Nonna Maria goes viral

The latest video from the Nonna Maria and Friends camp has gone viral. Shit Nonnas Say can officially be labeled the group’s most popular video. In just three days the video has been viewed over 155,000 times, and counting...

It seems to have hit a chord with loyal fans and new fans alike. Facebook pages and statuses are buzzing with accolades for the loveable puppet and her astounding character resemblance to nonnas everywhere.

Anthony Imperioli, the leader of the Nonna Maria camp (and the voice of Nonna herself), is overwhelmed by the response.

“Really happy. At some points giddy. Excited. Anxious. Scared too. It's a whole mash of emotions,” explains Imperioli.

“It just feels awesome hearing from Italians all over the world. Getting comments and Facebook messages from Australia, the UK, NYC, Jersey, Toronto, basically from everywhere and everyone who relates to the video. Even people who are non-Italian email me saying they watch the video, don't understand a word, but laugh anyways. I'm not even sure what that means but I'll take it as a compliment.”

The inspiration for the video came from another YouTube sensation called Shit Girls Say. The video has become an Internet meme and inspired other videos like Shit Guys Say, Shit Guys Don't Say, and Shit Nobody Says.

“I figured there needed to be a Shit Nonnas Say despite the fact that our whole online series is basically a Shit Nonnas Say. There needed to be one rapid firing video of Nonna going off in all crazy directions yelling about everything and everyone,” Imperioli continues.

The Nonna Maria camp consists of friends Imperioli, David Iarusso, Erminio Iadeluca, Eric Carpanzano, and Melissa Salvaggio. Since 2009 the troupe has created dozens of videos featuring Nonna Maria, Chef Luigi and grandson David. The puppets now make public appearances at various community events, and kids and adults alike swarm the gang for a photo opt.

“There's this air of resurgence not only in myself but in the community at large. It's a beautiful thing to discover where you came from and an even more beautiful thing to know you share that with a mass of people and, not only Italians, but people from other cultures too... it reminds us that our similarities outnumber our differences,” Imperioli adds.

To view the latest Nonna Maria videos, please visit www.nonnamaria.tv.

Nonna Maria stars in "Shit Nonnas Say"

The Nonna Maria camp just released their latest video. This time ‘round it’s a montage of Shit Nonnas Says. They may drive us nuts, but when we step back and think, our nonna (and our moms) do say some crazy stuff.

The Nonna Maria craze is growing with every video release or public appearance. To date, Nonna Maria boasts over 6,800 Facebook likes and the Shit Nonnas Says video has already been viewed 5000 times since it went online yesterday!

Kudos to the Italian Montreal team behind the lovable puppet!

www.nonnamaria.tv

Joe Cacchione returns with encore performances

Montreal comedian Joe Cacchione is back in 2012 with two encore performances of his one-man comedy show, I speak English… second language! All three December shows were sold out, and looks like January 14 and 15 will be as well. As of today only a few tickets remain for January 15.

The shows will be held at Teatro Lino & Mirella Saputo at the Leonardo Da Vinci Center, located at 8370 Lacordaire in Montreal. Tickets cost $30.00 and can be purchased by calling (514) 955-8370.

And what is his show about? Let’s just say that if you grew up in an Italian household with parents who spoke a broken English – that is an English with a heavy Italian accent mixed in with Italian words and sentence structures – then you will relate to the tales Cacchione will depict.

Brand new Nonna Maria video!

A brand new Nonna Maria video is out! It'll put a smile on your Monday morning face!

www.nonnamaria.tv

Montreal Impact unveils 2012 schedule

Yesterday the Montreal Impact unveiled the schedule for its inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Impact will play a total of 34 games, 17 at home and 17 away. Their first game will be on Saturday, March 10 in Vancouver against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The home opener will be held the following week on Saturday, March 17 at the Olympic Stadium against the Chicago Fire. All the games will be televised on TSN, RDS and TVA Sports.

