Embedded Files
Upcoming Events and Previous Events archive sampler
Upcoming Events
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see our Facebook pages for the most current information and events notices
= https://facebook.com/casaitalialibrary
= https://facebook.com/casaitaliychicago.org
We recomend you RSVP to join us at our events. Grazie.
Current Events:
your first stop for the latest information
We follow the current CDC guidelines, State of Illinois, Cook County/Chicago, if any are in place, or bring your own public protocol styled CDC Masks, we re-opened Wednesdays since July 2020 for volunteers, or please call ahead.
Some events are also virtual online or hybrid events Live and via Zoom Meetings software program application -- using your computer device as a live communication exchange via your videocamera and audiomicrophone portal for multiple persons.
Keep posted here, and on the library facebook page, for on-site in-person, or online computer events with virtual meeting opportunities, including:
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Highlighted Upcoming Event:
see Facebook and the list of upcoming Saturday Cultural Events
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Ongoing weekly and reoccuring events.
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Please RSVP to join us at our events.
ONGOING 2025
Saturday Cultural Series
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
contact the Library to RSVP
ONGOING 2025
Geneology Series
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
contact the Library to RSVP
ONGOING 2025
Volunteer Opportunities every Wednesday
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
contact the Library to RSVP
Please donate your time or museum technology:
seeking stain glass handlers who can frame and hang from the ceiling
seeking used working or new standalone dvd players with screen
seeking used working or new video monitors which play video from a usbstickflashdrive
Periodically 2025
look for individual announcements
regarding each special event
typically 2:30 PM Wednesdays
2:30 Espresso: typically Wednesday
informal mini meetings with guests, presentations, and Casa community updates;
contact the Library to RSVP or to be Guest
casalibrary@gmail.com
watch here, facebook, and emails for details on other upcoming events
You can always check our other social media our upcoming events are often noted on our Facebook; or the Casa Italia Chicago events pages, or telephone for current information.
List Recent events and archived Past events materials.
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We hope this gives you a flavor of the type of cultural opportunities ongoing. Join us at future events.
Highlights of some Previous Special Events:
[see also: some of these are archived on youtube videos]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Partial List of Previous Events:
Previous Flyers. Posters, or Archived Information
2025
Genealogy 2025 Nov 14
Joe Madda 2025 Nov 1
Joseph Madda presents "Alfonso Iannelli: Maestro of Multi-Media" designer and artist in Chicago throughout the 20th century
described by Olivia Grecco
Launch of the writing initiative
savingitalianamericanstories.com
2025 Oct 11
Dr. Enrico Benedetti Oct 11/25 Casa Italia "Reflections of a Medical Immigrant to the US"
Dr. Enrico Benedetti is a prominent transplant surgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Surgery and is a renowned leader in organ transplantation and robotic-assisted surgical techniques. Casa Italia was extremely proud to welcome one of the most accomplished Italian immigrants in Chicago. Honored many times by our community, this is was the first chance we have ever had to hear his story and to discuss with him his incredible journ
Pompeo Stillo is an Italian-American musician known for his work in folk music, particularly Calabrian folk music. He owned a store called Harrison Radio in Chicago that specialized in Italian music and instruments. He also led an Italian folk dance group in the U.S. The Library of Congress holds an interview with him discussing his life and career, including his childhood in Calabria, his musical influences, and his experience with Calabrian diale
Catherine Tondelli, a Chicago-born author, tells of meeting her future husband at Trevi Fountain. Catherine Tondelli is an American author, event manager, and businesswoman who lives in Rome, Italy. She is known for her successful career, as well as the romantic story of how she met her husband, Fausto Mezzana. Catherine was our LIVE guest at Casa Italia OCT. 8, 2025 at Casa Italia. She left us a signed copy of her book and offered to help us arrange tours of Italy.
Italea Lombardia at Casa Italia October 11, 2025
Ms Caterina Salvo led the delegation's visit to Casa Italia to explain their work in encouraging roots tourism.
Antonio Bevacqua Aug16, 2025 at Casa Italia Library mostly in Italian
"La Transmondanza" --Find out what it means. Come learn what Italian history classes teach about Italian immigration. We were honored to host Antonio Bevacqua, educator, musician, song writer and historian!
Aug 9, '25 Casa Italia Library
Frank Cesario Presents his autobiography "From (real) Rags to Riches" . Frank Cesario was speaking about his own life story, his famly, and his book now available on Amazon Books. Growing up in Calabria near Cozenza, his migration to the USA and Canada, his work, faith, and health experiences, travels back to Italy and Pizzone, and social circles in the Italian American community.
AI for IAs--impact of Artificial Intelligence on Italian Americans' quest to promote IA Culture.
Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia July 26, 2025 ---- What impact will Artificial Intelligence and other recent developments have on Italian Americans in their quest to enhance their ethic identity and promote Italian American Culture? Two young Italian Americans, 2025 graduates of the University of Iowa and DePaul University will update us on the perils and potential of Artificial Intelligence and advanced computer practices can have for the things we do at Casa Italia. Trevor DeButch
and Olivia Grecco
Steven J. Sacco, Prof of French/Italian San Diego State-rtd -7-9-25 -Moving Tribute Calabrian Nonna
Dr. Steven J. Sacco-retired Professor of French and Italian from San Diego State University. Passionate tribute to his Calabrian Grandmother who was a "Vedova Bianca," the title of his brilliant essay in Casa Italia's ITALIAN WOMEN OF CHICAGO Vol. 2----SIAMO ARRIVATE. 2025 Steve was born in Loretto Hospital in 1952 and lived on the West Side of Chicago (Grand and Division) during his youth. Steve began his search for family documents in his forties and reconnected with family in Miglierina,
Life with Luigi =pt1 of 2, the radio drama 1940s-1950s explained by Dominic Candeloro June18, 2025
Life with Luigi (pt.1 of 2), the radio drama explained, reviewed, and excerpts from the presentation and PowerPoint given to the Italian Cultural Center Chicago, by Dominic Candeloro, 2025 June 18. video pt 1 of 2 Introduction by Dominic Most of the Radio Drama itself (the first episode) Return to Dominic q&a (q&a continues on video number pt2 of 2) Life with Luigi presentation part 1 of 2 videos from The Italian Cultural Center at Casa italia Chicago Explained and hosted by Dominic Candeloro
Architect Dino Fabrizi "Villa Adriana, updates, preservation" slides-lecture-Q&A June21
Architect Dino Fabrizi carries out his professional activity in the study, restoration and conservation of cultural, architectural, artistic and archaeological heritage. His skills range from design to construction management. He is also certified by the Italian Ministry of Culture in restoration of monuments. He has carried out the restoration of works of great value such as Michelangelo's Palaces in Piazza del Campidoglio, the Domus Tiberiana in the Roman Forum, the Hospitalia and other buildings.
PRIVATE Life with Luigi presentation pt2 of 2 at The Italian Cultural Center at Casa italia Chicago. Explained and hosted by Dominic Candeloro with portions of his powerpoint presentation, excerpts of the audio program, and personal reflections on the historic radio comedy series which aired nationally in the 1940s and 1950s and briefly on televsion. Life with Luigi presentation part 2 of 2 videos of the event at The Italian Cultural Center at Casa italia Chicago.
Lindsay Marie Morris books (via Casa Italia Chicago video:Last Letter Sicily,Beneath Sicilian Stars). "The Last Letter From Sicily" and "Beneath The Sicilian Stars" are two books, novels in historical fiction based on her life, family, and true stories, by writer author Lindsay Marie Morris.
May 17
2025 IA Literati
Architect Dino Fabrizi "Roman Architecture Origins, updates, preservation" slides-lecture-Q&A 4-25
Architect Dino Fabrizi carries out his professional activity in the study, restoration and conservation of cultural, architectural, artistic and archaeological heritage. His skills range from design to construction management. He is also certified by the Italian Ministry of Culture in restoration of monuments. He has carried out the restoration of works of great value such as Michelangelo's Palaces in Piazza del Campidoglio, the Domus Tiberiana in the Roman Forum, the Hospitalia, and other buildings.
Maurizio "Nino" Lamberti about his book "4630 Miles Traveled", April 12, 2025. This book is about immigration, assimilation and the keeping of a promise. Stories feature Piandelagotti Italy, my birth town, the reasons for our immigration and my return trips to Italy. Stories also describe Highwood, our new American home, and its Italian community. And lastly, also detailed, is my late son’s request, to document the Lamberti immigration journey, made to me
Raffaele Di Zenzo presents Mark Twain in Italy to the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia Chicago Professor Emeritus from Loyola University Chicago, highlights in Italian and English surrounding the book "The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain, with photos and text excerpts.
2025 IA Literati
Genealogy Italian Citizenship event with Anthony Venturella
Feb 22, 2025
2024
2024
December 2, 7:30 pm "Remembering Our Lady of the Angels---An Italian American Tragedy." In the the Florentine Room of the Italian Cultural Center. John Kuenster, author of "To Sleep with the Angels" discussed the 1958 tragedy that decimated a large Italian-American community. invited were John Keunster, the author of "To Sleep with the Angels," Professor Robt. Lombardo (Loyola University) who was a student at OLA when the fire took place. We screened the WTTW documentary "
Presentation Dec. 14, 2024
Authors, editors, and presenters speakers describe the writing and creation of Book 2 in the published series entitled "Italian Women in Chicago," released in December 2024 by the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia Chicago.
