As a child growing up in Chicago's Sauganash neighborhood, Elena Gatti leaned into art after struggling with words and numbers because of dyslexia. Now, at 26, Gatti has designed tour merchandise and posters for Harry Styles and indie bands Mt. Joy and Maggie Rogers. "Seeing the 'Love On Tour' merch come to life was the most surreal thing," said Ga...

International Wine Expo will make its grand return to Chicago October 22-23, marking Vinitaly's debut in the US, which remains the leading market for Italian wine, and providing a dynamic platform for top buyers and authentic Italian wine and oil producers and brands to connect, with its unique lounge-style setting. The expo offers on and off-premi...

Marcello Alecci joined the staff of the Scientific Attaché at the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago in May 2023. Alecci holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from “La Sapienza” University of Rome and a PhD in Biomedical Physics and Bio-Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland (1998). A full professor at the University of L’Aquila, h...

A restaurant serving Italian arancini stuffed with flavors from various cultures recently opened in Lakeview. Amici, 3933 N. Broadway, opened Sept. 2, replacing a Harold’s Chicken Shop. The carryout restaurant serves arancini, deep-fried balls of risotto with a stuffed center, featuring flavors from a variety of cultures, said owner Alfio Sciacca....

A new era of political engagement dawned on Aug. 8 when the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosted its inaugural Government Relations Luncheon. More than 100 public officials at every level of local government converged on the Des Plaines Theatre for the event, which honored State Rep. Anthony DeLuca and former county official turned pol...

Casa Italia’s popular film series will start later this year due to the high level of activity at the Casa during Italian American Heritage Month. A pair of films will screen in November, followed by another pair in January. The series is made possible through the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Chicago. “Palio” will be screened on N...

What’s an ethnic group to do when its icons are under assault? There’s the traditional approach, which relies heavily on anger-fueled protest marches. Then there’s the Enza Raineri way. If you were to codify the crisis management playbook of this longtime government official turned political consultant, it would read something like this: Get your f...

Midwesterners, rejoice! If seeing the Colosseum in Rome is on your travel wishlist, you'll have a new – and great – option to fly to Italy next year. Italian carrier ITA Airways announced this week it'll launch nonstop nonstop flights between Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and Rome (FCO) beginning April 7, 2024.  The airline will fly that route six times a w...

The Italian Trade Agency of NY is pleased to announce its third edition of "THE ITALIAN RESTAURANTS TODAY" project, a series of virtual and in person masterclasses, hosted by awarded chefs, for aspiring and professional chefs and hospitality professionals, to enhance the awareness of authentic Made in Italy products, culinary techniques and present...

This October, Eataly Chicago introduces a second iteration of Icons of Eataly, a program which celebrates Italian dishes and ingredients. Following the success of its inaugural series in May 2023, which featured the stories of six pasta dishes, the new edition will focus on Italy’s pizza. Icons of Eataly: Pizza Edition will highlight six kinds of N...