Learn how to vacation as the Italians do!
In the Mountains in the summer/ In Montagna d’estate
Guest speaker: Annamaria Sorrentino, President & Founder of Shop Wine and Dine
Italy is home to mountain ranges with majestic and breathtaking views in the North and also all along the “boot” going south. While trail-walking or hiking on one of the many mountains, you will be amazed by the overwhelming beauty of the summer landscape. The Italian Alps offer an alternative version of Italian culture, influenced by the neighboring countries of France and Germany. It is very unique and not to be missed while vacationing in Italy!
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Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! At the Lakes/ I laghi Italiani Guest speaker: Annamaria Sorrentino, President & Founder of Shop Wine and Dine Who hasn’t heard of Lake Garda or Lake Como? Italy is blessed with many other amazing lakes, each providing a glimpse of their special characteristics and beauty. Our virtual journey will take us to the Region of Piemonte’s most famous lakes, each with very unique and distinct attributes, cuisine, and wine cultures. Once you register, you will receive the link via email to view the chat. -
Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! Il Palio di Siena A four-day cultural sporting extravaganza, Il Palio culminates in the world’s most thrilling horse race and takes place twice every summer — on July 2 and August 16. Though canceled this year, you can experience its colorful pageantry virtually through stunning photographs taken at last year’s race. Author, lecturer and photographer Carla Gambescia will explain the history behind the race which lasts a mere 75- 90 seconds but represents the climax of a fiercely competitive all-consuming year-round rivalry between the 17 contrade (districts) of Siena. Carla will aslo touch on some of the gorgeously preserved highlights of Siena, where the Middle Ages seem to survive in the architecture as well as the civic spirit Once you register, you will receive the link via email to view the chat. -
Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! Relax in the Countryside and Farmhouses/Relax in campagna e in un agriturismo Guest Speaker: Marco Evangelista, Director of Journeys by Central Holidays Discover the beauty of the Italian countryside, rolling hills, charming farmhouses, and the essence of the simplistic living with us! We will virtually travel across iconic areas of Italy but also the lesser-known relaxing countryside. Once you register, you will receive the link via email to view the chat. -
ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: A Culture of Gardening Italian, and Italian-American, gardening knowledge has been carried from generation to generation and is now more relevant than ever. Join Beatrice and guest Mary Menniti , founder of The Italian Garden Project, as they celebrate the joy and wisdom inherent in the traditional Italian American vegetable garden, preserving this heritage and discussing its relevance for reconnecting to our food, families and the earth. -
Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! Italian Beaches/ Le spiagge italiane Guest Speaker: Marco Evangelista, Director of Journeys by Central Holidays The Italian peninsula has a unique coastline with many nooks and crannies that create one of a kind swimming coves and picturesque seascapes. We will explore the coasts off the beaten path, from their pristine beaches with crystal-clear water to the laid-back lifestyle of the inhabitants. There are many ways to enjoy all the beach scenery Italy has to offer. Discover them with us! Once you register, you will receive the link to view the chat . -
ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: RECORDED LIVE from ITALY... Italian doctors share their experience and advice for life after Covid quarantine. These experts in Italy discuss how our habits and behaviors will have to change moving forward. Doctors Luigi Celani and Eugenio Cavallari are Infectious Diseases specialists at Umberto I Hospital of Rome.Once you register, you will receive the link to view the chat. -
If you are interested in purchasing the wine, email beatrice@casa-belvedere.org Virtual Wine Class at Home Join us for an exciting virtual wine class with renowned wine expert Tony Margiotta. Tune in from the comfort of your own home as author and importer Tony Margiotta will guides you through a brief history of Italian wine culture and the new wine renaissance that’s happening today. Discover...- Which Types Of Italian Wine Are Showing Masterpiece Quality Today
- What’s The Difference Between Artisanal and Mass-Produced Wine
- A Red Wine That Claims To Be The Secret To Longevity
- 4 Delicious Italian Wine & Food Pairings
- An Age-Worthy Wine That Was The Favorite Of The Roman Emperors
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ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: Naples Culinary Tour Take a virtual Naples culinary tour! From the signature local pastry, sfogliatella, to iconic street foods, this is a full feast of Naples’ best bites in the picturesque old market streets of the city, among the locals. Photographer Anita Sanseverino will “walk” us through this virtual tour of the streets of Naples though her vivid photographs. -
ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: A discussion of the Italian Automobile Industry, with Guest Speaker Michael Pucciarelli, Casa Belvedere’s Vice Chairman and Italian sport cars aficionado.Once you register, you will receive the link to view the chat. -
ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: Celebrating Women Suffrage We mark the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, followed by women’s full suffrage in Italy 26 years later. Professors Francesco and Maria Bonavita, who teach Italian and lecture at Casa Belvedere, will lead a discussion on the Italian documentary “Senza Rossetto”. The film's title translates to "without lipstick" and references the time when women were told to go and vote without lipstick. If traces of lipstick were found on an election card, it could be invalidated. -
ON-DEMAND COFFEE CHAT: Father’s Day Chat on “What My Father Taught Me” with author Maria Giura Join author Maria Giura, PhD, as she discusses passages from her book “What My Father Taught Me”. Together, you and Maria will share childhood memories and commonalities of an Italian-American father-daughter relationship. The book will hit close to home, as it’s written by the daughter of an Italian immigrant facing many struggles in his pursuit for a better life. It’s also deeply rooted in the Italian-American culture of Brooklyn, NYC from years ago, now a by-gone era! -
Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! Music, Food, and Wine Festivals / I festival della musica in estate Guest speaker: Annamaria Sorrentino, President & Founder of Shop Wine and Dine Italy offers endless vacation possibilities for Italians to experience. One of the summertime favorites is Music festivals! They are very popular and common all throughout the country. In Italy, you can never be too far from amazing music, paired up with fantastic cuisine, and extraordinary wines! Once you register, you will receive the link via email to view the chat. -
Learn how to vacation as the Italians do! Guest speaker: Mara De Matteo, author, writer, blogger, and Italian language instructor Modena Have you ever heard of Modena? Located in in the region Emilia-Romagna, it is a little jewel of city life and small town living at once. Elegant, rich in history, lively in a gentle way, it is welcoming and warm with the golden hue of most of its buildings, sophisticated, with adorable small shops and cafes under exquisite portici. Not to mention the food! One of the best cuisines in Italy, starting with puffy and flaky gnocchi, delectable sour cherry crostate, legendary hand-made tortellini, and plenty of excellent, slightly fizzy Lambrusco. Lovely, very centrally-located, Modena should definitely be on the list of your next trip to Italy. Once you register, you will receive the link via email to view the chat. -
A Mangiare: A Cultural History for Foodies. with Carla Gambescia Test your knowledge about Italian cuisine while discovering little-known facts and the origin stories behind some of the Italian cuisine's most iconic ingredients and dishes. An interactive and entertaining "salon" exploring Italy's culinary heritage from antiquity to the present day. Even the most sophisticated Italophile and foodie will come away with new insights! -
Raphael Santi/Sanzio - Celebrating His Art 500 Years After His Death Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael, all three known by their first names, are considered the greatest masters of Italian High Renaissance. Raphael created his own recognizable style -serene celestial beauty of religious paintings – but learned from, and absorbed, also Leonardo’s sophistication and Michelangelo’s sculptural monumentality. An extremely prolific painter and architect, Raphael produced in his short life 183 paintings and numerous architectural drawings. His paintings are admired for their incomparable beauty, harmony, and balance of the composition. The most famous are many delicate depictions of the Virgin Mary with Christ and a series of large frescoes in Vatican Palace, known as Raphael Rooms. The two iconic cherubs from his painting The Sistine Madonna became globally famous. For the last 6 years of his life, he was in love with a baker’s daughter, Margherita Luti. Probably secretly married to her because of their different social status, he portrayed in two famous paintings as “Veiled Lady” and “La Fornarina”, the second one nude from the hips up. The legends abound about his sudden, early death, at the age of 37; from excessive erotic indulgence with his mistress to medical errors and/or poisoning by his rivals in artistic circles. After an elaborate funeral ceremony -his coffin carried by four cardinals-, he was buried, at his own request, inside the Pantheon, in Rome. -
Italy’s Best Kept Wine Secrets: How To Spice Up Your Wine Rack For The Fall Walking through pumpkin patches. Cutting oven-roasted Turkey. Pulling checkered flannel out of your closet. Every season has its style. So does wine… In this wine class, author and importer Tony Margiotta will show you how to pair 4 delicious Italian wines with food for the Fall season. You won’t believe how easy it is once it’s revealed to you! You’ll discover:- How To Pair Food & Wine In The Fall
