Bringing Music To Festa....." It's Amore"

What do musicians Dave Molinari and Frank Rossi have in common? They both grew up in the south suburbs, both traveled the world sharing their love for music and both will be performing at Festa Italiana in Mokena this Sunday, July 16.

Molinari grew up in Oak Lawn and graduated from Richards High School in the early 1970’s and by then, he already had his first band.

“I started to play the snare drum when I was ten,” said Molinari. “My Uncle Joe, the guy with a hundred harmonicas, gave me my first chance.”

Currently, Molinari is involved with two bands: The Rockets and The Fabtones. Both bands are known for playing music from the 60’s. He is also the entertainment director for Mokena’s Festa Italiana and is responsible for booking the entertainment for the daylong event.

“There will be authentic Italian music and some American-Italian music during the day,” said Molinari. “So much of the music culture today is shot. You have the culture of drugs, garbage and depravity,” stated Molinari. “The music we’re bringing to Festa is from the old times,” added Molinari.

“One of my favorite moments I enjoy as a performer is when I play the oldies and the twenty something generation starts singing along and they know the words,” added Molinari. “Young people who hear music from the 60’s for the first time are surprised and tell me…wow, that is really good stuff.”

Besides Molinari and Rossi, other performers that will be at Festa Italiana in Mokena including Connie Marshall, local tenor Franco Martorana, the Traverso Singers and many more.

“We bring a lot of heritage to Festa,” Molinari said. “I encourage young people to attend our event and hear music left for them, legacies from our grandparents like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra,” added Molinari.

“I encourage everyone to come and experience the food, the music and the traditions,” Molinari said. “It’s family oriented and you can’t beat the price. There are no food items over five dollars and nearly all our funds, after expenses, go to local charities in the area.”

Another entertainer at Sunday’s Festa will be Frank Rossi, a native of Chicago Heights. “I began my career with music at the age of seven when I took accordion lessons at Symphony Music,” said Rossi.

From his first teacher, Dick Stern, to great accordion legend Eddie Baldacci, Rossi has traveled the world entertaining folks for decades. These days he plays two shows a day in the Chicago area.

“I have friends all around the world that play the accordion,” said Rossi. “I have one friend that plays on the gondola’s in Italy. Despite what people think, the accordion is not a dying art,” added Rossi.

This year at Festa, Rossi will have something different, a new accordion.

“I got a Petosa which is like Cadillac of accordions,” said Rossi. “I have a wireless microphone so I can walk around and sing to the audience. Italian music, its life,” he added.

To see Dave and the Fabtones, Frank Rossi and many more Italian artists, come to Mokena Festa Italiana on Sunday, July 16. A traditional ceremonial procession begins at 11am at Mokena Intermediate School located at 11331 195th Street which ends at the Festa grounds located on the north Metra lot at Wolf & Front Street.

For more information go to: www.MokenaFesta Italiana.com or call 773-778-8586.