A big part of the "fun" for me when I produce shows is being able to work with the acts that I love. At 59 years of age and a classic rocker from the '70s, I have a deep appreciation for those musical acts that paved the way for today's entertainers. One of those groups that I grew up really enjoying was one that nobody realized just how popular th...

The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago and the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, announce a series of initiatives that will take place on November 13-19, presented on the occasion of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, a yearly initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The theme sele...

The difficult wine season in the United States, the first country in the world in terms of both imports - with $7.3 billion in 2022 - and wine lovers, with 4.5 billion bottles uncorked, is confirmed, even when tested by actual consumption. According to the Uiv-Vinitaly Observatory, which, for the Vinitaly-International Wine Expo in Chicago, process...

Chicago has one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country, so locals know a good bowl of pasta when they see (and smell) it. There are remarkable trattorias in virtually every neighborhood of the city—some are newcomers while others date back almost a century. Want to feel like family over a glass of wine and a bowl of red sauce? T...

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...