A month that celebrates the Italian-American experience brings films, festivals and fun – and of course Sinatra

October is Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month! Events are held throughout the month to celebrate and educate the public about Italian-American history and culture. Let’s celebrate!

The St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival has been dedicated to keeping alive the spirit and faith of the early Italian immigrants. Presented annually since 1987, the celebration of faith features a religious procession, free musical entertainment all day, a wide variety of ethnic food delicacies, rides and games for the kids, Italian and religious novelties, gifts baskets and raffles. (Oct. 1, 1700 S. Ninth St., Philadelphia, stnicksitalianfestival.com)

Philadelphia-area filmmakers will be well represented at the 26th annual FirstGlance Film Festival. Main Line Television’s Emmy award-winning documentary filmmakers, John Ricciutti and Jill Frechie will screen two new projects, “It’s Just Joe” and “Heart of the Beat.” And locally shot feature film,
“Not For Nothing,” written and directed by Frank Joseph Tartaglia and Timothy Royce Bristol Dowlin, executive produced by Peter D. Pelullo, and starring Vic DiBitetto, Al Sapienza, Lauren Lavera, and Natalie M. Stone, will also screen. (Oct. 5-8, PFS Bourse, 400 Ranstead St., Philadelphia, firstglancefilms.com)

Filitalia’s South Philadelphia Entrepreneur Award Luncheon will celebrate and honor Chef Joey Baldino (Palizzi Social Club, Zeppoli) and Jennifer Santore (Ground Up Cafe & Coffee). Guest speaker includes Cristiana Mele, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia. A three-course luncheon is included in the price and guests are invited to BYOB. This event is open to Filitalia members and the public. (Oct. 7, Aroma on 3rd, 1245 S. Third St., Philadelphia, eventbrite.com)

The Italian Heritage Committee will be holding its annual Italian Heritage Festival in Baltimore’s famous Little Italy. Enjoy live music, vino and beer, a sausage eating contest and more! (Oct. 7, Exeter and Stiles streets, Baltimore, Md., italianamericanherald.com/event/italian-heritage-festival-baltimore)

The annual Italian-American Pride Day Parade commences from Broad and Snyder at noon and makes its way to the Festival at Marconi Plaza. (Sunday, Oct. 8, Marconi Plaza, Broad Street and Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia). The

Societa’ da Vinci host the 2023 Columbus Day Charity Golf Outing featuring a boxed lunch, Italian-themed dinner, and awards. Take to the course for
a good cause! Event starts at noon. (Oct. 9, Penn Oaks Golf Club, 150 Penn Oaks Drive, West Chester, Pa., societadavinci.org) Organized by the Camden County Board of Freeholders, the Italian-American Festival and Car Show in Pennsauken features Italian food, kids’ activities, entertainment, local wine tastings, a beer garden, and car show, (Oct. 14, Louis F. Capelli Sr. Bocce Ball Court, 5300 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken Township, N.J., camdencounty.com/event/italian-american-festival-5)

Neapolitan singer-songwriter Gigi D’Alessio makes a stop at Bally’s Atlantic City as part of his 2023 World Tour. (Oct. 14-15, Bally’s Atlantic City, 1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city/events-calendar.aspx?category=41394&date=10/14/2023&display=event&eventid=2100030
aspx?date=10/14/2023&display=event&eventid=2100030)

The Sinatra Social Society of Philadelphia will have its fall luncheon featuring Sinatra music presented by Lou Dottoli on Oct. 16. Attendees will receive a 4-by-6-inch framed picture of Francis Albert along with Sinatra items to be sold and raffled. (Oct. 16, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 2000 Route 38, Suite 1180, Cherry Hill, N.J., italianamericanherald.com/event/the-sinatra-social-society-of-philadelphia-fall-luncheon)

The Kimmel Campus Presents A Tribute to Jerry Blavat with an all-star lineup that includes Darlene Love, The Happenings, Low Cut Connie, The Intruders featuring Phil Gay, Bobby Wilson, The Chantels, and more. They’ll celebrate the life, legacy, and music of Philly’s iconic disc jockey and music impresario with the Jerry Blavat Tribute Concert. (Oct. 21, Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, kimmelculturalcampus.org/events-and-tickets/2023-24/kcp/a-tribute-to-jerry-blavat)

Actor, filmmaker, and playwriter Chazz Palminteri will tell his story of the famous 1988 play “A Bronx Tale” at the Keswick Theatre. (Oct. 21, Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, Pa., keswicktheatre.com)

Hosted by the Cherry Hill Arts Board, Croft Farm Arts Center presents an Ensemble Series: All-Italian Opera Arias & Duets. The Academy of Vocal Arts will prepare and present a full menu of all-Italian opera arias and duets with a side of Neapolitan songs. Enjoy selections by Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti, Bellini, Leoncavallo and more! (Oct. 22, Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, N.J., chnj.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=6288)

Verdi’s masterful Rigoletto, an opera in three acts that premiered in Venice on March 11, 1851, is the tremendous story of the jester Rigoletto, his beloved daughter Gilda, and the treacherous Duke of Mantua. Don’t miss the chance to see one of Verdi’s most championed works at The Grand Opera House. (Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, The Grand, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, operade.org/2324-rigoletto)