Articles by: P. O.

  • Events: Reports

    Italian Christmas in New York City

    This Christmas season there is a special reason to visit the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. From December 8th through January 6th you can see the beautiful Nativity scene from Maestro Franco Artese inspired by the landscape of Basilicata, Matera in particular. That city, known to the world for its stones, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a European Capital of Culture in 2019, provides the extraordinary backdrop of the scene of the birth of Jesus.

    The backdrop is the ancient farming civilization of Basilicata, the “civilization of hands,” which
    revolved around fieldwork and ancient crafts. Through hard labor and frugal living, these people developed a spirit of sacrifice and a strong religious sensibility.

    It is the representation of a world tied to the values of family, work and solidarity. And a conception of life open to mystery.

    The Nativity is made of polystyrene covered in a resin plaster with a “tuff” effect, as well as metal, wood and terracotta. It is about 20 square meters and 3.5 meters high. The 70 or so figures, each about 27cm high, were made completely with terracotta by Maestro Vincenzo Velardita.

    Their dress is inspired by local tradition and made by talented sisters Nadia and Daniela Balestrieri and Teresa Galasso. Everything was done under the supervision of Maestro Artese.

    Of particular significance in the scene is a family of emigrants, reminding us of all the Italian emigrants during the last century and symbolizing the hardship people suffer when far from their native land.

    It also represents hope for the future and the countless men and women from different parts of the world who are forced to emigrate. Artese’s Nativity breaks with classic representation; this is not Bethlehem of two thousand years ago but Basilicata of the past: the neighborhoods, the churches, the roofs of the houses, the alleyways, the public squares. And, as always, at its center stands the family from Nazareth.

    The Nativity scene in the hands of the world famous Maestro conveys Italian artisanship, religious tradition and culture. It is “an homage to all Italian-American emigrants and the entire American community,” says the President of Basilicata Marcello Pittella.

    This extraordinary exhibit was made possible by the Diocese of New York, the Italian Consulate, ENIT, the Italian Institute of Culture in New York and the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy) through the Agency of Territorial Promotion (APT).

    A creche of Maestro Artese.

    Meanwhile, in Little Italy a Neapolitan Nativity scene will be on display. Called the “Nativity of Mercy” project, it was commissioned by Monsignor Donald Sakano, pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street, to celebrate the “Jubilee of Mercy” called for by Pope Francis and beginning on December 8th.

    The figures were made by the artisans of “La Scarabattola” in Naples and are inspired by Caravaggio’s Seven Works of Mercy, the famous painting commissioned by the Pio Monte della Misericordia Foundation of Naples in 1605. The Nativity Scene will be on display at the Church of the Most Precious Blood (entrance on Baxter Street), the National Shrine of San Gennaro, where Msgr. Sakano is also pastor.

  • Dining in & out: Articles & Reviews

    The Art of Water Tasting

    As small children, in school during chemistry class, we all have learned that each molecule of water is made of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. We have also learned to play with water guns and water filled balloons, at the moment that was, to us, the best appeal water could have. Growing up we have discovered how much our bodies need water, real natural fuel for their proper functioning. Water is our main resource of energy, it reaches each cell so we can safely say that it is our essence.

    Our bodies contain 60-70% of water. Our blood is rich in water as the muscles, lungs, and brain also are. We then need to drink a lot of it in order to maintain the right body temperature, to nourish our organs, to transport oxygen to all our cells, and to remove waste. The benefits of water aren’t related to physical health, but also to spiritual wellness.

    Water is the big purifier. According to religion: we wash away our sins, we cleanse our wounds, and our tears comfort us. At the same time, water is fun, especially during the summer at water parks, where a giant slide leads us into a large swimming pool. This too is a form of therapy. So water is also enjoyment, when we have fun, when we need to relax and when we need to be in touch with nature. A new way to enjoy the properties of water is simply by tasting it.

    As for olive oil, whiskey, and more notoriously wine, the possibility of tasting water gives us the chance to learn to appreciate all its sensorial characteristics. We then become real connoisseurs and not just simple consumers. At first the idea of a water tasting might sound strange, as the general idea is that water is just water and that there are no differences between them besides them being either flat or sparkling. But by training all our senses we will learn to extrapolate, and appreciate all its unique qualities. After having gained this ability we will be able to apply our new knowledge in the selection of food and wines that go better together with the selected water.

