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Posts By Villa Palagonia
0 The Music is Still Playing
Although we haven’t had too many big shows in a few months, we’ve been playing short sets at events for Experience Sicily, my (Allison’s) tourism company.
We’ve been in a big transition to a new home the past two years, and it’s been very disruptive to our music making; however, it hasn’t completely stopped, and we’ve got plans to be back on the scene soon. Meanwhile, this summer, we’ll be spending a lot of time in Sicily (about 10 minutes from the estate Villa Palagonia!) and southern Italy, soaking up the regional sounds to bring them home and get to work on our next project.
Some rest and relaxation on the Mediterranean Sea will do our hearts some good as we come out of a period of moving homes and settling into our new one, which is turning out to be beautiful!
So, the music is still playing … and we’ll share it with you soon!
0 Shaking Rockwood November 2
Contact: Allison Scola
646-281-4324
info@villa-palagonia.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Italian Infused American Roots Band
VILLA PALAGONIA
Shakes Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2016—Manhattan-based ensemble Villa Palagonia will perform songs from their Italian infused world-folk album “Rhythms & Roots” on Wed., Nov. 2 from 7-8 p.m., at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 at 185 Orchard Street, New York, New York. The cover charge is $10.
Eclectic acoustic brushed with hues from Mediterranean folk is the avenue on which the ensemble Villa Palagonia perches—yet the side streets and dusty alleyways that these musicians travel offer engaging timbres that are woven together by songs imparting tales of the old world and the new. “Rhythms & Roots” is a mix of original music performed in English and Italian alongside time-tested Sicilian folk songs.
Founded in 2013 by multifaceted guitarist Joe Ravo and multi-instrumentalist and singer Allison Scola, Villa Palagonia calls upon its core members’ southern Italian roots and American know-how to create original music peppered with elements from traditional Sicilian and Italian folk songs. Joe Ravo is a versatile guitarist who has performed alongside the likes of Dave Brubeck and Stanley Turrentine and traveled around the world as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Department of State. Allison Scola is most familiar to folk audiences because of her performance as part of Joni Mitchell’s Blue Celebration. As a solo artist, she has released a number of recordings and performed at venues as grand as Shea Stadium, as kitschy as CBS Morning News’ Living Room Live, and as intimate as her cousin’s patio in Bagheria, Sicily where the world-renowned estate Villa Palagonia exists.
Allison’s paternal grandmother, who immigrated to New York in the 1920s, grew up in Bagheria in the shadow of Villa Palagonia. It is a place she and Joe have visited many times—and the villa itself is a site that they find intriguing and inspirational because of the remaining 72 odd and fantastic monster-statues that line the estate’s grounds. Bagheria is at the crossroads—between barons and peasants, between lemon orchards and jasmine vines, between mountains and sea, between Europe and Africa, and between ancient mysteries and modern realities. Both the historic site and the ensemble called Villa Palagonia capture a unique essence—capture a place: where north, south, east, west, and humanity collide.
Allison and Joe will be joined by Greg Maker on bass and Dave Mancuso on percussion.
For more information on this concert, please contact Allison Scola, or email info@villa-palagonia.com. To listen to samples from “Rhythms & Roots,” please visit https://villa-palagonia.com/epk/.
0 August 30 at the Italian American Museum
Experience Sicily with Villa Palagonia
Tues., Aug. 30 at 6:30 PM
Italian American Museum
155 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
$10 Donation
Join multifaceted guitarist Joe Ravo and multi-instrumentalist and singer Allison Scola—the music duo Villa Palagonia—for a concert-presentation featuring songs from their debut world-folk album “Rhythms & Roots” and a discussion about travels in Sicily and growing up in The Bronx.
“You don’t have to speak Italian to appreciate Villa Palagonia. You just have to give yourself over to Allison Scola’s lovely voice (and stage presence) and Joe Ravo’s jazz-inflected guitar playing. It’s an irresistible combination.”
