Italian bassist shows why he’s a star on the rise

Fra Noi November 12, 2024 Good Vibes Leave a comment 25,163 Views

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.

Italian bassist shows why he’s a rising star

Next-gen bassist Giuseppe Cucchiara’s band can be witnessed in all its splendor on this clip, with Ben Solomon on tenor saxophone, Adam Arruda on drums and Chris McCarthy on piano filling out the ensemble. This extended version of the title track of Cucchiara’s new album, “Music for the Soul,” includes Simon Moullier, whose work on vibes adds texture and smooth coolness to the performance. Cucchiara’s bass drives the band, and throughout the video you can see the intensity on his face as he plays in, around and through a melody that runs like a ribbon throughout the composition. Playing in a live club, the group delivers an understated yet driven performance. To listen, click here.

— David Witter

Right around the corner

A flurry of construction, preparation and excitement is transforming Rome and Vatican City in anticipation of the 2025 Jubilee. Beginning on Christmas Eve 2024, the Holy Door of St. Peter’s will be opened to mark the beginning of the yearlong celebration. Jubilees take place every 25 or 50 years, at the Pope’s discretion. The theme this time around is “Spes Non Confundit” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”). It is estimated that 32 million pilgrims will visit Rome in 2025. A website dedicated to the celebration includes a downloadable app. The site and app present news, events, Jubilee paths inside Rome, background information, history and much more that let the faithful take part in the historic event. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Homespun wisdom

Food blogger Vincent Scordo is the son of Calabrian immigrants. “I am not a trained chef, rather a guy from New Jersey who’s been influenced by my southern Italian traditions,” he explains. The recipes he shares are prepared and photographed in his home kitchen. He regularly writes about his Italian-American experiences and why preserving family recipes is so important to him. In addition to cataloging his dishes from A to Z, he offers food philosophy, Italian-product reviews and old-world how-to tips. You can also look for Scordo on Instagram or subscribe to his newsletter. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Beyond the magazine

We’re all familiar with the iconic, visually stunning magazine, but did you know that National Geographic also has an encyclopedic online division dedicated to education? The website invites students from pre-K through grade 12 to enhance their knowledge by participating in live events and accessing videos, interactive activities and more. Endless topics can be unearthed by doing simple searches. Key phrases like “ancient Roman aqueducts,” “Italian archaeology” or “Julius Caesar” yield a plethora of interesting articles, images and maps. It’s a valuable educational resource, whether you’re a young student or an adult brushing up on your knowledge of Italian history. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Grimaldi conjures music of the Mississippi Delta

Sitting on a wooden chair in front of a set done up to look like a ramshackle barn, stomping on a Pepsi box and playing his heart out, Studebaker John Grimaldi might well be deep in the Mississippi Delta, where the blues began. Live and raw, Grimaldi is playing stripped down blues just the way he likes it. Laying down a John Lee Hooker-like driving bass line on his guitar with his index finger while cutting loss with a mean, low-down wail on harmonica he then on vocal and slide guitar. This foot-stompin’ video will get you dancing and shaking the bad-boy boogie. To listen, click here.
— David Witter

Artistic backstories

If you’re curious about the stories behind renowned works of art, the YouTube channel “Great Art Explained” will scratch that itch. Curated by James Payne, a passionate art lover, curator and gallerist, the featured videos take you behind the scenes as artists create some of the world’s most iconic paintings and sculptures. Each episode focuses on one piece and provides an in-depth look into the story behind it. Many videos are under 15 minutes, but they’re all compelling and chock-full of information. Recent pieces focus on da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne.” For more, click here.
— Jeannine Guilyard

An American in Liguria

Laurel Evans is a Texan who married Italian photographer Emilio Scoti and moved to Milan in 2004. Since then, she began the blog “Un’americana in Cucina” and published four cookbooks in Italian about traditional American cuisine. Her latest offering is her first book to feature Italian recipes in English and it is based on her husband’s home region. “Liguria: The Cookbook — Recipes from the Italian Riviera” honors a cuisine she finds beautiful, humble and sometimes overlooked. Lovingly photographed by her husband, the cookbook imparts the spirit and history of Liguria. For more, click here.
— Dolores Sennebogen

From one master to another

Dante enthusiasts and art lovers can feast their eyes on the fabulous drawings that Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli made for Dante’s “The Divine Comedy” in “Botticelli Featuring Dante: ‘The Divine Comedy’ as a Renaissance Graphic Novel” at Google Arts & Culture. More than two centuries after the completion of “The Divine Comedy,” the creator of “The Birth of Venus” accepted a commission to illustrate the poetic masterwork with a 100-drawing cycle, the majority of which are housed at Berlin’s Staatliche Museum. “Botticelli Featuring Dante” allows viewers to follow the narrative that the drawings accompany. Visit artsandculture.google.com, search for “Botticelli Featuring Dante” and arrow down, clicking immediately past the audio, which is in German without English descriptions. For more, click here.
— Margo Metegrano

Genre-bending saxophonist Rovatti “sings” the bayou blues

“This is a story that keeps on repeating … Life Must Go On,” genre-bending jazz saxophonist Ada Rovatti notes as she takes you from a studio in Germany to the mythical American South. Like the storied blues of the bayou, “Life Must Go On” begins with the sliding sound of the steel Dobro guitar. The deep swamp imagery provided by the instrument is the perfect introduction for a song whose vocals and lyrics tell a tale of “rising waters,” “burning trees,” “clashing winds” and other ominous signs in a changing world. This feeling is punctuated by Alma Naidu’s haunting vocals, the slashing electric blues riffs of Dean Brown and gospel-tinged organ of Simon Oslander. To listen, click here.
— David Witter

Culinary lifeline

Elena Davis was born in Sardegna but moved to Salt Lake City with her parents when she was 6. It helped her adapt to life in America by spending every summer back home with her mom’s relatives. As an adult, when the pandemic prohibited her from traveling to her beloved homeland, she felt completely cut off. “Out of the darkness came a burning desire to turn my sadness into light,” she says. Her lifelong passion for homemade Italian cooking became a lifeline in the form of her blog, “Cucina by Elena.” “People ask if I’ll run out of recipes, but I have the opposite problem! I want to keep creating.” Quick-and-easy offerings and vegetarian meals are on the menu, in addition to classic Italian recipes. For more, click here.
— Dolores Sennebogen

A salute to Respighi

A recent search of Ottorino Respighi’s 1924 composition “Pines of Rome” led to a wonderful discovery. A delightful performance is featured on a YouTube channel dedicated to the United States Marine Band. The channel features all kinds of movie music and classical pieces. In the case of Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” the Marine Band performed the work in February 2017 at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland in College Park. The program was conducted by Assistant Director Major Michelle A. Rakers. The 1924 composition is one of three orchestral tone poems by the Italian composer that also includes “Fountains of Rome” (1916) and “Roman Festivals” (1928). Visit the United States Marine Band Channel on YouTube and search for Pines of Rome. For more, click here.
— Jeannine Guilyard

Italy’s many beautiful things

Writer, historian and travel planner Danielle Oteri explains that the name of her blog, “Tanto Belle Cose” (“Many Beautiful Things”), was inspired by the older men who gather in Southern Italian piazzas whose “salutation is not ‘ciao’ or ‘arrivederci’ but ‘tante belle cose.’” Aiming to cover the many beautiful things not found in mass tourist publications, she offers intriguing content for travelers, dreamers and thinkers on a variety of topics. Those include Renaissance mummies, an AI reading of Herculaneum’s 2,000-year-old scrolls, the ultimate postcard from Italy in the recent Netflix film “Ripley,” and why you should consider skipping the Colosseum. Her writing has been featured in major outlets, including The Paris Review, Condè Nast Traveler, and CNN Travel. For more, click here.
— Margo Metegano

Alt-rock icon Albini shows off his foodie chops

A bit of renaissance man, Steve Albini wasn’t only a great musician and producer, he was a champion poker player and expert on Chicago’s best-kept neighborhood culinary secrets. Here, he puts away his guitar and headphones to take his friend, famed food critic Anthony Bourdain, to Bridgeport, specifically Ricobene’s, to sample their famous breaded steak sandwich. Bourdain is almost shocked by the sight of the thin piece of breaded beef Milanese, deep fried, smothered with red sauce, peppers, mozzarella cheese, all nestled in a fresh baked Turano roll. “Wow, this must weigh four pounds,” Bourdain says as he picks up the sandwich. The two go on to enjoy the sandwich with an Italian lemonade on the side. One great sandwich and two great artists who both left us too early. To view the video, click here.

