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The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization will honor George Gatto Sr. as Man of the Year at its Honor and Hope Gala. The event will take place on Nov. 6 at the Medinah Shrine Center, 550 Shriners Drive, Addison. “George is an extremely successful businessman, but he’s one of the most down-to-earth guys you’ll ever meet,” says Tom Reb...

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It’s hard to believe that in more than 15 years of the Secret History of Chicago Music—at least 350 installments—I haven’t covered a jazz violinist. Admittedly, the violin isn’t strongly associated with jazz, and despite my music-nerd credentials I can only name a few folks who’ve played it in that context. But if you’re into jazz fiddling, Johnny...

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In this episode of "The Path Forward," NBC 5's LeeAnn Trotter talks with panelists from the Italian American Human Relations Foundation of Chicago about Christopher Columbus Day and why they are pushing for Columbus Day to keep being recognized. Canceling Christopher Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October, is a sentiment that’s be...

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The Getty Museum recently acquired Lucretia, a newly discovered painting by Artemisia Gentileschi—arguably the most famous Italian woman painter of the 17th century. In this panel discussion, four leading experts on the work of Artemisia Gentileschi focus on the discovery of new documents and the emergence of unknown paintings over the last 20 year...

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In 1971, during his first year selling houses, Elmwood Park resident Gabe Caporale sold $1 million worth of real estate. He made a deal with his boss that if he sold $2 million the following year he’d get a diamond ring. Caporale got the diamond ring and since has sold hundreds of additional homes and properties. This month, Caporale, who has serve...

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This year marks the 75th anniversary of the canonization of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, and to celebrate the occasion, the national shrine to her, located in Lincoln Park, is launching a jubilee year on Nov. 13. The year includes a plenary indulgence for those who make a pilgrimage to the shrine, walk through its holy door and complete the necessar...

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The former Symphony’s restaurant at 1945 Central St. is expected to reopen by the end of the year as DeSalvo’s Pizza, a pizza-by-the-slice “neighborhood eating and watering hole,” according to the new owners, Alex and Stacia DeSalvo. The DeSalvos, along with Backlot Coffee co-owner John Kim, will be offering New York-style thin-slice pizza, focacci...

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When Chicago Wolves assistant coach Bob Nardella was growing up in Melrose Park, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame was located next door in Elmwood Park. His father, Robert, relished taking his son to the institution’s conventions hosted in Rosemont. “It was a big thing for my father,” Nardella said. “He took me all the time. There...

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The Greater Rockford Italian American Association held its annual Hall of Fame banquet Saturday at the Venetian Club. Inductees to Rockford's Italian Hall of Fame are nominated by the community and selected annually by the GRIAA’s Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Committee. Mike Doyle was the 2021 Italian Hall of Fame inductee. Mike has had a l...

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Step through the doors of Alla Vita, and the whole room feels like it could float in the breeze. The restaurant’s titanic windows flood the space with light, while delicate pieces of linen run in waves across the ceiling, flapping back and forth. A large wooden pergola runs along one side, with plants winding up and around, like you’re strolling th...

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