A guide to the North End’s annual Italian feast season
Boston’s North End is steeped in Italian culture year-round. But in August, it's truly on display. Every year, locals and tourists flock to the area for feasts — a series of multi-day festivals (usually celebrating a Catholic saint) where everyone can experience some of the North End's unique traditions firsthand. Though feast season technically be...
Berkshire Opera Festival presents La Traviata
On the BOF mainstage this anniversary year is a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA, the timeless tale of love and sacrifice that has become one of the most beloved operas of all time. Violetta lives a life of decadence and grandeur until she finds true love for the first time with Alfredo. They leave high society for a life in the count...
Stamford's Italian Center to implement waiting list starting Aug. 1 for first time in 15 years
Membership at the Italian Center in Stamford (CT) rose so much recently that, for the first time in 15 years, the club will implement a membership waiting list starting Aug. 1. Italian Center Executive Director Jonathan Hoch, Sr. confirmed the use of a waiting list in a phone call July 11. He said the center has about 50% more members now than when...
MotoPlex Fairfield brings Piaggio’s Italian flair to Connecticut
Piaggio Group Americas officially opened its newest MotoPlex location on July 16 with the grand opening of MotoPlex Fairfield, a flagship destination representing the group’s four iconic Italian brands: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Piaggio. The new dealership offers a premium retail and service experience tailored to riders across all discipline...
Italian Festival Returning To Mount Carmel Society Grounds In Enfield For 99th Year
Just a year shy of its milestone 100th anniversary, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society Italian Festival is returning to the Society grounds on Park Avenue next weekend. This year's feast is slated for Aug. 1 and 2 from 5-11 pm., and Aug. 4 from 5-10 p.m. Admission is just $3, with children under 12 free. The annual gathering of family and friends...
Huge Italian Festival To Take Over Southington, CT
If you're hungry this weekend, there's an annual festival in Southington that will most definitely appease the need. If you're hungry for good eats, good music, and a good time, the Southington Italian-American Festival hosted by UNICO National's Southington Chapter (an Italian-American civic group) is where you need to be from Friday, July 25, to...
Italian heritage festival held in Newton amidst controversy about painted street lines
The streets of Nonantum in Newton, Massachusetts were filled with Italian flags, music, and celebration this weekend as the community marked the 90th annual "Festa" amid a controversy about painted lines in the street. The beloved event, a cornerstone of the neighborhood's Italian-American culture, drew large crowds with its street parade, carnival...
Jay Pandolfo signs multiyear extension to remain men’s hockey coach at Boston University
Jay Pandolfo’s name had been bandied about earlier this offseason as eight NHL franchises, including the Bruins, searched for new head coaches. But the Boston University men’s hockey coach, who played four seasons with the Terriers before signing with the New Jersey Devils in 1996, doesn’t appear eager to leave BU any time soon. Already under contr...
Italian grandfathers with 'big personalities' sought for feature film
It's time to give your nonno a call. Boston Casting is seeking Italian grandfathers with "big personalities" for a feature film. It is looking for people between 70 and 80 years old. Acting experience is a plus, but it is not necessary. The movie shoots from Sept. 2 to November, and the pay is $1,246 per day. Interested applicants should send their...
Danbury San Gennaro Festival Returns Aug. 20 With New Grand Marshal
The Feast of San Gennaro will return to downtown Danbury for its fourth annual celebration from Aug. 20–24, featuring food, music, fireworks, and cultural festivities centered on Italian heritage. Organizers have named Antonia “Tonina” Chieffalo as the 2025 Grand Marshal. A longtime Danbury resident and member of the Amerigo Vespucci Lodge for 60 y...
Feast Season in the North End
Summer in Boston’s oldest neighborhood means one thing—it’s time to celebrate Italian-style with the various feasts and processions that take over the area’s ancient, cobblestoned streets. Brought to these shores decades ago by the waves of Italian immigrants that populated the North End beginning in the early 20th century, these religious festival...
Film about Sicilian immigrant Max Corvo, who headed the OSS in Italy, to be shown in Middletown
A film based on the life of Sicilian immigrant and Middletown’s own Biago “Max” Corvo, who became the chief of operations of the Secret Intelligence of the American Office of Strategic Services, the precursor of the CIA, will be screened at the high school later this month. Corvo, who died in 1994, emigrated to Middletown in 1929 at 9, along with h...