accompanied by talented Russian pianist Vladimir Khomyakov, Elisabetta Russo’s performance – featuring O mio babbino caro by G. Puccini, Ah, je veux vivre from Roméo and Juliette by C. Gounod, Nuit d’étoiles by C. Debussy, and La vie en rose by Edit Piaf – was delightful and unanimously appreciated.
According to Emcee Fernando J. Scarpa, the discreet entertainment was effectively calibrated to avoid exaggerating and distracting the attention from the guest of honor: L’Italo-Americano.
Before the final greetings, Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone was invited on stage to say a few words in recognition of the newspaper’s effort to keep its ties with Italy, so as to present a truthful and up-to-date image of the Country, and at the same time to cover local events and news in a professional, modern, and interesting manner. Finally, he introduced L’Italo-Americano owner, Commendatore Robert J. Barbera, as “an enlightened individual who is always on the front line when it comes to promoting the Italian language, culture, and values.”
Mr. Barbera expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all the attendees who participated in the Gala despite the heavy rain, and his wish to make this “an annual affair” with either the same or a different theme, depending on the public’s feedback. He also underlined the charity end of the fundraiser intended to benefit both the newspaper and St. Peter’s Church-Casa Italiana, and praised the continuous development of the paper.
In particular, he said that the increasing success of the web site represents “a fantastic way into the future”, without giving up the print version but passing the knowledge of the Italian culture on to the new generations of Italian Americans. “L’Italo-Americano helps to keep the community together, and it will continue to serve it for another 106 years and more”, he assured.
The joyful celebration ended with an extremely rich raffle, including prestigious prizes like the tickets to world-famous Italian composer Ennio Morricone’s concert in Los Angeles. It was made possible thanks to the generosity of many loyal sponsors such as Pasquini Espresso, Il Fornaio Beverly Hills, Gioia Company, Expert Travel, Fondazione Italia, Peroni, Massimo Gallotta Productions, Grando Chocolate, Nubar, and D’Aquino.
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