- A White Wine That Can Outlive Some Reds
- A Daring Wine Pairing With Turkey
- The People’s Wine In Piemonte
- When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do With This Timeless Classic
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Before There Was Venice..........! with Anita Sanseverino and Louis Leonini Although the city of Venice is the most well-known part of the Veneto, there are islands, towns and cities that are far older,with a history all their own. In this presentation Louis and Anita will explore the histories of great cities such as Verona, Padova, Treviso, smaller but equally important cities to the development of the region such as Aquileia, and Adria. Join Anita Sanseverino and Louis Leonini as they discuss the places close to Venice, such as Torcello, the place that is considered the birthplace of Venice itself, the island of Burano, a fishing village of brilliantly colored houses, painted so that the returning fishermen could see their houses through the fog. During the presentation Anita will share her photographs of the various areas being discussed. -
Vito Pietanza and Rosa Riccio Pietanza were both born in Mola di Bari (Puglia) Italy. They arrived in NYC at young ages and lived in a community in Red Hook Brooklyn (later to become Carroll Gardens). Vito’s family celebrates a long tradition in agriculture. Soon after Vito and Rosa were married (and later with their 3 children) they would spend a few weeks during the summer in Mola on the Pietanza family farm. It then became a tradition for them to spend several hours a day engaging in the almond harvest. Via photos and videos, Vito and Rosa want to share with you their love and passion for the almond harvest and for everything “Almond”. -
From Boxer to Barista: A Story of Love and the Fine Art of Italian Coffee! Hear the story of Vincenzo Imparato, former Professional Boxer and Italian super-middleweight Champion of Italy and founder of Si Espresso. Along with his business partner and wife, Adriana they will talk about life in Italy, the art of Italian coffee and life lessons of his boxing career which spans 30+ years. In this presentation, meet these two Staten Islanders who are very passionate about their work, life and the art of coffee! -
Discover the surprising backstories behind some of our most cherished holiday traditions from Saint Nicholas (Babbo Natale) and the nativity to candy canes and Christmas lights. We’ll explore how both the pagan and Christian magically merged into the holiday that we celebrate today as well as a few less familiar uniquely Italian customs such as the Epiphany and wearing red underwear! Intrigued?!? Andiamo! Join us, and let’s celebrate Natale and Capodanno together. Award-winning author, lecturer and photographer, Carla Gambescia, will be our guide to the holiday festivities! -
Make great Prosecco cocktails from the comfort of your own home—and learn about the world’s most popular Italian bubbly with drinks author Amy Zavatto Do you know the difference between Prosecco and Champagne? Have you ever seen the stunning, hand-harvested, near vertical Cartizze vineyards of Prosecco’s DOCG region in the Veneto? Did you know that paying attention to a few simple (but sometimes cleverly hidden!) words on a Prosecco label can make you more savvy when selecting just the right sparkling for your occasion? Are you ready to be convinced that bubbles make everything (especially cocktails) better?! Let's virtually tour the effervescent world of Prosecco with wine and spirits journalist and Staten Island resident Amy Zavatto, the author of Prosecco Made Me Do It: 60 Seriously Sparkling Cocktails. Shewill take you on a sparkling tour through the effervescent world of Prosecco, from where and how its made, its fascinating history, to (most important!) how to properly pop a bottle and to use it to make several great cocktails for any celebration. From the comfort of your own ghome, join in the bubbly fun as Amy teaches you about the world's most popular sparkling wine, and helps you to find a few new favorite bubble-based tipples with which to toast this holiday season. -
Everyone knows Italians speak with their hands. However, many people think that they are just waving their hands and arms in the air while speaking. This is not true. There are at least 250 gestures with very specific meanings, that Italians use when speaking about certain things. Eloquent in their movements, Italians can offer a wealth of information without saying a word! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Leonini on January 19 in an informative and entertaining presentation to learn not only what these gestures mean, but also why, more than any other people, did they become so much a part of the Italian way of communicating. -
