tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2013://1 2013-03-13T19:05:40Z Please provide a site description to be used in the title tag of the index pages Movable Type 3.36 tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2013://1.129 2013-03-13T18:19:45Z 2013-03-13T19:05:40Z

Runners enjoying the beauty of Naples. New York City and Naples, Italy share many important connections; some physical, some more esoteric. Both cities lie on the 41st parallel of our planet. Countless Neapolitans made NYC their home in generations...

Runners enjoying the beauty of Naples. New York City and Naples, Italy share many important connections; some physical, some more esoteric. Both cities lie on the 41st parallel of our planet. Countless Neapolitans made NYC their home in generations past and their descendants remain as one of Manhattan's most distinctive ethnic groups. Because of this, the cities share one of the world's most popular cuisines, along with a deep love of music, opera and theater. Neapolitans brought Pulcinella and the rest of the Commedia Dell'Arte to NYC and it remains alive in both cities today. Both cities "never sleep" and are melting pots of many of the world's cultures, creating a constant flow of imagination and creativity. Given all of this, creating further connections between Naples and New York just feels right. So Emilio Gramanzini, a native of Naples who runs in the NYC Marathon, decided that running can be another way to join these two locations. NYC has Central Park and Naples has Villa Communale, a centuries-old park created by the Bourbon kings. In NYC you can run along the New York Harbor and in Naples, the stunning Gulf of Naples. Why not? Five years ago, Park to Park (P2P) was born with the idea that runners would participate in the NYC Marathon and come to Naples for the 10K along Via Caracciolo and the Gulf of Naples. And like the NYC Marathon, P2P Naples is open to runners of all levels. The 2007 inaugural race in Naples had 600 runners and 800 in 2008. Since 2010 there has been a race between members of the Italian and US Armed Forces and Police from the nearby NATO base as well as the US Navy, NYPD and NYFD. In 2012 the Military Corps of the Italian Red Cross joined the fun. It has become one of the city's most important sporting events. The winner gets the Interforces Championship Trophy, designed by Gramanzini and sculpted by Lello Esposito, whose works are exhibited around the world. P2P 2013 Naples has something else no other race has - the support of the Association of Neapolitan Pizza Chefs. On May 10 & 11, the Chefs will cook their specialties to the delight of stomachs everywhere. Proceeds from sales will go to purchase defibrillators for Naples sports facilities. P2P 2013 Naples will be held on Sunday, May 12, followed by the NYC Marathon in Central Park on May 19. Be a part of P2P 2013, sponsored by Napoli Road Runners. To learn more, visit the website. What to do in Naples? If you go to Naples for the race, what will you do the rest of the time? Also, what if you're not a runner, but you're traveling with one? No problem. Naples is chock full of beauty, great food and wine. For special travel packages which include stays at Grand Hotel Santa Lucia and Hotel Royal Continental, contact info@airontour.com Another recommended hotel is Hotel Naples. For details about what to do in Naples, see my article.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2013://1.128 2013-01-27T23:04:55Z 2013-02-04T21:34:37Z

Cavatelli pasta with fresh tomatoes topped with shavings of ricotta. Sagnette pasta in tomato sauce with beans and mussels. These are just some of the Abruzzese style dishes lovingly prepared by Rosanna Di Michele, founder and force behind Abruzzo...

