The Italian Radio Hour

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Alessia Discovers a Spider Web. When Storytime Dances the Italian Tarantella with Anna Harsh and Alessandra Aozora.
Join me in welcoming two incredibly talented women whose collaboration brings together dance, storytelling, and visual art in a beautiful way.
Anna Harsh is the founder of Allegro Dance Company, known for promoting and preserving Italian folk traditions through dance. She has recently ventured into the world of children’s literature with her debut book, Alessia Discovers a Spider Web.
Joining her is Alessandra Aozora, the illustrator of the book, whose unique background gives her work a vibrant multicultural flair.
Together, they’ve created a book that is not only visually enchanting but also deeply rooted in themes of discovery, identity, and imagination.
Anna and Alessandra will be at Istituto Mondo Italiano - Centro di cultura italiana, on Saturday June 14th from 2-4pm to share the story of how Alessia becomes friend with the spider. Craft time and tarantella moves are all included.
The event is FREE but registration is required at: https://www.istitutomondoitaliano.org/alessia-discovers-a-spider-web-jun-14th.html#/
Signed copies of the book, can be purchased in person or online (same link as above).
https://youtu.be/c6-MTOqbs6I
@followers @highlight #italian #dance #children #childrensbooks #italy #italianamerican #tarantella #storytime

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Recently, I had the pleasure to spend time in Bari and have a one-on-one mini orecchiette class with the one and only Nunzia, known to the world as the Queen of Orecchiette.A true icon of Bari Vecchia, Nunzia, with her expert hands and welcoming smile, has become a living symbol of Apulian culinary traditions. Her working station outside her home under Arco Basso in the old part of the town has become a must for those visiting Bari, and her orecchiette, made with love and skillful hands, have gone around the world – literally! Today she shares her story, her travels, and gives us some of her contagious joy!To learn more about Nunzia, visit: https://www.nunzialapastaia.com/pages/nunzia-caputo

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - In the 1950s, a New York radio station created ‘La grande famiglia’, a program for Italian Americans sponsored by a Progresso tomato company. The mechanism was simple, but ingenious: in exchange for ten labels as proof of purchase, a correspondent would go and record the voices of relatives in Italy. In a world without a telephone, the thirteen seasons of the show represented, for many people, the only link between their loved ones and their homeland. In 2022, Cristiano, the author of the podcast, discovered that in America there were thousands of records with recordings of the broadcast, sent as a souvenir by the radio station to the participating families. Thus began a search that reconnected the threads of personal and collective memories, starting from an extraordinary sound archive.Today, I am joined by two leading scholars in Italian American studies: Prof. Joseph Sciorra, folklorist and Director of Academic and Cultural Programs at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, and Prof. Laura E. Ruberto, cultural historian and professor at Berkeley City College. Both have made lasting contributions to the study of migration, memory, material culture, and identity within the Italian American experience.With their numerous publications and continuous collaborations, Ruberto ad Sciorra are helping us listen differently to the Italian American past—and understand how everyday voices shape collective heritage.In addition to talking about the significance of La Grande Famiglia, Joseph and Laura describe their jointly curated exhibition at the Calandra Institute entitled: “CREATIVITY and WORLD WAR II Italian P-O-Ws in the United States”, which presents creative work made by Italian soldiers who were imprisoned by the Allied forces during World War II, focusing on those held in the United States. These objects, often made from salvaged materials, ranged in size from a small inlaid ring to a large Catholic chapel with a 65-foot bell tower. There is no archive or collective depository about World War II Italian prisoners of war in Allied hands. To document this creative work, the exhibit pulls from research completed by co-curator Laura E. Ruberto (Berkeley City College), including historical photographs, rare remaining artifacts, oral testimonies, written accounts, family memories, and private collections. The exhibition, designed by Polly Franchini, brings together a selection of these objects, images, and stories to present this little-known history. Highlighting the artistry of incarcerated Italian servicemen (some of whom maintained allegiance to Fascism) is not meant to trivialize the atrocities of war or to minimize the resistance of those who fought at great sacrifice. Rather, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the myriad ways that identity and imagination are shaped materially during the adverse conditions of war.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - "Only in America could the son of an uneducated carpenter receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine". This is how Dr. Louis Ignarro, Nobel Prize Laureate for his research on Nitric Oxide premises his interview when asked if anyone is his family was a scientist, doctor, a pharmacist or else.On Oct 12, 1998 at noon, while boarding a plane from NY to go to Naples to present at a conference, he receives a call from a friend. The call is shortly after aborted by a demanding flight attendant: "Sir, we need to take off".What was the content of the phone call? Did Dr. Ignarro realize that it would change the rest of his life?Not only, did Dr. Ignarro receive the Nobel prize but his research was also at the base of a drug for erectile dysfunction that eventually, also earned his the nickname of "The Father of Viagra", a nickname that he got accustomed to but one that his Sicilian mother didn't really appreciate.In his 80s, Dr. Ignarro is the testament of a healthy and happy live, sharing his secret but not so secret "recipe" based on science and clearly explained in his publications "Dr. NO - The Discovery that Led to a Nobel Prize and Viagra (where "NO" cleverly stands for Nitric Oxide") and "NO more heart diseases" both available on Amazon.Fun Fact n. 1: Dr. Ignarro is also proud of holding the title of being the only Nobel Prize Laureate with a Model Railroad, a hobby that he shared with his father from the age of 8.Fun fact n. 2: The Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896. Fun Fact: Every December 10th, I celebrate my being awarded the Nobel Prize with a glass of Dom Pérignon Champagne.To learn more about Dr. Ignarro's work and publications: https://www.drignarro.com/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Today, I have the joy of welcoming someone whose presence is as vibrant as her memories—Mary Ferro. A beloved music teacher, performer, and storyteller at heart, Mary is also the author of the newly published memoir From Calabria to Carnegie, Music for Bread.

