Wow! So Many Pictures - And All of WHOM?

Ciao a tutti,

I have to say that this could be a bit overwhelming. I have never seen so many pictures of me from one event before in my entire performance life. Literally, I have been sent and have seen hundreds upon hundreds of pictures of me with hundreds of facial expressions, position of mouth, body gesticulations and in various strides across the stage.

It seems that there were more than a few photographers at the Feast of San Gennaro in Los Angeles this year who took a liking to what Chef Richard and I were doing as part of our live version of the Filippo and the Chef show, and we are so grateful for the attention. Little by little they have been trickling in.

This last batch which came in today was really appreciated because it included pictures of me with people with whom I had not seen pictures of as of yet. Most specifically, I didn't have a picture with Joan Kimmel, Kimmy Kimmel's Mom and Uncle Frank.

At the top of the post is her making pasta fasul or "fagioli" with Chef Richard, with me looking on, and talking on and on, he, he. In this picture here I was telling a story about her, actually it was really about me. But it went like this.

When I met Joan that night before I gave her my E-mail address and asked her to E-mail me the recipe that she was going to make and the ingredients she needed. That next day she E-mailed me as planned. At the end of her E-mail she wrote, "I love you."

I got the E-mail and without batting an eye-lash wrote her back, "Thanks, I love you!" Just before I sent the E-mail, I happened to check her E-mail address and noticed that it wasn't her name on the E-mail but that of her son, JIMMY KIMMEL. Thank God I didn't send it. She explained to me later that she was using her sons computer at his house and sent the E-mail from his E-mail account.

So I shared that story with the audience ending it with "Can you imagine if I had sent the E-mail and Jimmy had read it?" I think, whether he thought I was saying "I love you" to him, or saw me writing it to his mother, it would have possibly been awkward either way. You know those Italians and their mothers, he, he.

Here are some other pictures that I think you would enjoy, and I guess there's no need to explain them, I will just post them here with captions, just in case they are needed. Oh yes, there were a couple other things I wanted to say.

Firstly, here is a picture of the singing group we formed especially for the Festival which we called "Filippo and the CHEFS!" The "Chefs" part of the group was made up of actors Bobby Costanzo, Johnny Capodice, and our very own Chef Richard Lombardi. It was a hoot, we sang doo wop and brought the house down because it was so funny.

And what was the other thing I wanted to say? Oh, and I wasn't kidding when I said the pictures keep coming in. I recently got an E-mail from yet another photographer, Andre, who took some fun pictures of us at the Feast and if you want to see even more pictures you can click on this link. www.sgfeast.com/filippogal02.html Thank you Andre for your interest in taking pictures of us and posting them on them web.





With Actor Mario Macaluso


So that's it for now, until someone else sends some more pictures, he, he.

Filippo







Backstage with Actress, Director and Producer Penny Marshall


P.S. This Italian-American comedian, John DiResta, was coming to town and I wasn't able to go see his live stand-up, but I checked out clips of him on the web and on Youtube. In case you are not familiar with his comedy or his show, like I wasn't, I posted a clip of his and his brother Jimmy's show "Hammered," here. (In English)





Singing on stage to Actress, Model, TV Host Tanya Memme






On Stage with Actor and TV Host Mark DeCarlo and Actress and Model Marisa Petroro






At the festival with Comedian Mike Marino and Actor Mario Macaluso






On stage cooking with Penny Marshall and Chef Richard

The Order of Sons of Italy in America Grand Lodge of California - Gala at the Americana Lodge

Ciao a tutti,

I was invited by Annette Zappia of the OSIA Americana Lodge and by Comedian and host Mike Marino to sing a song in honor of Joseph La Banca State President of the OSIA at a dinner held in La Habra. It was a beautiful affair and so wonderful to see so many people I knew and had seen in so long. I used to sing at so many local Order of Sons of Italy events and it felt so nice to be there.

I was also in good company, Mike did a great job as host and of course funny as ever. Then Autumn Scarlett was also there to sing a song for the occasion. I had recently met Autumn at the Los Angeles San Gennaro Festival where we both performed. Her with her own solo show and I with Chef Richard and the "Filippo and the Chef" Show.

