The Italian Cultural Foundation

Yoga
2025-12-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-08 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-01 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-11-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-11-17 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Casa Belvedere, 79 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY, 10301, United States
FITNESS AT CASA BELVEDERE
Monday at 6:30pm-7:30pm
$20.00 members/$25.00 nonmembers
Age 14 and up
Register Here!

Pilates
2025-12-20 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-11-22 09:30 - 10:30
FITNESS AT CASA BELVEDERE

If paying cash at the door per class: $20 members / $25 nonmembers
Saturdays 9:30-10:30am

Pilates works to tone, stretch and elongate the muscles through focused alignment, coordinated breathing, and stability. Pilates is a low-impact class for all levels.

Mat class: Personal mat recommended. No equipment required.
Prior registration is strongly encouraged. Although drop-ins are welcome to pay at the door, the class may be canceled if we do not have enough registered participants.
Register Here!

Struffoli Making
2025-12-16 19:00 - 21:00
Struffoli Making
Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 7 to 9 in Cucina Colavita
$80 members, $100 non-members

Join us for a delightful culinary class to discover the secrets behind Struffoli, also known as Italian Honey Balls! This traditional Neapolitan dessert, popular during the holidays, consists of tiny dough balls that are deep-fried until crispy and golden, coated in a warm, citrus-infused honey glaze, and decorated with festive sprinkles.

Learn how to create and roll the perfect struffoli dough from scratch.
Observe expert tips for frying the dough balls to a light, crispy perfection.
Discover the secret to a flavorful honey glaze.
See how to artfully arrange the struffoli into a traditional towering cone or wreath shape, perfect for a holiday centerpiece. This beloved Italian treat is said to represent prosperity and abundance.

This class is a wonderful way to connect with a cherished family tradition and learn a skill you can share with your loved ones for years to come.

Register Here!

Tombola Game Night
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:30
Tombola Game Night
Tuesday, December 16 from 6:30 to 8;30 PM in the Galleria
Free for members, $10 donation for non-members. Tombola cards must be purchased for each round at $3 each.

Beatrice Alecci returns to lead another fun evening of Tombola at Casa Belvedere! Snacks, drinks will be available for purchase – cash preferred. Tombola is a game that originated in Southern Italy. Similar to bingo, the game is fun to play, easy to learn, and appropriate for all ages. The game begins when the person holding the cartellone (big board) takes numbers out of the sack one at a time, calling them loudly, placing them on their box in the cartellone, and leaving time for players to mark the number on their card/s. In order to win, players must have one of the following:

AMBO - 2 numbers on the same row
TERNO - 3 numbers on the same row
QUATERNA - 4 numbers on the same row
CINQUINA - 5 numbers on the same row
TOMBOLA - all numbers on the card

Each game ends when all 90 numbers are drawn or when a Tombola winner is declared, whichever comes first.

Register Here!

Adult Cooking Class
2025-12-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00
Adult and children’s cooking classes are held on Mondays and select Tuesdays.
Children classes meet from 4 to 5 pm. Adult classes meet from 7 to 9 pm.
All cooking classes are held in Cucina Colavita, a custom teaching kitchen.
Classes are led by Kim Leo, chef and owner of Kim’s Kitchen & Catering by Kim Cooks, and a licensed food handler.
Each person participates in hands-on cooking!
Everyone will taste the recipe created by Chef Kim.
Then, after cooking your own dish, you take it home with you!
Class sizes are limited. If your desired class is sold out,
add your name to the wait list as more classes may become available.
Call the Foundation office at 718-273-7660.
Culinary Program Cancellation Policy:
There are no refunds for cancellations or no-shows.
Credits for future programs will be issued only if you cancel 48 hours prior to your registered program.
To cancel your registration, call the Foundation office at 718-273-7660.
Please note that Casa Belvedere’s cooking class prices have increased due to the rising cost of food supplies
Register Here!

Sound Therapy
2025-12-15 19:00 - 20:00
Sound Therapy
Monday, December 15 • 7:00-8:00 pm
$25 members, $35 non-members

Join us in a deeply immersive full body listening experience that uses a variety of instruments. Quartz crystal sound bowls, chimes, a crystal pyramid and other sound vibrations invite gentle, yet powerful, therapeutic and restorative processes, which nurture your mind and body. When you sink into a sound bath, you allow your brain waves to slow, shifting from a more active state to a more relaxed meditative state, realigning and balancing your energy body.

This event is perfect for the hectic holiday season!

Register Here!

Children's Cooking Class
2025-12-15 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-01 16:00 - 17:00

Young DaVinci’s Kids Art Program
2025-12-09 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-12-02 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-11-25 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-11-18 15:30 - 17:00
Young DaVinci’s Kids Art Program, for children ages 6 to 12
Six Tuesdays from Tuesday, Nov. 4th through Dec. 16 th
3:30 – 5:00 PM in the Galleria
$200 members, $250 non-members

The popular Young da Vinci’s Art Academy for children ages 6 to 12 returns to Casa Belvedere for an all-new fall session! Immerse your child in the many wonderful aspects of Italian artisanship. Children will create art projects that will later be displayed in a cumulation Art Show.