Cavatelli pasta with fresh tomatoes topped with shavings of ricotta. Sagnette pasta in tomato sauce with beans and mussels. These are just some of the Abruzzese style dishes lovingly prepared by Rosanna Di Michele, founder and force behind Abruzzo in Tavola. Rosanna teamed up with Osteria Il Paiolo in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn to create an Abruzzese feast for a good cause. The cause was Hurricane Sandy relief for the Rockaways, held the evening of December 6th. Each guest came with a variety of non-perishable goods to be brought to distribution centers. Soon the gift table was groaning with bags of food, toiletries and pet goods. Rosanna Di Michele, Ottavio, and Alex Palumbo. Rosanna was completely in her element, cooking for her friends in a beautiful setting. She prepared a variety of Abruzzese pizzas: topped with broccoli rabe and sausage; pepperoni, fresh tomato and mozzarella; eggplant, cheese and prosciutto. To top it off, she offered cups of fresh, whipped ricotta cheese courtesy of Di Palo in Manhattan's Little Italy, topped with balsamic vinegar. As if all of this weren't enough, we had a special guest drop by: La Fata Italiana (The Italian Fairy)! Supposedly invited to entertain the children, the Italian Fairy captivated us all. The character is the creation of actress, singer and producer Simona Rodano. Using her fanciful costume, lighthearted songs and enthralling storytelling, all eyes were on Rodano as she expressed the beauty of the Italian language and culture for the Christmas season. Simona Rodano and Francesco Callipo. Prior to coming to the US, Rodano was a singer on the popular Italian TV show, "Ci Vediamo in TV". Currently based in NYC and Italy (Turin, Milan and Genoa), her company, Incanto Productions, produces shows for theater and TV and live concerts. In 2010 she bought the play "Pinocchio" to America, in which she also performed and co-produced. Pinocchio premiered at New York's Danny Kaye Playhouse. Sponsors of this wonderful event included Italian Olive Oil Club. A tasting of an array of luscious oils not only pleasured the palate but educated it, too. From subtle to strong, these were only some of the Italian olive oils available for home delivery through the Club. Other sponsors were Ardea from Omnipak who provided Lurisia Mineral Water and soft drinks. The waters are both still and carbonized from high in the mountains of Italy. It has a light mineral flavor and very low sodium, without filters or processing. Lurisia also provided Gazzosa, a drink made from sfusato lemons grown on the hills of the Amalfi Coast as well as Aranciata, a drink infused with oranges grown in Gargano along the Adriatic Sea. Prosecco Bottega - light, bubbly and welcome at every occasion - was graciously provided by Sandro Bottega. This Italian distillery has been providing a variety of fine wines, including grappa, for over a century. The prosecco set the perfect tone for an evening of friends sharing fun and good food around the table. Marco Camia from Bonifanti provided a huge and scrumptious panettone for dessert. The Bonifanti Panettone Gran Milanese won the Great Taste Award in 2010 from among 6000 contenders. This award of three gold stars is bestowed on only 10 confectionary specialties in the world. The restaurant Il Paiolo is owned by Alex Palumbo, former manager of Da Silvano in Manhattan. Da Silvano catered to socialites and celebrities and while it was a great experience, Palumbo created a different environment here. Il Paiolo has a warm, friendly atmosphere with a bar in the front and a brick oven in the back, by the tables. One wall is used brick while the opposite wall is mirrored. This ambiance of rustic elegance characterizes the restaurant's personality: it's an inviting neighborhood eatery that still makes you feel special. Il Paiolo means copper pot, which is traditionally used to prepare polenta, a northern Italian specialty. Palumbo comes from the Piemonte village of Verbania on Lake Maggiore. Piemonte is at the base of the Alps, so the cuisine is hearty. Flavorful stews and polentas with specialty meats like wild boar and a variety of homemade pastas are staples of the menu. To learn more: Rosanna Di Michele Il Paiolo La Fata Italiana Italian Olive Oil Club Lurisia Bottega Bonifanti]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2013://1.127 2013-01-20T23:15:26Z 2013-01-24T01:12:05Z

The Second Annual Calabria Day took place on October 27, 2012 at New York City's Hunter College. Portions of the day were simulcast in Lemezia Terme, Calabria, where the founders of the organization had a celebration of their own. The...

