MARCUS DISCOVERS THE MAGIC OF YOUTUBE...

Yes, it's true, Marcus is finally getting a handle on those newfangled computing-machines and how they functionate: I've learned how to edit videos, upload them to YouTube, and yes, even embed them here, in my blog!!

So, for starters, I'll begin with the long-awaited international debut of myself in a real live (well, pre-recorded actually) "Davey and Friends" episode, as that lovable dalmatian, Davey the Dog. No, it's not quite Shakespeare...or even Sesame Street for that matter...but hey, it's good, clean, somewhat educational doggy hijinks--who could ask for anything more?! To appreciate the full spectrum of my talent (and the very low budget of the show), take note that the script for this episode (and yes, even the soon-to-be-a-classic "Colors Song") was written by yours truly :) So here you have parts 1 and 2 of one of my favorite episodes (more to follow soon, stay tuned!)

[courtesy of the program "Kids Club: Davey and Friends" on "Aprende Inglés TV", and "S.O.S. in Action Theatre", Madrid, Spain]

[courtesy of the program "Kids Club: Davey and Friends" on "Aprende Inglés TV", and "S.O.S. in Action Theatre", Madrid, Spain]

Here's another clip, this time of me singing in Germany a few years ago with talented Mexican soprano Zura Medina (not the best quality video, nor my best performance, admittedly, but a decent clip nonetheless of one of my all-time favorite scenes, without a doubt one of the best ever written for the musical stage):

Marcus Giovanni and Zura Medina performing "Tonight" from WEST SIDE STORY at the Gummersbach Musikfestival in 2005 (near Cologne, Germany)

And one last clip: this is of an old newsreel we dug up of my great-grandparents (paternal), Cosimo and Carmela DiDonato, along with my great-uncles, from when they won the "Irish Sweepstakes" back in 1949...only $40,000, but back then it was enough to get them a decent house for the family in Yonkers--let's hope their luck runs in the family! (Dad, any idea what numbers they played??? :)

AS 2008 DRAWS TO A CLOSE...

...there's a lot to be thankful for. This year's been a pretty productive one for me: turned the big 3-0, successfully finished the Cambridge DELTA (ESL/EFL postgrad) and my Master's Degree in Music Therapy, made my Spanish television premiere as that infamous dalmation, Davey (clips to be posted soon, I promise!), sang in the UNESCO headquarters in Paris with the Spanish Actor's Union Choir, got cast to sing in the chorus of next spring's production of DON PASQUALE in the Teatro Real (Madrid's Royal Opera House) ...and oh yeah, GOT MARRIED!!

Most of all, though, I am thankful for the wonderful family and friends who have supported me along the way. It was great to see so many of you back in NY, and Luz and I really appreciate your sharing these special times with us.

To see the pics from our "2nd wedding" in NY (as well as our "2nd honeymoon" in Puerto Rico! :) and more, click the links below--and HAPPY HOLIDAYS / FELICES FIESTAS / BUONE FESTE to all!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/106866973565951157311/WeddingDinnerTheSequelNewYork2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCOHp89yiv_vi6AE

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https://picasaweb.google.com/106866973565951157311/PuertoRico2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCPGc0L2Dw-2-nwE

THANK YOU FOR COMING THROUGH AMERICA!!!

Yes, after eight long years I can finally be proud to tell people around the world that I'm American again! No, I don't expect Obama to magically fix all of America and the world's problems of course, but I do truly believe that he, along with a wisely-chosen cabinet and hopefully some bipartisan cooperation, will at least be able to start to undo some of the Bush-Cheney administration's gravest errors, and maybe even set the U.S. off in the bold new direction that it needs to take to regain international respect and truly evolve as a nation...

~ WEDDING & HONEYMOON ~

Yes, it's true, I've finally tied that notorious knot! We had a great time: music, food and fun was had by all--thanks so much to those of you who were able to attend! For those who couldn't make it, you can check out the pics below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/106866973565951157311/Wedding16Oct2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCKz7oue3wLj4CQ

Then of course the honeymoon!!! Yes, we went to beautiful Japan, a country truly rich in culture and natural beauty. A perfect blend of the modern and the traditional, we had the opportunity to travel extensively through the main island of Honshu for two weeks: whether visiting the enormous metropolis that is Tokyo, paying homage to the tragic past of Hiroshima, strolling down the Geisha-house-lined streets of imperial Kyoto or spending a peaceful night in a Buddhist temple, Japan, and its charming people, never ceased to amaze us:

https://picasaweb.google.com/106866973565951157311/JapanAndHelsinkiHoneymoon2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCPT9sJ-sj9mdhAE

SUMMER FUN IN SWITZERLAND... AND SEBÚLCOR?

Here are some pics from this past August, from Switzerland, where we were visiting our friends Fabián & Bea and Peter & Mónica (both Fabián and Peter are physicists, so we got to play with super-electron microscopes and liquid nitrogen!):

http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/Switzerland2008#

Also, some shots of Sebúlcor, one of the small Spanish towns where I teach immersion courses:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/SebLcorLasHoces2008#

BUITRAGO...

A weekend getaway we took to Buitrago, a small medieval town about an hour north of Madrid; the hotel itself was great, built right inside of the orginal city walls, plus we did some hiking on a nearby trail, very relaxing:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/Buitrago2008

THE WEDDING OF LEONOR & JOSÉ IGNACIO

Here are some pics from a wedding we went to recently, Luz's best friend's sister:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/BodaDeLeonorYJosIgnacio2008

GALICIA & PORTUGAL

Here are some photos from our recent trip through Galicia (northwestern Spain) and Portugal--a beautiful area, rich in culture and tradition and quite different from the south of the Iberian peninsula. Enjoy:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/GaliciaPortugalEtc2008

SINGIN' 'N' SCRATCHIN'...

I guess it's time for a brief update on my latest adventures: in January I had the opportunity to sing at the UNESCO headquarters with the Coro de la Unión de Actores (Spanish Actors' Union Choir), great experience.

Now, quite busy working and studying the second year of my Music Therapy Master's. Apart from teaching English, I'm also on my way to Spanish stardom with the theatre company I work for here...they have hired us to do a bilingual Sesame Street/Blues Clues type cable TV show for young kids called Kids' Club: Davey and Friends. And who exactly is Davey you might ask???...Well, I think the pic says it all!

Fear not, I will be sure to share the excruciatingly embarrassing video clips with everyone once the program starts to air...for now, enjoy some more photos by clicking below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/SpanishActorsUnionChoirUNESCOConcertInParisSOSInActionTheatre20072008

CHRISTMAS IN NY...AND FUN IN THE SUN!

Here we have some pics from some wonderful holidays spent at home in NY with family and friends. The weather was pretty good--and it was great to see everyone! Click here to see the photos (then on "Slideshow"):

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http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/NewYorkHolidays0708

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The second part of our American adventure took us to the opposite end of the East Coast, where we ended up wrasslin' some gators and finding ourselves closer to Cuba than to the continent...Click below to see the pics from Miami, the Florida Keys and the Everglades:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/Florida2008