With deep roots in Pittsburgh’s Italian-American community, Mary’s life has been shaped by song, tradition, and the incredible women who came before her. She once danced with the folk group I Campagnoli and has spent her life nurturing the power of music—not just as an art, but as a connection to heritage. She’ll be presenting her book at the Heinz History Center on May 22nd, and we’re lucky to get a preview of the passion and heart behind the pages today.The book "From Calabria to Carnegie" is available on Amazon.https://a.co/d/dGpwR4UTo register for the event at the Heinz History Center on May 22nd at 6pm here is the link: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/event/from-calabria-to-carnegie-music-for-bread/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Shy of a few days from opening its fifth location, today, I am joined by a Pittsburgh icon—Sam Patti, founder and owner of La Prima Espresso. For over three decades, La Prima has been more than just a coffee shop—it’s been a cultural hub, a gathering place, and a symbol of Italian heritage in the heart of the Strip District. But Sam’s story goes beyond espresso. He is also an independent scholar of Italian American studies, having close ties to the University of Calabria. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the journey of a man whose love for coffee is deeply rooted in tradition, community, and identity. We’ll talk about what La Prima represents for the city of Pittsburgh, the evolution of Italian American identity, and how Sam continues to inspire new generations to stay connected to their roots.Tickets to COFFEE EXPLORATION Experience: https://www.istitutomondoitaliano.org/coffee-exploration.html#/orVisit www.laprima.com to get La Prima coffee at your door

Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Stefano Consiglio, the President of Fondazione CON IL SUD, an organization dedicated to fostering social innovation and sustainable development in Southern Italy. Since its establishment in 2006, the foundation has played a crucial role in empowering local communities, supporting social enterprises, and revitalizing underutilized resources, including properties confiscated from organized crime.
From education and youth employment to social inclusion and cultural preservation, Fondazione CON IL SUD has been a driving force in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the South. Recently, the foundation has been involved in remarkable initiatives such as the support for caregivers, the repurposing of confiscated properties, and even the creation of a school for Presepe artisans, in collaboration with NIAF.
"Dove c'era la criminalità, ora c'è la comunità".To learn more about Fondazione con il Sud, please visit:

https://www.fondazioneconilsud.it/en/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: Fasten your seatbelts!1000 Miglia Experience Florida and The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) teamed up to bring the iconic car race to the US.Few events capture the essence of Italian excellence, elegance, and innovation quite like the 1000 Miglia. A symbol of style, precision, and sheer automotive passion, this legendary race has transcended borders to make its thrilling debut in the United States. And behind this incredible achievement stand two distinguished leaders in the world of hospitality and cultural diplomacy: Massimo Cicatiello and Robert Allegrini.Massimo Cicatiello, a visionary force behind the 1000 Miglia experience, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that this race is not just about speed, but about the celebration of history, beauty, and craftsmanship. He brings to the table a deep understanding of what makes this event so iconic.Joining us is Robert Allegrini, President of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Italian heritage in the United States. With a distinguished career in luxury hospitality and cultural leadership, Robert has been instrumental in bringing the spirit of Italy to American audiences in ways that are both meaningful and unforgettable. Together, these two powerhouses have successfully orchestrated the first-ever 1000 Miglia Experience in Florida, a groundbreaking moment that merged tradition with cutting-edge technology, high performance with high culture. Today, we dive into the journey of bringing this iconic race across the Atlantic, the challenges, the triumphs, and the unforgettable moments that made history.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The 21st edition of the Italian Film Festival Usa is opening soon in selected cities throughout the United States to bring contemporary Italian movies to the public free, in the original language with English subtitles.Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lina Insana, Associate Professor of Italian at the University of Pittsburgh and Chair of the Italian Film Festival USA - Pittsburgh committee and Chiara Montera, Teaching Assistant Professor in Italian in the Department of French and Italian at the University of Pittsburgh as well.With their expertise in Italian culture and cinema, they play an important role in bringing contemporary Italian films to the Pittsburgh community. As the festival prepares to kick off on March 28th in Pittsburgh, we’ll dive into this year’s film selection, the themes that emerge, and the impact of Italian cinema on local audiences.To learn more about movie dates and locations, visit the Festival website at:https://italianfilmfests.org/

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Meet Adriana Gandolfi, an esteemed Italian anthropologist whose research has illuminated the cultural heritage of Abruzzo. Through her numerous publications, she has explored the region’s traditions, customs, and material culture, particularly its craftsmanship. Her book "Ori e Argenti d'Abruzzo" delves into the rich artistic history of gold and silverwork, revealing its deep connections to identity, devotion, and social structures.Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with her to discuss her work, the traditions of Abruzzo, and the significance of her research on regional artistry