2024 IA Literati
2023
September 2023
Publishing your own Family History
hosted by Dominic Candeloro
who this summer completed a book
for his relatives distributed in Italy
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
contact the Library to RSVP
2023
weekly
a new series from the folks who brought you the Dante Studies
weekly re-starting 2023
contact the Library for details
IA Literati 2023
was held at Casalibrary
see the video of the speakers on youtube
CH Dedication of on the road to greatness April25, 2003
Chicago Heights Mayor Angelo Ciambrone dedicates the sculpture "On the Road to Greatness," April 25, 2003 on the NW corner of Lincoln Highway and Chicago Road (Dixie Highway). Sculpture was produced by Bucci Studio. John Bucci appears onstage. Prayers, music, reading of Lincoln's Farewell to. Springfield speech. Dramatic unveiling features the mayor on a lift removing the cover of the statue.
2022
IA Literati 2022
was held at Casalibrary
May 21 2022 9:30am to 2:30pm
see the video of the speakers on youtube
Annual event featuring Authors, Books, Orignal Dramas, with snacks or lunch.
https://sites.google.com/view/ialiterati2022
Please join us for our 18th annual day-long seminar celebrating the published works of Italian American authors in the Chicagoland area.
IA Literati 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Meet and Greet 9:30 am
Author Presentations 10:00 am
Light lunch served 12:15 pm
Casa Italia-Italian Cultural Center
Florentine Room
Free event-open to the public.
Free will donation accepted.
Come meet the authors! Book sales and signings!
Take a look at our line-up of talented and accomplished authors speaking at this year's event!
Karen Tintori
Christina Marrocco
Tony Romano
Joey Iannino
Arthur Cola
Peter Pero
And an additional treat! The Casa Italia Players will be performing a play written by playwright, Terry Quilico, entitled iHamlet Redux, which debuted at IA Literati 2017.
For more information, please see the event website, https://sites.google.com/view/ialiterati2022
Our Sponsors:
Paul and Ann Rubino Endowed
Italian American Studies Program
Loyola University Chicago
COMITES Chicago
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Meet and Greet 9:30 am -10:00 am
10:00
Founder's Address
Dominic Candeloro
10:15
Italian Americana: Cultural and Historical Review and its mission to promote Italian American Literature
Carla Simonini
10:30
An introduction to Karen Tintori, The 1909 Cherry Coal Mine Disaster
Terry Quilico
10:35
Trapped: The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster
Unto The Daughters
Karen Tintori
11:00
Addio, Love Monster
Christina Marrocco
11:25
Indigenuity and Italian American Creativity
Fred Gardaphé
11:40
Six Three Oh
Joey Iannino
11:55
iHamlet Redux, a play
Terry Quilico
Lunch 12:15 pm- 12:55 pm
12:55
Growing up Chicago
Tony Romano
1:15
Murder at Point Breeze
Murder on Capri
Arthur Cola
1:30
Chicago: America's Workshop
Peter Pero
1:45
Buzz Boys
They Only Wear Black Hats
Edward Izzi
special Movie Screening May 2022
was held at Casalibrary
see the original
see the original poster flyer below bottom of this page
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Italian Women in Chicago event March 2022
was held at Casalibrary
VIDEO OF PAST EVENT available shortly
A special event and seminar about preparing the next volume of the book Chicago Italian American Women.
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2021:
SEE VIDEO OF EVENT
Special Anniversary Dante Event Sept 2021
was held at Casalibrary
9:30 AM Saturday Sept 18
The Casa Italia Dante Studies group presents a special tribute to Dante alongside all the worldwide celebrations this year.
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________________More Past Events_________
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Previous Flyers. Posters, or Archived Information
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SEE VIDEO ARCHIVE
Special Anniversary Dante Event Sept 2021
was held at Casalibrary
9:30 AM Saturday Sept 18
The Casa Italia Dante Studies group presents a special tribute to Dante alongside all the worldwide celebrations this year.
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July 2021
IA Literati 2021
authors included Mary Gibson, Edward Izzi, and keynote poet Maria Gillian
the yearly IA Literati
videos of the event now at youtube casalibrary channel
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2020
October 30, 2020
online event
7 PM
Casa Film Series
Q&A with the Director
[watch the movie first, free with Amazon Prime]
then watch our behind the scenes event
archive video of the online "Zoom Meetings" Q&A
use the weblinks below to watch the feature film at Amazon Prime.
