New York City Opera presents a concert presentation of Tosca as part of Bryant Park Picnic Performances - 8/24
New York City Opera presents a concert production of the perennial favorite Tosca as part of the Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America on August 24, 2024 at 7pm at Bryant Park, NYC in honor of the 100th anniversary of the passing of Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest opera composers in history. Entry is on a first-come, fi...
Madonna will fund a youth art project in Italy to celebrate her 66th birthday
Madonna will fund an artistic project involving youths, she announced during her 66th birthday celebrations in Pompeii. While touring the Pompeii archeological park Friday with its director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the American pop star met a group of teenagers involved in “Sogno di Volare,” or “Dream of Flying." As part of the project now in its fou...
The Del Gallo Restaurant was a Pittsfield family affair. It later became the city's center of political gravity
When I grew up on Holmes Road in Pittsfield in the 1950s and 1960s, my next-door neighbors were Gabe and Sophie Virgilio, proprietors of the East Side Café. A couple of doors away on the other side of my home lived Ray (Remo) and Bertha Del Gallo, proprietors of the Del Gallo Restaurant. Interestingly, both of their businesses were located just as...
The Feast of Santa Rosalia is back in Bensonhurst for 11 days of food and festivities
The beloved Feast of Santa Rosalia, named after the Patron Saint of Palermo, is back in Bensonhurst for its 50th anniversary from Aug. 15-25. The celebration — also known as the 18th Avenue Festival — began in Italy over four centuries ago, and emphasizes the joy of Italian-American culture through the stunning array of food, carnival rides and gam...
Red Bank's Catezza Italian Kitchen slated to open by end of summer
In a move set to redefine New Jersey’s culinary landscape, Esperto Hospitality Group is expanding its award-winning portfolio with the launch of two highly anticipated venues: Catezza Italian Kitchen and Bar in Red Bank, NJ, scheduled to open by the end of summer and the newly acquired and very popular Il Nido in Marlboro.Building on the success of...
An unforgettable wine adventure at Villa Calcinaia in Chianti
While visiting family in Loreto Aprutino in Abruzzo, Italy, in May, I heard about Count Sebastiano Capponi’s 500 year celebration of Villa Calcinaia, near Greve in Chianti, nestled in the Tuscan hillside, famous for its award-winning DOCG Chianti Classico in Chianti. The Capponi family purchased Villa Calcinaia in 1524. I journeyed to Villa Calcina...
Food tour at Federal Hill highlights crime and cuisine
There's a food tour with a felonious twist on Federal Hill in Providence, RI. The Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill tour has been bringing in tourists for about three years now. However, some people may wonder if it's painting the iconic Providence neighborhood in a bad light. The tour, starting at Garbaldi Park, which was the former bath house for...
Leonardo da Vinci: the culinary genius
When we think of Leonardo da Vinci, many images come to mind: an artist, an inventor, a scientist, an all-around great mind. However, one of the lesser-known facets of his genius was his passion for gastronomy. Yes: Leonardo, a true Renaissance man, was also a culinary genius who used his ingenuity and love for innovation in the kitchen. Recent stu...
Santucci's Pizza plans three new restaurants in South Jersey and one in University City
Santucci's Original Square Pizza, the pizzeria founded in Northeast Philly, will add to its footprint in the region with three locations in South Jersey and one more in the city. The restaurant is known for its square pies that have sauce on top of the cheese. According to Santucci's website, the Jersey locations will be in Cherry Hill, at 100 Spri...
National committee established to celebrate 2,500 years of Naples
The Italian Government established the National Committee “Neapolis 2500” with the aim of celebrating the history, culture and art of Naples, as well as its contribution to the development of Italy’s historical and artistic heritage and the formation of Italian identity. This initiative is part of the 25th centenary of the founding of ancient Neap...
Stars from "Law & Order," "Reacher," and "House of Cards" Headline 13th Annual Biggest Small Town Italian Feast and Carnival in the US
If you ever dream of having authentic Italian homemade cooking while dining among famous Italian American actors from popular movies and TV shows, then look no further than the 13th Annual Italian Feast and Carnival happening Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8, in the historical town of Tappan, New York, at the Masonic Park Fairgroun...
3,000-year-old goddess figurine found in an Italian lake still bears the handprints of its maker
A 3,000-year-old clay figurine thought to portray an ancient goddess has been discovered in a volcanic lake in central Italy. Archaeologists think the object was a votive figurine that was probably crafted so prayers could be directed to it. Its features are only crudely finished, but the figurine still bears the handprints of whoever made it, as w...