Of course I couldn't just sing one song. And I don't think they really wanted me to just sing one song, could they have?

No I am sure not, because if that was the case, they wouldn't have invited me back for a whole show in March. And of course I said yes, and I am looking forward to it. It is called Filippo and Friends featuring Mike Marino and Special Guest Singer Laura De Leon.

Rumor has it that Chef Richard might even make an appearance.

It will be held on March 30, 2008, and you can click on the flyer to see more information about the show. Hope to see more of my friends I haven't seen in a long time.

A presto,

Filippo

P.S. Mike Marino has an already popular new DVD out on the market called "Live at the Paramount." You can purchase one at www.MikeMarino.net Here is a short clip of it posted on Youtube.com. (In English)

It's Italian Festa Time in Los Angeles - Feast of San Gennaro LA (Part 2)

Ciao a tutti,

Today I learned something very interesting, how to put captions under pictures. This could prove very important to me. The question now is, will I allow the pictures to speak their proverbial "thousand words," for themselves, or will I still feel compelled to write a thousand words or so, and risk being too verbose, or worse, redundant.

The other choice I might make is to post a thousand pictures. How many words does that make?
That's a million words, right?

Better yet, in regard to this particular post, I not only have the pictures and the new know-how of how to add captions, but I also have a short video of Chef Richard and I having fun with some of our friends, old and new, performing the live version of our Filippo and the Chef Radio show on the Jimmy Kimmel Live stage of the Feast of San Gennaro in Los Angeles this past week.

So, I have decided to let the pictures do the talking, as well as the video below and wish you all a happy browsing.

But I just have to say one thing, Penny Marshall pictured with me here was sooo sweet. Well, so was Tanya and Marisa and Joan Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel's Mom, who won't be pictured because I don't have a picture with her but you can see her cooking with Chef Richard and I on the video.

But Penny was just as funny as you would have expected her to be. She had a busy rehearsal schedule that day but she came out to the Feast in the middle of her work day just to celebrate her Italian heritage with us, and make us all laugh.

And incidentally, yes, she is Italian-American. Hear her tell you herself in the video below. I just had to post all these pictures of her because her expressions are priceless.

And speaking of video, wait, one more thing. I have to mention Pat Battistini. It's because of him that we have such a cool video. He is a writer/ director/ producer/ editor and you can learn more about him at Hoosier Daddy Films. Incidently he is also an actor, you might recognize his face from the picture I posted here but you can check out his reel by clicking here.

Thank you all for helping make this years Feast of San Gennaro LA so memorable for all of us, especially Chef Richard and myself.
I guess that answered that, I still had to write a lot of words. He, he.

Filippo

P.S. If you cannot watch the video on this post, you can always go to www.Youtube.com and Search "Filippo and the Chef," or actually, just click on the following link.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w8pJg2S-tco







Me Dancing with Actress and Model, Marisa Petroro





Me with Australian-Italian Singer Alfio






Actress and TV Host Tanya Memme Cooking with Chef Richard and I





Dean Martin's Son Ricci Martin and I Backstage.






KTLA News Reporter, Kim Rouggie (left) and KTLA Weather Anchor and former Miss USA 1994, Lu Parker, (right) and I





A Group we affectionately called "Filippo and the CHEFS" was a huge hit at the festival. The singing Doo Wop Group was comprised of Actors Bobby Costanzo and Johnny Capodice, Chef Richard Lombardi and myself





Me singing to Actress and TV Host Tanya Memme





Me enjoying a Zeppole (Photo taken by Photographer Tricia Wall)





Chef Richard Lombardi on stage with TV Hosts Mark DeCarlo and Marisa Petroro





Chef Richard and I





Australian-Italian Singer Alfio and I





Soprano Autumn Scarlett and I






Ricci Martin and I





Comedian Mike Marino and Chef Richard dancing while I was singing





A young Festival Performer and I





TV Host Mark DeCarlo and Actress and Model Marisa Petroro and I





Actor Mario Macaluso, Comedian Mike Marino, Chef Richard and I





Marisa Petroro and I at the Filippo and the Chef Booth





TV Host Tanya Memme, Chef Richard and I





KTLA TV News Reporter Kim Rouggie and I




Musician/Composer Marco Missinato performing during our Live Show




TV Host Tanya Memme and I





Chef Richard with cooking with Actor Mario Macaluso





The Filippo and the Chef Show Stage with TV Host Tanya Memme, Chef Richard, Musician/Composer Marco Missinato and me.