Consul General of Italy Natalie Quintavilie and Laura Caporrotti. Photo by D, Codenesu. The celebration highlighted stories of successful Calabresi who live in America and create opportunities to give back to the land of their ancestors to make it a better place to live. Calabria Day US was a captivating afternoon of information and entertainment celebrating the culture and intellectual heritage of the region, including a world premiere of the documentary, Testardi, by and about Calabrians. Joy Hermalyn and Robert Osborne. Photo by D. Codonesu. The afternoon opened with a joyful medley of Harry Warren songs performed by soprano Joy Hermalyn, baritone Robert Osborne and pianist Richard Gordon. The songs were only a smattering of the total catalogue of the legendary Harry Warren (1893-1981). Warren's family came from Cassano Allo Ionio in Calabria and settled in Brooklyn, NY. He was born Salvatore Antonio Guaragna and changed his name early in life. Warren published over 500 tunes in his career and the list reads like a tour of the American songbook. Just some of the highlights include Chattanooga Choo Choo, Lullaby of Broadway, At Last, We're In The Money, That's Amore, You'll Never Know, I Only Have Eyes For You, The More I See You, On the Atchison, Topeka and the Sante Fe and the iconic The Christmas Song. Imagine, if you can, what American music would be like without the contributions of Harry Warren. Nicola Iervasi, front, Antonio Pio Fini, back. Photo by D. Codonesu. Antonio Pio Fini dances, Lorraine Calculli plays the ocean drum. Photo by D. Codonesu. Nicola Iervasi, the Artistic Director of New York City's Mare Nostrum Elements and a native of Roccella Ionica, Calabria, performed a dramatic reading of his poignant essay, L'Ultima Nevicata (The Last Snowfall). It is the story of Iervasi's childhood memory of a rare snowfall in his seaside town. The words were beautifully interpreted into dance by Antonio Pio Fini, Artistic Director of Alto Jonio Dance and a native of Villapiana, Calabria. The only accompaniment was the sound of an ocean drum delicately played by Lorraine Calculli. An ocean drum is a closed drum with metal beads inside that mimic the sound of ocean waves as it moves. Calculli's roll of the waves, Fini's movements and the words of Iervasi created an emotional highlight of the afternoon. Antonio Pio Fini also presented a video promoting one of his pet projects: the Alto Jonio Dance Festival (AJD) held annually in NYC and Calabria. AJD includes competitions for emerging choreographers and dancers, and opportunities for artists to perform in both countries. On March 21-22, 2013 he will host the first Italian International Dance Festival in Manhattan, which is also part of AJD. Ornella Fado is another notable Calabrian. She was a dancer on Italian TV and now is the creator, author and hostess of the TV show Brindiamo! airing on NYCTV Channel 25. Going on its sixth year, Brindiamo! highlights the best of Italian cuisine and the chefs and restaurants that make it happen. She presented a video promoting her show's latest venture: food and wine on the high seas. Author Pino Aprile read from his latest work, Terroni, All That Was Done to Ensure that Italians of the South Became Southerners. This book examines the historical and contemporary pressures and consequences of what Aprile calls Italian "otherness"; the North versus the South. This book is still causing heated debates throughout Italy and its recent translation into English broadens its audience and influence. Enrico Granafei. Photo by D. Codonesu. Enrico Granafei, jazz musician and composer who hails from Cosenza, Calabria entertained us all with his music and lively conversation. Along with his wife, Kristine Massari, Granafei owns Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, New Jersey, the most acclaimed jazz venue in the state. The club hosts musicians from around the world, many of whom Granafei meets on his own worldwide performance travels. He trained at the Conservatory in L'Aquila, Italy and the Manhattan School of Music. Granafei performed regularly on Italian television and was a member of the Pippo Caruso orchestra. He has performed at some of the best jazz venues in NYC, including Birdland, The Blue Note and The Bottom Line. He is one of the most respected players of the Chromatic Harmonica in the world today. Granafei's latest accomplishment is his work on the Hands-Free-Chromatic Harmonica. The revolutionary instrument invented by Vern Smith allows him to play Chromatic Harmonica and guitar at the same time, something that has not been done before in jazz. Close your eyes and you will hear two or three musicians, but in fact it's only one. Author James Periconi discussed his collection, Calabresi in the World in the 1920's and 30's, on display at the Grolier Club in NYC. His rare collection of works examines the legacy of Italian publishing in pre-WWII America. Many of these works were published in dialect. This industry created and reflected a vibrant national literary and political culture among a broad spectrum of Italian Americans living and working in the US. Peter Carravetta is an author, poet and the Alfonse M. D'Amato Chair in Italian and Italian Amercian Studies at Stony Brook University. He read some of his evocative poetry in Italian and English. The afternoon ended with the world premiere screening of Lucia Grillo's documentary, Testardi, from Calabrisella Films, in which she interviewed Calabrians in America. Among those in the film are Laura Caporrotti, Alicia Vitarelli, Peter Carravetta, Nicola Iervasi and me! Grillo is an actress and award winning filmmaker whose films have received prestigious recognition, including Official Selection of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. What is Io Resto In Calabria? Pippo Callipo is the head of a thriving, multi-layered family seafood business that has operated for almost a century in Calabria. It was precisely this success that, in 2004, invited an "attack of intimidation" against his business from the Calabrian Mafia, locally known as 'Ndrangheta. In the aftermath, a journalist asked Callipo, "What will you do now? Will you, too, abandon Calabria?" Callipo answered, "Io resto in Calabria! (I'm staying in Calabria)." This deceptively simple but brave response confirmed for him, "...despite the doubts and difficulties, my will to stay and especially my love for this beautiful land. It is the manifesto of a concrete commitment that over the years has taken root in my way of being." Io Resto in Calabria became the organization that embodies Callipo's philosophy. After a lifetime of maintaining and expanding a business in Calabria, he knows all too well the difficulties he faces. He understands the "innumerable problems that devastate the land and especially...the ineffectiveness of policy...for the citizens, it is the harsh reality that they do not know how to believe in themselves, in their own talents because they are disillusioned by years of missed opportunities." This means that changes would have to be made, not only on governmental and policy levels, but every area of the economic and social spectrum. The viewpoint of the individual Calabrian would have to be uplifted to allow for a hopeful future, the possibility of honest success. The very definition of citizenship would have to change. In the face of these problems, Callipo continues to create a network of like-minded local people from all walks of life who want a different end to the typical Calabria story. In 2010 he envisioned an annual celebration to unite, reflect and plan a better future: Calabria Day 2011. This inaugural event included over 70 sponsors and partners. The momentum continued into Calabria Day 2012 which took place in both Calabria and New York City and boasted 85 sponsors and partners in Calabria alone. It's only the beginning. To learn more: Calabria Day USA Alto Jonio Dance Brindiamo! Calabrisella Films Italian International Dance Festival Kairos Italy Theater Mare Nostrum Elements]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.122 2012-12-09T22:40:00Z 2012-12-11T03:18:42Z

The Clock/L'orogolio, part of the No Escape series, written by Dino Buzzati, directed by Laura Caporrotti, produced by Kairos Italy Theater (KIT), at Cherry Lane Theater, New York City, November, 2012. Tick, tock, tick, tock. The relentless clock marks the...