— David Witter

Ducale delights

Take a virtual tour of one of the most famous and grand buildings in Venice, the Doge’s Palace, courtesy of Google. The home of the rulers of Venice for centuries (“doge” means “duke” in Italian), the palace contains monumental art by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and other Venetian greats. Wander many of the palace’s opulent rooms, including the Hall of the Grand Council, which contains Tintoretto’s masterpiece “Il Paradiso,” one of the largest paintings in the world. Venice built its Palazzo Ducale in 1175. It remained the city’s seat of power through several fires and additions until 1797. Visit artsandculture.google.com and search for Doge’s Palace. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Direct from Le Marche

If you enjoy homestyle Italian cooking, you might want to check out Le Marche’s Benedetta Rossi. Like many food personalities, she has a strong media presence. “Fatto in Casa da Benedetta” is the name of the blog she began over 10 years ago, but she can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Because her writing and broadcasts are in Italian, you can brush up on your language skills, particularly if you watch her YouTube videos. They come with English subtitles and provide a good sense of her charm and relaxed kitchen style. Watch for her signature “thumbs up” at the conclusion of another successful dish. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

An expert’s-eye view

The National Gallery in London’s official YouTube channel is a valuable platform that features the art museum’s curators giving detailed presentations about the European paintings in its vast collection. The Gallery features masterpieces by artists from the 13th to early 20th centuries. In addition to the talks, the channel offers insights into the handling and restoration of many of the museum’s paintings. Recently discussed Italian works include Bronzino’s “An Allegory with Venus and Cupid,” Duccio’s “Healing of a Man Born Blind” and Michelangelo’s “The Entombment,” an unfinished work by the artist that is on display in the Gallery. The YouTube channel also links to the museum’s corresponding social-media platforms. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Intelisano, BoDeans put “good work” in on old-school rocker

Harkening back to legends like Chuck Berry, “Good Work” is good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.This video stars a smiling Stefano Intelisano, whose pounding rhythms and riffs on the Hammond B-3 extends the legacy of Leon Russell and other great rock organ groovers. It also features drummer Kenny Arnoff, another regular with the BoDeans, who has played with Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. So sit back and enjoy this room-rattling roots rocker by Intelisano and the BoDeans. To view the video, click here.

— David Witter

Culinary ABCs

It began as a lark. Filmmaker Harper Alexander posted videos of his Calabrian wife’s reaction as she tasted Americanized Italian food, such as Domino’s pizza. Her response was comical and as their fan base grew, he filmed her explaining countless rules of Italian cooking. It turns out Eva Santaguida has quite a lot to teach us. Together Harper and Eva now host the YouTube channel “Pasta Grammar,” where Eva prepares authentic Calabrian dishes and other Italian foods that she loves. Although they currently live in Arizona, they often film on location in Italy and host sold-out tours of Eva’s homeland. Follow them on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. for more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Girl gone historical

The YouTube channel “Ancient Sites Girl” offers insightful 20-minute segments that take viewers through the modern streets of ancient civilizations. The host, Irena, is based in Germany and travels throughout the Mediterranean countries once ruled by ancient Rome. The channel has playlists dedicated to Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Italy. Videos are packed with information on the history of the sites, along with engaging visuals such as maps and footage shot on location. The segments proceed at a leisurely pace, allowing viewers to take in all the sights, sounds and details. Check out her corresponding Facebook page, which is linked through YouTube. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Florence reborn

In “Florence As It Was: the Digital Reconstruction of a Medieval City,” history, architecture and technology come together in a fascinating, groundbreaking project. Researchers at Washington and Lee University labored to faithfully re-create the city of the birth of the Renaissance as it existed in the 16th century. The work was painstakingly accomplished with precise measurements by state-of-the-art instruments; some were permitted in rarely accessible locations. The university is committed to keeping the results free and open to all. They invite you to check out “images, people, payments, relationships, literary references, contemporary descriptions, and sometimes even music related to the individual structures that shaped a Florentine’s daily experience in 1500.” For more, click here. For a compelling video about the project and more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Claudia Lamascolo’s roots in Utica, New York, feature prominently in her blog, “What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine.” Hometown dishes include tomato pie, pizza fritta, lemon ice, and greens of all kinds. She created the blog in 2009 to share her collected recipes with those she loves and to keep the memory of her mother’s kitchen alive. “Cooking these recipes keeps her with us,” Lamascolo writes. Her dishes reflect both traditional and New World roots. Hundreds of recipes posted over years of blogging can be searched by category, including some not frequently found, such as breakfast dishes, beverages and slow-cooking. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

In Holland, a haunting solo commemorates our fallen

About six miles from Maastricht, Netherlands, 8,301 American soldiers lie buried. They died in Operation Market Garden during the battles to liberate Holland in the fall/winter of 1944. All men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries, have been adopted by Dutch families who mind the grave, decorate it, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It’s even the custom to keep a portrait of “their” soldier in a place of honor in their home. Annually, on “Liberation Day,” memorial services are held for “the men who died to liberate Holland.” The day concludes with a concert culminating in a performance of “Il Silenzio,” a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th anniversary of Holland’s liberation. It has been the concluding piece of the memorial concert ever since. In 2020, the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by André Rieu and the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands. This piece is based upon the original version of taps and was composed by Italian composer Nino Rossi.

To view the video, click here.

Nonno’s kitchen

If you miss your nonno, you need to meet Pasquale Sciarappa. And if you love to eat, you can watch him cook, cut up and enjoy life on his YouTube channel, Orsara Recipes. Orsara is the small town in Puglia where Pasquale was born in 1939. It was his son who initially enticed Pasquale to cook in his Long Branch, New Jersey, kitchen while his family recorded his love affair with traditional Italian cuisine. That was back in 2008. Since then, the world has flocked to his doorstep. In addition to his hundreds of thousands of YouTube followers, Pasquale has drawn countless additional fans to his Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok and Twitter pages. His delicious recipes lead viewers to his posts, but his humor and charm lure them back for more. To meet Pasquale, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Rising to the challenge

The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles has put together a compelling presentation about anti-Italianism in America. Provocatively named “Dago!”, it reveals the hardships suffered by early immigrants through vintage photographs and incisive descriptions. The project covers discriminatory employment, overcrowded living conditions, crimes against Italians, anti-immigrant hysteria and more, concluding with the eventual acceptance of Italian Americans and a celebration of their accomplishments. The project runs the gamut, from common folks to Sacco and Vanzetti, offering plenty of material to reflect upon. To view the presentation, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

