Friday, June 22, 2007

What Were They Thinking??? Invitation to Annual Italian Market Festival - "Enjoy a Weekend of Rhythm & Blues." ????

The ANNOTICO Report

 

People go to Ethnic festivals to enjoy elements of the culture being honored. Why would the Promoters Feature Rhythm & Blues, rather than Opera or Folk Music, or Italian and Italian American Pop Favorites.???????

 

LETTERS: Some Thoughts on Ethnicity

Philadelphia Daily News

Philadelphia,PA,USA

Friday , June. 22, 2007

On May 19-20, the annual Italian Market Festival was held. The front cover of the brochure invited all to "Enjoy a weekend full of rhythm & blues." I was perplexed. People go to ethnic festivals to enjoy elements of the culture being honored. Often these elements have disappeared, or are certainly not a part of mainstream culture. This includes food, dress, customs, traditions and, of course, music.

Often, even the younger, more Americanized generations of these cultures are unfamiliar with and underexposed to their own traditions.

So why would the Italian Festival pass up the golden opportunity to expose Italian and non-Italian-Americans alike to the wonderful traditions of opera and classical music?

Rhythm and blues is out of place at an Italian festival, and I'm not sure most African-Americans would disagree. Italians don't go to Odunde expecting to see Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell performing. Nor does anyone go to a German festival expecting to enjoy French wines. The only (somewhat known) ethnic Italian-American featured during the festival was disc jockey Bob Pantano.

Sponsor Sorrento Cheese needs to get with the program. Philadelphia's Italian Market is Old World. That is its identity, and its appeal. The Italian Festival, held just once a year, should feature the Old World music of Verdi, Puccini, Pavarottl and Mario Lanza. Ciao tutti!

Nicola Argentina, Philadelphia

 

The ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (and are Archived) on:

Italia USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com [Formerly Italy at St Louis] (7 years)

Italia Mia: http://www.ItaliaMia.com (3 years)

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net