Antica Barberia Giacalone: Deco Art in Genoa’s alleyways
Antica Barberia Giacalone is a historical barbershop in the city center of Genoa, a stone’s throw from the San Lorenzo Cathedral. It is a gem, wrapped in the narrow alleyways of the Ligurian city. Established in 1882, it was renovated over a century later, in 1992, by the owner’s son Italo – also thanks to funding from the Amici del FAI association...
Sample la dolce vita at Caffe Marche
Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette made a much-celebrated stop at the James Pharmacy building in Old Saybrook in 1824. Picture his surprise if he were to wander in today and see the chic Italian coffee house now situated in it. The building’s latest incarnation as Caffe Marche (and its sister business, the James Pharmacy Bed & Breakfast) a...
This Is Ralph Lauren’s Barber
Clemente Dimonda climbed into the barber chair, explaining how he came to operate a barbershop in Manhattan, and to cut the hair of a generation of men’s wear executives, including Ralph Lauren. “I used to work on Jamaica Avenue,” in Queens, Mr. Dimonda said. “One of the old men, Sicilian guy, he used to work in the shop where I used to work.” In t...
When barbarians ruled the Big Easy
It was nearly midnight on Oct. 15, 1890, as David Hennessy, the young New Orleans police chief, walked home in a drizzle after a late meeting of the police board. Hennessy was without his usual armed escort as he approached the Basin St. house he shared with his widowed mother. The chief had use for bodyguards. In New Orleans, he was the face of...
Zampognari: the bagpipes and the pilgrimage around the Italian streets
During the Christmas period there are still many rituals and traditions that are held in the squares and streets of the Italian cities. One of the typical figures at this time of the year are the bagpipers who travel throughout Italy playing the Zampogna and the bagpipes. Italian traditions will guide you on the discovery of this pastoral tradition...
Marc Forgione and His Legendary Father to Open Big Meatpacking District Restaurant
Chef Marc Forgione — most known for being on the Next Iron Chef and his eponymous NYC restaurant — is branching out again. The chef-restaurateur is teaming up with his decorated and influential father and chef Larry Forgione and the Butter Group of popular clubby spots like 1Oak for a new restaurant called Davide. The restaurant will serve Italian-...
Christmastime in Naples: Jesus, Mary and Ronaldo
Up and down this cramped pedestrian street there are little clay statues of Cristiano Ronaldo, unmistakable in their form: legs spread shoulder-width apart, arms shooting at the ground, hair gelled into a luscious wave. There are also fat Ronaldos; weirdly skinny Ronaldos; Ronaldos with faces that resemble “The Scream,” by Edvard Munch; and many, m...
Italian guitarist and vocalist Beppe Gambetta performs at old town school of music
Wednesday January 30, 8:30pm. Old Town School of Music, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago (IL). Entrance: Free. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2019/01-30-2019-wmw-beppe-gambetta/ Presented in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute. Beppe Gambetta is a guitarist, vocalist, researcher and composer...
Nissoli (FI): È ora di riaprire il Consolato di Newark!
“Prima di Natale, ho voluto depositare una interrogazione al Ministro degli Esteri per chiedere la riapertura del Consolato italiano di Newark, visto che in questi anni gli iscritti all’AIRE, in New Jersey, sono anche aumentati ed il Consolato Generale di New York è oberato di lavoro con un organico insufficiente per trattare, in maniera efficiente...
Creekwood brings Neapolitan pizza and fresh pasta to South Berkeley
Hungry? A new neighborhood Italian spot has you covered. The newcomer, called Creekwood, is located at 3121 Sacramento St. (between Woolsey and 67th streets). Located in a former bike shop, the interior boasts some unique details, like walls of old growth reclaimed wood, custom iron and woodwork, and lighting made from sandblasted Jack Daniels bott...
Padua Astronomical Clock
Sitting on the clock tower in Piazza dei Signori, the astronomical clock of Padua was built in 1344 and is one of the oldest clocks in the world still in working order. The designer, Jacopo de’Dondi, became so famous for this work that his family name was later changed to “Dondi dell’Orologio,” or “Dondi of the Clock.” The magnificent timepiece has...
Journey through the Nativity scenes in Italy
That of the nativity scene is a tradition strongly rooted in the culture and society of Italy. It is considered to date back to year 1223, when San Francesco is credited to have created in the village of Greccio the “presepe” by reconstructing the nativity scene with living animals and real people. The first known nativity, with reconstruction of t...