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10 Episodes 2021 - 2024
Episode 31
Sat, Oct 9, 2021
New Orleans has a historical Italian-American population. As of 2004 those identifying as of Italian descent were the largest ethnic group of Europeans in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, numbering around 250,000. Economics in Louisiana and Sicily combined to bring about what became known as the Great Migration of thousands of Sicilians. The end of the Civil War allowed the freed men the choice to stay or to go, many chose to leave, which in turn led to a perceived scarcity of labor resources for the planters. Northern Italy enjoyed the fruits of modern industrialization, while southern Italy and Sicily suffered destitute conditions under the system of absentee landowners. The peasant was still essentially the serf in the system. Emigration not only offered peasants a chance to move beyond subsistence living, it also offered them a chance to pursue their own dreams of proprietorship as farmers or other business owners. "Little Palermo" was established by recent immigrants in the lower French Quarter. So many Italians settled here that some suggested the area should be renamed as "The Sicilian Quarter" in the early 20th century. The American Italian Cultural Center honors and celebrates the area's Italian-American heritage and culture. The AICC houses the American Italian Museum, with exhibits about the history and contributions of Italian-Americans to the region. The Piazza d'Italia is a local monument dedicated to the Italian-American community of New Orleans.
Episode 32
Sun, Oct 9, 2022
The 1890s were a difficult time for the Italian-American immigrants in the South. They faced severe persecution and extreme prejudice, the 1891 lynching of 11 innocent Italians in New Orleans is still remembered by many both locally and abroad. It wasn't until April 12th, 2019 when Mayor LaToya Cantrell formally and publicly apologized on behalf of the city for this heinous crime that this bloody chapter could finally come to a close. In 1892, Mother Cabrini arrived in New Orleans to aid in the fight against the Yellow Fever pandemic. In 1893, the Caminadaville Hurricane took the lives of over 2000 including hundreds of Sicilians who recently made their new home in Louisiana.
Episode 33
Wed, Jul 26, 2023
Francesco de Pinedo (1890-1933) was a famous Italian aviator. An Italian Royal Nav officer who transferred to the Italian Royal Air Force, he was an advocate of the seaplane and is best known for his long-range flying boat flights in the 1920s that demonstrated the feasibility of global air travel.Pinedo made a flight to the Western Hemisphere to inspire pride in people of Italian ancestry who had emigrated to the Americas. This idea developed into the "Four Continents" flight of 1927, intended to demonstrate the ability of a flying boat to fly from Italy to Africa and across the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil, followed by several stops in South America and the Caribbean, a tour of the United States and Canada, and a transatlantic flight back to Europe ultimately ending in Rome. After returning from the flight, Pinedo was promoted to Air Brigade General, and The United Kingdom awarded Pinedo its Air Force Cross for the "Four Continents" flight and the United States awarded its Distinguished Flying Cross to him by special act of Congress on May 2, 1928.
Episode 34
Sat, Oct 23, 2021
Charles Geno Marsala talks with Patrick Ross Campesi and Morris Vacarella on their family's heritage as Sugarcane Harvesters in Southern Louisiana. We visit Lake Village Arkansas where the Italians of Sunnyside Plantation put on a large Spaghetti feed every year, Anthony Borgognoni is proud of his Mother who created the largest Church museum in the state of Arkansas. Further North we sit down with Heather Ranalli-Peachee in Tontitown, AR who owns and operates a 4th generation Italian Winery. Finally we travel to Rosati, MO to learn about the Italians who migrated there from Lake Village, AR to start growing their own grapes to make jam and wine. Eventually aiding in the American war efforts by providing the military with Concord jam. The St. James Winery is proud to be continuing these traditions, CEO Peter Hofherr explains how Missouri was the 2nd largest wine producing state in the country prior to prohibition.
