Chicago's Cabaret Queen Denise Tomasello Headlines Little Italy Festa-Taylor Street August 20
Crowned "Chicago's Cabaret Queen" by the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, WGN Radio and Daily Herald, the legendary Denise Tomasello returns to headline the Little Italy Festa-Taylor Street with the 16-piece Denise Tomasello Orchestra in her Vegas-style show. Denise will perform on the mainstage-the Peroni Stage, Sunday, August 20, at 3:00pm- 4:30pm. Th...
OSDIA state lodge installs two presidents
The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Grand Lodge of IL/WI has installed new presidents for a pair of Illinois lodges. The OSDIA state grand lodge encompasses seven local lodges in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mario D’Antonio will preside over Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700, which meets in Tinley Park. Formerly a network design engineer at AT&T, D’A...
Kenosha's Holy Rosary Festival draws high-energy crowds to north side
It took numerous months, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars worth of food and prizes to make sure the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish’s festival was another big success. Thousands took part over the weekend in the three-day weekend festival full of live music, raffles, food and fun on the church’s north side Kenosha grounds at 2224...
92nd Italian Festa returns following pandemic hiatus
The pasta and music were flowing during one of Central Illinois’ longest-running traditions. The Italian American Society held its 92nd Summer Festa Picnic. This was the first year back since 2019, and the Italian recipes brought out the long lines for the mostaccioli. Some of the food and detailed woodwork were imported from authentic Italian shop...
Giacalone crowned Miss Italia America
A 21-year-old college student and lawyer-to-be from Illinois is looking forward to a September trip to Rome, Florence and Venice as part of her prize for winning the Miss Italia America pageant. Olimpia Giacalone, 21, a native of Norridge, Illinois, is majoring in English with minors in Italian and philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, from wh...
‘Ferragosto’ event coming to Rockford’s 14th Ward
Each ward in Rockford (IL) receives $10,000 in federal covid relief funds which he calls the Forward for Fun initiative. This year, the 14th Ward is going to turn their money into one big Italian party. Ferragosto, which is loosely translated to the August fair, will be six hours of live music on two different stages. It will take place from 4 p.m....
Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce returns to Wickliffe
The 39th Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce will be held Aug. 25-27 at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club, 29717 Euclid Ave. The tournament features 122 teams, including 104 in the Open Division and 18 in the Women’s Division. They will be competing for over $25,000 in prize money. Teams are expected from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, F...
Italian Consul General pays visit to the Italian American Veterans Museum
The International Press Club of Chicago hosted an eye-opening presentation by Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios on July 29 at the museum. The Consul General was introduced by IPCC President Wayne Toberman. Overseeing an 11-state jurisdiction, Botzios spoke proudly of the enormous positive economic impact Italy is having on America, with more th...
Feast of the Assumption in Cleveland's Little Italy: Everything you need to know
One of Cleveland's longest-standing traditions is returning once again this weekend. For the 124th year, the annual Feast of the Assumption will take place in Cleveland's historic Little Italy neighborhood. The Feast, which serves as a fundraiser for Holy Rosary Church, will take place from Saturday, Aug. 12, until Tuesday, Aug. 15, the Feast of th...
20+ year old Short North restaurant has ‘The Best Pasta in Ohio’ study says
The average American eats about 20 pounds of pasta per year, and collectively as a country, about 5.95 billion pounds of pasta annually. I’m ashamed to admit how much I probably contribute to these statistics, but I’m blaming it on the fact that Columbus has some incredible Italian restaurants and trattorias. In fact, an Italian restaurant in Colu...
Italian-American festival in Ohio is ready to show its pride
Summer is still going strong in the Valley as finishing touches are being put on another festival getting ready to launch. The Warren Italian American Festival in Warren’s Courthouse Square is a tradition in the city and kicks off Thursday. The festival first started in 1985, and though it takes more than a year to plan, it still holds onto its tra...
Iconic recipe keeps customers coming to Mille's Italian Sausage at Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair is known for its food but none has been around longer than Mille's Italian Sausage. The vendor is celebrating its 91st Wisconsin State Fair this year. Amatore and Antonette Mille created the Italian sausage recipe in 1932, sold them at the State Fair that year, and the rest, as they say, is history. Mike Mille is the grandson o...