Close

Film aficionados have hungered for the return of Casa Italia’s beloved feast of Italian cinema, and the wait is finally over. The Casa’s 2022 Italian film series will reboot on Oct. 21 and run for four glorious Fridays. The host of the series will once again be Pam DeFiglio, a veteran Chicago editor, columnist and arts critic. Here’s the lineup: Oc...

636

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans kicked off its Columbus Day celebrations with a flag raising Friday. The ceremony was held in Daley Plaza and attended by a delegation from Italy along with some Chicago aldermen. Columbus Day is Monday. The day will begin with a mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and then a wreath laying ceremo...

556

"This year's Day of the Contemporary offers a unique opportunity to address complex and increasingly topical issues such as sustainability and climate change in a different way," said Italy's Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia. "Italy's commitment to addressing these challenges and promoting more environmentally friendly practices i...

691

With all of the restaurant brand collaborations in the history of the industry, not once has such a partnership happened between Chicago heavyweights Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s. That’s about to change. The companies–two of the top five most visited restaurants in the Windy City–today announced the new Lou Malnati’s x Portillo’s Italian Beef Deep...

485

A longtime Sicilian bakery has opened another outpost — 5,000 miles away, on the Far Northwest Side. New Paradise Bakery, 5742 N. Milwaukee Ave., is a gelateria, bakery and deli led by owner and chef Vito Rubino, whose parents are from Palermo, Italy. After running a pizzeria in Logan Square, he formed a partnership with the New Paradise Bakery own...

801

No fewer than four local groups will host major events in Columbus’ name this month. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will spearhead a daylong celebration on Oct. 10. Festivities will begin with a 9 a.m. Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago, followed by a noon parade down State Street and a 3 p.m. reception at Casa Ita...

696

The Italian American Executives of Transportation have donated $6,500 from the proceeds of their 2022 fashion show to Casa Italia. The check was presented to Casa Chairman Ron Onesti by Fashion Show Committee Co-Chair Dr. Michele Monica Daly at the IAET’s July meeting. The event was also co-chaired by Theresa Cascio and Grace Galletta, with Jadon Q...

631

A newly renovated Golf Mill Park in Niles was home to the return of the 122nd annual Feast of Maria SS Lauretana of Altavilla Milicia festival over Labor Day weekend with thousands in attendance. The event celebrates what the faithful see as a miracle that took place off the coast of Sicily in the year 1623. The legend says a ship with a heathen pi...

575

One of four children, Frank Pisani was born in Chicago to Francesco and Lucia DeCarolis Pisani. His parents emigrated from the province of Potenza in Italy and settled in the Grand and Western neighborhood known as “The Patch.” Pisani’s father, a barber, gradually brought his brothers over from Italy. His mother, a seamstress, prepared delicious me...

569

From arias to anthems, standards to stadium rock, Diva Montell takes almost any musical style and makes it her own. Blessed with a powerful soprano voice, Montell’s talents brought her to a crossroads early in her career when she had to weigh what was in her heart against the expectations of others. That journey began at birth. “Yes, I was born wit...

611