The art of la cucina

Photographer and painter Elaine Shurr McCardell has discovered that food is another art form, noting that “developing my own recipes is just another way of filling a canvas.” She also loves cooking the dishes taught to her by her mother, Angela, a native of Naples, and doesn’t understand why people increasingly order out. Cooking from scratch, she says, is healthier, cheaper and “easier than most people think.” Elaine enjoys showing you how in her blog, “The Italian Dish,” which has archived posts back to 2008. You can search through years of recipes and how-to videos that cover topics like how to roll out gnocchi and how to debone a turkey breast. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Ancient Rome in the Big Apple

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Greek and Roman collection is beyond impressive, with more than 30,000 works. If you don’t have time to jet off to Manhattan to browse through the works, the MET’s website offers a peek into the museum’s vast trove. To pay a virtual visit, check out metmuseum.org, click on Art on the main navigation bar, then on Collection Areas, then on Greek and Roman Art. Under Collection Highlights, click on the link below the image that reads “See highlights of Greek and Roman art in The Met collection,” which will turn up 114 results. Click on each image to read about its history and to view it from different angles. While you’re there, explore the website’s Greek and Roman pages, which feature blogs, curated videos, images and information on current archaeological fieldwork.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Kristin Berardi delivers cool tribute to Joni Mitchell

Kristin Berardi is often compared to Joni Mitchell and with good reason. Musically they both test the boundaries of jazz and pop and lyrically they use poetic and artistic imagery to paint with their voices. In this performance, Berardi covers Mitchell’s “Be Cool.” Using a simple two-chord progression as her springboard, Berardi demonstrates her vocal range. Berardi scatts like Mitchell does, but she also bends “blues notes,” a skill usually limited to instruments. The song definitely sets a beatnik mood, so snap your fingers and … be cool.

To view the video, click here.

— David Witter

A window into Rome’s hidden gems

You can delve into Rome’s secret places with just a click thanks to the engaging Instagram videos posted by livevirtualguide.com. Also on their site, you can book an inexpensive, live interactive tour for yourself or even a group. Among the offerings are 60-minute visits to the Colosseum, with special access to the gladiator arena, and a virtual stroll among ancient Roman ruins. Their Off-the-Beaten-Path feature divides more than 90 local gems into nine video-guided itineraries for an economical subscription fee. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

A joyous exploration of la cucina

Marisa Francas is a recipe developer and food enthusiast from Carmel, Indiana, who joyfully explains that she loves to feed people. Her blog, All Our Way, demonstrates how to “create gourmet dishes out of simple seasonal ingredients that your family will love.” Roasted herbed leg of lamb, slow cooker Italian pot roast or pasta with creamy zucchini sauce might be on the menu when friends gather around her table. Other recipes feature “American food like Mom made,” but with an Italian accent. The reader can also partake of stories from her life that she calls Home, Garden and Family Adventures.

For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

A wellspring of Italian art

The Museum of Modern Art has a grand tradition of embracing and fostering Italian artists. While perusing MoMA’s online exhibit of the works of silent film actress-turned-photographer Tina Modotti, I discovered that the website spotlights thousands upon thousands of other Italian artists, as well, including Amedeo Modigliani, Renzo Piano and Federico Fellini. To browse through five sets of Fellini photos, go directly to moma.org/artists/26625. When you’re done there, arrow back to moma.org/artists, type “Italian” in the Search Artists line and hit enter. Then, scroll down to see the stunning results: works by 27,146 Italian artists!

— Jeannine Guilyard

Have yourself a very Perry Christmas

My mom, and her mother before her, loved to spend Christmas with Perry Como. When I was a kid, I didn’t really like his Christmas shows because they never seemed to be in cold weather locations with snow. Then and now, I like snow for Christmas. By 1983, I was in college but Como’s show was going to be in New York and a family friend taped it for me so I could see it when I got home for the break. It quickly became, and has long remained, my favorite Como Christmas Show and the one, I might add, in which Perry most openly and joyfully celebrates his Italian roots. In honor of Perry, I end my Christmas Show on the radio every year with his rendition of Ave Maria. Buon Natale!

— Otto Bruno

To view the video, click here.

To listen to Otto’s show on Sundays from 12-3 EST, click here.

Insight into an emperor

“Hadrian’s Rome” is a free online course offered by the Open University. Content is divided into three chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to Emperor Hadrian and his reign. The second boasts an interactive map detailing Hadrianic monuments throughout Rome, including the Pantheon, the Temple of Deified Hadrian, and the Temple of Venus and Rome. The last chapter explores Hadian’s death and legacy. The course is detailed but not overwhelming, so it’s a great activity to devote your spare time to during the winter months. Upon completing the course, you will receive a statement of participation. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

A passion for la cucina

Domenica Marchetti’s mother had her shaping gnocchi as soon as she could see over the kitchen counter. Her childhood also included summer travels in Lazio and Abruzzi. After she earned a master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University, she wrote for the Washington Post and other major newspapers, but she soon specialized in writing about Italian food for Fine Cooking, Eating Well, Food and Wine, and many other publications. She is now the author of seven cookbooks, including “Rustic Italian” and “Ciao Biscotti.” She also teaches cooking classes and leads culinary tours in Italy. On her website, Domenica Cooks, readers can find a catalog of her Italian-inspired recipes. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Il duomo at its best

Florence’s Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore Museum recently commissioned photographer Fabio Muzzi (@fabiomuzzi_photography on Instagram) to showcase the beauty of the famous Duomo’s majestic monuments. The result is a trove of photos and videos, some taken by drones for the very first time. “Spectacular images were made of the Cathedral and its Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, captured with different lights that tell the passing of the seasons,” the museum reports on its website. Select images are appearing on the museum’s Instagram (@museofirenze), to be followed by an exhibition. Find more at duomo.firenze.it, where you can subscribe to their free newsletter and learn, among other things, about the life and art of Michelangelo via an artificial intelligence chat with the artist.

— Margo Metegrano

Get down and dance to the tune that ushered in disco

The introduction is like a long, slow burn, but when the tune kicks into gear, KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” helped to usher in the disco era. Bell bottoms, wide collars, gold chains: this 1977 video captures it all. Italian American Wayne Kasey (KC) is backed up by a 10-piece ensemble as he hammers away on the keyboards, but the band does more than just play. The horn players put on choreographed moves that rival the best that Motown had to offer. The finale of the video has an added treat. Kasey spots none other than Dolly Parton in the front row and presents the country star with a bouquet of roses. To view, click here.

— David Witter

Sweet holiday treats

With the holidays on the horizon, our menu planning includes finding ways to end family get-togethers on a sweet note. Whether you’re craving traditional or inventive desserts, check out the Montreal-based blog “Marisa’s Italian Kitchen.” Marisa features everyday menus from soup to nuts but professes a passion for “all things sweet.” For your Thanksgiving table, satisfying endings might include tiramisù, pumpkin zeppole or spumoni cake. Looking ahead to Christmas, Marisa inspires readers with struffoli, pizzelle, tarallucci, ciambelle, Italian rainbow cookies and dozens of biscotti recipes. To get started, go to the site’s Recipe Index, and search by holiday or season. (marisasitaliankitchen.com)

— Dolores Sennebogen

Digging ancient Rome

If you’re looking for enlightening, engaging and generously illustrated features about archeological sites in Rome and the rest of the world, make Archeology Travel your first stop. Among the many Roman treasures featured on the website, you’ll unearth the 2,000-year-old Mithraeum temple, nestled beneath the 1,000-year-old San Clemente Church, and peek inside the 20 rooms of a house dating back to the second century B.C. that was discovered below a fourth-century basilica on Caelian Hill. Also available on the website are the “Rome Travel Guide for History and Adventure Seekers” and the equally useful “History with Kids,” both of which are filled with practical advice and valuable background information. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Amazon ups its game

