Press Releases 2006

Festa dell' Arte

FESTA DELL’ ARTE WEEKEND AT WHEATONARTS CELEBRATES ITALIAN AND ITALIAN-AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURE

MILLVILLE, NJ – The Down Jersey Folklife Center at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center presents, Festa dell’ Arte, A Celebration of Italian and Italian-American Arts and Culture, September 15 – 17. The weekend is the highlight of the Center’s eight-month long celebration of local Italian and Italian-American arts and culture. The program is part of the Center’s Creative Community Connections program designed to understand and embrace cultural diversity.

The weekend begins on Friday with a regional conference entitled, “Communities and Identities,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendance is by pre-registration only. The cost is $25.00 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. Topics include: Musical Experience of the Italian-Americans in Western Pennsylvania: Preservation and Adaptation presented by Julie Ann Throckmorton, M.M., Cultural Resources Specialist for the Cultural Conservation Division of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, PA; “Do I Really Need To Learn Italian! OR Should Americans Be Encouraged To Practice and Study Traditional Italian Music and Dance?” presented by Celest DiPietropaolo, Italian Traditional Dance researcher and teacher from Virginia; Embroidery as Inscription: Memory, Meaning and Life Integration presented by Joan Saverino, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Education, Education and Interpretation, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Italian Americans: The Search for a Meaningful Past presented by Richard N. Juliani, Ph. D., Professor of Sociology at Villanova University, PA; and “Prisoners Among Us: Italian-American Identity and World War I,” a historical documentary film by Michael Di Lauro (with introductory lecture by the filmmaker).

The evening features a Gala Venetian Carnevale Celebration with dinner and dancing. Music provided by Mario Salvatore and his band, Cosi Cantava Napoli, from Italy. Special Carnevale Show by Frizzi & Lazzi: The Olde Time Italian-American Music and Theatre Company of New York. Authentic cuisine from various Italian regions will be served. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. The cost is $100.00 per person. Pre-reserved tables for eight: $750. For reservations, call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, ext. 100.

Saturday’s theme is “Regional Diversity of Italian and Italian-American Culture.” The day features special demonstrations and workshops by local artists and guest artists from Italy. They include: Majolica Ceramics; Cerreto Ceramics; Mosaics; Murals Painting; Sardinian Masks; Papier-Maché Dolls; Traditional Weavings; Embroidery; Tatting; Ritual Decorative Breads; St. Joseph’s Table Decorating; Copper Working; and Venetian Masks.

Special concerts by local artists and guest artists from Italy take place on Saturday as well. They are: Johnny Vee and the Italians from Vineland, NJ; The Studio – Judi Mascara and her students Elizabeth Walsh from Sacred Heart High School and Carla Catrambone from Vineland High School; Joe Soprani and The Italian Folk Trio from Philadelphia, PA; Musicalia Folk Ensemble from Benevento, Campania, Italy; La Pacchianella Folk Dance Ensemble from Monte Sant’Angelo, Puglia, Italy; and John Matulis, a strolling musician (accordion) from Philadelphia, PA.

Sunday’s theme is “Italian Arts and Culture from the Medieval Times and Renaissance.” Special events are: a procession devoted to Padre Pio; a slide show of Padre Pio’s life by Dr. Frank DeMaio; a puppet show entitled, “The Adventure of Pulcinella,” by Dr. Neff’s Incredible Puppet Company; and an Italian Renaissance Wedding Performance (15th century Venice) that features a human chess match. Music provided by Bhakali Branslers Band of South Jersey. Additional music performances by Bob Purrenhage and Kerstin Potter, Medieval and Early Renaissance Zampogna, Madrigal Songs by the Vineland High School Choir and Italian Medieval and Renaissance Melodies by Vineland High School Music Band. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in period costumes.

The Italian Project Advisory Committee: Dr. Frank DeMaio (Chair), Clorinda Blasse, Cesarina De Cesero, Ezio and Rosemarie Galli, Biagio and Sarina Infranco, Vincenzo and Michelina Lombardo, Janice Olivio, Fr. Faustino Parisi, Nicholas Possumato, Joseph and Josephine Di Mento, Louise T. Bertacchi, Anna Giusti Garcia, Rudolph “Skip” Luisi, Joseph Rollo, Teresa Casazza, Sandy Brown, Sara Vivirito and the late John Vivrito.

Sponsors: National Italian American Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Sicilian American Club of South Jersey, Inc., Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of New Jersey, General Mills, Italian American Benevolent Society, and the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission.

Patrons: Louise T. Bertacchi, Clorinda's Caterers, LLC., Frank DeMaio, Dun-Rite Sand & Gravel Company, Mrs. Cedola/Festa Italiana (Parsippany), James and Faustina Geraci, Dr. Andrew S. Heller, Sarina Infranco (Royal Travel), John Pastore, John F. Scarpa, and Dr. Joseph Wachspress.

For more information, call 1-800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, or visit E-mail: www.wheatonarts.org.mail@wheatonvillage.org. The Festa weekend activities are included in the price of admission on Saturday and Sunday. Adults $10.00, Seniors $9.00 and Students $7.00. Children five and under are free.

The Down Jersey Folklife Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through December 31. Open Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Call two weeks in advance for special accommodations.

This program was made possible by a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. The Down Jersey Folklife Center programs are supported in part by grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the National Park Service. The Center is further supported by residents and groups with an interest in the traditional art and culture of southern New Jersey.

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