Stade Saputo is presently undergoing renovations to expand its seating to 20,341 and will not be completed until June. The Montreal Impact is scheduled to play its first game at the new Stade Saputo on Saturday, June 16.

The organization has slowly been announcing its team roster for the new season. It will be vastly different to that of last year, led by new head coach Jesse Marsch. The complete roster will be announced at the end of spring training.

The 2012 Montreal Impact Schedule

Saturday, March 10, 6:00PM – Montreal vs. Vancouver (away)

Saturday, March 17, 2:00PM – Chicago vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, March 24, 4:00PM – Montreal vs. Columbus (away)

Saturday, March 31, 4:00PM – Montreal vs. New York (away)

Wednesday, April 4, 9:00PM – Montreal vs. Real Salt Lake (away)

Saturday, April 7, 1:00PM – Toronto vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, April 14, 8:30PM – Montreal vs. Dallas (away)

Wednesday, April 18, 7:30PM – Montreal vs. DC (away)

Saturday, April 28, 2:00PM – Portland vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, May 5, 8:30PM – Montreal vs. Kansas City (away)

Saturday, May 12, 4:00PM – LA Galaxy vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, May 19, 2:00PM – New York vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, May 26, 9:00PM – Montreal vs. Colorado (away)

Saturday, June 16, 7:30PM – Seattle vs. Montreal (home)

Wednesday, June 20, 10:30PM – Montreal vs. Chivas (away)

Saturday, June 23, 7:30PM – Houston vs. Montreal (home)

Wednesday, June 27, 7:30PM – Toronto vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, June 30, 7:30PM – Montreal vs. DC (away)

Wednesday, July 4, 7:30PM – Kansas City vs. Montreal (home)

Sunday, July 8, 7:30PM – Columbus vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, July 14, 7:00PM – Montreal vs. Philadelphia (away)

Wednesday, July 18, 8:00PM – New England vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, July 21, 8:30PM – Montreal vs. Houston (away)

Saturday, July 28, 7:30PM – New York vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, August 4, 7:30PM – Philadelphia vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, August 11, 7:30PM – Montreal vs. New England (away)

Saturday, August 18, 7:30PM – San Jose vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, August 25, 4:00PM – DC vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, September 1, 7:30PM – Montreal vs. Columbus (away)

Saturday, September 15, 8:30PM – Montreal vs. Chicago (away)

Saturday, September 22, 1:00PM – Kansas City vs. Montreal (home)

Saturday, October 6, 8:30PM – Montreal vs. Houston (away)

Saturday, October 20, 2:00PM – Montreal vs. Toronto (away)

Saturday, October 27, 2:00PM – New England vs. Montreal (home)

www.montrealimpact.com

The legend of La Befana

Long before the American Santa Clause became the dominant force in the Italian Christmas tradition, children did not anxiously await gifts on December 25. It was the morning of January 6, on the day of the Epiphany, when the goodies came. And it wasn’t Babbo Natale who brought the gifts, but an old peasant woman affectionately called, La Befana.

The legend goes something like this. An old white-haired woman was busily sweeping her house when the Three Wise Men came to her door. They said they were seeking the new King who was born in Bethlehem. They needed directions, and asked if she wanted to join them on their journey. Impossible, she replied, as she had way too many chores to do. And so the Wise Men went on their way without the old woman.

But not long after they had left, La Befana began to regret her decision. Were the strangers really going to see the newborn Christ? She ran out of her home with her broom still in tow to look for them, but they were nowhere in sight. And so she set off, searching for them all night, without any luck.

And so it goes, that every year, on the eve of the feast of the Wise Men – the Epiphany – the old woman once again sets off, going home to home, in search of the newborn Christ. And while she is there, she fills the stockings of the good children with gifts, and leaves a lump of coal for the bad children. All this in hopes that one day she will indeed see the newborn Christ.

Buon Natale a tutti!

Nonna Maria Presents: The MutandiWOW!

Nonna Maria is back, and this time around she is revealing one of her biggest secrets... for a price. You will never look at men's briefs the same...

www.nonnamaria.tv