Eleonora Granata Jenkinson & Andrea Pallaoro – The Film MONICA

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

#Monica is a film worthy of an Oscar nomination, and I recently interviewed Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, producer, and Andrea Pallaoro, director, about the making of this this beautiful movie. Monica is played Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson stars as her mother. The film is about a trans woman who was driven out of her home decades earlier because her family would not accept her life choice. But Monica returns to care for her ailing mother, and the humanity and emotions that evolve throughout this film are nothing short of extraordinary.

Here’s a clip from our interview with Eleonora and Andrea, representing Italian-American filmmaking at its finest. They talk about making this movie, and the choices made to depict the story with such beauty.
Monica is also getting Oscar nods, and the team will be fundraising to raise money for an Oscar campaign, and we also talked about that during our interview. Please find our full conversation with Eleonora and Andrea on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m honored to have you joining us

Carlo Ponti , Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

I’m thrilled to welcome our friend, Maestro #CarloPonti, joining us to discuss the opening of his Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra 2023/2024 Season this month.

I’m passionate about music education, and Maestro Ponti has dedicated his time to raise money and awareness to bring music education to young people in schools through the work of his LAV Orchestra. All proceeds from the Los Angeles Virtuoso Orchestra funds musical education programs so young people have the opportunity to study music in schools throughout Los Angeles, regardless of economics.

Of course, we will also talk about Mr.
Ponti’s early days, growing up with legendary mom, #SophiaLoren, his dad, film producer Carlo Ponti, Sr, and younger brother, Eduardo, also a filmmaker. Carlo tells us his home was filled with music and arts growing up. I can only imagine!

The Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra
premieres its upcoming season on Friday, October 20, at the Theater Raymond Kabbaz in West LA, one of my favorite theaters in the City of Angels. Carlo Ponti and the Orchestra look forward to sharing an exciting lineup of performances, featuring emerging young soloists who will make their debut with LAV’s world-class musicians, LIVE.

Please join us on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I hope you invite your friends to listen to our interview AND attend the upcoming LAV performances with Maestro Carlo Ponti.

–
@maestrocarloponti @lavirtuosiorchestra

Lynne Deutch, Evelyn Joan and Piero Addis

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Today we celebrate Italian food and excellence in art.

Please welcome to our show Evelyne Joan, owner of the infamous Mauro Cafe on Melrose, whose restaurant is as well known for its Italian cuisine as it is for supporting artists, which brings us to Lynne Deutch, also featured on our program.

Lynne’s photography of her travels throughout the island of Capri will be featured at Mauro’s cafe beginning tomorrow. We speak with her about her work and her love of Capri, which is captured through her work.

The exhibit was carefully executed by Italian artist and internationally acclaimed curator, Piero Addis, who will join us from Italy to discuss the exhibit and how he designed it to compliment the restaurant.

We’re thrilled to be interviewing such a dynamic and talented team for our #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyPodcast, & #DeborahKobyltLIVE as part of our #ItalianHeritageMonth series of interviews.

Please join us, invite your friends, and come see the show at Mauro’s, which runs through November. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m happy to have you as part of our family 🇮🇹
@lynnedeutchart @maurocafe_la @pieroaddis

Pat Lalama, Award-Winning Journalist

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Kicking off Italian American Heritage Month with ABC’s 20/20 Correspondent and friend, Pat Lalama, who joins our #LittleItalyPodcast to talk about growing up Italian, and how one talk from her dad, Nunzio, convinced her that she could do anything she set her sights on.

Pat’s family is from both northern and southern Italy, which she says was always complicated growing up. Life wasn’t always easy, her dad left her mom when Pat was just 17, and she learned to accept a blended family. There were lots of laughs, complications, drinking, and then there was Uncle Johnny. She’ll explain all of that.

Pat says she was always independent, had no interest in getting married, until she met famed attorney Tony Brooklier. She was widowed unexpectedly, and she’ll talk about that, too, because she wants to discuss the incredible grief associated with family and friends who take their own lives.

Pat has had an enormously successful career as a TV correspondent, working in LA and nationally on Inside Edition, 20/20 where she works now, and more more. She credits her Italian upbringing for making her tough, but at the same time, loving. And can she cook?? She’ll talk about that, too!

Please join us on @LittleItalyPodcast, @LittleItalyOfLAPodcast & @DeborahKobyltLIVE, and tell your friends, too! I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and welcome to #ItalianHeritageMonth!🇮🇹

Marianna Gatto, Taste of Italy & Founder,Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Taste of Italy is back! Join us in DTLA on Sept. 23 for THE premiere Italian Food and Wine event in Los Angeles, featuring award-winning restaurants & wineries, fantastic LIVE entertainment, and some celeb guests, too! This is on of my favorite events in LA all year!

Today, we speak with Taste of Italy creator and founder of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Marianna Gatto, telling us all about this upscale food and wine tasting event, which also benefits arts and educational programming for youth at #IAMLA.

According to Marianna, #TasteOfItaly provides an opportunity to connect with some of SoCal’s most interesting, well-traveled, cross-cultural audiences, including philanthropists, celebs, influencers, and dignitaries. Not to mention some of the top restaurants and award-winning wines in the world. Tickets available at IAMLA.org

Please find our full interview with Marianna on all #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, & #DeborahKobyltLIVE video and audio platforms. And please invite your friends, too. Looking forward to chatting with my friend, and talking all about this magnificent event that bring the entire city a little closer.

