When Viviana Altieri journeyed from Rome, Italy to Pittsburgh, PA, on a dare nearly 30 years ago, she could never have imagined staying in the United States and pursuing the life of a “Professional Italian American.”  But this week’s guest is a natural-born adventurer, and her many incredible journeys seeking out the essence of what it means to “be...

When: Thursday, Jun. 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Where: Heinz History Center - Ticvketing: $15 non-members, $10 members, $5 students with ID Discover the history of the Pinza family’s tremendous artistic impact on the field of opera in Pittsburgh from guest speaker and Pinza’s grandson Samuele Bozzolla. Hear the story of Italian-born opera singer Ezio Pin...

Dreams do come true. Just ask Italian American and former Team Italy player Drew Maggi, who made his big league debut with the Pirates on April 26 after spending 13 years in the minor leagues. At 33 years old, he never held out hope that he would reach this level, and he experienced it with his family in attendance. Fans showered him with admiratio...

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 6:00 PM EDT. Heinz History Center - 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA. Register here. Join the History Center’s Italian American Program for a reception with representatives from the National Italian American Foundation. During the meet and greet, attendees will learn more about how our organizations work to preserve and sh...

Pineapple on pizza. The perpetual quarrel. And in the case of Rome's Habakkuk Baldonado, perhaps something of a repellent compromise facing relatives who may wish to visit the NFL prospect. Baldonado grew up worshipping Francesco Totti, before wanting to be Ray Lewis. He grew up conditioned to vilify pineapple on pizza, before living among American...

Pittsburgh is a city of bridges, around six hundred of them, spanning rivers and valleys, joining geographically separated neighborhoods. And on March 31, 2023, another bridge was erected in Pittsburgh joining its Italian and Italian-American communities to the nation of Italy. Istituto Mondo Italiano, led by the Executive Director Viviana Altieri,...

This new interview is particularly dear to me for three reasons. The first is that it tells how even young Italians can be guided to learn about the sacrifice that thousands of American heroes made to liberate Italy. The second is that very often I get suggested interviews that are not exactly in the flow of this column, which explores new and spec...

While the rest of the city was in a shamrock haze, Friday was a school night of sorts for La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Galilei. The Italian Language School Cultural Association held its first fundraiser on St. Patrick’s Day at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. The evening included a dinner followed by a concert with Patrizio Buanne. Amon...

A hub for pizza and Steelers pride is preparing to close its doors. Vento’s Pizza on North Highland Avenue in East Liberty announced that it will turn out the lights on Saturday after nearly seven decades of slinging handmade pizzas and hoagies. “The family recipe has stood the test of time, and the quality has kept people coming back for more,” ac...

Pitt-Johnstown’s Pat Pecora, the winningest coach in all levels of collegiate wrestling, was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Super Region I coach of the year for the 21st time in his career at East Stroudsburg University. Pecora led his Mountain Cats to a 15-0 dual meet record and a share of the program’s seventh consecutive...