Tag Archives: Pat Capriati

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans came roaring out of the gate at its first official meeting following the January installation of its 2021-22 officers. Recently elected President Ron Onesti and a burgeoning cadre of JCCIA leaders have the organization hitting on all cylinders as they upshift into their two-year terms. The meeting was held on Feb. 24 in the recently renovated Italian American Community Room in the Community Center at Casa Italia. On full display were the 80 plaques already sold as part of the Casa’s massive fundraising campaign. More than 60 community leaders representing 30-plus organizations were …

Domenica Insieme has gone international! Listeners from no fewer than 35 countries now tune into the local bilingual radio program hosted by Pat Capriati and John Conenna. The top five countries are the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom. After that comes Belgium, Jordan, Greece, Chile, Russia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Venezuela, India, Macedonia, France, Israel, Luxembourg, Spain, Ukraine, South Korea, Brazil, Taiwan, Poland, Ireland, Finland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Azerbaijan, El Salvador, Japan, Sweden and Argentina. The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. each Sunday on WSBC 1240 AM, and streams live from …

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, honored a dozen outstanding individuals from all walks of life at the 18th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala on May 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen professions,” says Lodge President Marie Marsalli. “They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage.” Fra Noi’s own Pat Capriati, author of the monthly Italian-language profile “L’eta d’oro” and co-host of the bilingual radio program “Domenica Insieme,” received an Award of Excellence in Communications at the event. Also receiving awards …

  The Chandelier Room at Casa Italia was transformed into a Milan runway for this year’s Columbus Day Queen Pageant, and event organizers couldn’t be more pleased. “It was like a Versace fashion show!” enthuses Jo Ann Serpico, executive director of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “We had 22 contestants, the room looked absolutely beautiful and the event went off without a hitch!” Serpico is equally proud of the fact that no admission was charged, paving the way for a capacity crowd of nearly 200 family members and friends. Elizabeth Cavalieri Konopacki walked away with the crown, and …

After 25 years of hosting an Italian radio show in Chicago, Pasquale “Pat” Capriati was ready to shake things up a little. Capriati, who also performs with the Chicago-area Italian band Diamanti, decided to double the length of his show, Domenica Insieme, from one hour to two, add John Conenna as co-host and sprinkle more English-language conversation into the mix. The show airs Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m. on WCKG 1530 AM radio. “John was a guest on the show, and I told him he had an open invitation to come back,” Capriati says. “He’s been coming every week for the …

One the most popular Italian singers made a once-in-a-lifetime appearance at Casa Italia in Stone Park, courtesy of Ron Onesti and Onesti Entertainment. Over the course of a stellar half-century career, Peppino di Capri has released nearly 250 recordings and appeared at the Festival of Sanremo more than any other singer. (See profile below.) In October, he embarked on a 50th anniversary tour that included a stop on Oct. 18 at the Festival Center on the Casa Campus. The show was originally scheduled for the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, but Onesti wanted to bring di Capri closer to his …

  A pair of Chicago-area titans and a compatriot in St. Louis have joined the ranks of the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia. Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro knighted Ron Onesti, Pat Capriati and Rio Vitale on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella at an Oct. 18 ceremony at the consulate. RON ONESTI Entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti is recognized as an innovative leader in the entertainment industry across the country. With a passion for his heritage, he is also renowned as the “go-to-guy” for entertainers from Italy who want to perform here in the States. He has provided enjoyment for …