The Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park unveiled a restored and enhanced Italians in Chicago exhibit at an open house from 6-9 p.m. on May 12. Archivists Terry Quilico and Barbara Stasell began work on the project two years ago under the direction of the exhibit’s creator, ICC Library Curator Dominic Candeloro. “The exhibit was renovated in the 1990s, but due to the deterioration of some of the displays, we decided that further renovations were needed,” Candeloro says. “As work progressed, we realized that there were significant aspects of the history of Italians in Chicago that were …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will host a pair of local luminaries at their annual media luncheon on May 26 at Galleria Marchetti. Mary Ann Ahern will receive the Dante Award, given each year to a member of the Fourth Estate who has proven to be no timid friend to truth, and Robert Allegrini will receive the Dominic DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award, given to bridge builders inside and outside of the Italian-American community. Ahern is an Emmy award-winning political reporter for NBC 5 Chicago, and Allegrini is president of the National Italian American Foundation. (708-450-9050)  

If you’ve finally decided to visit Italy but you’re worried about being able to communicate with the locals, the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia has the class for you. This six-week course will introduce you to important travel phrases and expressions used by native speakers in real life situations (e.g., at the airport, restaurants, hotels, banks, etc.) in a conversational format. Conducted via Zoom, the class will run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays from May 24 to June 28. The fee is $295 until May 15 and $345 thereafter. To register, click here.    

Chicago Attorney Anthony Licata presented “Studying Latin and Ancient Rome: Why It Matters Today” and “Legal Latin: Lawyers Love It!” at the 2023 Illinois Junior Classical League Convention in Schaumburg in February. The three-day convention drew more than 200 students from across the state who study Latin in high school. An avid fan of ancient Rome, Licata has written a pair of novels on the subject. He was invited to speak at the convention by Carol Valentino-Barry, executive director of the Accende! Mentoring Mission and one of the convention chaperones and assistants.  

The Four C Notes will celebrate their 10-year anniversary in 2023 with a series of events throughout the Chicago area. The Midwest’s only tribute group dedicated to recreating the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the ensemble was founded by John Michael Coppola, who understudied the role of Frankie Valli for the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys.” The group’s 2023 season will kick off with a show on May 24 at Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights and culminate on Aug. 6 during the Italian fest in Naperville. Other shows throughout the year will include engagements at the …

Mozart may have been born and raised in Austria, but he was among classical music’s most “Italian” composers, with most of his operas written in the bel canto style and the Italian language. It should come as no surprise that “Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius,” currently on display at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, has deep Italian roots. The 360-degree audiovisual experience is the brainchild of Artistic Creator Massimiliano Siccardi and Composer and Arranger Luca Longobardi. “With this piece, we wanted to represent every part of Mozart’s life, from his happy times as a child prodigy and throughout his amazingly …

Lifelong member Paul Faso has been elected president of Società Maria SS. di Costantinopoli. Joining him as officers are First Vice President Darrin Bosell, Second Vice President Frank Loconte, Recording Secretary Lucia Maffei, Secretary of Finance Sabina Bosell, Treasurer Vito D’Ambrosio and Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Faso. Faso officially became a member of the organization when he turned 16 in 1999, but he has been active in the society his entire life. “My parents and grandparents realized how crucial it was to get the younger generations involved early, so that’s what they did,” he explains. “Initially, there wasn’t a choice, but now …

Wheaton attorney Amanda Zannoni will ascend to the presidency of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County Chapter, at an installation dinner on May 19 at The Cellar by Cooper’s Hawk Winery in Arlington Heights. Joining her as officers will be First Vice President Kira Albrecht, Second Vice President Maria “Gabby” Antoniolli, Secretary Lindsey Mirabelli, Comptroller Elizabeth Pope, and immediate past president and Scholarship Committee Chair Jessica Defino. Zannoni joined the chapter on the recommendation of a partner at the first law firm she worked at as an attorney. “The partner, now deceased, embodied the ideals of Justinians and Italian-American …

Dr. Mary Harris has risen through the ranks to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society, becoming the youngest female president in the organization’s 88-year history. Joining her as officers are President-Elect Dr. Jessica Mattern, Vice President Dr. Lauren Allegretti, Treasurer Dr. Charles Martello and Secretary Dr. Megan Ratliff. The niece of past Arcolian President Dr. Michael Biasiello, Harris joined the organization right after going into practice six years ago. “I originally started coming to the meetings at the suggestion of my uncle. I quickly learned that the Arcolians are an amazing group of talented dentists that are passionate …

A capacity crowd converged on Empress Banquets in Addison for the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s first annual Carnevale di Venezia. Acrobats, dancers and musicians performed for guests, who turned out in force to honor beloved Casa Italia staffers Nancy Cometa and Darrell Marchioretto. Dinner featured an extravagant cicchetti (appetizers) buffet, a spaghettata of three pastas and Nutella crepes in celebration of World Nutella Day.