Ron Onesti talks about how growing up on Taylor Street made him into the successful businessman he is today
WGN Radio’s David Hochberg, in for Bob Sirott, is joined by Ron Onesti, President & CEO at Onesti Entertainment, Arcada Theatre, and The Des Plaines Theatre. Listen in while Onesti talks about his Italian-Chicago roots and how growing up on Taylor Street has made him into the successful businessman he is today. Onesti also shares some fun Onesti En...
Tony Award-winner, Chicago stage champion Frank Galati dies
Frank Galati, an actor, director, teacher and adapter who was a pivotal figure in Chicago's theater community and a two-time Tony Award winner, died Monday. He was 79. Galati won twin Tonys in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and staging of Steppenwolf’s production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Gary Sini...
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Dick Biondi - Chicago's own music treasure
There is a cup of hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire in the fall. There is peacefully floating on a raft on a small river in Tennessee. And there is sundown in the mountains of Colorado. As soothing, comforting and embracing as those things are, just as special is the voice of radio legend Dick Biondi. Which is ironic, since he is referred to a...
Detroit Opera: Aida by Giuseppe Verdi
The Detroit Opera - Detroit Opera House is having an incredible concert of Verdi’s Aida on the 30th of December and those of you that are in Michigan not miss the chance to hear the incredible Christine Goerke, Soprano directed by the fantastic Yuval Sharon. Not only is this a one night only event, but part of the proceeds using promo code VERDI200...
Cubs, Ben DeLuzio Agree To Minor League Deal
Italia team member Ben DeLuzio has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs and will compete for a big league roster spot. DeLuzio, an outfielder on the Mission Classic journey to Italy with IABF and FIBS, is on the Italia WBC roster.He spent most of the 2022 season in Triple-A with the Cardinals and was a late season call-up, playing in 65 big lea...
Chris Antonetti named MLB executive of the year
Italian American Chris Antonetti, Guardians President of Baseball Operations, was named Major League Baseball Executive of the Year. He was recognized at the General Manager meetings in November. “There were so many teams, so many organizations, so many executives that were incredibly deserving,” said Antonetti. Fellow Italian American Jerry Dipoto...
International Short Film Day in Chicago
International Short Film Day: Short films available from December 21 at 1pm CT to December 23 at 12am CT. Organized by IIC Chicago, online, free. Registration here. During the shortest day of the year the ICC of Chicago celebrates the International Short Film Day in collaboration with the Italian Short Film Center. The credentials to watch the shor...
As Andretti breaks ground on $200 million facility, F1 expansion answer 'getting close'
“Lots of fun things to come.” The phrase — or versions of it — loomed over Andretti Global’s pivotal groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning like a billion dollar-sized elephant in the room. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, one of the many local and state government dignitaries on-hand at the 90 acres of of dirt, gravel, grass and trees...
Renowned operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform with Indianapolis Symphony
Andrea Bocelli, the world-famous Italian tenor, will perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Dec. 7 concert will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, according to a release from the symphony. The Indianapolis stop is part of Bocelli's tour across the U.S. He'll perform songs from his album "Believe," which includes arias, crossover hits, love...
Songs on War, Work and Love
When: Saturday, December 3 at 4:00pm CT - Where: The Graham Foundation, Madlener House, 4 West Burton Place, Chicago Silvia Tarozzi and Deborah Walker perform the U.S. premiere of "Canti di guerra, di lavoro e d’amore" a transcription and reinterpretation of Italian folksongs from their birthplace, the rural Emilia-Romagna region, for violin, cello...
A Christmas gala with an Italian flair
You don’t have to be Italian to come to the annual Christmas gala fundraiser organized by the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival committee. But the Nov. 27 event will definitely have an Italian flair to it, according to Michele Fabbro of Steubenville, president of the festival board of directors. The holiday gala is at Undo’s West, located a...
Concert Preview: Anthony Taddeo introduces Alla Boara's new take on Italian folk traditions
Although he grew up in an Italian family, Anthony Taddeo didn’t know much about Italian folk music until much later. The percussionist/composer discovered the musical thread that led to forming Alla Boara while in college, when he heard recordings of Italian folk musicians made by the American musicologist Alan Lomax in 1954. A professional musicia...