Chris R. Vaccaro, Director IABF and Joe Quagliano, President

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

🇮🇹 Italians LOVE their baseball. Growing up, my parents gushed about #JoeDiMaggio, and now it’s #MikePiazza with my kids. So today, we welcome Joe Quagliano, president, and Chris Vaccaro, director, of the Italian American Baseball Foundation, doing a lot to merge young Italian ball players with baseball the U.S.

#IABF provides opportunities for youth development in baseball and softball, providing education and exposure to young players through clinics, coaching, and more. The foundation builds a pipeline of players from Italy to the U.S. by providing scholarships and showcases, supporting the Italian National Teams as American partners, and promoting baseball and softball players from high school to the Major League level.

These two have been committed to this cause since it started, and it stems from their love of baseball and all things Italian. Chris has been a successful media consultant and journalist, and Joe runs Mint Pros, providing VIP events primarily around baseball. And their love of the game is creating something special for the next round of ball players.

Please join our show with Chris and Joe, and invite your friends, too. Our full interview is available on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, and #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, a proud Italian-American who grew up a Yankees fan, married a Mets fan, and has a son who plays college baseball ⚾️

Robert Alegrinni, NIAF’s President

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please give a warm welcome to Robert Allegrini, the distinguished president of the National Italian American Foundation, which does tremendous work preserving and highlighting the image and legacy of Italian Americans (for which I am one). Robert joins our #LittleItalyPodcast and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast to discuss NIAF’s mission for the Italian-American Community throughout the U.S. and beyond, and it’s very forward-thinking and exciting.

As Robert describes, one of the main goals of NIAF is to strengthen ties between the United States and Italy by reflecting positive images of Italians in business, film, politics, and more. NIAF also provides grants and scholarships, travel opportunities to Italy particularly to first-time visitors, called Voyage of Discovery, there’s a NIAF museum, GALA events to raise money for education and cultural initiatives. And Robert is here to tell us the vision of NIAF moving forward in a changing world, but the one constant remains preserving our cultural heritage and encouraging the next generation of Italians to carry the torch.

NIAF does so much, and I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Robert so he can tell you all about it. As an aside, Robert has enjoyed an incredible career in public relations and marketing with some of the top hotel brands in the world (Waldorf Astoria for one), he’s an author, and let’s just say this isn’t his first time with NIAF. He’s been a champion for so long, it’s only fitting he’s now President🇮🇹

Please join our full interview LIVE on all video and audio platforms of our #LittleItaly Podcasts, also simulcast on #DeborahKobyltLIVE. I’m your host, creator, and beyond-proud Italian American, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in, and please invite your friends as wel l❤️💚

Lorenza Calamandrei, DJ, Music Producer, Composer

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Lorenza Calamandrei is known around the world as one of the most creative DJ’s, music producers, and songwriters of our time, and it’s so exciting to welcome her to our shows today.

Born in Florence to a family of trapeze artists, artists, and even a priest, Lorenza recalls her dad reading philosophy to her at a young age. And she always recalls loving music. She started in Italy as the first female DJ, made her way to London and played in clubs like Met Bar, then to NY and eventually LA. She’s worked with everyone from Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Madonna, Beyoncé, and even Elton John’s birthday bash! Lots of stories there!

As a resident of Los Angeles now, Lorenza has appeared on numerous TV shows, and spends much of her time producing original music of a variety of films, most recently Seven Women with Fran Drescher and Rosita Missoni, Maia with Rumer Willis, and Un Italiano Nel Mondo with Giuliano Gemma.

Please welcome Lorenza to #DeborahKobyltLIVE, #LittleItalyPodcast, and #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.

Annalisa / Inanna, Singer, Co-Founder of Better Earth Media, Author of Acrotopia

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome Annalisa Giolo, aka Inanna, who joins our show today to talk about how her singing and songwriting is completely inspired by what’s happening here on earth.

Inanna was born and raised in Italy, decided to make LA her home after she did a house swap and fell in love with Southern California, which inspired her songwriting and performing.

As a nature and animal rights advocate, and founder of Better Earth Media, she uses her platform as an artist to draw attention to our environment and now we can keep it from blowing up.

As an Italian having grown up just outside of Venice, Inanna says music, dance, and nature were always a constant as a child, and she talks about growing up Italian, too, and how that has inspired her work.

Join us on all video and audio platforms of #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, & #DeborahKOBYLTLIVE on all video and audio platforms. And invite your friends and family, too❤️💚

Deborah Kobylt LIVE: Joe Farruggio

Deborah Kobylt Live, Little Italy of LA

Please welcome to our show famed pizza maker, entrepreneur, restauranteur, and author, Joe Farruggio, whose pizzas in the Georgetown section of DC are a favorite with some very famous residents in the White House to movie stars like Harrison Ford (who also played a U.S. President in one of his films).

Joe’s journey from Sicily is a story to be told, and he did just that in his book, “My Name Is Joe, And I Am A Pizza Man.” This is a terrific read about a man not shy to admit some mistakes, but also celebrate how each step led to his tremendous success, from his Il Canale and 90 Second restaurants, along with A Modo Mio, meaning “My Way,” and Joe wouldn’t have it any other way.

We speak with Joe about family, belief in self, and keeping things simple to keep customers coming back. We also talk about his Italian upbringing and his trip on the Michelangelo ship from Italy was a life changing moment for him.

Hear and see our full interview with Joe on YouTube, Facebook, and on all video and audio podcast platforms. Please also invite your friends, too, and spread the word about our show. #DeborahZaraKobylt #LittleItalyPodcast #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast #DeborahKobyltLIVE