Spring: It’s a time of renewal when the sap rises, flowers bloom, and one’s “fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” (Thank you, Alfred, Lord Tennyson.) Fittingly, the University of Iowa Opera’s spring production is a love story — or more accurately, a story of love, redemption, and loss: Giuseppe Verdi’s "La Traviata." The 170th anniversary of i...

Sad news for fans of The Old Spaghetti Works in Des Moines. The 45-year-old restaurant on Court Avenue permanently closed after business on Monday night. “Spaghetti Works will be closing its door permanently March 27, 2023,” a sign on the front door stated in all caps on Tuesday morning. “We appreciate the business and the regulars we all have gott...

After a phenomenal opening weekend, Grinnell College's Emma DiGiacomo-Zahller '24 has received recognition from the Midwest Conference. DiGiacomo-Zahller, a utility player from Arvada, Colo. (J.K. Mullen), was named the league's Position Player of the Week after batting .667 with a 1.000 on-base percentage in four games at the Rochester Dome Tourna...

Saturday, March 4, 2023, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST. A.H. Blank Golf Course 808 County Line Road Des Moines, IA 50320. La Festa della Donna Day, also known as International Women's Day, is celebrated in March annually in the United States and in Italy. IAWI will be celebrating this day for all Italian American ladies and for our future generations with...

The Feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated annually on March 19th. The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa traditionally celebrates this beautiful feast day with a St. Joseph’s Altar. This year, because of the unavailability of our facility due to imminent renovation, we are making plans to celebrate our event in a different manner.

If you want great Italian food in Des Moines, you’re spoiled for choice! It seems like a new beloved pizzeria or pasta house crops up every year – and most of them stick around! That’s because classic Italian food stands the test of time, which is why Iowa has countless Italian-American restaurants that have been around since the mid-20th century....

A taste of Italy has arrived in Oskaloosa (IA), thanks to a woman with a vision of bringing Italian culture and cuisine to the heart of the Midwest. Paola Cipollina grew up in Genoa, Italy, an entire ocean away from small town Iowa. Her career, first in the fashion industry, then in film making, has led her to Milan, Italy; Los Angeles, California;...

A New York City-based pizzeria is finally making its way to the Hawkeye State! We have quite a few big pizza chains here in the state of Iowa: Little Caesars, Happy Joe's, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Casey's, Papa Murphy's, Papa Johns - but one place we don't have is Grimaldi's Pizzeria... yet! Thanks to a new article from the Corridor Business Journal, w...

Tourists would never guess this, but a little-known fact about Des Moines is that it’s home to some of the best Italian cuisine in the Midwest. A melting pot of different cheeses, meats, and sauces that are just as delicious as they are addicting. It’s the Land of Graziano’s and Home of the Steak de Burgo. From the chicken parmesan smothered in red...

It's been a big year for all of us, but for Barilla, the last few months alone have been particularly eventful. In September, the pasta brand launched a "Pasta Season Pack" in anticipation of National Pasta Month. Earlier this month, Barilla released a new premium pasta line called "Al Bronzo," which boasts shapes like Bucatini, Fusilli, and Penne...