A Celebration of All Things Italian, and you are invited! Friday, September 20, 2019, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Riverviews Artspace Gallery, 9th Street,  Lynchburg, VA. The event, sponsored by the Dante Alighieri Society of Virginia in partnership with Riverviews, is open to the public without charge, but please let us know you are attending: [email protected]. Contact Gail Morrison, [email protected] with questions.

Accordion music will set the mood and greet attendees at the gallery door on 9th Street. Inside, there will be Italian wines (cash bar) and light cuisine, a pasta demonstration and tasting, as well as Italian oil and vinegar tasting. A mock classroom will feature Italian language trivia and games. A continuous overhead video will reflect 19th- and 20th-century Italian history and culture.

Attendees will be entertained with Italian music performed by Luca and Adelaide Trombetta with Keith Cooper on the guitar. Barbara Coffey will offer a demonstration and mini lessons on the accordion, and there will be an invitation to join line dancing to the sounds of Mamma Maria.

This first of its kind event will be filled with exciting activities and door prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.

The date of the event was chosen because of its special significance in Italian history. September 20, 1870 marked the Capture of Rome (Presa di Roma), the final event of the long process to unify Italy (the Risorgimento), marking both the final defeat of the Papal States under Pope Pius IX and the unification of the Italian peninsula under King Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy. Today, the date is widely memorialized throughout Italy, with a street or square in almost every city bearing its name. Stay tuned for events marking next year’s 150th anniversary of the event! 
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The Dante Alighieri Society of Virginia (in Lynchburg) was organized in 1998 and is an affiliate of the international organization headquartered in Rome. It was named for Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), Italian Florentine poet and the author of The Divine Comedy, who is considered the father of the Italian language. 
The Society’s mission is to promote an appreciation for Italian culture and language. Monthly events and activities include lectures on Italian-related topics, programs in cooperation with other area organizations, a film/dinner series, as well as travel opportunities. 
Dante welcomes all who have a love of all things Italian. Funding for programs is provided by annual member dues (Single $25, Family $35, Student $5); send to PO Box 2391, Lynchburg, VA 24501.