Gabriela Mileti, Celebrating the National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington D.C.

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LALeave a comment

The National Italian American Foundation is celebrating its 51st Anniversary in grand style next week in Washington, DC, and I’m honored to be attending and covering all of the festivities, including a performance by my absolute fav, comic #SebastianManiscalco, in addition to a performance by famed tenor #ChristopherMacchio.

Also looking forward to covering and attending the luncheon moderated by award-winning journalist #MariaBartiromo, in addition to covering the achievements of other luminaries. And joining me on my show today is #GabriellaMileti, Director of Special Programs and PR for #NIAF to talk all about it!

The mission of the National Italian American Foundation is multifaceted. Having been
around for more than 50 years, it’s formed into somewhat of a powerhouse in the Italian community from coast to coast. Funds raised through NIAF provide scholarships, grants, heritage travel, and more. Their mission to preserve Italian American heritage and culture runs deep, and we’ll talk about what that means not just now, but for future generations of Italians.

In addition, each year NIAF partners with one of Italy’s 20 regions to showcase the history, natural resources, artisans, cuisine, and more – and this year, NIAF will be highlighting the beauty and significance of the Lombardia region. Also being honored and recognized at this all-day and night event on 10/17: #AnthonyCapuano, #PamelaWright, #PierrobertoFolgiero, #MikePompeo, #AngelinoAlfano, among others. Tickets may still be available if you go to the NIAF website.

Please enjoy my conversation with Gabriella on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure and honor to welcome you here.

Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti & Jenna Esposito, Feast of San Gennaroin NY’s Little Italy Turns 100

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

The Feast of San Gennaro NY turns 100 this year, and the 10-day celebration in New York’s Little Italy promises to be one of the most exciting ever! And we have some of the headliners joining our show today!

Please welcome someone I’m a huge fan of, Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti,” an Italian-American crooner who rose to national fame as a finalist on America’s Got Talent season 22, and he’s been entertaining ever since! Known for his deep baritone and larger-than-life personality, Sal revived the classic Rat Pack style of entertainment, and I’m thrilled to have him join us. Maybe he’ll even charm us with his legendary rendition of Sinatra’s “My Way.” Please also welcome the entertainment organizer for the Feast of San Gennaro, Jenna Esposito, a highly-acclaimed vocalist renowned for her dynamic tributes to “The Great Italian-American Songbook.” Jenna will be performing on the last day of the Festival, and we’re thrilled to also welcome her to our show.

The Feast celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, who was Bishop of Benevento, Italy and martyred in 305AD by refusing to renounce his Christian faith during the persecutions of Christians ordered by Roman Emperor Diocletian.

The Feast of San Gennaro runs from Sept. 17-27 in NY’s infamous Little Italy, and raises money for a variety of charities. Jenna and Sal will tell us all about the festivities during our conversation about this 10-day party! And we can’t wait!!!

Please find my full interview with Jenna and Sal on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast & #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here. Tell your friends, too! #SanGennaro

Gary Hoffman & Valentina Castellani-Quinn, The Life of Italian Journalist Oriana Fallaci

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

The life, career, and loves of Italian journalist and author Oriana Fallaci is historic, complicated, and needs to be told on a grand stage. Please welcome award-winning Hollywood screenwriter Gary Hoffman, along with internationally-acclaimed producer Valentina Castellani Quinn, who join us to speak about their one-woman play currently in production, “Fallaci – A One Woman Show,” which they hope to premiere soon in New York and London.

A world-renowned Italian journalist and political interviewer, Oriana was well-known for her aggressive, uncompromising interviewing style. As a teenage partisan in the anti-fascist Italian resistance during WWII, she developed a life-long distain for authoritarianism, which later defined her career as a war correspondent and political interrogator – almost unheard of for a woman.

Oriana interviewed Kissinger, Khomeini, Gaddafi, Meir, Arafat, Gandhi, among others. In fact, Kissinger called his interview with Oriana, “the most disastrous conversation I ever had with the press.” In addition, Oriana was a front line reporter during the Vietnam War, Indo-Pakistani War, and conflicts across Latin America, the Middle East, and in Mexico City.

Oriana also had a very complicated love life, as her need for affection often dominated her personal life. There’s much to uncover with this multi-talented, iconic woman, and we’ll get into all of it with Gary and Valentina.

Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here. And please share with your friends, too.

Diana Giovinazzo, The Story of Three Sisters from 1940s Naples

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome Diana Giovinazzo, author, “Daughters of Naples,” whose newly-released historical fiction is inspired by the real-life Italian women who risked everything to fight for their homeland against Fascist domination and Nazism.

It’s a fascinating read, one I could not put down! The story centers around three Cozzolino sisters who navigate changing wartime dynamics that threaten to tear their family apart. Set in 1940s Naples under Mussolini’s regime, it’s got all the elements of survival, sisterhood, romance, and shifting loyalties during the time of Italian resistance, a complicated time in the history of Italia.

We will speak with Diana about the historical significance behind this book, and the research that went behind it. A self-proclaimed “history nerd,” Diana enjoys writing about historical fiction based in Italy, and has achieved high acclaim for her previous novels. She is also the creator of the Wine, Women, and Words Podcast, a weekly show featuring interviews with authors over a glass of wine! Love this!