- John Platt, host of WFUV’s Sunday Supper
Eclectic acoustic brushed with hues from Mediterranean folk is the avenue on which the ensemble Villa Palagonia perches—yet the side streets and dusty alleyways that these musicians travel offer engaging timbres that are woven together by songs imparting tales of the old world and the new. “Rhythms & Roots” is a mix of original music performed in English and Italian alongside time-tested Sicilian folk songs.
Founded in 2013 by multifaceted guitarist Joe Ravo and multi-instrumentalist and singer Allison Scola, Villa Palagonia calls upon its core members’ southern Italian roots and American know-how to create original music peppered with elements from traditional Sicilian and Italian folk songs. Joe Ravo is a versatile guitarist who has performed alongside the likes of Dave Brubeck and Stanley Turrentine and traveled around the world as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Department of State. Allison Scola is most familiar to Little Italy audiences because of her tarantella workshops during the annual Marco Polo Festival and Feast of San Gennaro. As a solo artist, she has released a number of recordings and performed at venues as grand as Shea Stadium, as kitschy as CBS Morning News’ Living Room Live, and as intimate as her cousin’s patio in Bagheria, Sicily where the world-renowned estate Villa Palagonia exists.
Allison’s paternal grandmother, who immigrated to New York in the 1920s, grew up in Bagheria, Sicily in the shadow of Villa Palagonia. It is a place she and Joe have visited many times—and the villa itself is a site that they find intriguing and inspirational because of the remaining 72 odd and fantastic monster-statues that line the estate’s grounds. Bagheria is at the crossroads—between barons and peasants, between lemon orchards and jasmine vines, between mountains and sea, between Europe and Africa, and between ancient mysteries and modern realities. Both the historic site and the ensemble called Villa Palagonia capture a unique essence—capture a place: where north, south, east, west, and humanity collide.
Allison’s passion for Sicily will engage your senses—through her enchanting boutique tours of the Mediterranean island and every day via her Experience Sicily posts on social media. Joe’s virtuosic guitar playing and stories of growing up in The Bronx will inspire you to get up and dance. As well you should, because the duo will be playing a tarantella or two to get our audience moving!
0 Rhythms & Roots Available Worldwide
Our debut album Rhythms & Roots is now available worldwide! Purchase it from your favorite online retailer or from CDBaby.com.
We hope it keeps you dancing and singing! Learn more about Rhythms & Roots by watching our video. Although our campaign is complete, you can support us by purchasing a copy of the record. Thank you! And see you soon!
0 On Your Radar: Tues., Feb. 9 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3, NYC
We’re very much looking forward to sharing On Your Radar with John Platt of WFUV with Sonya Heller and Jay Hitt! We hope you’ll come along for the ride with us!
0 Rhythms & Roots Just Days Away
The release of our debut album “Rhythms & Roots” is just days away. Stand by for how you can become part of the music!
Meanwhile, mark your calendars! We’ll be performing for WFUV John Platt’s On Your Radar on February 9 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3, in Philadelphia for the Sicily: Language, Art, and Culture on February 11, and at First Acoustics in Brooklyn for our Album Release Party on Sunday, March 13!
Join us!
0 January 9, 2016 at First Acoustics
Join us on Saturday, January 9 in Brooklyn for a very special house concert! Reservations are required, so don’t delay in saving your spots.
First Acoustics House Concert
Villa Palagonia and The Levins
Saturday, January 9th, 2016
Doors open at 7 PM, Music at 7:30 PM
Address will be given upon reservation
Brooklyn, New York 11218
Call 718-288-5994 or
Email boxoffice@firstacoustics.org for reservations
Price: $25
Hosted by Coco and Bruce Wilde, the First Acoustics House Concert will be a wonderful way to warm up your heart during this (now) cold month of January. Join Villa Palagonia with The Levins for a delicious, intimate show.