On the recently unveiled Freevee Amazon Channel, you can access Amazon Prime content without having a subscription. The ad-supported video streaming service was first launched in 2019 as part of IMDB. In April of this year, the service underwent a name change, and more titles were made available. The library includes many Italian films, such as Luchino Visconti’s “L’innocente” and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “Theorem.” Also available is a rare Greek film starring Maria Grazia Cucinotta titled “Uranya” as well as the documentaries “Padre Pio Sanctus” and “In Search of Francis Assisi: The Untold Story of a Beloved Saint.” For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Drummer DJ Fontana set the pace for early Elvis hits

Dominick James “DJ” Fontana’s recordings with Elvis Presley on RCA netted 18 platinum and 14 gold records, changing not only music but American culture. While Presley relied heavily on lush orchestrations and elaborate studio productions later in his career, his early hits relied heavily on Fontana’s drumming. While most early rock drummers pounded away at large kits and cut loose for extended solos, Fontana kept the beat like a metronome in a sparse, rockabilly style, filling the spaces between verses but never interfering with the star of the show, Elvis Presley. This old kinescope recording of Elvis singing his first major hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” features Elvis’ early band of Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass and Fontana on drums. Notice that Fontana’s kit contains only two drums while the standard sets use at least five. To view, click here.

— David Witter

Feeding the need for Italian cinema

A brand new channel featuring Italian movies of yesterday and today has recently been launched. Movieitaly offers VOD access to iconic cinema that has stood the test of time as well as contemporary films that mirror today’s society. The project is being spearheaded by Italian distribution company Minerva Pictures. One of the organizers, Gianluca Curti, told Fra Noi that they drew their inspiration from the importance of Italian cinema and culture in the United States. “The channel is geared toward Americans who love Italy and Italian culture, who love the Renaissance and our history, which is well told by our cinema,” he explained. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Bringing stolen art back home

Rome’s new Museo dell’Arte Salvata (Museum of Rescued Art) features rotating exhibits of pieces previously “stolen, dispersed, sold or illegally exported.” The items are eventually destined for display in or near their original locations. The first exhibit focuses on more than 200 pieces recovered from U.S. museums and private collectors. The museum’s biggest success story to date arguably is the sixth-century B.C. Euphronius Krater vase. Once sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for $1 million, it is now housed in an archaeological museum close to the tomb in Cerveteri, Lazio, from which it was looted. Google Museo dell’Arte Salvata to find out more.

— Margo Metegrano

Gathering at the virtual table

— Margo Metegrano

A revealing peek into the making of a film score classic

Composed by Ennio Morricone, the main theme to Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” was a pop hit in the U.S. and had emerged as one of the most iconic scores in film history. The complex composition tosses a recorder, bass ocarina, chimes, electric guitar, whistling, and nonsense lyrics sung by a soprano and a choir into the mix of a traditional orchestra. In this video, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Danish National Concert Choir shows how this delectable musical minestrone is made. To view the video, click here.

From Atlanta, with amore

Anita and Tom Augello have been the proprietors of an Atlanta-area Italian grocery store and deli for more than 35 years. Even dearer to them are the large family meals they preside over every Sunday at a 14-foot table surrounded by children and grandchildren. To both of these culinary endeavors, they bring old-country recipes from Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, where they trace their roots. You can now follow this food-loving family on Anita’s new blog, Mangia Magna. There, you’ll learn about her latest cookbook, “Basta Pasta Ancora,” and sample recipes as diverse as cassata, Tuscan lasagna and shrimp with orzo. Enjoy meeting the Augellos at both of their websites, mangiamagna.com and e48thstreetmarket.com.

— Dolores Sennebogen

A Caravaggio cornucopia

“The Calling of Saint Matthew,” “The Conversion of Saint Paul” and “Boy with a Basket of Fruit” are just a few of the masterpieces created by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. If you’re an admirer of this baroque painter, caravaggio-foundation.org is the online gallery for you. The website banner boasts “Caravaggio: The Complete Works,” and it’s not kidding. The site features 303 paintings, including many of Caravaggio’s lesser-known creations. The portal also contains a detailed biography, links to galleries in Italy that exhibit his paintings and a virtual slideshow. When you’re done, stream Marco Visalberghi’s 2015 docudrama “The Caravaggio Affair” on Amazon Prime for the full Caravaggio experience. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Passport to adventure

A former sports, food and travel writer for the Denver Post, John Henderson headed straight for the Eternal City after he retired in 2014, and he hasn’t looked back. Since then, he has poured his talents into the website “Dog-Eared Passport: John Henderson’s Travel Adventures in Rome and Beyond.” Henderson’s features run the gamut, from Italy’s World Cup chances, Rome’s diverse neighborhoods and the Amalfi Coast on Valentine’s Day to the return of wine tastings to the Boot and the state of the nation’s Ukrainian community. A veteran travel writer, he has devoted a corner of his website to his adventures in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. For more, click here.

‘Raven-haired Doris Day’ topped the ’50s pop charts

Joni James, the beloved singer and entertainer once dubbed “the raven haired Doris Day,” passed away on February 20 at the age of 91. Born Giovanna Carmella Babbo in Chicago in 1930, she was raised by a single mother during the Great Depression. James graduated from Bowen High School where she began studying drama, music and dance. One of her first jobs was performing at Chicago’s Edgewater Beach Hotel, but in 1952 she was signed by MGM. Her first hit, “Why Don’t You Believe Me,” sold 2 million copies. She went on to record a string of hit singles and albums before scaling back her career to become a full-time mother and housewife in 1964. When asked about how she arrived at her talent, James replied, “I am Italian. Italians breathe, Italians sing.” Here she is performing “How Important Can It Be,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts in 1955. To view the video, click here.

— David Witter

Exploring Florence

Like a personal concierge, The Florentine magazine is an insider’s guide to Florence, covering history, food, art, travel, current events and more. Recent posts explore a former grain store in Florence that has been converted to a trendy work hub, as well as the scenic Mugello region just north of the city. The portal offers a free weekly e-newsletter in addition to compelling videos and a multitude of articles, some of which require a subscription. A monthly magazine is available for free in Florence and elsewhere by subscription, both in print and digitally. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Drumming legend Appice shreds an iconic Supremes hit

This 2011 performance by Vanilla Fudge of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” is a true blast from the past. The only things missing are the lava lamps and psychedelic strobe lights. Powered by Carmine Appice’s consummate drumming, the band transforms the bouncy Supremes hit into a hard rocking, heartbreaking wail. Lead singer Mark Stein’s plaintiff voice is the star of this performance, but Appice’s cannon shots, cymbal crashes and trademark drumstick twirls play a crucial supporting role. A legendary drummer with a 50-year career backing superstars the likes of Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne, Appice is still most closely associated with this iconic song.

— David Witter

To view the video, click here.

A foodie’s guide to Florence and beyond

Born to an Iranian father and a Sicilian-American mother, Coral Sisk’s life has centered around good eating. “I’ve been obsessed with food and understanding every morsel of it for as long as my memory serves,” she explains. She fell in love with Florence on a 2005 visit and moved there for good in 2012. An author and sommelier, Sisk writes about eating and drinking well in Florence and other haunts in her blog Curious Appetite. She also curates food and wine tours in Florence, Bologna and the surrounding countryside. In addition to her blog, Coral contributes to publications such as Vogue, The Guardian and Conde Nast Traveler. If you’re interested in finding the perfect Florentine ristorante, enjoying the best gelato or making an easy Pasta con le Zucchini e Fiori, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Exploring our roots together

Whether you’ve just started tracing your family tree or you’ve been at it for years, the Italian Genealogical Group is there for you. Established in 1993, IGG is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to Italian genealogy. Offerings include educational events and webinars, records preservation tutorials, indexing initiatives and free help desk sessions with experts. Members receive 10 digital newsletters each year, as well as the ability to list their family surnames and ancestral locations in an ever-expanding database that facilitates connections with other researchers and possible relatives. Members-only events have included an annual holiday party and a recent webinar on dual citizenship. For more, click here.