    Before starting it’s important to chose the right glass: different materials, such as terracotta, glass or plastic, influence the taste of what they contain. The required glass must be of crystal as this material, perfectly transparent, has a unique reactivity to light and shadows. Once the material is defined it’s the turn of the shape. Specific glasses have been created for tastings, in order to let the tasters appreciate each nuance of the water. Dealing with teo types of water, there are two shapes of glasses, one for still and one for sparkling. What hey have in common is that they are stem-less and that the rim is particularly thin. The glass for still water is has a wide mouth which allows the nose to move in closer towards the water and perceive its’ delicate aroma. The one for sparkling water, has a narrow mouth, just like a champagne glass, in order to let the taster drink smaller sips. Naturally glasses must be properly cleaned before proceeding with the tasting, first in warm water, then, if they are brand new, in vinegar to remove grease and dust. Afterward, they must be rinsed in hot water and then dried with a cloth that doesn’t leave any residue behind, the ideal material is linen.

    The first important thing to know before a water tasting is that it’s important to follow meticulously the sequence and the techniques that are suggested, upon previous tries, by the experts. The first sensation that must be evaluated is the freshness of the water that must be qualified by drinking a sip right after opening the bottle and pouring it in the glass. The immediate reaction varies greatly in intensity and gives a pleasant sensation to the mouth which is filled the freshness of the water. After having emptied out the glass and rinsed it again it’s time to move on to a visual analysis to classify its limpidity, to determine the absence of external substances, of anomalous colors and its effervescence. First raise the glass to eye level and then lower it so as to observe the liquid from above, in order to give a horizontal and a vertical analysis to the water. We proceed to bringing the glass to the nose and breathe in deeply at regualr intervals. This action must be repeated several times and, if possible, with closed eyes in order to concentrate more on the receptive power of our nose in distinguishing aromas.

    The fourth phase of our analysis is the tasting that must be performed in two separate stages. The first one allows you to determine the water’s acidity, sapidity, structure, lightness and mouthfeelin order to do that you must sample 15 ml. Of water by letting it rest on the tongue and then distribute it around the mouth all the way to the back of the tongue. The second phase determines the water’s balance and persistence. Take a second sip of the same amount of water, then let it rest on the tongue. Breath in through the nose and let some air reach your mouth. Lead the water to the back of your tongue and swallow. Rinse your mouth with tap water and proceed to the next sample. If you have few waters to taste it’s better to start with the lighter ones and proceed to the more complex ones. If you need to takes notes, make sure you have either a pre-printed score card, or scrap paper, if the tasting is informal.

    Once you have mastered the art of water tasting you can proceed to pairing it with the right wine and harmonize the qualities of both. To practice sip alternately the two liquids and find the two that induce a sequence of sensations that follow and overlap each other, without either overpowering or annulling each other. Generally speaking a full-bodied wine will be paired well with a strong, fresh water, and a soft wine with a light water. To blend properly, with the wine, the water must be either equal, or slightly above or below in intensity with respect to the wine.

  • A Superlative Line-Up for HIT WEEK 2013


    Cutting edge concerts by innovative Italian artists from are coming from September 7 – October 30in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto. The world's only music festival showcasing Italy's current scene on the global stage, Hit Week,  returns this fall with its strongest line up to date.


    Headliners announced include iconoclastic Italian singer, songwriter and composer Franco Battiato and Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, hailing from the Puglia region, the seven piece band and dancer are the leading exponents in a new wave of young performers re-inventing Southern Italy’s Pizzica Taranta musical and dance traditions for today’s global audience. But that's not all: renowned DJ, producer and musician Nicola Conte will bring his DJ set Stateside. 2013 Sanremo Festival winner, Marco Mengoni, will make his US debut appearance and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Erica Mourejoins the Hit Week fold after headlining the festival's inaugural event in Brazil earlier this year.


