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.)
Related upcoming events
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01/22/2022 10:00 AM - 01/22/2022 10:45 AM“Writing the Italian in Your Memories”: Fall Edition
Laboratorio di Scrittura, Writing Workshop
Saturdays, January 8, 22 and 29, 2021: 10:00-11:45amThe workshop will take place in the cottage on the left side of the mansion, which can be reached by following the paved sidewalk and stairs.
No experience necessary, just a notebook and pen!
When we look back on our past, whether a year or decades ago, our stories are often intertwined with our culture—its richness, expectations, challenges and humor. During each workshop, led by author Maria Giura, we’ll focus on how one aspect of Italian American (IA) life—identity, travel, holidays—forms the background or foreground of our memories.
We’ll read and discuss short, vibrant excerpts written by IA authors. Participants will then be given prompts to generate their own writing and, by the end of each workshop, will have produced an original piece of writing. In-person enrollment limited to 10 participants. P.S. You don’t have to be Italian to write about how Italy may be part of your memories!
Register for one, two, or all three workshops.
Part 1: Sat., Jan. 8
Part 2: Sat. Jan. 22
Part 3: Sat. Jan. 29 -
01/25/2022 7:00 PM - 01/25/2022 9:00 PMCommemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day • Tuesday, Jan. 25th at 7pm
Screening of “Our Hebrews” and Q&A session live from Tel Aviv with the director Naor Meningher.
Proof of vaccination is required for all guests.
‘Little Jerusalem’, that is how the locals refer to the town of Pitigliano in southern Tuscany, because of its striking resemblance to Israel’s ancient city. Through the medieval stone walls, the fascinating story of 400 years of harmonic co-existence between Jews and Christians is told for the first time, leading to the heroic acts done by the locals during the time of the Holocaust.
Watch the trailer Here: https://youtu.be/gfpJgAW8ER8
Naor Meningher is an award-winning filmmaker and content creator. He graduated from Steve Tisch Film School at Tel Aviv University in 2016, and his short films “The Rat’s Dilemma”, “An Old Score” and “Our Hebrews” were screened in dozens of festivals and won several awards.
Naor is the co-host of the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast and the creator of the Italy Guy vlog on Youtube.
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01/29/2022 10:00 AM - 01/29/2022 11:45 AM“Writing the Italian in Your Memories”: Fall Edition
Laboratorio di Scrittura, Writing Workshop
Saturdays, January 8, 22 and 29, 2021: 10:00-11:45amThe workshop will take place in the cottage on the left side of the mansion, which can be reached by following the paved sidewalk and stairs.
No experience necessary, just a notebook and pen!
When we look back on our past, whether a year or decades ago, our stories are often intertwined with our culture—its richness, expectations, challenges and humor. During each workshop, led by author Maria Giura, we’ll focus on how one aspect of Italian American (IA) life—identity, travel, holidays—forms the background or foreground of our memories.
We’ll read and discuss short, vibrant excerpts written by IA authors. Participants will then be given prompts to generate their own writing and, by the end of each workshop, will have produced an original piece of writing. In-person enrollment limited to 10 participants. P.S. You don’t have to be Italian to write about how Italy may be part of your memories!
Register for one, two, or all three workshops.
Part 1: Sat., Jan. 8
Part 2: Sat. Jan. 22
Part 3: Sat. Jan. 29 -
01/31/2022 7:00 PM - 01/31/2022 9:00 PMMaking Fresh Mozzarella Knots
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02/01/2022 4:00 PM - 02/01/2022 5:00 PMMake your own Stromboli
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02/07/2022 All day
Italian Citizenship by Descent or by Marriage – Are you eligible for dual citizenship?
Starting Monday, January 10, you can schedule private appointments at Casa Belvedere to determine the first steps of your journey to become an Italian citizen.You can apply for recognition of your Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis (by descent) or Jure Matrimonii (by marriage). During this first appointment, you will learn whether or not you are eligible to apply. You must bring photocopies of birth certificates (or at least the date and place of birth) of your parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who was an Italian citizen when their child was born. Also, bring a copy, or an approximate date, of their naturalization either in the United States or in another country.
On select Mondays, you can book a 30-minute appointment (you can book two slots if you feel you need more time) with Carla Megale Di Tommaso, who will review the process with you. The price for your first consultation is $25.
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02/07/2022 7:00 PM - 02/07/2022 9:00 PMCelebrate Valentine’s Day with red velvet cake
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02/08/2022 4:00 PM - 02/08/2022 5:00 PMValentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookies
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02/21/2022 7:00 PM - 02/21/2022 9:00 PMPasta Nera: Black fresh tagliatelle with lightly spiced tomato sauce
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02/22/2022 4:00 PM - 02/22/2022 5:00 PMStuffed shells with ricotta and spinach in marinara sauce
