Sergio Leone's original 'Once Upon a Time in America' out on DVD
Italian director Sergio Leone never saw the American version of his final film, the 1984 gangster epic "Once Upon a Time in America," starring Robert De Niro. Leone had already made painful trims in his favored four-hour-plus version to get the running time down to 3 hours and 49 minutes for its presentation at the 1984 Cannes Film Festiva...
A little Italy in St. Pete — St. Petersburg Opera’s Neapolitan Festival and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci
You know those Italian standards such as "O Sole Mio," "Come Back to Sorrento" and "Funiculì, Funiculà" — those tunes you hear everywhere, from TV commercials to movies to Italian restaurants to Looney Tunes cartoons? They all come from the heartfelt, seaside region of Naples, aka, Napoli (pictured above). If you have a soft spot for these...
A Look at the 2014 Feast of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco in New York City
By Giovanni di Napoli Sunday, October 26th, I made my way to Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe St.) in New York City, for the 113th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo Martire di Craco. Mass was celebrated in English and Italian by Rev. Monsignor Nicholas Grieco, who just happens to be of Cracotan descent. During his homily, Father Grieco gave an...
Taking a WAC at the Axis
"It's been 71 years. I can't believe it," said Josephine Ozzella Sirianni when referring to her date of enlistment in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II. Mrs. Sirianni, 94, of Olean, shared her story of serving as an interpreter in Italy during the war in commemoration of Veterans Day observed nationally on Tuesday. Read mor...
Come insegnare la lingua italiana in un’ora? Con “ABC” di Laura Caparrotti
Nel corso del mese appena trascorso San Francisco è stata il palcoscenico di molti eventi interessanti legati alla promozione della lingua italiana. Fra questi, ha riscosso un grande successo lo spettacolo "ABC l'Italiano si impara così", messo in scena presso l'Istituto Italiano di Cultura da Laura Caparrotti, Direttore Artistico di Kairo...
From Ben Hur to 007, Cinecittà welcomes back the international majors
by Silvia Simonetti Sometimes we are too prone to think that countries like Italy, rich in artistic, historical, natural, and culinary traditions, barely need any promotion as tourist destinations. Thanks to its stunning landscapes, fascinating lifestyle, and quality manufacturing, Italy is also supposed to attract investments and...
Lorain Montenero Italian Society keeps tradition of La Befana alive
Members of the Lorain Montenero Italian Society greeted La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch, at the annual Christmas dinner Dec. 7 at the Italian-American Veterans Post No. 1, 4567 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. "In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve, the night of Jan. 5, i...
The ministry of Economic development aims to increase the number of export-driven SMEs by 20,000
by Laura Cavestri The Italian Ministry of Economic Development said its year-long series of "Roadshow for SMEs internationalization" proves that trade groups can work together to help small- and medium-sized companies increase their exports. This year, 3113 businesses took part in the 12-meeting series of "roadshows" – the first s...
Could Buona Beef be the next Portillo's?
Turns out investors aren't just hungry for hot dogs. Some have a taste for Italian beef. Last spring, before a private-equity group paid an estimated $1 billion for Chicago-based Portillo's Restaurant Group, Joe Buonavolanto Jr. says investors began cold-calling his company, Berwyn-based Buona, purveyor of Buona Italian beef. "People were...
Locale 90’s true Italian cuisine in Redondo Beach
by Alyssa Morin There is no shortage of pizza in the South Bay but John and Jennifer Mentesana are doing things a bit differently at Locale 90 in Redondo Beach. The pizzeria and marketplace, focusing on Neopolitan-style pies and European food and wine products for sale, opened in July. The restaurant has been so successful in its firs...
An authentic Italian experience: Michelin puts Redwood City’s Donato Enoteca on 2015 Bib Gourmand list
Gregory Chang likes to take his clients to downtown Redwood City's Donato Enoteca to discuss business over an authentic Italian meal. But he also has lunch there at least twice a month all by himself because the food is so good. Read more Source: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/
Top 10 Italians at Sotheby's
by Tom Bruce Gardyne Sotheby's has just published its 2014 Ranking. While no Italian made their overall top 10 led by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, there is strong interest in the wines particularly in the States. "We do see the best market for Italian wine is New York," said Jamie Ritchie, president & CEO of America's and Asia, Sotheby's wine....