For the fifth year in a row, Tony Modica was giving out free pizza and soda Saturday at La Bella Vita pizzeria to Ozone Park youngsters. Modica, restaurateur, recording artist, community activist and all-around unique individual, is the man behind the Pizza Dance Foundation – an anti-drug, anti-crime community group that takes its philosophy from, well, pizza.
By Alex Ginsberg
For the fifth year in a row, Tony Modica was giving out free pizza and soda Saturday at La Bella Vita pizzeria to Ozone Park youngsters.
Modica, restaurateur, recording artist, community activist and all-around unique individual, is the man behind the Pizza Dance Foundation – an anti-drug, anti-crime community group that takes its philosophy from, well, pizza.
“Pizza is bread, and we all break bread,” Modica told the roughly 50 neighborhood families attending the celebration of Pizza Dance Foundation Day in front of the Rockaway Boulevard restaurant he has run for 18 years. “And all the spices on the pizza is all the people together. That's what makes it tasty and that's what makes it good. Because people, we are the ingredients of the world.”
He then led the group in an original song entitled “Salute the soldiers,” doing a low-key dance as he sang.
But the real attraction came later as Modica and about 15 children danced the Pizza Dance – a Macarena-like step that easily lends itself to group and toddler participation.
The families – equal numbers of the African-Americans, Italians and South Asians who make up the neighborhood – applauded as U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) praised Modica and his work.
“God smiles on Tony because He knows Tony is here doing his work,” Meeks said. “Tony's message is all about peace and harmony and people coming together.”
Meeks first met Modica as an assemblyman in the state Legislature, and since being elected to the U.S. House in 1998, has invited him to Washington to receive congressional proclamations honoring him for his work.
That work involves Modica's visiting schools and advising students to avoid drugs and work for tolerance, friends said. He also makes regular appearances at area senior centers to perform and speak.
“Tony is 100 percent for the community,” said Tony Ferro, a friend who said he is “like an uncle” to Modica.
Modica, whose boyish good looks and well-groomed appearance belie his 45 years, was born outside Palermo, Sicily, but grew up in Queens.
Gesturing at the busy expanse of Rockaway Boulevard in front of the restaurant, he said “Italy is my mother, but this is my father.”
Reach reporter Alex Ginsberg by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
