Sicilian Culture: The News & Views: 3rd Annual Dance of the Giglio Festival

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3rd Annual Dance of the Giglio Festival
In Massapequa, Long Island
Imagine 125 men carrying a five-ton, five-story, hand-sculpted tower and a 12-piece brass band– on their shoulders – and dancing it – in Massapequa, Long Island before a jubilant crowd of thousands in tempo to joyous Italian Folk songs!
The Long Island Giglio Association proudly invites people of all ages and cultures throughout the greater NY Metropolitan Area to the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, L.I. to experience this remarkable ritual known as “The Dance of the Giglio” (pronounced Jill-yo).
A Roman Catholic Bishop, San Paolino di Nola and his heroic act of sacrifice in the year 409 A.D. inspired this tradition.The 2001 Long Island festival will feature carnival rides and games, delicious Italian and ethnic foods, and entertainment-nightly.
In celebration of its Third Annual Festa de Giglio (Feast of the Lily), the Long Island Giglio Association has designed a spectacular four-day festival, which will begin on Thursday, June 21st and end with the breathtaking “Dance of the Giglio” on Sunday, June 24 at 1 P.M. sharp.
On Friday evening June 22 starting at 7 P.M. the oldies group Risky Business and a Fireworks display will light up the evening air. Saturday night June 23 will spotlight the musical talents of Bob Hansen & Friends. On Sunday, June 24, at 6 P.M., immediately following the breathtaking four-hour “Dance of the Giglio”, the musical soundsof Juke Box Saturday Night will serenade the crowd. A final Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 will prove to be a rousing climax to the Third Annual Long Island Festa de Giglio celebration. The net proceeds from this year's feast will be donated to VARIETY - The Children's Charity. Variety’s reigning President and famous radio personality, Cousin Bruce Morrow is scheduled to appear at the feast and will be promoting this glorious festival on his nationally renowned weekly radio show on WCBS FM 101.1.
Since the dawn of the 20th Century this moving 65-foot high monument to faith, folk-art and family has also been danced in celebration in Williamsburg Brooklyn, EastHarlem, Astoria Queens, the Bronx, Cliffside Park, New Jersey and now on Long Island. In 1999, following in the footsteps of their ancestors, a devoted group of second to fifth generationdescendants of Italy formed the Long Island Giglio Association. Their mission was to bring the Dance of the Giglio feast tradition to Long Island, pay homage to San Paolino and the feast tradition’s legacy in Nola, Italy and America.
People who are unable to make it on June 24, or are interest in this remarkable 1,600-year-oldstory can experience the thrill of the spectacle in the film “Heaven Touches Brooklyn in July” airing Sunday, July 1at 10 P.M. and on Saturday July 7 at 4 P.M., WLIW21 New York PublicTelevision. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Tony De Nonno,and narrated by actors John Turturro and Michael Badalucco of “The Practice,” this documentary celebrates the origins and evolution of this rite over 1,600 years, including footage ofthe 1999 Long Island Dance of the Giglio feast.
For more information about theLong Island Giglio Association or the 2001 Dance of the Giglio Celebration,visit our website at www.giglio-usa.org or call Anthony Casalino at 631-595-1578.

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