From Jersey Boys to Cinema, Live Music and More, Italian Heritage Month Brings Italy to Tribeca

If you missed the Tony-Award winning Broadway musical “Jersey Boys,” now is your chance to meet Dominic Scaglione, Jr., known for his performance as Four Seasons frontman Frankie Valli.

Italian Heritage Month at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) will present a live performance and Q&A with Scaglione on Tuesday, October 24 in Theatre 2 at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center at 199 Chambers Street.

“Dominic is a proud Italian American, so we will celebrate his talents, accomplishments and Italian heritage,” says BMCC Modern Languages Professor of Italian Tom Means.

In addition to featuring Dominic Scaglione, Jr. on October 24, Italian Heritage Month will present a talk by acclaimed actress, writer and theatre director Laura Caparrotti, known for directing “Tutti in scena” in 2021, as well as for being a leading cast member of “The Contenders” and “Classe di ferro.”

There will be a catered Italian hot buffet luncheon that day, and a tribute to Italian playwright Mario Fratti (1927-2023) led by BMCC Professor Lisa Sarti.

Guests will also be treated to a performance by students through the BMCC Music and Art Department, and a live performance by singer/songwriter, Mario Giacalone, who leads The Mario Giacalone Trio and has mentored talented BMCC students in productions at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

On Tuesday, October 31, Italian Heritage Month will present a book discussion of Donatella di Pietrantonio’s highly acclaimed novel, “A Girl Returned,” led by Professor Sarti.

Italian Heritage Month reflects the vibrancy of the BMCC Modern Languages Department, which provides associate degree programs not only in Italian but also in French, Spanish and Spanish Translation and Interpretation. The Modern Languages Department also offers a certificate program, Spanish Translation for the Health, Legal and Business Professions.

Modern Language students at BMCC learn language as well as becoming aware of cultures around the world.

New York City is home to more than 8.8 million people, almost 40% of whom were born in countries outside the United States. Multilingual and bilingual college graduates hold a distinct edge in an increasingly global job market.

A 2023 Forbes article states that up to 35% of hiring managers report having granted interviews or extended job offers based on an applicant’s ability to speak a second language.

And as Professor Means points out, the Department of Commerce reported in 2022 that Italy’s economy is the eighth largest in the world, and third largest in the European Union — but it’s not all about business.

“I think that the Italian culture is beloved by most New Yorkers,” says Professor Means. “Italy’s art, music, food and beauty are unrivaled. The idea for our Italian Heritage Month celebrations at BMCC is to create ‘Italy in Tribeca,’ both for our students and our fellow New Yorkers.”

He adds that Italian Heritage Month will be an inspiration for both students and the guest artists being featured. “The professionals will feel inspired by our students’ talent and dreams, and the students will feel motivated to know that some professionals are in their corner.”

Italian Heritage Month reflects the college’s growing Modern Language department. As of its most recent data collection in 2016, the Modern Language Association (MLA) ranks the BMCC Italian program as one of the largest in the United States,.

“We are proud to remind our students and our community that we are here if they want to learn the Italian language, culture, cinema, literature and more,” says Professor Means. “We hope to see a large showing of students, faculty and staff at this year’s unique and uplifting Italian Heritage events. This is a moment for positivity, hope and community building, which the world needs right now.”

For directions to BMCC, visit here.

Italian Heritage Month is generously sponsored by the Offices of President Anthony E. Munroe, Provost & SVP Erwin Wong, the Modern Languages Department and the BMCC Auxiliary Enterprises Corp.