Actress Model Marisa Petroro and I





Me

Three Cheers For - The Three Paisans

Ciao tutti,

What can I say about my own show? Well, actually, it wasn't just my show so I guess I can say lots. It was a great show, I mean really, what can I say? I can say this, I had a lot of fun and so did the audience. First of all it was a sold out crowd and it was so funny. It was held at the Catalina Jazz Club which is a traditional Jazz Supper Club, very high end, in other words, not cheap, and they do things a certain way, and they get a wealthy clientele... you get the picture.

Well, the night of The Three Paisans, the place magically turned into a classy Las Vegas club of the '50's or something, reminiscent of an evening where Frank, Dean and Sammy would appear. And it is not just me that is saying that, the audience said that, and better yet, the Catalina management said the same thing.

So many "paisans" came out to see three of their own and to have a nice evening out, and they were ready to party and have some fun. The audience started coming in, in their furs and Italian suits, and you knew this was going to be a grand affair. Minutes before we were due to go on stage, the manager came to us in the green room and said that we couldn't start yet because they were behind in serving the food.

He went on to say that in the years that he has managed the place he had never seen anything like this. He said, "No one is sitting down to order, everyone is walking around talking to everyone else and hugging and kissing and no one is ordering." We had to laugh and we knew we were in the right place and we knew our audience was too. These we Italians! Gotta love it! We have a flair, don't we?

We didn't start till almost an hour afterwards and the timing couldn't have been better, not just the timing on when we started, but the timing of the three of us on stage. To say we had fun is an understatement. We all knew each other and we knew each others' work, but we had never been all three on the same stage at the same time "doin' tings togeda, you know what I mean?" And to watch it unfold was a blast for us.

From the reaction of the audience during the show, the standing ovation, and them hanging around afterwards not wanting to leave, I would say it was a party that has to be repeated.

Oh, and do I have to splain that everyone had a comment or suggestion to make. "You shudda done this song," "You shudda said this...." "Next time tell this joke..." We knew we had been successful in inviting the audience to have a good time with us when they felt so part of our family that they felt like they should tell us what to do.

Then again, when I tink about it, the audience was full of actors, directors, producers, agents, and all of them Italian, except Debbie Gibson, you remember her, well hold on cause she's making a comeback. Anyway, back to my story, they were all from Hollywood and all of them were our friends, so what would you expect? On the contrary, it couldn't have been better, except maybe us having had a second show. But we got those offers too, so I am sure I'll be writing more about that in the future.

Before the night was over Frankie opened up his restaurant, "Frakies on Melrose" for us so we could have a drink and celebrate together. Since I was on stage most of the time, I didn't take too many pictures, you know what I mean? But afterwards I took these of Joey Mike and I with a few friends, like Frankie's lovely daughters.

There, have I said too much? You just had to be there! And maybe you will be, who knows, "The Three Paisans" might just be coming to a theater near you.

Filippo


P.S. Here is a video I thought you all would enjoy. It is of the "Rat Pack," with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. with Dean's background vocals to the song "Ain't That a Kick In The Head." Now, Joey and I sang that, but those of you who were there know we changed the words a little bit. And by the way, contrary to popular belief, Frank, Dean and Sammy were not the original rat packers, there was another group before them called that. Anybody know who? In the words of Mike Marino, "I could tell you, but I don't want to be a snitch." (Background Song in English)

Mixing it Up With New Jersey's Bad Boy - Mike Marino

Ciao a tutti,

Well, Mike Marino did it again. Every once in awhile Mike brings a special group of people together that have the distinction of having three things in common, at least. They are all in the Entertainment Industry, they all have the desire and willingness to share their knowledge and they all are Mike's friends, or want to be.