    Hit Week (the H is not pronounced in Italian) was created with the goal of shattering the stereotypes most often associated with contemporary Italian music and its place in the worldwide music scene. After debuting in Los Angeles in 2010, the festival has since traveled to New York, Washington DC, Miami, Toronto and Montreal in the US and Canada, as well as the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai and Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.


    HIT WEEK is produced by Music Experience Roma S.r.l and by Mela Inc Los Angeles in collaboration with Federazione dell’Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI, the Federation of the Italian Music Industry, which represents about 2,500 production and distribution companies in the field of music and recording), the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), the Ministry of Economic development, Puglia Sounds and Puglia Promozione, national Agency for the Youth.

    “We are working hard to promote Italian music in the world,” Enzo Mazza, president of FIMI said, “thanks to HIT WEEK we are able to export our culture to the most important international arenas.



    This is part of a greater effort that is getting stronger and bigger every year.


    September 7         Los Angeles, CA (TBA)       Erica Mou at Hit Week Preview


    October 4           Miami, FL (TBA)             Nicola Conte at Hit Week / Rhythm Foundation Opening (by Invitation)



    October 5           Hollywood, FL               Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Nicola Conte and Contest Winner at Hollywood ArtsPark



    October 8           New York, NY                Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino and Nicola Conte at Highline Ballroom


    October 9           New York, NY                Franco Battiato at Highline Ballroom



    October 10          Toronto, ON                 Franco Battiato at Phoenix Concert Theatre



    October 11          Los Angeles, CA             Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino at UCLA



    October 12          Los Angeles, CA             Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino at Taste of Italy



    October 28-29       Los Angeles, CA             Marco Mengoni at The Billboard Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference

  • Events: Reports

    A Superlative Line-Up for HIT WEEK 2013


    Cutting edge concerts by innovative Italian artists from are coming from September 7 – October 30in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto. The world's only music festival showcasing Italy's current scene on the global stage, Hit Week,  returns this fall with its strongest line up to date.


    Headliners announced include iconoclastic Italian singer, songwriter and composer Franco Battiato and Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, hailing from the Puglia region, the seven piece band and dancer are the leading exponents in a new wave of young performers re-inventing Southern Italy’s Pizzica Taranta musical and dance traditions for today’s global audience. But that's not all: renowned DJ, producer and musician Nicola Conte will bring his DJ set Stateside. 2013 Sanremo Festival winner, Marco Mengoni, will make his US debut appearance and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Erica Mourejoins the Hit Week fold after headlining the festival's inaugural event in Brazil earlier this year.


    Hit Week (the H is not pronounced in Italian) was created with the goal of shattering the stereotypes most often associated with contemporary Italian music and its place in the worldwide music scene. After debuting in Los Angeles in 2010, the festival has since traveled to New York, Washington DC, Miami, Toronto and Montreal in the US and Canada, as well as the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai and Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.


    HIT WEEK is produced by Music Experience Roma S.r.l and by Mela Inc Los Angeles in collaboration with Federazione dell’Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI, the Federation of the Italian Music Industry, which represents about 2,500 production and distribution companies in the field of music and recording), the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), the Ministry of Economic development, Puglia Sounds and Puglia Promozione, national Agency for the Youth.

    “We are working hard to promote Italian music in the world,” Enzo Mazza, president of FIMI said, “thanks to HIT WEEK we are able to export our culture to the most important international arenas.



    This is part of a greater effort that is getting stronger and bigger every year.


    September 7         Los Angeles, CA (TBA)       Erica Mou at Hit Week Preview


    October 4           Miami, FL (TBA)             Nicola Conte at Hit Week / Rhythm Foundation Opening (by Invitation)



    October 5           Hollywood, FL               Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Nicola Conte and Contest Winner at Hollywood ArtsPark



    October 8           New York, NY                Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino and Nicola Conte at Highline Ballroom


    October 9           New York, NY                Franco Battiato at Highline Ballroom



    October 10          Toronto, ON                 Franco Battiato at Phoenix Concert Theatre



    October 11          Los Angeles, CA             Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino at UCLA



    October 12          Los Angeles, CA             Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino at Taste of Italy



    October 28-29       Los Angeles, CA             Marco Mengoni at The Billboard Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference