FREE Family Movie Night at Casa Belvedere
The Legend of The Christmas Witch
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 – Program begins at 5:30 pm
Plan a magical family movie night at Casa Belvedere on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to see “The Legend of the Christmas Witch,” which tells a story about La Befana. Click here to watch the trailer. Admission is free; proof of vaccination is required for all guests. Light refreshments will be available for sale.
By day Paola is a schoolteacher but at night she turns into the Christmas Witch, a magical creature who brings gifts to good children on Little Christmas Eve. One night she disappears, kidnapped by Mr. Johnny, a cruel Toymaker whose childhood was ruined by the Witch and now seeks revenge. Six brave students learn her secret and embark on a rescue mission. Can they save Paola, and Christmas?
Santa Claus is known worldwide, but Italian children also celebrate the Christmas season with La Befana, a kind old witch who visits Italian children on her magic broom. According to the Italian legend that dates back to the 13th century, La Befana refused to join the Wise Men on their journey to see the baby Jesus. She regretted her decision and set out to bring gifts to the Child, but never finds him. Instead, she left gifts for other children.
The legend continues that every Epiphany Eve (January 5th), the old, tattered Befana flies around the world and comes down chimneys to fill stockings with candy and gifts for children who have been good during the year. Naughty children receive lumps of coal (typically black candy that looks like rocks.)
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12/05/2022 4:00 PM - 12/05/2022 6:00 PM
Monday, December 5 • 4:00-5:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas cookies.
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12/05/2022 7:00 PM - 12/05/2022 9:00 PMMonday, December 5 • 7:00-9:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas baking: Sugar Cookies and Brutti ma Buoni!
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12/06/2022 4:00 PM - 12/06/2022 5:00 PM
Tuesday, December 6 • 4:00-5:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas cookies.
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12/06/2022 7:00 PM - 12/06/2022 9:00 PM
Tuesday, December 6 • 7:00-9:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas baking: Sugar Cookies and Brutti ma Buoni!
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12/06/2022 7:00 PM - 12/06/2022 9:00 PM
A special Author Visit
“Hotel of the Siren” presented by author Antoinette Carone
In-person event on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 pm
A limited number of books will be available for sale at this event – a great holiday gift!“Hotel of the Siren” is a work of literary fiction set mostly in Naples, Italy. Although it is the story of lovers, Naples itself is also a protagonist. In Naples, reality differs from appearance, fate operates relentlessly, and expectations are overturned.
The lovers’ story takes place sometime in the late 20th century but before cell phones and the internet became essential to daily life. Lucy, an artist’s wife, is unexpectedly widowed. At his funeral, Lucy watches a woman wearing a green scarf stand over his grave. While cleaning his studio, Lucy discovers an airline ticket to Naples, Italy. Her husband was planning to leave with his model, Mina. Lucy uses the ticket and goes to Naples instead.
There, Lucy reverts to her true name, Lucia. She resides in Hotel of the Siren, occupying one floor of an 18th-century building. Here she begins an affair with Antonio. There are things Lucia does not know about him, however. One is that Antonio’s father is plotting to acquire this building from its owner. The second is that Mina and Antonio are relatives.
In “Hotel of the Siren,” Naples is central to Lucia’s journey. The way of life and the history of this ancient city frame the narrative and elucidate the culture, revealing the city’s contrasts and contradictions.
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12/13/2022 5:30 PM - 12/13/2022 9:30 PM
Tombola and Christmas Social on Tuesday, Dec. 13
Doors open at 5:30 pm for a casual Holiday Social before the games begin. Christmas Market items, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase - cash preferred.
Tombola games begin at 6:30 pm. Entry: Members free; non-members $10 per person. Tombola cards must be purchased for each round at $3 each.
Tombola is a game that originated in Southern Italy. Similar to Bingo, the game is fun to play, easy to learn and for all ages. In order to win, players need to match a variety of winning combinations or patterns on cards. The game begins with a ball draw and ends when all 90 numbers are drawn or when a winner is declared for all the patterns of the game, whichever comes first.