Four-Part Series: “If you are not indifferent...Part 1. Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a Book Presentation “It Happened in Italy, Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust” presented by Elizabeth Bettina. Imagine Elizabeth Bettina’s surprise when she discovered that her grandmother’s village had a secret: over a half century ago, many of Campagna’s residents defied the Nazis and risked their lives to shelter and save hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. What followed her discovery became an adventure as she uncovered fascinating untold stories of Jews in Italy during World War II and the many Italians who risked everything to save them. It is a work that brings to light the little-known history of how approximately 80% of Jews in Italy were saved during the Holocaust. -
Umbria and Valnerina – Cascia, Norcia, Castelluccio and More With Anne RobichaudDo you know what a norcineria offers? Ever tasted the famous “lost beans” of the Valnerina? Ever heard of Preci and a curiosity that makes it famous? Enjoy this visit to Umbria’s captivating Valnerina (Nera River Valley) area, famous for black truffles, lentils prized by the Slow Food Foundation, pecorino cheeses, prosciutto di Norcia - and much more! The tour starts with the inviting late-January Cascia festivities and then head to Norcia, a medieval mountain gem and birthplace of St. Benedict in the 5th century. Not far away, the Piano Grande ("Great Plain”) spreads out below the medieval castle-village Castelluccio, devastated in the October 2016 earthquake. Anne’s talk was recorded live from Italy and will have you ready for your next trip to our bellissima Umbria. -
Trivia Night – A Carnevale Evening in Venice, with Carla Gambescia Venice, the most enchanting and improbable of cities, has given us many "gifts” such as Mardi Gras, the delicious Bellini cocktail, delectable carpaccio served in fine restaurants – and so much more! In an engaging question-and-answer virtual session led by award-winning author and cultural expert Carla Gambescia, discover little-known backstories of the canal city often called La Serenissima; its opulent, often decadent, and captivating history; and the inventiveness of its residents. Carla is author of “La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z,” a Silver Prize winner of Best Travel Book of the Year. The book is an eclectic compendium of all things Italian and a joyful celebration of why we love Italy and, of course, Venice! -
Part 2: Primo Levi (1919-1987), a Holocaust survivor. How can one find the words to describe the trauma and agony suffered at Auschwitz after one’s humanity has been taken away? For Primo Levi, a Holocaust survivor, the real drama was finding the appropriate language to describe the horrors and unspeakable events he encountered while imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz during World War II. Levi wanted to tell a story that embodied the living testimony for millions of people who did not survive to talk about their own experience. He had a burning desire to be the spokesperson for those who were mercilessly exterminated. In this virtual presentation, we will explore Levi’s life; how Italian Jews saw themselves vis-à-vis the rise of fascism; his experience at Auschwitz; and his commitment to keep alive the narrative of the Holocaust, lest we forget. -
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Dante’s Inferno The Passion of Love, as seen in Dante’s V Canto of the Inferno Maria Bonavita, in collaboration with actress Giusy Lo Schiavo joining us live from Rome, Italy, invites you to descend to Dante’s second circle of the Inferno to experience the intense passion of love between Paolo and Francesca, who allowed themselves to be swept away by carnal love. -
Puglia: Better Than The Caribbean! Presented by Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barrella Puglia, until recently, was one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Puglia has everything: castles, fortresses, lighthouses, an abundance of seascapes in rainbow colors, beaches and rock formations that resemble moonscapes, caves formed over millions of years, landscapes and gardens and flowering trees, blinding white limestone buildings, and above all, olive trees with roots that go back a thousand years! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barella in learning about this fascinating region, through Anita’s personal experiences in traveling throughout the Salento coast. See the unique beauty as photographed by Anita and made vividly alive by Lou’s genius for putting photos and music together to create a magical video which creates a lively experience, both knowledgeable and entertaining. -
Celebrating the history and scenic beauty of Campania Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm Featuring Anita Sanseverino and Louis Barrella
Campania felix translates to “happy countryside,” which is what the early Romans called this region in southwestern Italy. This area was settled long before the Romans - even before the Greeks! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barella as they celebrate the history and scenic beauty of the Campania region.
Learn about Magna Graecia, Partenopea, the Kingdom of Naples, the maritime Republic of Amalfi with its beautiful coast … these are just some of the highlights that Anita will describe in her presentation. Enjoy Anita’s photographs, and a video created by Lou Barella to further enhance your appreciation for this beautiful region of Italy.