— Maryanne Yenoli

Italian movies, TV series and more

MHz Choice is a paid streaming service that presents a variety of international television series and movies. Among the many Italian offerings are popular shows like “Detective Montalbano”; “The Young Montalbano”; and “Octopus,” a series starring Michele Placido that ran from 1984-2001. The platform’s contemporary Italian movies include “The Arrival of Wang” by the Manetti brothers, which made its North American premiere at the 2012 edition of Open Roads: New Italian Cinema in New York, as well as the duo’s 2017 musical-style film “Love and Bullets.” Also worth checking out are the 2019 documentary “The Passion of Anna Magnani” and the TV magazine series “Italiana,” which explores Italy’s rich culture. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Grocery shoppers get way more than they bargained for

This one has been making the rounds for nearly a decade but it bears reposting. Italian pesto-maker Saclà surprised shoppers at the John Lewis Foodhall in England with an impromptu performance of the Italian classic “Funiculì, Funiculà.”

To view the video, click here.

Made in Matera

The second annual Matera Film Festival took place in October, attracting prestigious international guests like Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, who held masterclasses and helped organize the weeklong cinematic celebration. Artistic Director Nando Irene told Fra Noi that, with all the international films being produced in Matera, the latest being Bond blockbuster “No Time to Die,” the city was long overdue for a festival of its own. Click here, then click on EN in the upper right, and then go to GALLERY and THE FESTIVAL for photos and highlights along with the backstory of the enchanting prehistoric sea creature that serves as the festival’s mascot.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Cuisines within cuisines

After growing up with the culinary influences of her Roman mother and Sicilian father, Anna Maria Volpi dedicated herself to investigating Italy’s authentic regional cooking. Her studies and travel revealed that Italian cooking varies not just regionally, but that each community and valley has its own way with local ingredients. To share her knowledge, she began a blog called Anna Maria’s Open Kitchen. Links direct the reader to recipes, articles, guest cooks and food finds. She helpfully offers tabs for vegetarian dishes and metric conversion charts. There’s also a “Cooking School” section, where she demonstrates the preparation of pizza, risotto, gnocchi and other classic dishes in detail. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Face-to-face with the famous

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America recently wrapped up Season 4 of its OSDIA Live Interview Series. Each season features multiple half-hour episodes. Interviews are conducted by OSDIA officers, committee members and staffers, and spotlight luminaries from across the professional spectrum. Guests this season included OSDIA President Robert Bianchi, Columbus Citizens Foundation Chairman Angelo Vivolo and automaker Tonino Lamborghini. All episodes can be viewed on OSDIA’s Facebook page. for more, click here.

Como, Martin team up with Lawrence for an uplifting trio

Whenever my spirits need lifting, two of my favorite YouTube sources of joy are Perry Como and Dean Martin. Get both of them together and it’s pure entertainment gold! In this marvelous clip, Perry and Dean are joined by the lovely Carol Lawrence (aka Carolina Maria Laraia) to render Dino’s big hit “Everybody Loves Somebody.” Nine months after this appearance on Perry’s show, Dino embarked on his own variety series on NBC, which lasted for nearly a decade. Americans welcomed these two smooth Italian crooners into their homes for well over 20 years as the kings of variety television.

— Otto Bruno

To view the video, click here.

One-armed trumpeter Manone helped launch the Jazz Age

A terrific trumpet player, Joseph “Wingy” Manone, exuded the fun of the Jazz Age. He bridged the Dixieland and Swing eras while specializing in early jazz vocals very much like his fellow Italian American trumpet-playing pal, Louis Prima. Manone enjoyed the respect and friendship of America’s musical royalty, including Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Mercer. His musical career is nothing short of inspirational as he lost his right arm in a childhood accident and for most of his life wore a prosthetic that he used to hold his instrument while working the valves with his left hand.

— Otto Bruno

To view the video, click here.

Culinary love affair

Lora Giorgi first created a blog to put her recipes “in a safe place” for her daughter, Gabriella. Though Giorgi is raising her family in Florida, she spent much of her childhood in Sicily and is married to an Italian-born executive chef. These life experiences have made her “madly and passionately in love with Italy — its food, history, language and people.” She expresses her enthusiasm by sharing Italian and Italian-American recipes on her blog, Savoring Italy, and on a podcast of the same name. Many are simple comfort foods that have fewer than 10 ingredients and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Also explored are rustic desserts, homemade breads and an occasional nod to her mother’s Hungarian roots. Links include recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo diets. Look for on Giorgi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more, click here.

—Dolores Sennebogen

Library card as passport

Kanopy is an online streaming service founded in 2008 by Australian entrepreneur Olivia Humphrey. Originally intended as an educational tool for universities, the service has branched out to community libraries across the United States and is accessible with just a library card. The vast selection consists mostly of documentaries, world cinema and children’s content. Among the many classic and contemporary Italian films available are Vittorio De Sica’s “Bicycle Thieves,” Roberto Rossellini’s “Rome Open City,” Michelangelo Antonioni’s “L’Avventura,” Federico Fellini’s “City of Women” and Nanni Moretti’s “My Mother.” “Mostly Martha,” the acclaimed German rom-com starring Sergio Castellitto as an enchanting chef, is also available. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Camera lens as tour guide

A daydreamer’s paradise, the Image Earth Travel blog offers stunning photography and engaging descriptions of locations all over the world. Australian writer and photographer Nilla is the perfect travel companion. Click on Europe and then Italy to find an abundance of enticing locations from Italy’s top to toe, with an emphasis on Calabria. For example, she’ll guide you through historic Cosenza, where you will learn and view the city’s history from its fourth century B.C. beginnings while winding along atmospheric narrow alleys and daunting stairways, soaking in picturesque vistas and encountering modern street art. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Italy’s infinite charms

Billed as an online travel and lifestyle magazine, “The Italy Edit” explores destinations in alluring, illustrated depth. The site’s mission is “to inspire readers to discover the ‘infinity of Italy.’” Recent articles cover the best hotels in Naples, 48 hours in Palermo and an exploration of the Italian Riviera. Pieces such as “How to Dress Like an Italian Woman” are included in the fashion and style section. Their current Spotify playlist explores the “sounds of the season,” with tracks by everyone from Tony Bennett to Mina. You can sample their photography on Instagram (@the_italyedit), and a monthly e-blast connects you with what’s new on the entirely free site. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Cinematic master classes

“Robert Bellissimo at the Movies” is a YouTube channel that encourages people to watch films from all over the world. “Film history is essential to build on the lessons of the old masters,” says host Robert Bellissimo. Those old masters include many Italian filmmakers whom Bellissimo regularly profiles. Among his favorites are Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini and Liliana Cavani. “I can go on and on,” said Bellissimo, whose Italian roots are in San Fili and Vallelonga Calabria. A recent episode featured a compelling conversation about classic and contemporary Italian cinema with Giò Crisafulli, chief entertainment critic for the National Organization of Italian Americans in Film and Television. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Not your average Joe

Joe Borio’s family memories center around kitchen life. His mother’s relatives, the Toscanos, were fabulous cooks and bakers, and his father’s family owned a popular Italian restaurant in central New York. There, Joe worked side by side with his dad and grandmother, learning their love of Italian food and culture. In 2012, he bought a villa in Puglia, and he now operates an organic farm and olive grove on the shore of the Adriatic. He’s proud of the oil he and his sons produce. He brings his enthusiasm for family, olive oil and Italian cuisine to his YouTube channel, “Cooking Italian with Joe.” You can follow his video lessons, where he prepares hundreds of recipes as he chats amiably and charms you into the kitchen. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Pixar film resurrects delightful Post-WW II Italian pop ditty

My favorite CD of old-school Italian pop tunes is Putomayo’s “Italian Café” and my favorite tune on that CD is Quartetto Cetra’s “Un baccio a mezzanotte.” Released in 1952, it perfectly captures the zany, jazzy infectious spirit of the music that swept across the Boot in the decades following World War II. Imagine my delight when that lilting ditty was featured prominently in Pixar’s unabashedly Italian feature-length cartoon, “Luca.” Since there are no live-action videos of Quartetto Cetra performing the song on the internet, I’ve provided you with a link to the tune posted by Pixar below.

