Historic Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Announces 'The Songs of Papa and Nana' Presentation, 5/20

On Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. Professor Louis Leonini will present "The Songs of Papa and Nana: Italian Immigrants' Culture Preserved in Music." He will be tracing popular folksongs of various Italian regions that are still heard today, as well as classic songs and singers from the two large waves of Italian immigration-1880-1924, and the mid-1950s.

He will also explore the influence of Italian theater and vaudeville on immigrant life here in America, and introduce the immigrants' favorite singers of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. There will be a "sing-along" (lyrics provided) and DVD presentation from his extensive collection of 78 rpm records. It promises to be an afternoon of great fun, and a chance to "get closer in spirit to our ancestors, by learning their songs."

A first- and second-generation Italian-American, Professor Leonini has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in Late Modern European History, along with 30 credits completed toward a Ph.D in this area. He was a teacher for the New York City Department of Education for 33 years, and has taught teacher education courses at both campuses of St. John's University. He taught Italian and was chairman of the Foreign Language Department at St. Joseph Hill Academy, and taught Italian for adult learners at the Federation of Italian-American Organizations in Brooklyn. Currently he is teaching weekend Italian language classes at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, where he is also a regular lecturer and member of the Speaker's Bureau.

Admission of $10, $5 for members, includes a light reception.

The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.