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La Settimana Santa: Holy Week and Easter Traditions Presented by Anne RobichaudIn Assisi on Good Friday night, locals and clergy begin La Processione del Cristo Morto, beginning at the Cathedral of San Rufino and following a statue of the Sorrowful Mother to the Basilica di San Francesco, where La Madonna meets her Son.On Easter Sunday, Umbrians feast (logicamente!) on “Blessed Food” before Mass. A decadent breakfast includes robust red wine; Torta di Pasqua, a savory cheese bread, often topped with homemade salami, prosciutto and/or capocollo; hard-boiled eggs drizzled with the family’s olive oil and a bit of lemon juice squeezed on top; and sweet cakes with sprinkles. The ingredients used to make these foods are blessed by local priests on Holy Saturday afternoon, making them literally “Blessed Foods.”This presentation was recorded live from Assisi to explore ancient traditions connected to Holy Week. -
A special two-part virtual series. Presented by Carla Gambescia
Part 1: Humanizing Art - Giotto di Bondone
Considered to be the "Father of the Renaissance," Giotto di Bondone was one of the earliest artists to paint more realistic figures rather than the flat, stylized, decorative images of the medieval and Byzantine periods. Like his contemporaries Dante and Boccaccio, his art drew from life with its attention to natural representations of the human form and emotional realism and expression. Recognized in his own time as a revolutionary, Giotto’s work was transformative in opening the door to the Renaissance. According to Giorgio Vasari, it was Giotto who restored the link between art and nature. Join us for an in-depth exploration of Giotto’s fresco cycle of the Arena Chapel in Padua (an easy day trip from Venice), considered to be his greatest work
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A special two-part virtual series presented by Carla Gambescia
Part 2: Art as Propaganda in Baroque Rome Two of the 17th century’s most drama-loving artists, painter Caravaggio and sculptor Bernini, both pushed their respective mediums to new heights while working in Rome under a series of surprisingly artistically adventurous popes. Both are synonymous with the Baroque era. "Bad boy" Caravaggio had to flee Rome after he killed a man in a brawl, while Bernini died an old man, beloved in his adopted home. We will compare and contrast their art and legacies and explore the broader political and artistic milieu in which they were working. We will also learn the role their respective artistic genius played in furthering the Counter-Reformation, as well as art, photography and cinema today. -
Bye-Bye Winter … Hello Spring!
Learn the best gardening tips for getting your garden ready for the season!
In this short presentation, professional Landscape Designer and Garden Coach Carmen De Vito shares her best advice for preparing your garden for a successful growing season. Whether you have a small plot or an acre of space, you will learn gardening practices that will boost your confidence. You will be able to plan and plant a garden that brings you joy and is good for you and for the environment.
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Celebrating Naples: A Journey Through History Presented by Anita Sanseverino
Naples is a city filled with art treasures, churches of magnificent design, palazzi, an ancient centro storico, the magnificent seafront area called Lungomare with its majestic view of Mount Vesuvius, and many other historic and artistic sights.
Naples has been called “the stepchild of Italy” - and Anita Sanseverino is determined to change that undeserved perception.
“When you say to most people that you are going to Naples, they say, “Oh, don’t go there, it’s dangerous,” she said. “Aside from the fact that it is not true, the irony of this statement is that none of the people who say this have ever been there!”
Anita is certain that her fascinating lecture and beautiful photographs will ensure that Naples is on the priority list of people who plan to travel to Italy, just as much as Venice, Florence and Rome.
She will highlight the illustrious history of this once-royal kingdom dating back to its origins as the Greek city of Partenope. She will discuss the various rulers and dynasties that occupied Naples, and why unification might not have been the best thing to happen to this former kingdom.
Anita will share her personal experiences in Naples, especially with its generous citizens. “When people talk about Italians and their characteristics, they are unknowingly talking specifically about Neapolitans,” she said. “As much as Italians in general are known for their love of food, music, of life in general, these qualities are 10-fold in Neapolitans. They are the quintessential Italians.”
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Celebrating Dante Alighieri: Spectacular Illustrations of Dante's Inferno Presented by Dr. Snjezana Smodlaka
Much has been said about the great influence and impact that Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece - Divine Comedy - had on the Italian language and on Italian and world literature. Dante’s decision to write not in Latin, but in the dialect of his native Florence, contributed to the linguistic unification of Italy several centuries before its political unification. In addition, the literary value of Dante’s masterpiece inspired many writers and poets around the world.
Less is mentioned about artworks inspired by Dante’s trilogy. Many painters, sculptors and composers, throughout centuries, were emotionally and artistically affected and moved by the episodes in Divine Comedy, especially the tragic destiny of sinners in Hell, the place of immense, eternal pain and suffering. Perhaps Dante never envisioned that his picturesque descriptions would be transferred to another media such as drawing, painting, sculpture and music.
In this presentation, we will see some of the most remarkable episodes from Hell, illustrated by artists from the 15th to 20th century: Botticelli, Zuccaro, Sardano, Dore’, Blake, Rodin and Dali. Dante’s poetic words inspired their creative imagination, and they depicted faithfully and in detail Dante’s vision of Hell’s horrors and his emotional reaction
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