Please find my full interview with Diana on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Mike Crispi, Italian American Civil Rights League & Little Italy NY Advocate

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Mike Crispi, president of The Italian American Civil Rights League, joins us to discuss the recent uproar over the Little Italy New York enclave being removed from the City’s list of immigrant neighborhoods. Italians took notice and fought back.

In fact, Crispi’s resume reads as a man who has been fighting for justice much of his life as a political activist, frequent commentator, and talk show host. And this topic made the top of his list.

Cristi points out that much of New York – from the skyscrapers to underground tunnels, was built on the backs of Italian immigrant laborers, many of them settling into the lower east side of Manhattan, commonly referred to as #LittleItaly, so he joins us today to talk about the history of the people there and how it matters today. It’s a lesson in history that many might not know, and one that should not be forgotten.

Please join us today on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Johnny “Mandolin” Anello, Italian American Radio founder

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome infamous mandolin player #JohnnyAnello, also the founder of Italian American Radio, who joins us to talk about the history of Italians who came to this country through Ellis Island, settled primarily in #LittleItaly on the lower east side of Manhattan, and became the heart and soul of New York, building bridges, digging subway tracks and tunnels and anything else that needed to be done to help make the City of New York great.

Johnny has had a decorated career as a musician, performing LIVE throughout NY and the entire tri-state area, but particularly in Little Italy, New York. In fact, he will be opening this year for the 100th anniversary of the San Gennaro Festival in NY, a terrific honor. Needless to say, Johnny knows much about current life in New York’s Little Italy, in addition to its rich history. And since the recent uproar over Little Italy not being included in the map of immigrant communities in NYC, he’s got a lot to say about it.

Johnny also founded Italian American Radio, and we’ll be talking about that, too. He’s a terrific preservationist of all things Italian, and I’m honored to speak with him today.

Please find my full discussion with Johnny “Mandolin” Anello on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

Andrew Cotto, Co-Founder of Appetito Magazine & Award-Winning Author

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Award-winning author and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Appetito Magazine, #AndrewCotto, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted history of Italians and Italian Americans in New York through hard-work, grit, culture and their culinary expertise, literally taking over the food scene from the moment the Italians landed on our shores.
When it was discovered that #LittleItaly was no longer included on the map of immigrant communities in NYC, Italians stood up and fought back for their ancestors to be recognized for their contributions to making NY and America prosperous.
Andrew has written extensively for the New York Times, Appetito, Condé Nast Traveler, Italy magazine, and others, and has extensive knowledge of Italians in NY,and he joins us today to talk about that and the strong sense of pride Italian Americans continue to fight for, including the history Italians want to make sure is not forgotten.
Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s an honor to have you with us.

The Unspoken Rules Women Face in Broadcast Journalism

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

My interview with Alexis Melocchi, host of “The Art of Showbiz Podcast.” This time, I was interviewed, so the tables were turned. I talked about my early career, the struggles, what it taught me. Also about some of the major newsmakers I’ve covered from presidents to the Supreme Court, the Oscars, fires, trials, and more. Hope you’ll listen!
#DeborahZaraKobylt
#DeborahKobyltLIVE

Idanna Pucci, Co-Author, “Emilio Pucci”

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Idanna Pucci’s latest book, “Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Odyssey of a Fashion Icon,” is a biography co-authored by the niece of the famed designer along with her husband, Terence Ward. The narrative moves beyond Emilio Pucci’s vibrant prints to uncover his harrowing experience during World War II
and his role in postwar Italian reconstruction.

Carefully detailed and researched by Idanna Pucci and her husband, this is an inside look at an extraordinary story of bravery long before anyone knew #EmilioPucci as the fashion artist he became. The authors recount Pucci’s capture, imprisonment, and torture by Nazis following a secret mission to assist the opposition, and they explore his transition from war hero to fashion icon, with details about his shop on the island of Capri. It’s a captivating read, in part because it comes first-hand from family members, most notably Idanna, who grew up in the Pucci palace in Florence and later worked for her uncle at his Saks Fifth Avenue boutique in New York. The biography draws from
intimate family sources, including personal diaries and declassified war records.

Please join me in welcoming #IdannaPucci on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and the #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.

James Conlon, ONE OF LA OPERA’S FINEST CONDUCTORS

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

James Conlon is known as one of the most versatile and respected conductors of a
generation, and throughout his career, has cultivated a vast symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire. Today, we are honored to welcome him to our show.

Since his 1974 debut with the NY Philharmonic, he has conducted virtually every major
American and European symphony orchestra with precision. Needless to say, Mr. Conlon is one of classical music’s most recognized interpreters. We will be speaking with him about his early days in music and conducting, his influences, and how he earned a spot as one of the premiere influences in this genre. His finale with the LA Opera with Falstaff was simply jaw-dropping, an event that will be hard to replicate for even the most seasoned and decorated conductors. Mr. Conlon makes it look effortless, which is part of his magic, because his work and career are nothing short of extraordinary.

Please find our full interview with Mr. Conlon on all video and audio platforms of
#DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you here.