City Council Tables Resolution to Rename Columbus Day
The Cambridge City Council again did not vote on a resolution last Monday to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day for the third time this year. Despite what the resolution's proponents claim is strong public support, the legislation is on hold while councillors negotiate how best to change the holiday name and still honor Italian Ame...
Boston Midsummer Opera offers boisterous, appealing Italian comedies
By Jeremy Eichler Things are looking up for Boston Midsummer Opera, which opened its 11th season on Wednesday night with continuity where it counts, plus a triple dose of new: one new venue, and two Italian operas that were new at least to many in the packed house. The two one-act works presented were Donizetti's playful farce "Il Campane...
'On Being Italian' book signing set for Saturday
Romola 'Mimi' Rigali and Joseph Carvalho will be on hand Saturday to sign and discuss the new book "On Being Italian: A Story of Food, Family and Faith." The event will be held at the Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., South Hadley from 4 to 6 p.m. and will feature a special treat for attendees. The book is the latest in The Republican's Her...
Italian Organist to Make American Debut at Opening of the Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series
Italian organist Andrea Toschi will make his American debut as he kicks off the 2014-15 College of the Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. in the St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. The performance is free, open to the public, and handicap accessible. The program will include a musical tour of Italy, featuring works by F...
St. Padre Pio relic coming to Boston in September
"I'm very excited to announce that the Capuchin Friars who run the Shrine of St. Padre Pio have offered to come to Boston with the heart of Padre Pio for his feast day this year," Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley said in the Sept. 2 post of his weekly blog, CardinalSeansBlog.org. "This is the first time any major relic of Padre Pio has left Italy, and we...
Meet local Italian-American authors
The Italian American Heritage Association of Greater Portsmouth will present an Italian-American Authors Night today, May 14. This free event will be held in the Levenson Room at the Portsmouth Public Library. A meet-the-authors reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the authors' presentations beginning at 7 p.m. Granddaughters Karen...
Tavares Headlining Annual Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas & Damian!
Join us NEXT WEEKEND in East Cambridge! It is that time of year, when the streets of East Cambridge will come alive for the 88th Annual Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian THIS WEEKEND (September 6 & 7). The feast will be celebrated on Warren Street in East Cambridge. As always, there will be a food festival, parades, amusement rides...
Rhode Island celebrates Columbus Day with weekend of festivities, parades
Rhode Island's Irish may have a lock on March, but October belongs to the state's Italians. And they know how to celebrate, with Columbus Day parades and festivals taking place from Westerly to Woonsocket. Providence's Federal Hill, the city's Italian stronghold, closes off much of Atwells Avenue beginning Saturday for three days of food, entertai...
St. Jude Italian festival in Monroe celebrates 25th anniversary
How does one of the most popular Italian festivals in the area celebrate its 25th anniversary? With lots of "great Italian food, rides, games and live entertainment," said Peter Lucia, spokesman for the St. Jude Festival in Monroe. The event — which runs Wednesday, Aug. 26, through Saturday, Aug. 29 — has grown from a two-day carnival to the c...
Springfield UNICO names Rep. Angelo Puppolo 'Person of 2015'
By Shannon Young Springfield UNICO announced this week that it has named state Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. its 2015 "Person of the Year." The Springfield Democrat, who also represents Wilbraham and part of East Longmeadow, was given the title for exemplifying UNICO's principles of unity, neighborliness, integrity charity and opportunity s...
Larry Giordano of Methuen Receives Achievement Award
Larry Giordano of Methuen received the Platinum Life Achievement Award from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council during their 21st annual awards ceremony in Orlando, Fla. The WHFSC — an elite gathering of martial arts grandmasters and masters — lauded Giordano, 68, for his 50 years of service as owner of Giordano Family Methuen Karate Ass...
Carnevale with the Vaudo Clan
by James Pasto "Ravioli, meatballs and sausage, holy smoke.Carnevale, scunzalata and Grampa's donkey joke.Oh, we eat a lot and we laugh a lot and do everything that we can,A credit to old Carnevale is Grampa Vaudo's clan". The above refrain is recited every year as part the pre-Lenten celebratory meal of the multi-generational Vaudo clan....