The economy claimed another victim recently, briefly silencing The Centanni Broadcasting Network. The problem occurred when Giovanna's Restaurant, the Upper East Side location from where the two year old internet radio station had been broadcasting was closed without warning by the state marshal for nonpayment of taxes. In June 2010 Centanni began transmitting from Giovanna's every Monday through Wednesday evening when a cost cutting measure led them to abandon their Park Avenue studio in favor great pizza, a good wine selection and a live audience. While initially done to trim the budget, the move quickly grew in popularity as the menu and ambiance added a unique aspect to the station's16 shows as well as an economic boost to the struggling Upper East Side eatery. Sadly, it wasn't enough. Recently the state marshal seized Giovanna's with some of the station's equipment still locked inside.
With the owner of the restaurant unreachable, Centanni and its founders, long time broadcasters John Anello and Mark Shoemaker, were left in search of headphones, microphones and a new home. Fortunately for Centanni, it didn’t take long. After a week of repeats the station was back in business. Now housed at Chez Jacqueline, a French Bistro on MacDougal Street in the West Village, they continued to fill cyberspace with both music and interviews. The topic of each show varies widely from wellness and the paranormal to top names in popular music and film. Past shows have featured an eclectic group of guests ranging from rock stars and sword swallowers to opera singers and local politicians, not to mention my interview with Nearsay honcho Trevor Sumner and staffers Morgan Brady, Max Vishnev, Sarah Shaker & Christine Tsang.
Catch my show Monday's from 8-9pm, or check out the full schedule of programming offered by the station that can be heard worldwide each Monday through Wednesday evening. You can also find all my previous shows in my archives.
Centanni Hosts; Andy Troy, Anthony Lofaso, Diana Navarro & Bill Russo!
