Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

*NIAF Leadership Joined Celebrities and Guests on Valentine’s Day*

(WASHINGTON, D.C. — February 17, 2011) Michael A. Zampardi, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) regional vice president for Greater New York, presented Italian singing star Gigi D’Alessio with a NIAF United States-Italy Friendship Award during his concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on February 14, 2011. Zampardi was joined by the Foundation’s leadership including Linda R. Carlozzi, Esq., Robert E. Carlucci, Rocco Commisso, Arthur J. Furia, Esq. and Salvatore M. Salibello.

Zampardi presenting the award to D’Alessio

Throughout his performance, D’Alessio received standing ovations from a packed audience. The show, “Tu vuo’ fa’ l’Americano,” was a special and moving tribute to D’Alessio’s friend and singer, Maestro Renato Carosone. D’Alessio also sang duets with other international acclaimed artists during his New York performance.

Guests joining D’ Alessio at Radio City Music Hall included Paul Anka, Liza Minnelli, Sylvester Stallone, the Manhattan Transfer as well as Italian crooner Mario Biondi and Christian de Sica, son of the legendary Vittorio de Sica.

A fifty-piece American orchestra, conducted by Maurizio Pica, accompanied D’Alessio at the piano and his band on stage. The evening’s entertainment included a dramatic light show with 3D graphics to create a techno scene. GGD S.r.l. produced the show which RAI-TV will broadcast to audiences within the U.S. and abroad on March 4 and March 11, 2011. Last year, D’Alessio appeared in concert on RAI-Uno in Rome, and received overwhelming reviews and applause from his audience. To review a short news clips from RAI 2, go to www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-f5987456-c898-45b5-84af-e5e7c9df6a16.html.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. The Foundation has a wide range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, conferences and cultural seminars. Visit www.niaf.org.