The Clock/L'orogolio, part of the No Escape series, written by Dino Buzzati, directed by Laura Caporrotti, produced by Kairos Italy Theater (KIT), at Cherry Lane Theater, New York City, November, 2012. Tick, tock, tick, tock. The relentless clock marks the seconds as they pass. Tick, tock. Measured, pitiless, unflinching, unforgiving. Its mechanical beat underlies the jagged, raw emotion that unfolds onstage. One woman whose twisted, terrifying character is split between two actresses, is both delighted and compelled to murder her hateful husband. She succeeds, but so does he. Upon his death his soul inhabits the clock whose constant tick tock traps his widow in a miserable, other-worldly existence. She is doomed to constantly relive her own darkest moments of hating him, devising his murder and carrying it out. The set is sparse: two simple chairs face the audience on the right side and the left. Between the chairs are several clocks on the bare wooden floor. The two actresses keep to their respective sides of the stage, except at the very end of the play when their characters seem to have switched bodies. Throughout the play, they each hold a telephone receiver with a long cord, connected to nothing. The Clock poses questions without answers and presents confusion without clarity. We know that the wife hates the husband enough to kill him, but we don't know why. We know that the power of the merciless clock is enough to drive her insane, but we don't know if she was insane already. We don't know if his manipulating soul in the clock is proof of his malevolent nature, or a strange justice for the death of an innocent man. Such a story walks invisible lines and forces the audience to follow and at times, run ahead, searching for sure footing. Of course, surety never comes. And isn't that a mark of great storytelling? For a story like this to be absorbing, the actresses need to be fearless and in total command of the material. Here, Lucia Grillo and Amy Frances Quint mesmerized us as two sides of the same woman: Grillo embodied the aggression of anger and sexuality while Quint spiraled in fear. Despite these differences, both sides of the character agreed that murder was the only solution. Lucia Grillo, Photo by D. Condonesu Grillo's aggression sported many colors: an almost predatory sexuality and the deep misery that creates spitting anger. She played with the phone receiver and cord almost as a cat plays with a mouse. The schemes brewing in her mind were almost palpable as she slowly poisoned her husband while encouraging him to have more. At one point she screamed at her husband with such vehemence and repulsion that every head in the audience snapped to attention. Grillo was all powerful, until the soul in the clock overtook her. Amy Francis Quint, Photo by D. Condonesu Quint's portrayal of the terrified aspect of the woman was such a thorough examination of fear that she actually came out the other side: her terror made her terrifying. Pale and quivering, the phone cord wrapped ever more tightly around her neck. We half expected a suicide at any moment. Quint even crawled on her belly under her chair, trying to increase the distance between her and her husband. The moment she understood that she would kill him rang like a bell. As the woman's character was split between two actresses, either of these portrayals in less capable hands could have been a one-note performance. But each actress brought such nuanced understanding to their roles that neither personality was truncated. Each was richly layered as they spiraled downward, deeper into madness and powerlessness. The Clock/L'orogolio was directed by KIT founder and driving force Laura Caporrotti. She developed the material at World Wide Lab: A Director's Feast, held in Brooklyn this summer. "This is the most difficult and challenging piece by Buzzati," says Caporrotti. "It is impossible to perform it in a traditional way. At the World Wide Lab, we started with different exercises on the play's words and objects and it became clear that the clocks and the phone were the focus of the play. Initially, the play was done separately in English and Italian. However, we improvised and tried to unify the two languages, and it worked much better." Who is Dino Buzzati? Dino Buzzati (1906-1972) was a multi-faceted talent and leading figure in 20th century Italian literature. He was a painter, poet and, from the age of 22 until his death, a journalist and crime news reporter for Corriere della Sera. He wrote novels, plays for theater and radio, opera librettos, short stories, children's books and was known as the Italian Kafka. Perhaps his most famous work was the novel Il Deserto dei Tartari (The Tartar Steppe). His writing style is often described as magical realism. In his own words, Buzzatti understood that the "effectiveness of a fantastic story will depend on its being told in the most simple and practical terms." In the 1950's Buzzatti created No Escape, a compilation of four works, each exploring women unable to control their own lives. The works include The Clock, Striptease, The Switchboard Operator and Alone At Home. What is KIT? KIT is Kairos Italy Theater and is the preeminent Italian theater company in NYC. Its mission is to create artistic exchanges between Italy, the US and the rest of the world. KIT specializes in bringing works to New York stages that have never before been presented in the US. Appreciation of these works is designed for everyone through KIT's Double Theater Experience: one act performed in English and then in Italian. KIT founder, actress, producer and director Laura Caporrotti is always striving to expand KIT's reach and deepen its relationship with the community. To that end, KIT sponsors Italian cultural events such as the Italian Theater Festival and presents classes in Italian & Theater for children and adults. It is the theater company in residence at Casa Italiana Zerrilli-Marimo' at NYU. KIT productions are unexpected, thought- provoking and literate. New York is lucky to have KIT. To learn more about KIT, click here.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.121 2012-10-21T20:19:03Z 2012-10-21T20:33:56Z

A frightened 13 year old boy, pretending to be brave, kisses his father good-bye before climbing, alone, onto a steamship in the Genoa harbor. His father whispers,"Remember, you are on a mission from God" just before leaving his last...