I was happy to be included in this group, and though not everyone can always make it, it certainly is fun mixing with the ones that do. And in so doing, a lot of great projects have come out of these mixers and many more are in the works.

One of the beauties of the evening is to see people at varying stages of their careers, from multi-award winners, like Emmys and Grammys etc., to newbies in the Industry mixing it up, having fun, making connections, and learning and sharing.

Just like in the movies, and oh so very Italian, Mike brings everyone together in the back room of an Italian restaurant, Sebastian's, where Sebastian, the owner himself gets in on the action and fun. Above you see Mike and I pictured with two of the Industry awarded veterans. You all remember Shabba-Doo as the star of such movies as "Breakin'," "Breaking 2: Electric Boogaloo," "Lambada," "Xanadu," or as Madonna's choreographer on several of her tours.

I included one of his videos clips below just for fun, when he appeared on the Steve Allen show many years ago. Shabba-Doo is a really fun guy, not to mention funny. Next to Mike is Steve Howell, multi-Emmy award winning Director and now also an expert in helicopter aerial film production. You have most definitely seen some of his aerial shots in various shows and films.

I thought these next guys were Italian for sure. Come to find out, it was their east coast demeanor that threw me off, he, he. They are Joe Lucas and Sean Cross of IMC Artists and are screenwriters and filmmakers in their own right. Now the young lady in the middle, I know she's Italian, because she is Isabella Carlini. She's not only on a fast track at Paramount working in licensing and what not, she is also a fine singer, a soprano no less.

Now there is no mistaking that the guy I am pictured with here is not only Italian-American but also from the east coast, when you meet him, it's Tony Vitale. Now here is a talented and very versatile guy. Tony has worn many hats in many film productions, including actor, but truly shines in his roles as screenwriter and director as is evidenced by his growing list of directorial and writing credits starting with his directing debut "Kiss Me Guido," a clever Italian- American themed film, and continuing through "One Last Ride," "Very Mean Men," and "Jungle Juice."

I think the next picture is funny because of all the people in the picture, I think I am the least Italian looking, but there is actually only one Italian-American in the picture besides myself, can you picture which one? Here is a hint, the guy farthest from me is named Leonardo Rossetti, he is a Cameraman in the business. Was that too big a hint, he, he? The guy next to him is actor, producer, writer, director, Carl T. Evans.

You TV watchers may remember him from certain episodes of "Melrose Place," "Third Watch," "Sex and the City," "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," and all kinds of other shows, but his passion is movies, and making them, like "Walking on the Sky," or his new one coming out in Winter of this year, "Frame of Mind."





And now for something embarrassing. I thought the young lady next to me was songwriter Kara DioGuardi when I saw her beautiful face from across the room. Once I approached her I realized that she wasn't and she told me her name.

Well, I called her Kara all night just to be funny and now guess what, I can't remember her name. I know she is going to see this and I will never hear the end of it. If someone knows her name, do tell me before she sees this.



Then there is Fred Salas who just wrote an interesting book, "The Poor Man's Guide to Buying Scalper Tickets." He's a sports announcer KUMD TV31 calling the action and giving you the basketball play by play. I asked him to giving me a demonstration just for fun, and it was funny, he sounded "just like the guy on TV," never mind that he is that guy, or one of them.

Finally, I got to join Isabella again as she was talking to Andrew Bishop, Vice President, Business Development for Fan Rocket, before the evening was done and the camera put away. Funny that with all the cameramen, directors, producers and writers in that room, why was I the one running around with a camera taking pictures and now writing about it? Maybe I should look into doing this for a feature movie myself, he, he.

Ciao for now,

Filippo

P.S. As I mentioned here is a video from Youtube.com featuring Shabba-Doo dancing on a Steve Allen show. (In English)