— Paul Basile

To listen to the song, click here.

For Italian lyrics and their English translation, courtesy of Daily Italian Words, click here.

Simply delicious

American-born and Italian-raised, Eleonora Baldwin is the granddaughter of famed director and actor Vittorio De Sica. She named her food blog Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino, explaining that the eponymous recipe is the Italian cook’s ode to simplicity. Her recipe tab yields links to years of posts that include the names of recipes in both Italian and English and references to the regions from which they originate. Her occasional feature “Be My Guest” showcases like-minded bloggers who share “intimate moments with food of the heart.” When asked in an interview which three ingredients she always keeps on hand for a quick meal, she responded, “Extra-virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes and garlic. And wine. And bread. Oh, and pesto sauce … only three? Really?” Quintessential Eleonora. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Leading the way

Literary scholar and cultural historian Luca Cottini is the founder and host of “Italian Innovators,” a YouTube show that features presentations, interviews and lessons focusing on Italian fashion design, business tech and cultural history. “In the show, I present Italy’s contributions to the modern world and explore their underlying model of success,” explains Cottini. The idea emerged from his experiences as a professor of Italian studies in the United States, his zeal for discovery and his belief that teaching is an empowering art of sharing. In addition to YouTube, episodes are available on iTunes, Spotify and Spreaker. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Norman legacy

When UNESCO added Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale to its World Heritage List in 2015, it acknowledged a millennium-old influence that resonates today. That same influence is explored by the Norman Sicily Project (NPS), an interdisciplinary digital humanities effort that documents Sicily’s rich history and culture between the years of 1061 and 1194. Currently a prototype, the app catalogs monasteries from that era, with other types of buildings to be added down the road. It also contains more than 1,300 records that map out the broad kinship network of Sicily’s Norman rulers. Available in English and Italian, the app will continue to expand. NPS developers encourage contributions from specialists and the public. For more, click here.

— Alessandra Faranda

Jovanotti’s “Bella” still has the power to charm and inspire

Lorenzo Jovanotti’s “L’Albero” dominated the soundtrack of my life in 1997. At 15, I fell in love with Jovanotti’s seventh studio album, which fused Italian melodies with African and Cuban beats. It was a refreshing taste of a better world, a place where people got together to create something beautiful. Standing out for its positivity and brilliance was the song “Bella,” which celebrates the beauty of simple things (bread, sunlight hitting the pillow, a picture of Jovanotti’s nonna as a young girl). It’s still a go-to song for when I need a mood-booster.

— Nicola Orichuia

To view the video, click here.

Rooms with views

Stanze Italiane (Italian Rooms) is a virtual museum created by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York. The “rooms” on the site let you travel to Italy and discover its heritage, arts and sciences without leaving your home. The virtual spaces offer interesting and engaging content on all facets of Italian culture. A truly expansive effort, the Stanze Italiane is an audiovisual feast that includes paintings, music, interviews and other valuable information. Clicking on “The Violins by Leonardo Frigo” in Dante’s room, for example, will take you to a page with beautiful classical music and information about a violinist who is currently working on an homage to Dante’s “Inferno.” For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

How does your garden grow?

Early Italian immigrants were hard-working, family-oriented individuals who often shared a passion: They loved to create garden spaces of their own and to enjoy the nourishment produced with their hands. Mary Menniti has created the Italian Garden Project to tell their stories. The goals of the project are “to celebrate the joy and wisdom inherent in the traditional Italian-American vegetable garden” and to demonstrate its continued relevance. Her website maintains a Hall of Honor recognizing individuals whose gardens exemplify the Italian relationship to food, family and the Earth. She maintains a permanent archive of these stories alongside her blog entries and continues to accept submissions and photos that highlight our gardening heritage. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

When a little Italian boy starts to cry during his first encounter with a barber, all the adult men pitch in to distract him. Adorable!

Morricone and more

Inspired by Sergio Leone’s cinematography and Ennio Morricone’s scores, New England-based film aficionado Jack Criddle has launched “Play Morricone for Me,” a radio show dedicated to film music. Showcasing the soundtracks of “cult, classic and contemporary” movies, according to Criddle, the program is broadcast in the Northeast, syndicated across the country and archived on Mixcloud. Previous episodes have spotlighted the scores behind Federico Fellini masterpieces; the “polizieschi” subgenre of crime and action films that were popular in Italy in the 1960s and ’70s; and the more recent “mondo” shockumentaries, which mix grisly fact and fiction. It should come as no surprise that Criddle is partial to compositions penned by Morricone during his seven-decade career. To listen in, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Family-focused food

Tuscan native Giulia Scarpaleggia has a deeply rooted passion for her heritage and feels lucky to make a living sharing it. She maintains an award-winning food blog, delivers a newsletter to her followers and teaches Tuscan cooking in the Sienese countryside. Her blog — “Juls’ Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Tuscany” — allows you to search recipes by subject and season, as well as view videos of dishes that have been tagged as most loved. She also shares mini guides to her favorite restaurants, street vendors, food markets and agriturismi. In 2019, she added a podcast called “Cooking with an Italian Accent.” Despite her impressive accomplishments, Scarpaleggia contends, “I am not a professional chef, so I don’t know how to cook complicated things. Just family dishes.” For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

A sense of community

The Modern Italian Network (mi.o) is an online community that allows members to share their passion for Italy and learn more about the nation they love. I enjoy mi.o because I’m able to share my experiences as an Italian American in an interactive environment. I also have been able to connect with Italians around the world, as well as experts in cooking, language, travel and culture. Membership is free, and posts from members include favorite recipes and songs, photos of Sunday dinners and recent travel destinations. The website also offers online courses on a variety of topics. To join the mi.o community, click here.

— Giovanna Scarabaggio

Tormented as a youth, pop star Ferro lives life on his own term

In the 2020 documentary “Ferro,” singer Tiziano Ferro says he grew up a misfit, bullied for being fat. But when he and the world discovered he could sing, he was on the way to pop music superstardom. Fame didn’t come without a toll, though. He starved himself to lose 100 pounds, battled depression, alcoholism and the torment of the closet. “Ferro” is about his emotional journey to get to a place where he is genuinely happy, though music remains his lifeblood. These days Ferro walks through his Los Angeles neighborhood where no one recognizes him as the superstar and he’s fine with that. “Ferro” culminates with an introspective return to his home of Latina, and a 2020 return to the stage of San Remo. He’s living a life of gratitude now, one on his terms. “Ferro” is available on Amazon Prime, in Italian with English subtitles.

— James Scalzitti

For the Official movie trailer in Italian, click here.

