The Italian Cultural Foundation

Writing Memories of Spring: Generative
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Casa Belvedere, 79 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY, 10301, United States
Writing Memories of Spring: Generative
Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 am to noon via Zoom
$20 Members, $30 Non-Members

Do you have memories you’d like to capture or family stories you’ve been meaning to record? Or perhaps you’ve already begun a piece of writing and are looking for guidance and thoughtful feedback?
Join us for one—or all three—of these supportive virtual workshops, designed to inspire your creativity and help you move closer to the heart of your own stories. Each session offers seasonal writing prompts and practical, constructive suggestions in a welcoming environment.

Please note: Each workshop has its own separate registration page, so you must register individually for each date you wish to attend.

April 18 – Generative Workshop: Focused on creating new material through guided prompts

May 16 – Generative Workshop: Focused on creating new material through guided prompts

June 13 – Revision Workshop: Centered on feedback and refining an existing piece

Register Here!

Language • ADULT ITALIAN CLASSES
2026-05-18 17:45 - 20:00, 2026-06-01 17:45 - 20:00, 2026-06-08 17:45 - 20:00, 2026-06-15 17:45 - 20:00, 2026-06-22 17:45 - 20:00, 2026-06-29 17:45 - 20:00
SPRING SESSION
Classes run 8 weeks • May 4 to June 29 (no class 5/25)
$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/Advanced 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.

Register Here!

Yoga
2026-05-18 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-01 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-08 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-15 18:30 - 19:30
FITNESS AT CASA BELVEDERE

Mondays 6:30-7:30
$20.00 members/$25.00 nonmembers
Age 14 and up
Unwind as the sun sets over the harbor with a peaceful Sunset Yoga at Casa Belvedere. Set against sweeping views and golden evening light, this outdoor class invites you to slow down, stretch, and reconnect—blending gentle movement, breathwork, and mindfulness in a truly serene setting. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just beginning, this calming practice offers the perfect way to close your day with balance, beauty, and a sense of renewal.
Register Here!

Young DaVinci’s Kids Art Program
2026-05-19 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-05-26 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-06-02 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-06-09 15:30 - 17:00
Young DaVinci’s Kids Art Program, for children ages 5 and up
five-week program on Tuesday, May 12 through Tuesday, June 9
3:30 to 5:00 PM in the Galleria
$160 members, $210 non-members

For children ages 5 and up

Immerse your child in the many wonderful aspects of Italian artisanship, led by resident artist/teacher Lauren Lombardo. Each class meeting will feature a different theme. Children will create projects that will later be displayed in the cumulation Art Show. Program supplies are included.

Register Here!

Cook Well, Live Well: Spaghetti Squash Veggie Chicken Alfredo
2026-05-19 18:00 - 20:00
Cook Well, Live Well: Spaghetti Squash Veggie Chicken Alfredo
Tuesday, May 19 from 6 to 8 pm in Cucina Colavita
$100 members/$120 non-members

Join us for a fun and flavorful hands-on cooking experience with Health Coach Charlotte Sciarrino, where classic Italian comfort meets mindful, nourishing ingredients. Together, participants will prepare a delicious Spaghetti Squash Veggie Chicken Alfredo—a wholesome, veggie-forward twist on a traditional favorite—paired with a side and a feel-good, guilt-free dessert.

Following the cooking session, guests will enjoy the meal they’ve created with Charlotte in a relaxed, communal dining setting. House wine will be provided, making for an evening filled with good food, great company, and practical inspiration you can easily bring back to your own kitchen.

Register Here!

The Italian Daughter’s Cookbook: Authentic Calabrese Recipes
2026-05-22 12:00 - 14:00
POSTPONED: The Italian Daughter’s Cookbook: Authentic Calabrese Recipes
Cooking Demonstration & Book Signing
Friday, May 22 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm
$45 members/$55 non-members

Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience celebrating the bold, soulful flavors of Southern Italy with The Italian Daughter’s Cookbook: Authentic Calabrese Recipes. Author Cathy Coluccio Fazzolari of the renowned D. Coluccio & Sons, Inc. invites you into her family’s kitchen, where generations of Calabrese tradition come to life through food, story, and shared heritage.

Through a live cooking demonstration, Cathy will showcase the rustic, vibrant cuisine of Calabria—highlighting time-honored techniques, seasonal ingredients, and the deep cultural roots behind each dish. More than just your average cooking demonstration, this experience offers a meaningful glimpse into Italian family life, where recipes are passed down with love and every meal tells a story. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with the author, ask questions, and have their books personally signed, making this a truly intimate and enriching celebration of Italian culinary tradition.