A frightened 13 year old boy, pretending to be brave, kisses his father good-bye before climbing, alone, onto a steamship in the Genoa harbor. His father whispers,"Remember, you are on a mission from God" just before leaving his last embrace. The child climbs onto the ship with his small bag of belongings, wondering what Argentina will be like and how long it will take to find his mother, last known to be working as a maid for a wealthy Argentinean family. This is the opening scene of the Italian silent film, Dagli Appennini alle Ande (From the Apennines to the Andes) by Umberto Paradisi (1916). The film is adapted from the classic short story Cuore (Heart) by Edmondo De Amicis, written in 1886. I viewed this rare, restored film at Leshowitz Hall, Cali School of Music, Montclair State University. An original score was performed live by Marco Cappelli and Chris Opperman. The film was provided by the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna. Although the film was richly emotional and engrossing on its own, it was presented within a larger context of Italian silent filmmaking. This information was provided by Dr. Teresa Fiore who holds Inserra Endowed Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies at MSU, and Prof. Jacqueline Reich of Cinema and Cultural Studies from Stony Brook University. From both of their talks, a more detailed understanding emerged. The short story upon which the film was based. Prof. Reich opened her talk with film clips of two iconic representations of Italian immigration. The first was from The Godfather Part II showing the young Vito Andolini (later Vito Corleone) smuggled out of Sicily and into America for his safety. This film doesn't tell the tale of the sea voyage itself, but focuses instead on his departure and emotional arrival in America. The second clip was from 2006's Nuovomondo (The Golden Door) which gives a rather detailed description of life aboard ship as it crosses the ocean, complete with its indignities and uncertainties. Dagli Appennini alle Ande, made many decades before either of these examples, showed the loneliness and desolation of the young boy during his 27-day voyage. However, his arrival in Argentina was not highlighted as a meaningful moment, perhaps because the rest of film followed the tortured search for his mother. In Italy during the silent film era, venues for watching films were shared with other activities. The phrase cinema ambulante (walking film) described the portability of these works, which were shown in a variety of places. Opera houses, music halls, fair grounds and even churches (depending on the film) were quickly transformed into temporary movie theaters. There were several genres popular with moviegoers at the time. Travelogues were often shown, allowing viewers who may have never left their villages with the chance to see what other countries might look like. Films of natural disasters were also popular, such as the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906 and the earthquake of Messina in 1908. During WWI, film was used to document many battles and general destruction. Around 1916, a genre known as Diva Films emerged, featuring popular actresses in plots involving high fashion and high society. Religious themes were also frequent celluloid topics. Meanwhile, across the ocean, New York was the center of American filmmaking and the city most densely populated with Italian immigrants. This guaranteed an eager audience for immigrant-themed stories. Many new Italian arrivals used these films as behavioral guides or cautionary tales. Either way, they were learning how to be American.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.118 2012-09-30T14:10:55Z 2012-10-05T23:41:29Z

What do NYC's Martha Graham School, Peridance Capezio Center, Steps on Broadway, Essence of Italy, Key West's Modern Dance, Milan's Centro Studi Coreografici Carcano and Calabria's AAJ-TV have in common? We all joined forces to sponsor Alto Jonio Dance...

