Post-war Italian culture, both in New Orleans and Sicily, stars in 2 new local books
Two local authors, Elisa Speranza and Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco, will talk about their new books at 7 p.m. March 22, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The Italian Prisoner - By Elisa Speranza Set in 1943 New Orleans, the book follows Rose Marino, who lives with her Sicilian immigrant parents and helps in the family...
How one rural town became Louisiana's 'Little Italy': 'It was just a big part of life'
Louisiana’s cultural heritage is often characterized by its French roots, with its common family names like “Thibodeaux" and “Hebert,” etc. And parts of the state are known for their Creole, African or even Spanish influences, like architecture in the French Quarter. But what’s less well known is the prominent Italian population residing in Southea...
Duncanville Delegates Visiting Italian Sister City in June
A delegation of Duncanville travelers and friends are planning a trip to Italy in June. They will enjoy an event-packed visit to their Sister City, Monasterolo di Savigliano, in northern Italy. The trip marks the 26th anniversary of the Sister City relationship and cultural exchange program between these two small cities over 5,000 miles apart. Del...
Italian American Community in San Antonio
Italian immigrants began arriving in San Antonio in the 1870s. By 1890 a number of families had established an Italian neighborhood northwest of downtown. In April of that year a small group gathered together in a fruit store at the corner of Commerce Street and Plaza de Armas to organize a benevolent association. They obtained a charter for the Ch...
Exhibition showcasing artwork of ancient Rome debuts at the San Antonio Museum of Art this week
The San Antonio Museum of Art's latest exhibition features 65 wall paintings, sculptures, mosaics, silver vessels and pieces of cameo glass created in Roman Italy between 100 B.C. and A.D. 250. "Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature and Myth from Rome and Pompeii" aims to introduce visitors to the cultural and archaeological contexts of Roman art, de...
New Orleans 2023 Mardi Gras to Honor Siena’s Historic Palio
New Orleans and Siena are, in many ways, spiritual sister cities. The Palio and Carnival are both important civic rituals that bring their communities together in celebration. Just as the foundation of Mardi Gras is religious, celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday, the same is true for the Palio, as each race is run on a feast day honoring the...
Sicily in Louisiana: a memory
My mother's father's father, Francesco Bruscato of Vicari Sicily, came to America twice. Once at age 18 in 1900 through Ellis Island in steerage with his 15-year-old sister, and a friend whose last name was Zagone. There were 1,300 other Sicilians on the boat pictured. He arrived in America with $4.00 to get from New York to Clarks, where his spons...
Monument to the Sicilian Sugarcane Harvester Immigrants
Donations have launched our Fundraising Campaign to erect the 16' High Monument to the Sicilian Sugar Cane Harvester. Please Place Your Order Here. Sixty-Thousand Sicilians were recruited to work in Louisiana's Sugar Cane fields from 1870-1920. We have started fundraising for a 12' high monument to be placed on a 4' pedestal to honor those whose sh...
Judge Robin M. Giarrusso Announces Retirement From Civil District Court Bench
The Honorable Robin M. Giarrusso – the Judge of Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division G – announced her intention to retire, effective May 1, 2023, following the completion of her landmark 35th year on the bench. Judge Giarrusso first took office on April 29, 1988 and served as Civil District Court’s Chief Judge from 1998-2000. She will reti...
Lake Village’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner. A tradition that began in 1896
The Ladies Altar Society of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (Lake Village, AR) are in full swing preparing for this year’s annual spaghetti dinner which will be held Sunday March 5th. This will be the 113th annual event hosted by the Altar Society. This very society was formed in 1910 to officially make the Spaghetti Dinner a part of the Catho...
Jewish Life in Rome in Three Chapters
When: Fri, January 20, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST - Where: ICCC Houston 1101 Milford St Houston, TX 77006 United States Each year on January 27, the United Nations remembers the many people of Jewish origin affected by the Holocaust and this day is officially called the "International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust"...
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel recreates ‘The Creation of Adam’ in Oklahoma City
The trend of immersive art experiences has found its way to Oklahoma, inspiring visitors to experience iconic masterpieces that have been revitalized to capture attention and draw in larger audiences. Sailor & The Dock is hosting an immersive art show, titled “Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition,” which has come to Oklahoma City for a lim...