“CHRISTMAS IN LITTLE ITALY” TO TRANSFORM HISTORIC LOWER MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD INTO QUAINT WINTER WONDERLAND – Dec. 4 -21, 2009 Christmas in Little Italy, a three-weekend holiday celebration in “America’s authentic Italian neighborhood,” will take place on December 4, 5 and 6, December 11, 12 and 13 and December 18, 19 and 20, 2009, it was announced by Ralph Tramontana, President of the Little Italy Merchants Association (LIMA). Highlights of the holiday celebration include a festive Tree Lighting Ceremony and Concert on Saturday, December 5, from 6:30 to 8 PM; two live Nativity musical performances on Saturday, December 12, at 6:30 and 8:00 PM; and the 3rd Annual “East Meets West Christmas Parade” on Saturday, December 19, at 2 PM. “Christmas in Little Italy” is presented by the Little Italy Merchants Association (LIMA), with support of its sponsors -- Bertolli Olive Oil, Pepsi Cola/Schweppes/7 Up, Peroni Beer and the Italian Tribune. The holiday festivities officially begin on Saturday, December 5, with holiday music starting at 6:30 PM at the corner of Mulberry and Canal Streets, followed by the lighting of a 20-foot tall Christmas Tree at 7:30 PM in the courtyard of Most Precious Blood Church, 109 Mulberry Street, between Canal and Hester Streets. The concert will feature sopranos Maryann Mootos, Marcella Adams, Nicole Ameduri and Casey Hutchinson; tenors John Carelli, Hansu Kim and Jimmy Alleva; Johnny Mandolin and Little Italy’s own Red Mike Festival Band. The tree lighting ceremony will be emceed by WOR Radio talk show host Joey Reynolds, and will be attended by city and state officials and other luminaries. On Saturday, December 12, LIMA will present two Nativity musical performances at 6:30 PM and 8 PM featuring Tre Bella with Jenn Palumbo, Deb Longino, Tiffany Giardina, Anthony Tolve, Rocco Arrigo and Allison Scola as Mary and Dimitri Minucci as Joseph. There will also be farm animals and a live Petting Zoo! In between the two Nativity performances, Tre Bella will perform in concert. The 3rd Annual “East Meets West Christmas Parade,” which will be held on Saturday, December 19, starting at 2 PM, reflects the culture and heritage of Lower Manhattan’s two major neighboring ethnic communities – Little Italy and Chinatown, which recently were designated as National Historic Neighborhoods. One of the largest parades in Lower Manhattan, this colorful and festive procession will feature 10 to 12 floats; marching bands representing the US Marines Corps, the NYPD, the Boys Scouts of America and the award-winning Cathedral High School Marching Band; Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance troupes; singers Maryann Mootos, Inez Antoni Mendezona, Katie LaPorta. Megan LaPorta. Jacqueline Thompson, Hansu Kim, Michael Belle and Jimmy Alleva; Chinese opera performers and pop singers; acrobats; and marching groups representing local organizations from the Little Italy and Chinatown communities; Little Italy’s Red Mike Festival Italian Brass Band; and, of course, Santa Claus. Sirius Satellite Radio on-air personality Bruce Morrow (Cousin Brucie) will be the Parade’s Celebrity Grand Marshal. Leaders of both lower Manhattan communities, including Grand Marshal John Liu, the incoming New York City Comptroller; and Honorary Grand Marshals, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and newly elected Councilperson Margaret Chin, will join other city, state and federal officials at the head of the Parade which will step off from the corner of Mulberry and Canal Streets. For the first half of the Parade, the lead float will be provided by the Little Italy Merchants Association, featuring the names and logos of the “Christmas in Little Italy” sponsors. When the Parade starts its journey south on Mott Street through Chinatown, a Chinese float will replace the LIMA float in the lead spot. Last year’s inaugural parade drew a huge audience and won raves from residents and leaders in both communities. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit Little Italy during the Christmas holiday season to soak up the festive atmosphere, shop for Christmas gifts, and enjoy the authentic Italian cuisine offered in the neighborhood’s more than 35 Italian restaurants and cafes. Little Italy’s favorite Italian brass band, the Red Mike Festival Band, will be playing every weekend and weekday nights in local restaurants and cafes. For additional information, please call 212-302-0551. |
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