House opens at 7:00 PM. Music starts at 7:30 PM.
Dinner will be served by buffet.
$25 for Dinner and Live Music
Call First Acoustics for a Reservation 718-288-5994 or email boxoffice@firstacoustics.org.
*Address of house concert will be given upon making reservations.
0 Hear Songs from Rhythms & Roots
The official release of Rhythms & Roots is in early 2016, but you can hear it already on New York's best folk radio programs.
As we prepare to release Rhythms & Roots to the world, we are feeling so blessed that it’s receiving radio play with some of our favorite DJs. Tune in to WMSC (90.3 FM, Montclair, NJ)’s “Radio Nowhere” with Joltin’ Joe, “It’s All About the Music” hosted by Brian Norton with guest host Gordon Nash on WFDU (89.1 FM, Teaneck, NJ), and John Platt’s “Sunday Supper” on WFUV (90.7 FM, New York, NY) to hear their picks from the record!
Acoustic Live! in New York City called Rhythms & Roots “A rich tapestry.”
Slated for release in early 2016, news on how you can get your copy coming soon!
0 Villa Palagonia Celebrates Lucia
Join Villa Palagonia for the Feast of Santa Lucia!
Sunday, December 13 from 3 PM to 6 PM at Eolo Seasonal Sicilian Kitchen, we’ll be celebrating the patron saint of eyes, sights, light, and wheat with a concert featuring music from our new album, Rhythms & Roots, along with a few seasonal favorites. We’ll have a few pre-release copies of Rhythms & Roots available for purchase for your holiday gift shopping.
LA FESTA DI SANTA LUCIA
When: Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
What: Feast, short folk music concert, presentation about Santa Lucia, purchase gift baskets from Gelsomino Imports, LLC
Where: Eolo Seasonal Sicilian Kitchen, 190 Seventh Avenue, between 21st and 22nd Street, New York, NY
Price: $75/person, includes unlimited food, wine, entertainment, tax, and gratuity
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
Call Eolo Seasonal Sicilian Kitchen to secure your reservation:
646-225-6606
Learn more details about the feast at Experience Sicily.com.
0 We’ve Got Rhythms & Roots
Yes, the rumors are true! Our debut record, Rhythms & Roots, is finished–well, almost. We are getting ready to put it out to the public, but we need your help. We are rolling this out slowly because we are hoping to generate some additional funding in order to… well, get it out to the public!
Making a record, as you might imagine, costs a lot of money. We’ve invested thousands of dollars thus far, and now, as we prepare to officially release Rhythms & Roots, we are hoping our friends and fans will contribute a bit more for it so we can vociferously tell the world about it with help from a radio promoter and publicist. To do that, we’ll be launching a PledgeMusic campaign in the days ahead. So, stay tuned for details about how your participation in the launch of Rhythms & Roots (and what you’ll get for contributing a little more for your copy) will reap you!
In the meantime, here is a list of the tracks on Rhythms & Roots to whet your appetite. Earlier mixes can be heard on the Music page. Lyric sheets and more details coming soon.
| 1. | Baciami Caro | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 2. | Palermo | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 3. | Cu ti lu dissi | Rosa Balistreri |
| 4. | Boots | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 5. | Pizzicarella (Devo ballare) | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 6. | Michelina’s Song | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 7. | Aphrodite’s Dancers | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 8. | Breathe Free | Allison Scola and Joe Ravo |
| 9. | Abballati! Abballati! | Traditional Sicilian |
| 10. | Anna & Luca | Traditional with English lyrics by Allison Scola |
| 11. | Marco il barbiere | Allison Scola (Italian translation by Vittorio Tavini) |
| 12. | Vitti ’na crozza | Traditional with lyrics by Francesco LiCausi
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| 13. | Marco the Barber (Bonus Track)
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Allison Scola |
We can’t wait to get this out to you!
~ Allison and Joe
Villa Palagonia 