For footage via RAI of his performance at the 2020 San Remo festival, click here.

Culinary adventure

Sara Rosso is the founder of World Nutella Day and co-author of an e-book called “The Unofficial Guide to Nutella.” She is also “a modern Renaissance woman,” with interests in technology, business, food, travel and music. In addition to sending out a monthly newsletter, she presides over a food blog called “Ms. Adventures in Italy.” It’s devoted to cooking, exploring, and tasting new specialties from Italy and around the world. Visitors to her blog can read articles on everything from avoiding pickpockets when traveling to ordering an Italian coffee in Italy. But foodies will skip straight to the site’s list of delectable recipes that includes appetizers, dolci and everything in between. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

A word a day and then some

Whether you are a beginning student or want to brush up on your Italian to keep up with current usage, dailyitalianwords.com is the online outlet for you. With entries ranging from cake to how to express romantic feelings to 30 ways to say “idiot,” the website’s brief and engaging presentations take the tried-and-true word-a-day approach to a new level, often with related idioms, songs or movie scenes. Husband and wife team Mat, who was born and raised in Turin, and Heather, a British Canadian who taught and studied there, send their delightful pieces from Wales. Together, they produce an email newsletter, a blog, a podcast, YouTube segments and other special features. For more, click here.

— Margo Metegrano

Surprisingly perfect timing

Who moves to Italy in the middle of a global pandemic? Travel writer and tour operator Victoria De Maio does. She recently left her home in Northern California and relocated to Tuscany for what she calls an extended stay. She credits her 100 percent ancestry, established via a DNA test, and her great love of all things Italian for embarking on this oddly timed adventure. She chose Florence because of its beauty and central location. By immersing herself in the culture, she hopes to augment her current array of small group tours and custom itineraries. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Steve Tyler rocks a local bar in his ancestral home

In recent years, rock legend Steve Tyler began exploring both his musical and ethnic roots. That journey led him across the Atlantic in 2013. Arriving in his grandfather’s hometown in Calabria, he met with his relatives and cousins, who led him to the house where his grandfather was born. At one point, he assured them, “I understand that the countrymen of my grandfather Giovanni and my father, Vittorio, are extraordinary people,” Tyler told Italiani Magazine. “I hope to come back soon, maybe for a concert, just for the town.” The rock star kept his word. In 2015, Tyler stopped by a local bar. Joined by his cousins and Italian singer LaceBlack, he performed a karaoke version of “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” while the crowd sang with him all’unisono.

— David Witter

To view a clip, click here.

Spotlighting Tuscan cuisine

The daughter of a diplomat, Emiko Davies spent her early life on several different continents before being drawn to Florence, Italy. An early influence was Pellegrino Artusi’s classic cookbook “La scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiar bene.” Davies and her Florentine husband, Marco, now live with their children in San Miniato, Tuscany. She is a columnist, a blogger and the author of three cookbooks on foods of the region. Her website contains more than eight years of recipes, from antipasti to dolci, each accompanied by a personal story and lush photograph. You can also link to charming travel articles with titles like “Street Food of the Tuscan Coast” and “Livorno for Foodies.” For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Talking Italian cinema

Founded by lifelong cinema enthusiast Steven Johnson, the Cinema Italiano Podcast features discussions, interviews, deep-dive analysis, and essays about films — both classic and contemporary, legendary and lesser-known — and how they reflect Italian society, values and culture. An Italian with Sicilian and Tuscan roots, Johnson started the podcast after realizing that, out of the thousands of movie podcasts, not one focused entirely on Italian films. “It was almost like it was meant to be,” Johnson says. “My personal passion for these films helped me fill a gap in the film podcast space.” For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Embracing life in Italy

You probably know what orecchiette are, but what about mezze maniche? And do you know how to prepare each of these very different pastas? Maybe you have a taste for a new Italian word or phrase each day, like “guazzabuglio” (a jumble or mess) or “sono stufo” (I’ve had enough). Or perhaps you hunger to know the difference between di nuovo and ancora. Are you planning on traveling to Italy soon and wondering about the latest COVID-19 restrictions? Or are you hoping to buy property and looking for tips on living there? Thelocal.it sheds light on all of the above in a very entertaining way. There’s even a Jobs in Italy section if you’re up for the adventure! For more, click here.

— Luke Basile

A transatlantic duet between a pair of pop legends

Everybody knows Dean Martin, but who among you recalls Caterina Valente? Achieving stardom in her native Italy, she enjoyed quite a career in America as well, appearing on TV with Martin and Perry Como and touring with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Bennie Goodman. During one appearance on Martin’s show, Valente gently takes mega-watt star to school while charming the heck out of him and his audience.

— David Witter

To view the video, click here.

Serie A on demand

Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, I was a huge fan of Italian soccer, but following Serie A in those days was a challenge to say the least. You had to either wake up early on Sunday to watch RAI’s game of the week or read a copy of La Gazzetta dello Sport that was days, if not weeks, old by the time it arrived on stateside newsstands. Fast forward 30 years, and Serie A is so much more accessible thanks to the internet. One of my favorite outlets is IFTV. They provide loads of information across social media platforms, and their YouTube channel broadcasts lively recaps of Serie A games every week. Their motto is, “Connecting English-speaking calcio fans from around the world,” and they live up to it. For more, click here.

— Donald Vaccaro

On the culinary prowl

Andrea Soranidis is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of The Petite Cook. Born and raised in Sicily, she moved to London 10 years ago. That became a stepping stone to food explorations throughout Europe as well as Japan and the Middle East. “I started The Petite Cook to document my foodie life,” Soranidis explains. Her blog shares a mix of recipes that include Italian classics she grew up with and new dishes from abroad that have become tried-and-true family favorites. Soranidis emphasizes fresh ingredients and unfussy methods. Her recipes have been featured in magazines such as Parade and Country Living. Her 2019 cookbook, “20 Minute Italian,” was written to inspire people “to skip the restaurant and whip up these super speedy Italian meals instead.” For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

Deep cinematic well

Founded in 2014, Tubi is a worldwide streaming service. Independently owned until last year, when Fox Corp. acquired it, Tubi has an impressive list of titles that includes many classic and contemporary Italian films. A recent search turned up Ettore Scola’s “Dirty, Ugly and Bad,” Marco Ferreri’s “La grande bouffe,” Sergio Corbucci’s “Django,” Francesco Munzi’s “Black Souls” and Roberta Torre’s “Angela,” to name just a few. Most titles are listed in English. When searching for Italian films, go to the “Browse” sidebar, choose “Foreign Language Films” and scroll through the vast collection. Films are free of charge and do not require registration to watch. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Underground sensation Corsi’s career takes flight

For many years, Lucio Corsi was one of the most talked-about names in Italy’s underground music scene. But the 28-year-old Milanese singer-songwriter is now navigating the waves of fame with his third album, “Cosa faremo da grandi?” (What will we do when we’re grown up?). Originally from Grosseto, Corsi has had the audacity to mix genres and styles that range from David Bowie to Francesco De Gregori, all infused with the most classic of melodic vocals “all’italiana”. Throw in Pasoliniesque music videos in which Corsi shows off a quirky and audacious acting talent, and the keys to success and fame are in his hands!
— Nicola Orichuia

For the official video, click here.

Early Ramazzotti hit celebrates power of love

Prisencolinensinainciu-what?

Pop singer Adriano Celentano released a song in the 1970s with nonsense lyrics meant to sound like English. He did it to prove that Italians would embrace anything American. He was right. Prisencolinensinainciusol became a hit with ripple effects all the way through to today. We found several clips, all with a different twist. The best is this one, which can only be viewed on Facebook. (Don’t forget to turn the sound on.)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=266763840191660

If you don’t have Facebook, you’ll have to suffer through this bedazzled version with shoddy audio-visual synching.

