• La Dolce Lettura Book Club at Casa Belvedere 
    “Given Away, A Sicilian Upbringing” by Marianna Randazzo 
    Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 from 7 to 9 pm in The Galleria
    Free for Members, $10 Non-Members
    Welcome to Casa Belvedere’s “Sweet Reading” book club! This month our book will be Given Away, A Sicilian Upbringing by Marianna Randazzo. Read the book and gather on Wednesday, Nov. 6 for a discussion led by AnnMarie Cicero. The novel can be found at Amazon and  Barnes & Noble. Light refreshments will be served; drinks and concessions will be available for sale.
    About the author: Marianna Biazzo Randazzo, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, is the author of five books, whose writing has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. Among these honors are The Sons and Daughters of Italy Literary Award, The Morgagni Silver Medal Award, and The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Recognition Award, all of which celebrate her remarkable contributions to the Italian American community. In her writing, Marianna explores the rich and complex theme of Italian immigration as seen in the "Italians of Brooklyn", (Arcadia Publishing), her versatility as a writer is evident in "Brooklyn's Best: The Michael Behette Story", a captivating account of a Brooklyn firefighter. Her family's memoirs, "Given Away: A Sicilian Upbringing," has also been translated into Italian, and resonates with readers across countries.
    In recent years, Marianna has been an ardent and effective advocate for Italian American literature and culture. She has tirelessly promoted her books at organizations, museums, bookstores, and book clubs across the United States. Her work has been recognized by the NYPL World Literature Festival, where she was featured as a distinguished author.
    Marianna is a native of Staten Island and a member of the Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere.
  • Sounds of Sicily: Exploring Folk Traditions and Instruments 
    Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 8:30 pm in The Galleria 
    Free for members, $10 for non-members
    Join us for a unique cultural experience where ethnomusicologists David Marker and Giorgio Maltese will take you on a sonic journey through the ancient music traditions of Southern Italy and Sicily.
    David Marker, a specialist in pastoral music traditions, will perform the timeless devotional sounds of Italian bagpipes, offering a glimpse into Italy's rich musical history. Marker is known for his work across the United States and Italy, and has produced the documentary Zampogna: The Soul of Southern Italy.
    Giorgio Maltese, a multi-instrumentalist and researcher, will introduce participants to an array of rare and ancient Sicilian instruments like the marranzanu (Sicilian wind chime), friscalettu (reed flutes), zampogna (bagpipes), and more. Through live performances and captivating storytelling, Maltese will reveal the personal stories of shepherds, farmers, and musicians who passed down these endangered musical repertoires.
    This event blends culture, music, and history into a vivid portrayal of Sicily’s rich musical heritage, making it an unforgettable experience for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic sounds and stories of Sicily!
  • Learn to Crochet

    $225.00$250.00
    Learn to Crochet at Casa Belvedere - Fall 2024
    An 8-week program on Mondays, Oct. 21 through Dec. 16 from 6:00-7:30pm. No class on Monday, Nov. 18. Fee is $225 member, $250 non-member
    In the first four classes of this beginner-level series, you will learn how to comfortably hold a crochet hook and the yarn and learn the basic crochet stitches: chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, and double crochet. During classes 5 to 8, you will make something! Once you have mastered all the stitches, there will be some discussion on what you would like to make, and provided with a suitable pattern.
    Students should bring these required materials to each class:
    • Susan Bates Crochet Hook – Size 5.00mm/8/H or Size 5.50mm/9/I
    • A skein of yarn to accommodate your crochet hook, size H or I. You can get worsted weight, DK weight or sports weight yarn. Instructor’s favorite is Caron Simply Soft, but use what you like, just keep it a simple yarn. Please note that dark colors and speckled yarns are difficult for beginners. Some other brands to start with are Red Heart Super Saver, Caron One Pound, Caron Simply Soft or Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)
    • Regular scissors or Embroidery scissors
    • Plastic or Steel Sewing Needle for weaving in ends.
    For questions big or small, call instructor Margaret Rucci at 917-886-7970 or email her at mjvrucci@aol.com

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