Street Procession

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The hallmark of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is the street procession that has been taking audience / wedding revelers on a walk through New York City streets for twenty-five years.  That’s how New Yorkers know the show, by witnessing this procession that has taken place thousands of times.  What a blessed thing.  It is our streets that bring us together in New York.  It is our walking.

 Street processions are a profound aspect of Italian American culture, religious festivals, and rites of passage.  Remember Michael Corleone’s Sicilian wedding procession with live band?  Ever been to a Giglio feast in Williamsburg or East Harlem where the six story tower and statue is carried on a group’s shoulders?  Ever visit a small town in Italy during their religious procession around the town piazza?

Don’t you love the processions in Fellini films?!

 Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding procession from the ceremony to the reception is bigger, better and more exciting than ever.  We walk through Times Square enmasse. Two hundred people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe walk together through the neon lit night and omnipresent traffic from The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School for International Careers on 46^th Street between 6^th & 7^th  Ave., to the reception party at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen and Bar, guysamerican.com, on 44^th between 7^th & 8^th Ave.  We walk right through Shubert Alley to our reception party.    Tony in his white tux, and Tina in her Kleinfeld super gown lead the way.  The bridesmaids and groomsmen and family and friends mingle enroute.  Grandma Nunzio gets pushed speedily and wildly by her grandson Johnny, but her lucky cane hooks him behind the neck to steer him through traffic.  Grandma doesn’t like to wait for the traffic she likes to part it.

 Dante began his trilogy with these immortal words: “Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita...”  In the middle of the walk of our life...  Come take this walk friends, this walk of New York, this wedding night when New Yorkers truly take back New York.  Come walk with us and let the lights surround you. 

Grandma Nunzio

aka Annie Lanzillotto

www.annielanzillotto.com