Week 1: The Power of Light & Shadow – Charcoal Drawing
Students will explore chiaroscuro, Da Vinci’s dramatic use of light and dark, in a charcoal drawing of a hand, face, or still life. They will practice shading, blending, and capturing form with bold contrast.
Week 2: Portraits of Genius
*New students will paint their own Mona Lisa–inspired portrait, capturing her mysterious smile. *Returning students will create a Renaissance Mash-Up, blending characters and scenes into imaginative portraits.
Week 3: The Wall & The Sky
Students will create a mini fresco on wood panels, learning how Renaissance artists painted directly into wet plaster. They will paint imaginative Da Vinci skies, filled with birds, clouds, and flying machines.
Week 4: Drawing Water with Energy
Using watercolor, students will study how water moves—waves, rivers, and splashes—and capture its energy on paper. They will learn techniques for flow, movement, and blending to mimic the power of nature.
Week 5: Invention Workshop – Da Vinci’s Self-Propelled Car
Inspired by Leonardo’s sketches, students will design and build their own mini-Renaissance car powered by rubber bands. They will learn about wheels, axles, propulsion, and design while adding creative decorations.
Week 6: Art Show!

Register here!

Adult Language Class
2025-12-08 16:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-01 16:30 - 21:00, 2025-11-24 16:30 - 21:00
FALL SESSION
Classes run 8 weeks • Oct. 20 – Dec. 8
$275 members, $300 non-members
Monday • 7:00-8:00 pm Beginner Adult
A full-immersion cultural and language program designed to develop communication skills in Italian. The course introduces the basics of grammar, from definite and indefinite articles to regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, as well as idiomatic expressions and adjectives. Students will also practice listening, reading and comprehension through music, songs, articles and short texts, building vocabulary and improving pronunciation. Together, these essential elements will provide the foundation needed to communicate effectively and engage comfortably in everyday Italian conversations.

Monday • 5:45-6:45 pm Intermediate Adult
This cultural and language program is designed for students who have completed the first semester of Italian or for those who simply wish to expand their knowledge and skills in speaking the language. The course will focus on intermediate grammar, including simple and articulated prepositions as well as regular and irregular verbs in the past tense. In addition, students will practice listening, conversation, reading and comprehension through music, songs, articles, and short texts. The program aims to build vocabulary, strengthen pronunciation, and provide all the essential tools needed to communicate, discuss, and express oneself confidently in Italian.

Monday • 4:30-5:30 Advanced Adult
This cultural and language program is designed for students who have completed the second semester of Italian- or anyone eager to take their Italian to the next level. Together, we’ll dive into advanced grammar, from mastering tricky pronouns to working with regular and irregular verbs in the future and conditional tenses. But besides grammar it will focus on conversation, reading, listening, and comprehension. Through music, videos, and engaging texts, you’ll expand your vocabulary, sharpen your grammar, and gain confidence in your pronunciation while experiencing the richness of Italian language and culture.

Register here!

An Evening with Tenuta Torciano: A Tuscan Wine Experience
2025-12-03 19:00 - 21:00
An Evening with Tenuta Torciano: A Tuscan Wine Experience
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm
MEMBERS: $90 per person
NON-MEMBERS: $110 per person

Join us at Casa Belvedere for a truly memorable evening as we welcome Tenuta Torciano Winery from the heart of Tuscany. Just in time for the holiday season, this exclusive wine tasting will feature a curated selection of the winery’s finest reds and whites, each poured and presented with insight into the Giachi family’s centuries-old winemaking traditions.

Guests will enjoy light bites thoughtfully paired to enhance the flavors of each wine, creating a full sensory experience that captures the essence of Tuscany. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking to celebrate the season in style, this evening promises elegance, conviviality, and a taste of la dolce vita.
Raise a glass, discover new favorites, and embrace the magic of the holidays with friends, family, and fellow wine lovers at Casa Belvedere!

Register Here!

La Dolce Lettura Book Club
2025-12-02 19:00 - 21:00
La Dolce Lettura Book Club: “Winter Street” by Elin Hildebrand

Tuesday, December 2
7 to 9:00 PM
The Galleria
$0 Members, $10 Non-Members

Join us as we celebrate another wonderful year of La Dolce Lettura Book Club! Our December selection, Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand, is a heartwarming holiday story that captures the chaos, humor, and love of a perfectly imperfect family Christmas on Nantucket. Filled with charm, drama, and festive spirit, it’s a delightful reminder that even the messiest holidays can bring us closer together. You can find the book at the NYPL, Barnes & Noble, The Little Boho Bookshop, or Amazon.

Register Here!

Chocolate Creations
2025-11-24 16:00 - 17:30
Chocolate Creations for Kids
Monday, November 24 • 4 to 5:30 pm

$50 members/$60 non-members
Ages: 6 & up

Children will create their own yummy Thanksgiving treats with Staten Island Chocolatier Denise Willis.

Register here!

Revision
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:00
Writing Your Memories Fall Edition: Monthly Virtual Writing Workshop with author Maria Giura

Revision

Saturday, November 22, 2025
10 am to noon via Zoom
$20 Members, $30 Non-Members

Do you have a piece of writing you’ve already started, that you’d like to pick up and receive help with/constructive feedback on? Join us for this supportive virtual workshop, which will leave you with concrete suggestions to get you closer to the truth of your own story—any genre. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be asked to email five days in advance a writing piece that is maximum 700 words. Participants need to have attended at least one Casa Belvedere Writing Workshop. Limited spots available.
(And don’t miss our other two Fall Writing Workshops: Sept. 20 and Oct. 18, both of which are generative—you’ll write new material.)
