Overlooked no longer The sixth season of the Opera Festival of Chicago will run from June 13 to July 5. The festival kicks off with “Bohemian Tragedy” at 7:30 p.m. on June 13 at the Jarvis Opera Hall at DePaul University. Puccini’s “La Bohème” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on June 26, 7:30 p.m. on July 1 and 2 p.m. on July 5 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The final production of the season will be “Adriana Lecouvreur” by Francesco Cilea, with performances at 2 p.m. on June 28 and 7:30 p.m. on …

Our Good Vibes feature spotlights websites, blogs, videos and podcast from around the world that celebrate Italy’s inimitable spirit. If you have a favorite online offering you’d like to share, send it to info@franoi.com. For more, follow us on Facebook. Ruggiero’s no slacker at international ska fest Vic Ruggiero takes the audience on a nostalgic trip through the streets of New York City circa 1955 in this rendition of “Wasted Days” at the 2024 Supernova International Ska Festival in in Hampton, Virgina. With bop de bop and doo-wop vocals and David Hallyard blowing early rock ’n’ roll tenor sax, Slackers …

A small pizzeria in Galesburg, in central Illinois, made the list of “The Best Hole-In-The-Wall Pizza Joint in Every State” by The Takeout online publication. The pizzeria, named baked (with lowercase “b”), has a playful and creative approach featuring fun and innovative flavors, according to the review. “Inspired by Grandma’s kitchen, but anything but stuck in the past, this spot offers everything from classic pies to unexpected options, like goat cheese and herbs, or brisket with blue cheese. The crust leans bread-y, the ingredients are thoughtfully sourced and it’s perfection.”  

If you’re curious about the history of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, you can delve into the memoir “Deep Dish” by Marc Malnati, the founder’s son and chairman of the company. “Malnati reveals the inside story of a chaotic family dynamic, and the healing and ultimate success that could only come because of a loyal team with an unrivaled work ethic, a willingness to embrace personal growth and a faith that wouldn’t die,” publisher Agate Midway says. Malnati graduated from Indiana University with a business degree in management. Under his leadership, Malnati’s experienced tremendous growth, going from two pizzerias to 52 throughout …

The newest arrival on the gelato scene in the Chicago area is Gelati Biscoti, an all-volunteer gelato shop with “a mission to make every scoop count.” Gelati Biscoti opened in late April at 4014 Main St. in Skokie. Through the Something Truly Sweet Foundation, 100% of all sales are donated to the fight against food insecurity. Linda Z. Neiman, president of the Something Truly Sweet Foundation, is also the founder and president of Zelda’s Catering in Skokie. “In early 2020, COVID-19 changed everything,” Neiman writes on the Gelati Biscoti website. “Although Zelda’s Catering was designated an essential business, we found …

Mazala Pizza, which has two locations in Chicago and one in San Jose, California, recently opened a new location at 535 Fairway Drive in Naperville. Another location is planned later this year in Schaumburg. The word “mazala” derives from the fusion of the Hindi words masala (spices) and maza (fun), and symbolizes bold flavor and joy. The restaurant blends pizza with the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, offering something distinctive in the fast-casual space. Pizza choices include the Tikka (choice of paneer or chicken, tikka-masala base, chicken, green peppers, onions, cheese, garlic seasoning, moti sauce, cilantro-lime sauce); Butter Masala (tikka-masala …

  One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen pageant,” says Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “The queen will be the star of the Italian community for a year’s reign.” Sponsored by the JCCIA, this year’s pageant will be held at 6 p.m. on July 29 at the Des Plaines Theatre. The event will be chaired by …

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park will celebrate the 133rd anniversary of its devotion to the Blessed Mother on July 19. Festivities will begin with a 7:30 a.m. Mass in English and a 9 a.m. solemn Mass in Italian, followed by a procession with the statue of the Blessed Mother to a noon field Mass. A procession through the streets of the parish afterward will culminate in a 4 p.m. benediction, followed by a 5 p.m. Mass in Spanish. The Sicilian Band of Chicago and Caliendo’s Banda Napoletana will perform during both processions, and food and …

Cabrini Shrine will celebrate the life of Mother Cabrini and the 80th anniversary of her sainthood July 11-12, featuring music, guest speakers, and ethnic cuisine. Saturday’s festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. with a performance by the Children’s Spanish Choir at St. Mary of the Lake – Our Lady of Lourdes. The Rev. Corey Brost of St. Viator House will speak at 12 p.m. on church teaching and migration. The Gospel Choir from St. Simon of Cyrene Parish will perform at 2:30 p.m., with the day’s events concluding with 4 p.m. Mass. Polish and Italian food will be served from 11 …

Each year, more than two dozen Italian patron saint celebrations grace the Chicago area. Kept alive by paesani from villages and cities across Italy, these events preserve some of the most cherished of our traditions. Festivities range from simple religious services to solemn masses and processions to family festivals that last several days. But they all have one thing in common: devotion to the spiritual protectors of la bell’Italia. At press time, information was available on the following events. JUNE 13-14 THE FEAST OF SS. CROCIFISSO & SAN GIOVANNI BOSCO DI CIMINNA at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines is sponsored …