Zachery 'Zach' Ziemek, representing in Paris Olympics a taste of Modena Appennines emigration to US
The Modena Apennines in Emilia Romagna will be represented, albeit indirectly, at the now upcoming Paris Olympics. Indeed, on the U.S. Decathlon team will be a descendant on his mother's side of the Pasquesi lineage from Pievepelago. He is 31-year-old Zachery 'Zach' Ziemek, born in Itasca (Illinois), son of Victoria Pasquesi and grandson of Anthony...
Pistons extend qualifying offer to Italian SF Simone Fontecchio
The Detroit Pistons extended a qualifying offer to Simone Fontecchio, making him a restricted free agent. The Pistons announced the move Saturday ahead of NBA free agency. If Fontecchio receives an offer sheet next week or later this offseason, Detroit can match it and retain the 28-year-old Italian. The Pistons added Fontecchio in February from Ut...
Who will be crowned this year’s queen as "La Bella Regina"?
One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen pageant,” says Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Ame...
Venetian Night Organizers Plan ‘Salute to Italy’ in Boat Parade Set for July 20
Summertime in Chicago is in full effect, which means boating season for the luckiest of us. Boaters and lakefront enthusiasts alike can join in on the fun at the Venetian Night boat parade on Saturday, July 20, at Lake Michigan’s Monroe Harbor. Organized by Chicago Yacht Association, the Italian American Human Relations Foundation and the Chicago...
Conversation / Puccini Forever at Opera Festival of Chicago
The Italian Cultural Institute and Opera Festival of Chicago present an inspiring conversation about Giacomo Puccini, on the occasion of the 100th year anniversary of his passing. Specially, we will hear from world renowned tenor Jonathan Tetelman, who just finished singing the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly at the Met, and Oliver Camacho, h...
Relive the liberation of Italy in WWII!
“Mountainmen: Gothic Line 1945”. Des Plaines Theatre • 1476 Miner St. Des Plaines, IL. 7:30 p.m. • Thursday, June 20 Free seating • RESERVATIONS REQUIRED here. It took Allied forces nearly two brutal years from July 1943 to May 1945 to topple Mussolini’s regime and drive Hitler’s forces from the Italian peninsula during World War II. Key to their s...
Purdue motorsports program in Indianapolis partners with Dallara
Purdue University’s nationally renowned motorsports engineering program in Indianapolis has a new home with an internationally recognized motorsports manufacturer. On Thursday May 23, Purdue announced an innovative partnership with Dallara, the largest multinational Italian race car manufacturer, to house its motorsports program at Dallara’s U.S. h...
Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Annual Italian Songs and Arias Vocal Competition for High School Students
The Concert of the Finalists is always exciting event, sponsored by the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan, in collaboration with the Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation, the Italian American Cultural Society, the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, and Detroit Opera, under the auspices of the Italian Consulate of Italy in Detroit....
Zucchero brings world tour to Chicago on May 16
Live Italian music returns to Chicago this month as international superstar Zucchero brings his Overdose d’Amore World Tour to the Copernicus Center on Thursday, May 16. “Zucchero’s live show is one of the most electrifying, upbeat and exciting Italian musical experiences we bring to Chicago,” says Ron Onesti, promoter of the Chicago show. “Everyon...
Festa Italiana returns to the Summerfest grounds in 2024
Not only is Festa Italiana 2024 returning to the Henry W. Maier Festival Park, the Italian Community Center has announced that the event will kick off the ethnic festivals seasons, too, moving to spring. Festa Italiana – back on the Summerfest grounds for the first time since 2019 – will take place May 31-June 2. This year's “Little Italy on the La...
Concert / Puccini My Love (Chicago)
What happens when improvisation meets 19th century opera? When jazz meets Puccini? Something incredible and unique happens, giving birth to the project Puccini, My Love by the Italian duo Back-In-Time (B.I.T.). On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Giacomo Puccini, the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago in collaboration with F...
Andrea Bocelli joins ISO for Indy performance
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is returning to the city for a special performance with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra as part of his North American spring tour. Bocelli is joining the ISO for a concert at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 13. The singer made his ISO debut in December of 2022 with a variety of holiday music. The concert was so succe...