Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
The Arcolian Dental Arts Society will present Ron Onesti with the 2025 Arcolian of the Year Award at its Christmas party on Dec. 9 at Venuti’s in Addison. (Dr. Chuck Martello, 815-666-4959)
The following profile was provided by the organization:
Ron Onesti currently serves as president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and third vice president of the Italian American Veterans Museum and is a past chairman of Casa Italia. For most people, that would be a lifetime’s worth of achievements, but for Ron, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Ron has been intimately involved in the Chicago-area Italian-American community for more than four decades as a community leader, benefactor and businessman.
As president of Onesti Entertainment Corp., Ron produces concerts, special events and festivals nationwide. A specialty of the company is the production of Italian festivals and concerts. In the Chicago area, he stages Little Italy Fest in Chicago in addition to coordinating and/or providing entertainment services for several suburban and Italian American events.
In 2005, he took over The Arcada Theatre, a 900-seat vaudeville theater in St. Charles that was founded in 1926, restoring it to its original splendor and using it to showcase local and national talent in the far western suburbs. In 2019, he worked the same magic with The Des Plaines Theatre, a similar gem that was opened in 1925. He’s also the executive chef and owner of:Club Arcada Speakeasy and Restaurant, Bourbon ‘N Brass Speakeasy, Rock ‘N Za Pizza Experience, Rock ‘N Ravioli Italian Restaurant, and Des Pizza.
Ron has produced several projects for television, including a PBS special that garnered three Emmys, and he is a regular on-air host on the Chicago PBS station, WTTW Channel 11. He has also appeared on numerous radio and television shows, and his weekly column “Backstage with The Arcada Theatre’s Ron Onesti” is one of the Daily Herald’s most popular features.
By bringing major Italian superstars like Zucchero, Laura Pausini, Il Volo, Orietta Berti and many others to the United States; producing hundreds of live performances on stages all over the country; and spreading the wonders of his Italian culture, Ron is living the American dream while honoring the memory of his grandparents who came through the gates of Ellis Island.
The eldest of three children of Albert and Gabriella Onesti, Ron was born on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy in 1962. He served as president of the JCCIA’s Youth Division for an unequaled five terms during the 1980s, founded Villa Scalabrini’s St. Joseph’s Table and chaired the IANU Foundation’s David Awards for more than 20 years.
Ron has donated his time, talents and corporate resources to countless organizations over the decades. In thanks, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, Italian American Executives of Transportation, Italian American Police Association, Casa Italia, Chicago West Suburban UNICO and other groups have showered him with honors.
Ron was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, one of only three civilian medals recognized by Congress, at an all-military event at the Statue of Liberty in 2008. In 2017, he joined the ranks of the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia at a special ceremony at the Italian Consulate in Chicago. The honor was bestowed by Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Ron’s leadership and drive have served the community well during one of the most challenging times in recent history. As president of the JCCIA, he has led the fight to preserve generations-old traditions, including our beloved Columbus statues and the parade and day we celebrate in Columbus’ honor.
