• 05/06 • La Dolce Lettura • Book Club at Casa Belvedere

    Price range: $0.00 through $10.00
    La Dolce Lettura Book Club • The Empire of Dirt: A Novel by Francesca Manfredi, Ekin Oklap (Translator)
    Wednesday, May 6
    7 to 8:30 PM • The Galleria
    $0 Members/ $10 Non-Members
     
    Join us as we explore The Empire of Dirt by Francesca Manfredi, Ekin Oklap (Translator), a haunting and atmospheric coming-of-age novel set in the Italian countryside. Centered on three generations of women living under one roof, the story unfolds as long-buried tensions, secrets, and the threat of a family curse begin to surface.
    This novel can be found at Barnes & Noble and The New York Public Library.
  • 06/15 • Paint & Sip

    Price range: $70.00 through $90.00
    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.
  • 05/12 • In Scena!: TRAVIATA

    Price range: $0.00 through $10.00
    In Scena!: TRAVIATA – A FREE PROSE OPERA (TRAVIATA – OPERA LIBERA IN PROSA) w/ Kairo International Theater
    Tuesday, May 12, 2026 • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    FREE for members/$10 nonmembers
     
    Three actors, with no sets or opera singers, choose to tell the story of “La Traviata” by relying solely on the evocative power of theatre. Through Bottega di Cyrano’s original method, “A Free Opera in Prose®,” Verdi’s music becomes a dramaturgical soundtrack, famous arias are reborn through spoken performance, and the story of Violetta and Alfredo becomes universal. Irony and pathos, lightness and tragedy intertwine in a performance capable of moving audiences anywhere: theatres, squares, courtyards, and villages. A form of popular art that restores opera to its vital, contemporary power.
    Written, directed and performed by Andrea Caldi, Fabio Fassio and Elena Romano
    Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
    Based on La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils
    Produced by Bottega di Cyrano – Teatro degli Acerbi
  • 04/21 • Leonardo’s Techniques: A Hands-On Exploration

    Price range: $50.00 through $60.00
    Leonardo’s Techniques: A Hands-On Exploration
    Tuesday, April 21, 2026  • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM 
    $50 members/$60 nonmembers
    Join artist and instructor Lauren Lombardo for an engaging lecture-workshop experience exploring the genius of Leonardo da Vinci in honor of his birth month of April. This special program celebrates one of history’s most influential artists, inventors, and thinkers. Participants will learn about da Vinci’s life, artistic innovations, and signature techniques—including sfumato, the soft blending style that gives his work its lifelike quality.
    Guests will then create their own miniature version of Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings in the world, known for its mysterious expression and groundbreaking technique. Through guided instruction, you’ll experiment with methods inspired by da Vinci himself and gain a deeper appreciation for his lasting impact on art and culture. Each participant will leave with their own unique rendition of this iconic masterpiece.
  • 04/21 -05/26 • Young da Vinci Art Academy

    Price range: $200.00 through $250.00
    Young DaVinci's Kids Art Program, for children ages 5 and up
    Six-week program on Tuesday, April 21 through Tuesday, May 26
    3:30 to 5:00 PM in the Galleria
    $200 members, $250 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.
  • 06/13 • Writing Your Memories Spring

    Price range: $20.00 through $30.00
    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.
    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.
  • 05/16 • Writing Your Memories Spring

    Price range: $20.00 through $30.00
    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.
  • 04/18 • Writing Your Memories Spring

    Price range: $20.00 through $30.00
    Writing Memories of Spring: Generative
    Saturday, April 18, 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.
  • 04/24• Senior Program – Beginner Bocce

    Price range: $0.00 through $10.00
    Casa's Coffee Club for Seniors: Beginner Bocce
    Friday, April 24 • 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.
  • 04/17 • Inside Casa Belvedere: An Italian American Heritage Tour

    Price range: $10.00 through $20.00
    Inside Casa Belvedere: An Italian American Heritage Tour
    Friday, April 17, 2026  • 10 to 11:30 AM 
    Step inside Casa Belvedere with Director of Arts, Cultural, and Educational Programs Amanda Ruszkowski and explore the rich history, culture, and enduring legacy of Italian Americans through an engaging guided tour of one of Staten Island’s most treasured landmarks.
    From its origins as a historic hilltop mansion overlooking the Verrazzano Narrows to its transformation into a vibrant cultural center, this experience offers insight into the architecture, stories, and traditions that define the space. Guests will gain a deeper appreciation for the community spirit, heritage, and ongoing cultural contributions that continue to shape and celebrate Italian American identity today.
    Founded in 2009, The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere is dedicated to preserving and sharing the richness of Italian culture and heritage. Our mission also includes restoring, preserving, and maintaining the foundation owned, 1908 Roebling-Stirn mansion—now Casa Belvedere—a NYC Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, valued for its role in early 20th-century American history.
  • 04/30 • The Italian Fig Tree: A Living Cultural Legacy

    Price range: $0.00 through $10.00
    The Italian Fig Tree: A Living Cultural Legacy
    Thursday, April 30, 2026 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    2nd Fl - The Galleria • $00 members/$10 nonmembers
    The Italian Fig Tree: A Living Cultural Legacy invites you to celebrate a meaningful new tradition at Casa Belvedere inspired by the Italian practice of burying fig trees—a powerful symbol of resilience, heritage, and sustainability within Italian American life. Joined by Mary Menniti, Founder and Director of the Italian Garden Project, this special program explores how Italian gardens have long reflected eco-conscious living through seasonal eating, resourcefulness, and intergenerational knowledge—long before sustainability became a modern conversation.
    At the heart of the afternoon is the fig tree: a living heirloom that, much like the immigrants who planted it, adapted and flourished in new soil while preserving a deep connection to the Old World. Guests will learn about the Legacy Fig Tree Project, a nationwide initiative dedicated to preserving historic fig trees, documenting the stories of the gardeners who nurtured them, and building a national archive through oral histories, photography, and living gardens.
    This seasonal program offers a window into the rich heritage of the Italian American garden while connecting traditional wisdom to a more sustainable future. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase seeds and related items supporting the Italian Garden Project’s mission to preserve and celebrate this enduring cultural legacy.
    Read this short story about the Italian connection to tradition here: https://casa-belvedere.org/no-one-covered-the-fig-tree/
  • 03/16-04/20 • Hands & Heritage: Italian Crochet Class

    Price range: $125.00 through $150.00
    Hands & Heritage: Italian Crochet Class
    Monday, March 16 - Monday, April 20
    6:00 to 7:30 pm
    $125 members, $150 non-members
    Discover the charm of l’uncinetto—the timeless Italian art of crochet—in this hands-on 8-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.

Title

Go to Top