Close

Indefatigable after 40 years at the helm of Giordano Dance Chicago, Nan Giordano continues to advance the legacy of her father, jazz-dance pioneer Gus Giordano. Nan Giordano says she’s blessed with a high level of energy — energy that enables her to dance, mentor dancers and produce performances, but also to run the business side of an arts organiz...

462

Amaseno Lodge No. 3 of Chicago Heights will host its 50th anniversary Feast of San Lorenzo and San Rocco from Aug. 9-11. The lodge was formed in 1913 by immigrants from Amaseno, a small farming village 60 miles south of Rome. Settling in Chicago Heights’ Hungry Hill Italian enclave, they brought with them a deep devotion to San Lorenzo, an early Ch...

628

Nestled away in the northwest suburbs lies one of Chicagoland’s most peculiar tourist attractions, the Leaning Tower of Niles. Given its rather mundane surroundings, the tower sticks out like a decorative sore thumb. So just how did this ode to Italy come to be in the heart of the Midwest?  A half-sized replica of Italy’s famous Leaning Tower of Pi...

331

The sweet aroma of roasted garlic and grilled Italian sausage will fill the air in Chicago's "Original" Little Italy as The Taylor Street Little Italy Festa returns Thursday, August 8 thru Sunday, August 11, 2024, on Taylor Street between Ashland Avenue and Loomis Street in Chicago. "Everyone is so excited to come back to the 'Old Neighborhood' for...

931

Dominick Di Meo, an artist who shook up Chicago’s art scene in the 1960s with surreal paintings and collages, only to gain a following far beyond the city late in his career, has died at 97. His death was announced on Sunday by his Chicago gallery, Corbett vs. Dempsey. Di Meo was among the Chicagoan artists who during the ’60s plotted a new, off-ki...

546

For its 29th edition, Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) makes its historical debut in Chicago, hosting its renowned three-day Italian wine-course in the country's third largest metropolis. This expansion provides Italian wine professionals across North America with unparalleled access to the expertise and opportunities offered by the prestigious...

395

It is no secret that I am an Italian American, and a proud one at that. I was born on Taylor Street in Chicago’s “Little Italy.” Being a child of the early ’60s, I was fortunate enough to have experienced much of the music from the ’60s and ’70s now referred to as “Heritage Rock” and “Classic Rock.” But how I was really lucky was the fact that I ha...

831

Born in Chicago on April 1, 1923, Emil Garippo was the middle child of Emil and Jessie Tarsitano Garippo. The family lived on Arthington Street in Chicago’s Taylor Street Little Italy. Garippo’s paternal grandparents, from the area around Naples in Italy, and the Tarsitanos, from Calabria, lived next door to one another. Garippo grew up among grand...

363

From World War II veteran and accomplished dentist to community leader and generous philanthropist, Dr. Sam Cascio has seemingly done it all. And yet, as he approaches 100, he remains a lively and active member of his community. Cascio was born on Aug. 27, 1924, to Joseph and Josephine Cascio. His father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, while his m...

356

The skies above the Chicago lakefront will be painted green, white and red this month when the Frecce Tricolori pays an aerial visit. The legendary military aerobatic team will put on a show at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, to the east of Navy Pier, followed by a reservations-only reception. The event is being hosted by the Joint Civic Committee of...

569