This week, MCC presents a weeklong celebration of Italian-American culture curated by MCC Professor and Mercer Gallery Director Kathleen Farrell.
FROM HERE TO THERE
A Reception for Artist Antonio Petracca
6 p.m., Wednesday, April 14
Mercer Gallery, Bldg 12-114
Workshop and Talk with the Artist
11 a.m., Friday, April 16
Mercer Gallery, Bldg. 12-114
Born in Rochester, Petracca was the firstborn of six children. His father immigrated from Italy through Ellis Island in 1904. The family was detained on the island until a relative agreed to sponsor them. “It was not an easy entry,” writes the artist who grew up in a very segregated Rochester neighborhood during the ’40s and ’50s. Petracca, a founding member of Rochester’s legendary Allofus Art Workshop, earned a MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1969.
From the artist’s statement: “From my viewpoint, Italian Americans can and must endeavor to fight to re-write our story…Tony Soprano and the Guidos of Jersey Shore move over. The real Italian Americans far outnumber you. They are much more diverse, successful and complex than you can ever imagine.”
LEAVING LITTLE ITALY: LEGACIES REAL AND IMAGINED with Fred Gardaphe, distinguished professor of English and Italian American Studies at Queens College
7 p.m., Wednesday, April 14
MCC Theatre, Bldg. 4
As long as there were Little Italys occupied by Americans of Italian descent, the histories and stories never died. Oral traditions were kept alive through regular and ritual interaction among families and friends. This is no longer the case. This talk uses storytelling and nonfictional techniques to dramatize and historicize Little Italys and presents a case for the impact these changes have had on Italian American culture.
Thursday, April 15 Fred Gardaphe will conduct a workshop entitled "Breaking and Entering: The Making of an Italian American Professor Mercer Gallery 12:00 noon
MICHELA MUSOLINO
7 p.m., Friday, April 16
MCC Theatre, Bldg. 4
Musolino is a singer who specializes in the root music of Sicily. Fusing traditional folk songs into timeless pieces, she is committed to reviving and sharing this little-known musical tradition with audiences throughout the world. Her first CD, “Songs of Trinacrina,” featured well-known Italian percussionist Alfio Antico as a special guest artist. Musician Marco Cappelli (guitarist) will be joining Musolino for her Friday concert. <https://www.michelamusolino.com>
All events are free and open to the public.
Kathleen Farrell
VaPA
04/14/2010 |