Join our Casa Film Series and see the preview trailer at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnveS80wBfs
watch the entire film yourself via streaming [free with Amazon Prime] at:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07F92PMQH/ref=atv_dp_share_r_fb_c398cb8c86f24
your introduction to the Director, behind the scenes stories,
and followed by Q & A
was held oline on zoom meetings
7pm Chicago time October 30, 2020
this free event, originally scheduled in March, went virtual online; here is the archived video recording on Youtube click:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJt4B4mzx5FsLc3aMg4hs8upNybZRHt-7
brought to you by The Italian Cultural Center, Library and Archives, at Casa Italia Chicago
tinyurl.com/casalibrary and casaitaliachicago.org
casalibrary@gmail.com
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June 13, 2020
online seminar
10 AM to 2:30 PM
IA LITERATI
online via "Zoom Meetings
the live event was RECORDED and now playable on YouTube:
2020 IA Literati =Author Presentations
view event flyer jpg image and or pdf
see the video archive of the presentations at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJt4B4mzx5FuVtzFWSa3-Znl9pYhiDykV
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FEBRUARY 19, 2020
Antonio Fava
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
Antonio Fava, the great Comedia d'Arte performer will be at the Casa Library Wed Feb 19 at 5pm
We'll have a session in the Florentine Room lasting maybe an hour, then join Frank Di Piero's Cenetta (optional)
There is no charge for the event at Casa Italia. RSVP CasaLibrary@gmail.com The Cenetta is $35 at RoccoVino---contact Frank to RSVP
Antonio Fava is an actor, comedian, author, director, musician, mask maker and Internationally renowned Maestro of Commedia dell'arte who lives in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Born in Scandale, a small village in the province of Crotone, Italy. He moved permanently to Reggio Emilia. Wikipedia and https://theatreandmusic.uic.edu/eventdetails/327/308
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FEBRUARY 9, 2020
Domenica Insieme
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
see the video clips and hear the podcast reports at "Keepin' it Real" with Frankie D Podcast
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2019:
Dec 18 the Annual Christmas Gathering and Dolci
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
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Publishing through Casa Italia with no upfront costs
November 23, 2019 at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
FREE SEMINAR
"SAVING OUR STORIES"
November 23, 2019 at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
"Saving our Stories"--Publishing YOUR family story.
Learn about the new Casa Italia publishing series and how you too can prepare your manuscript for inclusion toward turning your story into a Printed Book and as a Kindle e-Book.
.
Brought to you by the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia Chicago, and IA Literati.
Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 10 AM – 1 PM
Casa Italia Library
1621 N 39th Ave,
Stone Park, Illinois 60165
The seminar is free and so are your publishing costs.
(donations always welcome)
free seminar
details flyer imagepage or pdf
Authors and presentations included:
Dominic Candeloro, Robert Lombardo, Cologero Lombardo, Cathy and Paul Ciminello, John Cavallone, Lee Colsant, CJ Martello,
many of these useful Italian American studies books
as seen here= books available summary and images of books
are available for sale at books.amazon.com
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Saints and Animals of Puglia
November 20, 2019 at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
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2018
Out of Rushmore's Shadow: the Luigi Del Bianco story
November 30, 2018 at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
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We hope this gives you a flavor of the type of cultural opportunities ongoing. Join us at future events.
previous events yet to sort:
Previous Event 2022 May --- Special Movie Screening:
Rare Movie event
held at Casalibrary
Friday 06 May 2022
Part of our ongoing Cinema series:
(for upcoming events look above)
COVID era
year 2022
Events:
Bring your own public protocol styled CDC Masks, we are open Wednesdays as of July 2020 for volunteers, or please call ahead.
Some events are also virtual online via Zoom Meetings software program application -- using your computer device as a live communication exchange via your videocamera and audiomicrophone portal for multiple persons.
Keep posted here, and on the library facebook page, for on-site in-person, or online computer events with virtual meeting opportunities, including:
2022
online weekly
11:00 AM Saturdays
Dante Studies every Saturday re-starting Spring 2022
contact the Library for details
2022
Volunteer Opportunities every Wednesday afternoon
at the CASA ITALIA LIBRARY
to visit
Museums
Exhibits
Archives
Periodicals
We are Seeking Donations of:
Please donate your time or museum technology:
seeking used working or new standalone dvd players with screen
seeking used working or new video monitors which play video from a usbstickflashdrive
Periodically 2022
look for individual announcements
regarding each special event
typically 2:30 PM Wednesdays
2:30 Espresso: typically Wednesday
informal mini meetings with guests, presentations, and Casa community updates;
contact the Library to RSVP or to be Guest
casalibrary@gmail.com
watch here, facebook, and emails for details on other upcoming events
(for upcoming events look above)
________________More Past Events_________
_________________________
Previous Flyers. Posters, or Archived Information
VIDEO ARCHIVE available soon
Italian Women in Chicago event March 2022
was held at Casalibrary
A special event and seminar about preparing the next volume of the book Chicago Italian American Women.
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