October 2007

This month, CUNY-TV celebrates Italian Heritage & Culture Month with a series of specials from the producers of the monthly program, “Italics: The Italian-American Magazine.” These hour-long programs are devoted to recent cultural and educational activities involving the Italian-American community and key political, cultural and academic figures in the community. They will air on four consecutive Mondays in October.

Mondays: 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 9:00 PM

Mon. October 1, 2007
The New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators Weekend Conference 2007
For more than 17 years, this has been one of the most influential gatherings of Italian Americans from across New York State. The State Legislators' Weekend Conference has helped to focus the Italian American Community towards working on a unified agenda. Conference workshop topics included: “An Update on the Calandra Institute,” “Italian American Women: History & Representation,” and “The New Italian-American Cinema.” The Conference closes on Monday evening in Troy, NY, with the Festa Italiana, the Capital region's largest Italian American street fair. Current NYCIASL President Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli and Conference President-Elect Sen. Diane Savino are both interviewed by Anthony Tamburri, Executive Director of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute.

Mon. October 8, 2007
Italian Heritage & Culture Month 2007
Interviews with Angelo Gimondo, Founder & Chairman, and Cav. Joseph Sciame of the Italian Heritage and Culture Month Committee. This year is dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Giuseppe Garibaldi, “Unifier of Italy, Hero of Two Worlds.” Highlights include the IHCM 2007 Committee's 1st Annual Gala Dinner and Awards; a concert dedicated to celebrating Garibaldi's Birthday; and a lecture at his namesake museum, the Garibaldi- Meucci Museum on Staten Island.

Mon. October 15, 2007
Honoring the 200th Birthday of Constantino Brumidi at the US Capitol
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Hilary Clinton, and Sen. Charles Shumer join other dignitaries officially celebrating the 200th birthday of the “Michelangelo” of the US Capitol Dome, artist Constantino Brumidi. His masterpiece, “The Apotheosis of Washington,” fills the entire dome, while more of Brumidi's artistry is seen along the frieze, which depicts a history of America.

Mon. October 22, 2007
“The Italian American Vote”
Panel discussion about the importance of the Italian American vote in the upcoming presidential election. 
Panel: Bill Schneider, CNN; Robert Novak, political columnist; Joseph R. Cerrell, Vice Chair, National Italian American Foundation; Michael Barone, US News & World Report. 
Moderator: A. Kenneth Ciongoli, chair, National Italian American Foundation.