Hands & Heritage: Italian Crochet Class
2026-06-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-29 18:00 - 19:30
Hands & Heritage: Italian Crochet Class
Monday, June 1 – July 6
6:00 to 7:30 pm
$150 members, $175 non-members

Discover the charm of l’uncinetto—the timeless Italian art of crochet—in this hands-on 6-week cultural crafting experience. Rooted in centuries of domestic artistry, crochet in Italy has long been a vital form of creative expression, particularly for those who used thread and skill to create beauty, provide for their families, and pass knowledge from one generation to the next. In this workshop, participants will learn the essential stitches that form the foundation of Italian crochet while creating classic quadratini della nonna (granny squares), a beloved motif traditionally shared among mothers, grandmothers, and neighbors.

Inspired by Trivento, the small village in Molise celebrated as the “world’s capital of crochet,” this program honors the enduring importance of handmade traditions in an increasingly fast-paced world. By slowing down and stitching with intention, participants are invited to connect with Italian language, heritage, and community—helping to preserve a living craft that embodies patience, memory, and care, one little hook (uncinetto) at a time.

Register Here!

La Dolce Lettura Book Club
2026-06-03 19:00 - 20:30
La Dolce Lettura Book Club • Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Wednesday, June 3
7 to 8:30 PM • The Galleria
$0 Members/ $10 Non-Members

Join us a for a thoughtful discussion of Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a beautifully written novel that explores the quiet power of kindness, community, art, and human connection. Set in the small Southern town of Golden, the story follows Theo Potiris, a humble craftsman whose life and work leave a profound impact on all those around him. Through richly drawn characters and deeply reflective storytelling, Levi invites readers to consider the meaning of purpose, friendship, creativity, and what it truly means to live a good life.

This novel can be found at Amazon and the author’s personal site.

Senior Program – Beginner Bocce
2026-06-05 10:00 - 11:30
Casa’s Coffee Club for Seniors: Beginner Bocce

Friday, June 5 • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Free for members, $10 donation for non-members

Join us for a delightful morning of bocce, a sport beloved by Italians and Italian Americans of all ages! Whether you’re a senior who’s a seasoned player or completely new to the game, this instructional event is perfect for all skill levels. Bocce is a leisurely yet engaging game that promotes socialization, friendly competition, and light exercise, all in the beautiful outdoors.

Register Here!

Children's Cooking Class
2026-06-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-29 16:00 - 17:00
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!

Raphael: Harmony, Beauty, and the High Renaissance
2026-06-08 18:30 - 20:00
Masters of the Italian Renaissance
Raphael: Harmony, Beauty, and the High Renaissance

Monday, June 8, 2026 • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Join art historian and illustrator Robert Geronimo for an exploration of Raphael, one of the greatest masters of the Italian Renaissance. From the serenity of the Madonna paintings to the intellectual grandeur of The School of Athens, this lecture will examine how Raphael helped define the ideals of beauty, balance, and harmony that came to shape Western art. Through painting, architecture, and philosophy, we will uncover the brilliance behind one of history’s most celebrated artists.

Register Here!

Adult Cooking Class
2026-06-08 19:00 - 21:00

Writing Memories of Spring: Revision
2026-06-13 10:00 - 12:00
Writing Memories of Spring: Revision
Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 10 am to noon via Zoom
$20 Members, $30 Non-Members

Do you have memories you’d like to capture or family stories you’ve been meaning to record? Or perhaps you’ve already begun a piece of writing and are looking for guidance and thoughtful feedback?
Join us for one—or all three—of these supportive virtual workshops, designed to inspire your creativity and help you move closer to the heart of your own stories. Each session offers seasonal writing prompts and practical, constructive suggestions in a welcoming environment.

Please note: Each workshop has its own separate registration page, so you must register individually for each date you wish to attend.

April 18 – Generative Workshop: Focused on creating new material through guided prompts

May 16 – Generative Workshop: Focused on creating new material through guided prompts

June 13 – Revision Workshop: Centered on feedback and refining an existing piece

For each workshop, participants will be asked—after registering—to submit a piece of writing (maximum 700 words) via email at least five days in advance.
Register Here!

Adult Paint & Sip
2026-06-15 19:00 - 21:00
Adult Paint & Sip
Monday, June 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Galleria
$70 members, $90 non-members

Gather friends and family for our Adult Paint & Sip event, where you will create a vibrant keepsake to celebrate the start of summer on canvas. Enjoy a relaxing evening with a glass of wine in hand and let your creativity flow. Includes wine, cheese, meats, crackers and all supplies.

Register Here!