What do NYC's Martha Graham School, Peridance Capezio Center, Steps on Broadway, Essence of Italy, Key West's Modern Dance, Milan's Centro Studi Coreografici Carcano and Calabria's AAJ-TV have in common? We all joined forces to sponsor Alto Jonio Dance 2012 Festival (AJD 2012) in Villapiana, Calabria, Italy. AJD 2012 was an international, week-long dance school and competition held at the end of July in Calabria's seaside town of Villapiana. It brought together high-caliber choreographers, performers and students from around the world. Antonio Pio Fini, a professional dancer and Villapiana native who splits his time between Italy and Manhattan, envisioned a dance event that would invigorate the local state of the art. Calling upon contacts made throughout his career, Fini brought together a wide array of professionals to teach multiple dance styles. From NYC, Michael Mao of Michael Mao Dance Company, Megumi Nakayama, hip hop choreographer, and Nicola Iervasi, Artistic Director of Mare Nostrum Elements; from Philadelphia, Christopher Fleming of Ballet Fleming; from Japan, Rebecca Imaizumi, hip hop choreographer; from Milan, Elena Albano, choreographer and teacher of Martha Graham technique; from Turin, Davide Accossato, tap dance teacher and from nearby Lattarico, Gianlucca Blandi taught Pilates while also serving as AJD's Producer. Students chose from a wide variety of movement styles, including ballet, hip hop, tarantella, Pilates, yoga, Martha Graham technique, modern, repertory, Latin and tap. The students were from the local area plus Milan and Vienna. For many of them, this was the first time they would be exposed to such a variety of styles taught by such accomplished teachers. As the week progressed, the students became more of a family; taking classes, sharing meals, going to the beach and enduring the heat (it was about 113 degrees Fahrenheit). When the competition arrived on July 31, they enthusiastically cheered each other on from the stands. Among the scholarship winners were Stefania Coloru, who will study for a semester at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York and Marco Belsito who will study at the Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano in Milan. The night of the competition was hosted by Milan TV broadcasters Tabata Caldironi (dressed by Azzurra Di Lorenzo) and Francesco Mogol. The audience was treated to beautiful performances by AJD winners from prior years: Filipo Stabile, who was the 2011 winner from Villapiana and Jonathan Campbell, the winner of the 2011 Emerging Choreographer award in NYC. Campbell, along with Austin Diaz, performed the works that won the 2011 prize along with a stunning new composition. Michael Mao received an award honoring his outstanding career and contributions to the world of dance. Nicola Iervasi joined the stage along with his Mare Nostrum Elements dancers for a joyous tarantella, to the celebratory rhythms of QuartAumentata, a Calabrian musical group who just signed with Sony Classical. The winner of the Prize for Choreographic Composition, Antonella Perazzo (center) hugs Artistic Director Antonio Pio Fini (dressed by Danilo Fredrighi), to his right, Gianlucca Blandi, Producer. Response of Villapiana Villapiana is the small town where AJD's Artistic Director, Antonio Pio Fini, was raised. Although surely a wonderful place to grow up, it has limited opportunities for anyone dreaming of a career in dance. Fini wanted to present the next generation of dancers in his town with better experiences, so he created this summer school and competition. The town responded by warmly welcoming the teachers, students, journalists and tourists who arrived for AJD 2012. A poetry contest was held for local school students, the winner being Rosa Maria Galluzzi for her entry, La Danza (The Dance). She received her award on stage, along with her proud parents, on the night of the AJD competition. Rosa Maria is the daughter of Celestina and Vincenzo, owners of Hotel Celestina where I had the good fortune to stay. It has a two-star rating but it acts like a three-star. The rooms are spacious and full of light, with comfortable beds and modern, large bathrooms. Celestina and Vincenzo are the kind of warm, hospitable people that you hope to meet to meet in a small, foreign place. A continental breakfast is included at Il Pirata, a fun cafe at the end of the street. Il Pirata was built by Celestina's father, who calls himself the Pirate of Gelato. (He also built the hotel and named it for his daughter.) I sampled as many gelato flavors as possible during my stay and I want to return and try them again. And again. The hotel is within walking distance of the dance studio, grocery stores, restaurants and the beach. Our chosen beach was Lido Verde, which provided lounges and umbrellas, changing rooms and showers. We ate many lunches and dinners at Lido Verde, where I enjoyed one of my favorites, luscious spaghetti al mare with lemon and olive oil. I liked all of the fish dishes, which were simply prepared with fresh local fish. My personal favorite was a thick slice of sword fish drizzled with olive oil and topped with chopped fresh parsley. Lido Verde also serves its own selection of wines that went perfectly with lunch and dinner. Villapiana threw a party for the staff and dancers of AJD in the town square on a crystal clear moonlit night. Organized by Mayor Roberto Rizzuto and Cultural Attache' Felicia Favale, the piazza was closed to all vehicle traffic while tables were spread with homemade dishes of pork, eggplant, artichokes and beans, wine and desserts. Delicious aromas filled the air. Local families reached into their personal histories and brought out the delicately detailed needlework that Villapiana was known for in times past. Bed linens and table cloths painstakingly embellished by the women from prior generations were proudly brought out to be admired and appreciated by this group of foreign visitors. A young girl, dressed in the traditional Villapianese costume of centuries ago agreed to pose with me for a photograph. Soon, the music started. Young men who are local musicians played the frame drum and fisarmonica, inviting us all to dance to the rhythms of the tarantellas and pizzicas that rang for centuries in this region. The next surprise was Antonio Fini performing his ritualistic fire dance on the cool piazza pavement. I've watched him perform these fluid movements with flaming metal bolas on multiple New York stages, but the spontaneity and earthiness of this performance was truly special. Antonio was joined by Gianlucca Blandi who, up to this moment, had been practicing with only unlit bolas. He chose this night to be his fiery debut. The combination of both dancers created a spectacle of strength and wonder. It seemed to me that this is where all of the dances were meant to be done; in the dark, hot summer air. Everything around us was ancient; the moon, the piazza, the songs. We all danced, some barefoot, some not, under the beneficent light of the full moon. In the midst of it all, my wonderful friend Tabata Caldironi danced up to me and said, "This is a perfect southern night. Don't ever forget this." Believe me, I never will. To learn more and to join us for AJD 2013, visit altojoniodance.com.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.117 2012-06-09T22:32:35Z 2012-06-09T22:57:17Z

The beautiful town of Agerola, province of Naples.

