Going Back to Italy

It's been a long time since I've been back to Italy or my parents home town in  Italy.  The reasons for not going back seem to get more complicated and I seem to get busier with either life or work.  Going to Italy used to very important to me to at least visit once a year.  My parents haven't been back in a while either just for reasons of life, getting older and handling their financial business and issues here.  As I've posted in the past, my parents are in a place now where the time has come where they have to either have sell off or condense their lives.  My parents have always managed to live a modest life, work hard and own their own homes, but are faced with many challenges here in America as seniors.  As the daughter of senior parents it's not easy taking care of all those things, my parents are complex people, who don't like you in their business, but I guess we're past that now, my siblings and I try very hard to be care givers, but as many of you with strong headed people --especially Calabrese parents--- that task is not easy.  It's a very strange day when you realize your once strong parents are getting old, are old and now need your help.  I'm sure throughout your life you get upset with you parents for different reasons and then the day comes when you realize your roles are reversed.  So, getting mad anymore is gone and now we as children have to do our best to take care of our parents, even if we still don't agree with them.. ( I laugh as I write this, because they are so damn stubborn!)

I travel often for either work or pleasure, but it seems lately more domestically, my goal is to get back to Italy soon and do my normal visit and stay in our home town in Italy.  There is nothing like Italy and it's my second home, but America is my first and our lives are here.  I'm sure many children of immigrants struggle with this sort of identity crisis.  I love my Italian family as well and sometimes I get upset when I hear they think Americans live like KINGS, and in essence I feel we work very hard with every reward earned.  Today was a day of reflection and an inside scoop to the journey of getting back to Italy.  I will be in Italy in the next few months, stay tuned.

-Margaret Tweet

Lavazza Passionista, Making Your Best Coffee Recipe!

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Happy Columbus Day - A Memorable Day For My Father Who First Came To America Over 56 years ago..

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LIGABUE Italy's Record-Shattering Rockstar Announces American Debut - October Dates!

New York, NY — Renowned Italian singer, songwriter, film director and author Luciano Ligabue caps a record breaking quarter-century career with his first-ever concert appearances on the American continent.  Taking off from Manhattan's Terminal 5 on October 19th, the iconic performer makes stops in Los Angeles (October 22nd at the Whisky a Go Go) and San Francisco (October 24 at the DNA Lounge), before touching down at Miami's Grand Central on October 26th.  This US run of dates is a continuation of Ligabue's  "Mondovisione Tour – Mondo 2014"  in support of the acclaimed artist's 10th studio album "Mondovisione," released in November 2013 and certified Italy's top selling album of that year within four weeks of release.

The Emilia-Romagna born Luciano Ligabue spent his young adult life working jobs in the region's agricultural factories, while simultaneously moonlighting as a radio DJ and cutting his teeth as a bandleader on the local rock club circuit.   Ligabue released his first record at the relatively late age of 30 with an eponymously titled album in 1990.  Arguably the most successful debut in the history of the Italian music business, Ligabue's life experiences proved central to the formation of the artist's narrative as a songwriter and in his ability to intimately communicate as a storyteller on a national level.  "Ligabue" the album went platinum connecting him as a solo artist with millions of fans in a way not previously seen in Italy, playing some 250 dates up and down the Italian peninsula over the next 3 years, including a pair of opening slots for U2 on their "Zoo TV Tour" at stadium's in Naples and Turin.  By 1997 Ligabue had confirmed himself as a stadium headliner in his own right with the first of 11 appearances at Milan's temple of football and music San Siro.  In 2005 Liga, as he is commonly known, set the still unbroken European record for tickets sold in a single concert in the form of a "hometown" gig at Campovolo in Reggio Emilia.  The US trade publication Pollstar registered a staggering 165,264 fans in attendance at the event.   As a musician Ligabue has released 10 studio albums, 4 live albums, 2 greatest hits albums, 1 soundtrack album, all certified multi-platinum in Italy.

Luciano Ligabue's debut in the world of film proved equally auspicious with 1998's "Radiofreccia" which screened at the Venice Film Festival and was the subsequent winner of multiple trophies at both Italy's Nastri d'Argento and Davide di Donatello awards for Ligabue's screenplay and direction.  Considered at once a cult classic, commercial success and critical favorite in Italy, "Radiofreccia" was added to the permanent film archive of New York City's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2006.  Also a published author, Luciano Ligabue has penned 4 works including novels and poetry.  His 1997 literary debut "Fuori e Dentro il Borgo" was yet another award-winner; the collection of short stories picked up the prestigious Elsa Morante prize.