Even with a much clearer audio on the studio version (no video here), you STILL can’t understand a word Celentano is saying.

Here he is on whatever the Italian version was of American Bandstand. One of the comments below the video is illuminating: “This is legitimately what English sounded like before I learned how to speak it. It’s a really fascinating thing since my brain processes this as being ‘English’ without it really being English.”

Then there’s this highly polished modern adaptation. (Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo appearance by Celentano later in the video.)

— Paul Basile

Embracing Sicily

Interested in reading about daily life in Italy in Italian? In her blog “Sicily Inside and Out,” Australian expat Rochelle Del Borrello describes her 16-year experience living in a small town in Sicily. “A few years ago, I began writing about the difficulties of being an accidental or ‘unwilling expat’ in Sicily, but now my life is about accepting and embracing life in Italy,” she writes. Always telling it like it is, Rochelle’s vignettes have a unique perspective and subtle humor. Check out the “in italiano” tab for Italian-only blogs. For more, click here.

— Kathryn Occhipinti

Reimagining Campari

We all know Campari for its iconic Italian apéritifs. Recently, the brand teamed up with Rome’s Cinecittà Studios to create enchanting short films to promote its cocktails. The series, “Red Diaries,” consists of works by contemporary Italian directors Matteo Garrone (“Gomorrah”), Stefano Sollima (“Suburra”) and Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino (“The Great Beauty”). Each inspired by a specific Campari cocktail, the films are psychological thrillers that contain a strong element of mystery. The website also features recipes for its cocktails, including the legendary Negroni and Americana as well as the Campari story with past art and film campaigns. For more, click here.

— Jeannine Guilyard

Remembering nonna

Frank Fariello began his food blog in 2009 “to recapture something.” What he has recaptured is revealed in the blog’s name, Memorie di Angelina. It began as a tribute to the home cooking of this grandmother Angelina. “I learned the importance of good food at those leisurely Sunday dinners, the kind that … last well into the evening.” After 10 years he has published more than 500 recipes and maintained his loyalty to authentic Italian and Italian-American home cooking. Beyond recipes, Frank tells food stories with a focus on the experience of cooking. Because he still practices law full time, he doesn’t post as frequently as full-time bloggers, but he honors his readers by not monetizing the site in any way. He accepts no ads or sponsored reviews. There is so much more to learn about Frank and Angelina on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. For more, click here.

— Dolores Sennebogen

In Hadrian’s footsteps

Carole, who is French and lives in Frankfurt, Germany, has two great passions in life — travel and the Roman Emperor Hadrian. In her words, she “usually (doesn’t) do things by halves,” so she’s combined these two fascinations into a blog/photography project showcased at followinghadrian.com. Carole takes inspiration for her peregrinations from the journeys of Hadrian, himself an inveterate traveler. Nearly 2,000 years after his reign, she follows in his footsteps, documenting her voyages with photos. It’s fascinating to see what those historic sites look like today, paired with descriptions of the events that happened during Hadrian’s time. For more, click here.

— James Scalzitti

Boccaccio reimagined

Boccaccio’s 14th-century masterpiece “The Decameron” follows a group of Italians who are leaving the city for the countryside to escape the plague and decide to tell stories to pass the time. Feeling isolated during the pandemic, longtime collaborators Erri De Luca and Paola Porrini Bisson took a page from Boccacio’s book and invited an international group of authors, journalists, poets and playwrights to write stories that would then be interpreted by actors from around the world. Each tale is accompanied by a bold, impressionistic backdrop created by LA artist Richard Petit. The resulting project, “The Decameron 2020,” included six stories ranging in length from 2-1/2 to 7 minutes at press time, with more to come. Most are performed in English or with English subtitles. For more, click here.

— Paul Basile

Virtual ticket to Italy

If you love Italy, the Italian language, or Italians in general, The Local Italy (thelocal.it) is your ticket to keeping up with them. The site offers news and features about the latest Italian trends, why Italy needs to repair more bridges before they fail, what the pope is up to, drool-worthy Italian travel pics and the occasional explainer about Italian politics (as if they can be explained). One classic Local Italy article teased, “People No Longer Laugh When You Order Penne.” In Italian, double consonants like the “nn” in penne are pronounced more strongly than single consonants. It’s important to speak it carefully, the article suggested, so the waiter understands you’re ordering pasta and not a part of the male anatomy that is impolite to speak of in finer restaurants. For more, click here.

— Pam DeFiglio

— Jeannine Guilyard

To bee or not to bee

Alice Rohrwacher’s “Le meraviglie” (The Wonders) centers on a family of beekeepers living in stark isolation in the Tuscan countryside. The dynamic of their overcrowded household is disrupted by a troubled teenage boy who is taken in as a farmhand while a reality TV show is intent on profiling the family. Both events impact the eldest daughter, Gelsomina, who is struggling to find her purpose in the world. Rohrwacher gracefully conveys her adolescent sense of curiosity and confusion. The film, which features Rohrwacher sister Alba, won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered. Available on Vudu, YouTube, iTunes and Google Play.

When Rosemary Molloy clicked on a website promising authentic Italian recipes, she said to herself, “No, that’s not right.” That moment back in 2013 inspired her to create her own site, “An Italian in My Kitchen.” Her first teacher was her Italian mother in Toronto. When Molloy moved to Italy in 1989, her education continued. “My mother-in-law and sister-in-law sure know how to cook,” she said. “I learned so much and tasted some of the best food I ever had in my life.” She took baking classes along the way to expand her expertise. Her blog is geared toward cooks of all skill levels, and her website is easy to navigate in search of cooking tips or appealing classic recipes. Molloy is also the author of a cookbook, “Authentic Italian Desserts,” plus an e-book, “It’s All About Pasta.” (anitalianinmykitchen.com)

— Dolores Sennebogen

Who needs words when you have Italy’s vast language of expressive hand gestures? Just ask these Italian toddlers.

Even when Italian kids learn to “use their words,” their bodies are a big part of the conversation.

You’d think that ALL Italian adults would hate ALL American junk food. Some of their reactions may surprise you.

And now, for a kid’s perspective.

ARRANGIARSI — What would you do if you were under quarantine in Sicily and you and your twin brother both played the violin?

VA PENSIERO — Italy’s legendary Frecce Tricolori send spirits soaring during a stirring aerial display.

LUNGA DISTANZA — Talk about social distancing! A pair of Italian tennis players rewrite the rules of engagement.

CENT’ANNI! — Nothing can keep Italians from their wine or their toasts.

VISTA CELESTE — Longing for a glimpse of Italy? You can still gaze down from above thanks to these breathtaking videos taken via drone by Parker and Clayton Calvert.

ALL’INTERNO DI POMPEII — While you’re traveling Italy via computer, take this captivating tour of Pompeii, courtesy of Corriere della Sera. To view, click here.

MANGIA BENE! — Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura prepares gourmet meals with whatever’s in the fridge while sheltering at home.

BELLI RICORDI — Photographer Steve McCurry helps us remember Italy before the crisis.

BUONA PASQUA, PRIMA PARTE — Andrea Bocelli’s live-stream Easter concert was a global blockbuster.

BUONA PASQUA, SECONDA PARTE — Cancelled for the first time in hundreds of years, Florence’s spectacular Easter festivities lives on thanks to filmmaker David Battistella.

VIVA LA MUSICA! — Hats off to Italymagazine.com for compiling a list of online concerts posted by opera houses across Italy. Click here for their article.