On February 20th, NYC's Marquee Club was the scene for the Miss Italia USA - NY Selection Beauty Pageant. Collaborating on the event for the second time was Commissione Giovani New York (CGNY- Young Italians NY) and The Sunday NYC. The five finalists chosen here will continue to Connecticut in April for the Miss Italia USA competition, where the winner will represent the USA at the Miss Italia Nel Mondo (Miss Italy - World) Pageant in Jesolo, near Venice, in June.
The five finalists chosen on February 20th were Johanna Sambucini (Miss Italian/American Digital Project, i-Italy), Margherita Medici (Miss Birra Moretti), Ligeia Moltisanti (Miss Jolly Hotels), Syra Maroutti (Miss Piu'Tono) and Melissa Fiore (Miss Hector Boots).
Our hosts for the evening were Rossella Rago, star of the popular web-series, Cooking with Nonna, and Graziano Casale, President of CGNY. Both Rago and Casale were warm, relaxed and full of fun, even though dressed in formal wear. Rago let her wry personality show through and it was a breath of fresh air ("How can you tell their personalities while they're wearing bathing suits?"). Casale seemed right at home on stage and is a natural entertainer. He even sang Ti Adoro, a duet with tenor Christoper Macchio, just to add to the fun (more about Christopher below).
Speaking of singing, the musical entertainment for this event was well chosen. The singers took to the stage when the contestants needed time to change into their next scheduled costume. The first singer was Gio Moretti (www.myspace/giomoretti) and she was outstanding with an impressive range. A popular vocalist in Northern Italy, she was a finalist at San Remo-Giovani Festival and the Castrocaro Terme Festival. Born and raised in Martinengo, not far from Bergamo in the Lombardy region, she was a featured singer for three years on the popular Italian TV program, Incontri. Moretti lived in Boston and then Brazil to expand her musical horizons. Perhaps her most notable collaboration to date is her work with the Brazilian group Batacoto. Their latest CD, Batacoto 3, features Moretti's voice and oboe and in 2004 was nominated for Brazil's equivalent of a Grammy Award. Moretti has just completed a solo CD, Animacustica.
Christopher Macchio (www.christophermacchio.com) an Italian-American tenor from Long Island was next to perform. Macchio has a commanding stage presence and masterful voice, reflecting the classical vocal training begun when he was only 15 years old. Mario Lanza is one of his operatic role models, and Macchio seeks to emulate some of Lanza's unique performance style. Macchio has performed for many politicians and dignitaries, including a US Vice President, the Ambassador to the United Nations and former NYC mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. Currently working with Grammy-award winning producer Tony Camillo, Macchio expects to release his debut CD in March, 2010.
Rounding out the evening's musical entertainment was Simona D. (www.myspace/princessim). She performed several R&B tunes for us with an ease and professionalism beyond her years. Born in Wisconsin, she lived in many countries including Italy, France and England and always brought her music with her. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has also won multiple awards as a cellist. While in Italy she participated in various musical projects and focused on her passion for gospel, soul and R&B. She has performed with Steve Winwood and Brad Hatfield, among others.
How-do-you-do, just wanted you to know I have added your site to my Google bookmarks because of your extraordinary blog layout. But in earnest, I think your site has one of the freshest theme I've came across. It really helps make reading your blog a lot simpler.
Posted by 1 year cd rate | March 8, 2010 1:34 AM
Posted on March 8, 2010 01:34
This is a very interesting article.
Posted by Darci Methven | March 8, 2010 9:23 PM
Posted on March 8, 2010 21:23
Hi i just came across your blog from Google and been reading some of your posts and just wondering why you chose a Wordpress site dont you find it hard to do anything with? Also a security problem?
Posted by Kevin Gulbraa | March 9, 2010 5:32 PM
Posted on March 9, 2010 17:32
A well written story. I'm an internet gamer and I'm always looking for stuff like this.
Posted by Poker | March 13, 2010 12:45 PM
Posted on March 13, 2010 12:45
Nice design and nice author
Posted by Andrew A. Sailer | April 10, 2010 3:36 AM
Posted on April 10, 2010 03:36
Thanks lots, I've found this very useful!
Posted by Janel Nolton | April 14, 2010 5:05 AM
Posted on April 14, 2010 05:05
Excellent job.
Posted by Anonymous | April 18, 2010 11:14 AM
Posted on April 18, 2010 11:14
Heya…my very first comment on your site. ,I have been reading your blog for a while and thought I would completely pop in and drop a friendly note. . It is great stuff indeed. I also wanted to ask..is there a way to subscribe to your site via email?
Posted by Jed Chancey | April 30, 2010 11:52 PM
Posted on April 30, 2010 23:52
Wonderful to read!
Posted by Opticians | May 3, 2010 8:35 AM
Posted on May 3, 2010 08:35
Thank you for a great post
Posted by Anonymous | May 3, 2010 11:13 AM
Posted on May 3, 2010 11:13
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
Posted by game | May 5, 2010 7:23 PM
Posted on May 5, 2010 19:23
Great post! I really love your nice blog! I also commented at your other post that I thought was awesome.
Posted by Axis Jose | May 7, 2010 9:57 AM
Posted on May 7, 2010 09:57
I think you are good writer, keep us posting
Posted by sts | May 8, 2010 10:33 PM
Posted on May 8, 2010 22:33
I really enjoy the information on this blog. I came across it while searching on Yahoo
Posted by Anonymous | May 28, 2010 6:52 AM
Posted on May 28, 2010 06:52
I admire ur job!
Posted by Michale Thatcher | June 11, 2010 1:08 AM
Posted on June 11, 2010 01:08
Thank you, I love it. keep up the good work
Posted by Emmanuel Dolbeare | June 12, 2010 5:55 PM
Posted on June 12, 2010 17:55
Very cool site and I just bookmarked ya too!
Posted by Randy Frush | June 13, 2010 6:01 AM
Posted on June 13, 2010 06:01
I can’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. any feedback are appreciated I really want to see your future posts.
Posted by Anonymous | June 14, 2010 1:21 AM
Posted on June 14, 2010 01:21
i found your site via google and I’m really glad about the information you include in your posts.
Posted by surf | June 15, 2010 10:59 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 22:59
Thank you for your wonderful submit. Genuinely informative and I enjoyed reading it along with your other content articles. Many thanks for sharing and continue the wonderful work.
Posted by Mrs | June 26, 2010 12:43 PM
Posted on June 26, 2010 12:43
I've never heard of this before. I'll definately need to check those out.
Posted by Edda Slots | July 2, 2010 6:06 AM
Posted on July 2, 2010 06:06
Hi, great article!! I got you bookmarked. Thanks and best wishes
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2010 8:29 PM
Posted on July 3, 2010 20:29
Good post, thanks
Posted by Opti | July 14, 2010 2:45 PM
Posted on July 14, 2010 14:45
Good post, thanks
Posted by Tuxedo | July 23, 2010 3:22 PM
Posted on July 23, 2010 15:22