 The region of Campania includes some very famous places: the Amalfi Coast, the island of Capri and the cities of Naples and Sorrento. Not only are they beautiful and the favored destination of generations of celebrities, but even songs are written about them. Yet in some ways, they are victims of their popularity. They are quite crowded at certain times of the year and, to one extent or another, certain shops and restaurants can have a 'touristy' feel. But there is another side to Campania, a gentler, more spacious side. Small towns with their own traditions, cuisine and wine are nestled in the region's hills and valleys. Many of these areas were the birthplaces of our Italian-American ancestors in the provinces of Avellino, Benevento, Caserta and Salerno. For example, in Salerno you can discover Roscigno Vecchio, locally referred to as 'the town that walks'. Landslides have hit Roscigno Vecchio many times during its history, forcing the complete evacuation of its historical center to alternative locations. But its inhabitants moved en masse and rebuilt, while striving to preserve as many structures as possible. The latest evacuation occurred in the 20th century. The town is now considered an eco-museum dedicated to Italian life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is located within a National Park and the Cilento World Heritage Site.

Stopping for a drink in Roscigno Vecchio. 



While you're in Salerno, be sure to taste the soppressata, the tasty local salami and Mozzarella nella Mortella cheese. Primarily made in the small rural village of Novi Velia, it is made of cow's milk flavored with myrtle leaves. You can always venture into the town of Agerola in the Province of Naples. Agerola is part of a nature reserve, the Latteri Mountains Park, and the starting point of the Trail of the Gods (Sentiero Degli Dei). This route affords uninterrupted, spectacular views of Praiano, Positano, Capri and Cilento. On the way, snack on Vesuvius Piennolo Tomatoes, grown on the foothills of the famous volcano. These small cherry tomatoes are some of the oldest agricultural products in Campania. You can often see them reproduced in woven baskets in the classic Neapolitan presepi. Of course, you'll need cheese for your journey, so why not try Fiordilatte or Provolone del Monaco, two of Campania's best cheese varieties? And what about the wine? The province of Benevento boasts the playful Falanghina, while Caserta offers Pallangrello and Casavecchia grapes, both harvested from the oldest cultivated indigenous vines in the region. Round out your impromptu picnic with chestnuts, honey, cherries and olive oil. No wonder Italians eat dinner so late in the day.

Campolattaro, province of Benevento.
  These are only a few of the discoveries waiting to be uncovered in the quietly beautiful towns of Campania. And the Region of Campania would like to help you get the most out of your experience. Visit wecampania.it for more highlights and suggested itineraries. Buon viaggio!]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.116 2012-05-25T17:02:12Z 2012-05-25T17:28:02Z

Ascoli Piceno is the southernmost province of Italy's Marche region, about 2 hours north of Rome. It borders the region of Abruzzo to the south, is caressed by the Adriatic Sea to the east and protected by the Apennine...

Ascoli Piceno is the southernmost province of Italy's Marche region, about 2 hours north of Rome. It borders the region of Abruzzo to the south, is caressed by the Adriatic Sea to the east and protected by the Apennine Mountains to the west. This little-known province is home to some wonderful delicacies. Food historian and author, Francine Segan, educated us all at a recent event held in NYC's Princeton Club. For instance, Olive all'Ascolane is a taste sensation. These olives were already famous during Roman times for their pleasing, mild flavor. Start with the tender, succulent green olives that grow only in Ascoli Piceno. Knife peel each one by hand. Simmer 3 types of meat together and season to taste. Squeeze the meat into a small ball and wrap an olive around each one. Tap this stuffing into the olive 10 times. Dip each rotund olive into egg, flour and bread crumbs, then fry in hot olive oil. Yes, it takes hours. Yes, it's worth it. Perfect for an antipasto or side dish, you'll never think about olives the same way again. An unassuming little town in Ascoli Piceno, called Offida, is home to Cantina del Picchio, a restaurant where Francine swears she had the best meals of her life. The Cantina has an outstanding chef, Emilio Pasqualini, who serves up heavenly dishes on a daily basis in this out of the way place. Chef Pasqualini recently spent some time in NYC and, just before returning to Italy, prepared the olive all'ascolane for our Princeton Club event. According to Francine, he made 800 of them. We ate them all. Delicious. Olive all'Ascolane ready for tasting. An award-winning egg pasta also comes from this region, Spinosi Pasta. Made with fresh eggs, superfine flour, salt and Spinosi's own full-bodied olive oil, this pasta is rich in protein, Omega 3 and Vitamin E. It cooks in 3-4 minutes and is very porous, meaning that a little goes a long way and it quickly soaks up any sauce you serve with it. The flavor of this dry pasta rivals that of fresh pasta from other brands. You can find Spinosi Pasta at Di Paolo's in NYC's Little Italy or online. Ascoli Piceno not only offers food, but it is also a great source for wine. The Ciu' Ciu' Winery produces Kurni, which Joe Bastianich lovingly describes in his new book, Grandi Vini, An Opinionated Tour of Italy's 89 Finest Wineries. I haven't tasted that particular wine, but I have tried Oppidum from the same winery and it has become a favorite of mine. It's a smooth red with just the right amount of body. This winery is an organic operation and the reds have extremely low sulphite levels. If you prefer white wine, I highly recommend the Ciu' Ciu' Pecorino. It tastes like apricots, dandelion and honey and I loved it. Ascoli Piceno has a colorful Carnevale in February and a Renaissance Faire in August that has the whole town dressed in period costumes. One of its landmarks is Caffe Meletti, voted among the Most Important Cafes in Italy. Not only is it an architectural masterpiece, but its guest list includes Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Satre. To order from DiPaolo's, visit dipaoloselects.com. For the wine, visit ciuciuvini.it To learn more about Ascoli Piceno, visit provincia.ap.it]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.115 2012-03-18T22:08:54Z 2012-03-18T22:29:34Z

America's Cup World Series, the world's premier yacht race and a magnet for the world's top sailors, will take place in Naples, Italy in the spring of 2012 and 2013. The AC World Series features tight, short race courses...