Ligabue has taken part in many of Italy's seminal events of the past generation including 1996's Pavarotti and Friends concert in Modena (the legendary tenor also an Emilia Romagna native), 2005's Live 8 concert in Rome (Italy's part in 10 simultaneous benefit concerts held in as many countries and organized by Bob Geldof), 2012's Italia Loves Emilia benefit concert for relief in the earthquake-struck region, and 2014's Sanremo Festival where Ligabue appeared as a special guest.

The US leg of Ligabue's Mondovisione Tour – Mondo 2014 is presented by Riservarossa and F&P Group.

Sunday, October 19, 2014                New York, NY
Terminal 5
610 W 56th St
New York, NY 10019
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 8:00 pm
$50.00 Advance / $55.00 Day Of Show
(212) 582-6600
http://www.terminal5nyc.com/event/672015

Wednesday, October 22, 2014             Los Angeles, CA
Whisky a Go Go 
8901 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:30pm
$50.00 Advance / $55.00 Day Of Show
(310) 652-4202
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ligabue-tickets-12093286345

Friday October 24, 2014                 San Francisco, CA
DNA Lounge 
375 Eleventh St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Doors: 7:00pm / Show: 8:30pm
$50.00 Advance / $55.00 Day Of Show
(415) 626-1409
http://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2014/10-24.html

Sunday, October 26, 2014                Miami, FL
Grand Central
697 N Miami Ave,
Miami, FL 33136
Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 9:00pm
$50.00 Advance / $55.00 Day Of Show
(305) 377-2277
http://grandcentralmiami.ticketfly.com/event/625215-ligabue-miami/

Ligabue Online
http://facebook.com/ligabue

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Upcoming Fall Italian American Events - Columbus Day Parade, Educational, Art & Fundraising Galas

PARADE -- This year's Columbus Day Parade will take place in New York City in October, visit the Columbus Citizens Foundation web page for further details and dates. http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/
The parade is broadcast on the major New York networks such as NBC.


**Photo Credit - http://www.columbuscitizensfd.or

EVENTS --For upcoming events all around New York City, featuring musical events, educational lectures, be sure to visit the i-Italy Digital Project site for the latest updates and features.


GALA -- In October in Washington D.C., The National Italian American Foundation features their Gala, which aims to raise awareness and funds to all programs and education for the Italian American community.  This year's gala will take place on October 25, 2014.

Visit the site here for tickets and further details - http://www.niaf.org/

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Keurig K-Cup Coffee Machine and Lavazza Drip Coffee Giveaway

It's that time of year, when we have an exciting giveaway for one lucky Italian American Girl reader.  The team at Lavazza are presenting a fabulous giveaway, which includes this really cool and super chic Keurig K-Cup Mini, which if you haven't had coffee yet from a Keurig you're missing an amazing little coffee machine.   Lavazza is providing one lucky reader a chance to win this machine along with the Lavazza drip coffees for K-Cup version, which is fantastic!    

In order to enter to win this cool little machine and Lavazza k-cups in drip coffee versions, please comment below with your first and last name and tell me why or how Italian coffee has impacted your life.   I know for example coffee is the main component in my life either when I'm entertaining guests, go to a party and wait for that perfect cup of coffee, maybe it's a comfort and gets you through a tough day,  reminds you of your family, a time to get together and share a warm moment with a friend or family,  what does your coffee stand for?  I will choose one person by September 8, 2014 and announce the winner's name on the blog and Italian American Girl Facebook page.  

To learn more about the new Lavazza Drip Coffee line and K-Cup Versions you can shop for it here:

http://www.shoplavazza.com

Keurig K-Cup Machine 

Lavazza Drip Coffees - K-Cups

** This is a sponsored post by Lavazza and the giveaway will be provided by Lavazza and mailed direct to the winner, Italian American Girl will only be responsible for the promotion of the giveaway and choosing a lucky IAG reader. ***

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Growing Up First Generation Italian American

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