Episode 35
Sun, Oct 3, 2021
The American Italian Cultural Center in New Orleans hosts many events throughout the year such as Opera in the Piazza, Taste of Italy, and the American Italian Sports Hall of Fame Banquet. They also have Italian language classes along with an excellent museum. Nor-Joe Imports in Metairie is a wonderful grocery store where you can find authentic Italian products and muffulettas made fresh daily. The Festa Italia in Kenner, LA brings together many local Italian food vendors and entertainers like Gendusa's Italian Eatery and Lena Prima. The Italian American Bocce Club of Greater New Orleans encourages anyone to stop by and learn how to play one of histories oldest and most competitive sports. Finally we sit down with Lisa Ingraham to learn about the Elenian Club of New Orleans, an energetic philanthropic group of women of Italian descent (or Italian Loving). They are a driving force behind the St. Joseph's Jazz Event at Houmas House and Gardens, featuring The Assunto Dukes of Dixieland Tribute Band.
Episode 36
Wed, Oct 6, 2021
The Feast of St. Joseph is a citywide event in New Orleans and many other cities throughout America. Both public and private Saint Joseph's altars are traditionally built and the food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled. We visit several of these altars throughout the city and learn about the many different foods prepared and what they symbolize. There is a large pasta feed held every year by the Italian American St. Joseph Society as well as a parade which travels throughout the French Quarter.
Episode 38
Sat, Oct 16, 2021
New Orleans' All Saints Day is celebrated in many different ways throughout the city of New Orleans, Father Damian Zablocki is interviewed at Metairie Cemetery where they bless the mausoleums every year. We travel to Monroe, LA and stop by Geno's Italian Restaurant, a popular family owned and operated business featuring age-old family recipes. Finally there is a special segment on the Theresa Marsala Golf Classic Fundraiser for cancer patients in Northern Louisiana.
Episode 39
Sat, Sep 9, 2023
Charles Marsala sits down with Tony Montalbano of Two Tony's Restaurant, family owned and operated for many years serving creole Italian and seafood. Next we feature a tribute to Chef Apuzzo Andrea, he discusses his passion for cooking traditional Italian dishes made from scratch. For 37 years his restaurant was one of the best-known and longest running restaurants in Metairie, LA. Michael Varino's Italian Sausage has been lovingly crafted for decades with roots in Monroe, Louisiana. Eric Paulsen of WWL-TV speaks fondly of Frank Davis; Louisiana Chef, Sportsman, and TV Personality. Distinguished by his tag line "Naturally N'Awlins" that concluded his on-air interviews.
Episode 43
Sat, Jan 13, 2024
Charles Geno Marsala interviews drummer and bandleader David Hansen about the legendary Sicilian jazz musician Nick LaRocca. Some consider LaRocca to be the "Father of Modern Jazz", initially called "Jass". Artist and historian George Schmidt reveals just how LaRocca was able to popularize the new sound by traveling to Chicago and New York as the leader of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB). Next we sit down with professional Sicilian folk singer Michela Musolino who educates us on the history of traditional Sicilian music. Exploring how the famed reputation of Sicilian musicians ended up motivating Thomas Jefferson to invite Sicilians to become a core part of the US Marine Band. Director of the New Orleans Marine Reserve Band, Mst. Sgt. Brad Rehrig, explains just what it's like to be an enlisted member of the US Marine Band. In 1804, Venerando Pulizzi enlisted as a 12 year old boy and would go on to become the bandleader during his 47 years of service. Salvador Catalano was the pilot of Decatur's ship the USS Intrepid and a crucial player in Americas's success during the Barbary Coast Wars.
Episode 44
Sat, Jan 20, 2024
Charles Marsala stops by Aiden Gill's Barbershop for Men to talk with author Shane Lief on the history of Barbershop Quartets and the origins of the blues. Antonio Maggio's "I Got the Blues" was the first song to have 'blues' in the title. We'll also sit down with Michela Musolino to discuss the ancient roots of the Sonnet and how the legendary Orbi of Sicily could have been one of the origin stories for the present day Second Line tradition in New Orleans. Next, we visit Mo's Chalet in Metairie, LA to discuss the history and lasting influence of the original Dukes of Dixieland with band manager Deano Assunto. Deano is proud to continue his family's legacy, now into it's 5th generation. The original Dukes of Dixieland band was started by Frank and Freddie Assunto, two brothers educated and inspired by their father Papa "Jac" Assunto. Pete Fountain got his start and with Dukes and Louis Armstrong recorded great music with them as well. We also hear the fantastic voice of Lexie Assunto, The Assunto Duke's vocalist, and how Betty Owens Assunto (aka The Duchess) influenced her musical development.