Calumet Italian Hall Disaster remembered over a century later
Music can be tied to memories — both wonderful and tragic. One Upper Peninsula composer is memorialyzing a tragedy that changed the face of the Copper Country more than 100 years ago. On Christmas Eve in 1913 in Calumet, a Christmas party was held on the second floor of the Italian Hall for the children of the families belonging to the Western Fede...
Cavaliere Gianni (John) Zaretti granted the Spirit of Hope Award of the State of Michigan
What an incredible achievement! Our very own Cavaliere Gianni (John) Zaretti has been granted the Spirit of Hope Award of the State of Michigan by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, an award that is granted to those individuals serving as a beacon of hope for many and who lift up others and inspire people to make a difference. With John’s tireless commitme...
Movie / “Dante” by Pupi Avati
December 20 2023, 18:00 (Local time) - Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago (500 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL). Free with registration. Doors open at 5:30pm CT. Please register each participant individually, using the form on this page. September 1350. Giovanni Boccaccio was commissioned to bring ten gold florins as symbolic compensation to Sister Be...
Viva Italia! Undo’s Italian Heritage Festival Gala coming this weekend
An event that helps support one of the biggest festivals in the Ohio Valley and local students in the community will happen this weekend. It is that time of year for the annual Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival Gala. For the 4th year, Undo’s West in St. Clairsville will host a gala to raise money for the famous Upper Ohio Valley It...
Italian-born explorer Henri de Tonti is important to Illinois history
Chicago Buildings Commissioner Matthew W. Beaudet’s beautiful op-ed on Native American culture via Chicago history is spot-on. Bravo. I do have one caveat, though: Henri de Tonti, while associated with French exploration, was actually Italian (Enrico), a native of Gaeta, located between Rome and Naples. As Italy wasn’t a fully reunified nation unti...
First Look: Piazza Pelino Brings Taste of Italy to Short North
A little taste of Italy has arrived in the Short North. Piazza Pelino officially opened its doors at 772 N. High St. on Wednesday, November 29. The goal of the aptly-named spot is to transport guests to an Italian piazza – where you’ll normally find a gelateria and easy, portable foods like focaccia sandwiches, says Co-Owner Vinny Pelino who runs t...
Ferrari: The Essence of Italian Design
Thru March 30 2024 - Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum at the Cleveland History Center 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106. The design and performance of Enzo Ferrari’s cars have been a hallmark of Italian design since the first Ferrari was built in 1947. The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum’s exhibit provides visitors with an up-close look at examples t...
Indiana Hoosiers agree to deal with Curt Cignetti as new football coach
Curt Cignetti learned the coaching profession from his College Football Hall of Fame father. Now, like his father, he's about to get his chance on the big stage. The Indiana Hoosiers have hired Curt Cignetti as their new coach, school officials announced Thursday. Shortly after the announcement, James Madison officials said Cignetti had resigned, b...
Guttilla finds her voice by teaching Italian
On the first day of class, high school teacher Roberta Guttilla asks her new students why they want to learn Italian, and loves to hear their answers. “They tell me all these different stories,” Guttilla says. “They fell in love with the culture, they visited Italy once, they want to major in Italian in college. Or they say, ‘My great grandparents...
Michigan woman's artistic, homemade pasta creations bring her closer to family roots
Theresa Duford knows there’s something special about fresh homemade pasta. “My love of pasta started at birth. It's like inherited when you're Italian, I think,” joked Duford. Aside from the incredible taste, pasta is one thing that connects this metro Detroiter to her family roots. “I grew up with fresh pasta from my grandma, who came here from I...
Spacca Napoli ranked among world’s best pizzerias
A beloved Chicago pizzeria was recently ranked among the 100 best in the world by the Italian culinary website 50 Top Pizza. Spacca Napoli (1769 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago) came in at No. 93 on a list that included pizzerias from France, the Philippines, Spain, Japan, Denmark and more. Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria in Naples and I Masanielli in Caserta...
Tony Orlando to host fundraiser for veterans museum
Multi-platinum recording artist Tony Orlando will be jetting into town on Dec. 13 to share a Christmas dinner with a select group of fans at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. The lead singer of Tony Orlando and Dawn and the host of one of the most iconic TV variety shows of all time, Orlando will be hosting an intimate evening filled with behind-t...