America's Cup World Series, the world's premier yacht race and a magnet for the world's top sailors, will take place in Naples, Italy in the spring of 2012 and 2013. The AC World Series features tight, short race courses designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore. The innovative regatta format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing, and all-out fleet racing. These events provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America's Cup competitors racing together. The first event in Naples occurs April 7-15, 2012 and the second event is in May 11-29, 2013. The champion of the 2012-2013 AC World Series season will be crowned in Naples, after which the teams will move to San Francisco for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Finals. At the Naples events, sailors will compete in state-of-the-art AC45 wing-sailed catamarans. The AC45 is the official boat of the AC World Series and the forerunner to the next generation of America's Cup boats. While capable of closing speeds over 35 mph, the AC45 remains nimble enough to handle the tight, tactical race courses. The April event will be the first time these hi-tech boats will be raced in Italy. The AC45 was designed by the ORACLE Racing design and engineering team, which developed the catamaran on behalf of the America's Cup community. A high-tech, grand prix race boat, it's powered by a wing that towers over 20 meters above the deck and has already demonstrated excellent performance in winds from 5 to 30 knots in early sea trials. ORACLE Racing skipper Jimmy Spithill, the test pilot, described the boat this way after just one sail, "The wing is big and the boat powers up quickly. It's easy to sail and maneuverability is not a problem." The challenge was to design a boat that not only met the racing and performance criteria, but also fits inside a 40-foot container, which is the shipping method for the America's Cup World Series. "The boat was designed for all-around performance so it can be sailed under a wide range of conditions," said Ian Burns, ORACLE Racing design coordinator. "Plus it's a regatta boat, meant for lots of racing, so quick assembly and disassembly was a must to accommodate an active competition schedule." The race village will be in Bagnoli, a seaside district of Naples. Hotel San Francesco al Monte, a former 16th century monastery and now a beautiful four star hotel, has special packages available for the event. To learn more, visit sanfrancescoalmonte.it. Other recommended hotels: Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, Royal Continental Hotel, Grand Hotel Parker's and Hotel Naples.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.114 2012-02-15T01:04:28Z 2012-02-26T19:35:14Z

In the midst of a cold, blustery, New York City winter comes a warm breeze from Abruzzo, Italy in the form of Rosanna Di Michele. Full of joy and a sincere desire to share her region's cuisine, Rosanna's dream...

In the midst of a cold, blustery, New York City winter comes a warm breeze from Abruzzo, Italy in the form of Rosanna Di Michele. Full of joy and a sincere desire to share her region's cuisine, Rosanna's dream is to make her mark on the Big Apple, one plate at a time. The Abruzzo region lies in central Italy, east of Rome. It includes the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, with 3 national parks and 30 nature reserves. This wild landscape with its varied climates gives rise to a hearty cuisine full of simple, satisfying flavors from land and sea. Caciocavallo and Scamorza cheeses, truffles, saffron and spicy peppers, along with ventricina (salami), soppressate and mortadelle are all typical products of Abruzzo. Rosanna comes from Vasto, an ancient coastal city of art and lively festivals celebrating food and culture. It was here that Rosanna was inspired to create Abruzzo in Tavola, an organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Abruzzo cuisine. According to Rosanna, "The basis of everything - health, culture, happiness, of life itself - starts at the table." Rosanna understands that the best meals come from a cook with an open heart. "I put love in everything I make. The best thing for me is to cook from morning until night for people who appreciate what I make." She has not had a problem finding people who appreciate her talents. It was standing room only at Di Palo's Enoteca in New York's Little Italy recently where Rosanna made a hearty, steaming bowl of trafilata al bronzo pasta, an Abruzzese favorite. For me, the highlight was a scoop of finely chopped hot green peppers marinated in olive oil and poured over the pasta. It added such a wonderful kick to the dish that I decided then and there to add this to my own kitchen repertoire. Of course, the food at Di Palo's was paired with Abruzzo wines, like Montepulciano, Cerasuolo and Trebbiano. The event was so well received that Di Palo's invited her back a few weeks later to delight its customers with her delectable cuisine. Rosanna's talent was a favorite at a recent fundraising auction at Marymount School. The lucky winner had Rosanna in her own kitchen, cooking an amazing multi-course meal of eggplant ripiene, polpette della nonna on a bed of oven baked potatoes, risotto with mushroom and pecorino cheese and seafood pasta. It was such a success that she has been invited back to participate in the 2012 fundraiser. She was also invited to dish out the delicacies at Whole Foods on Columbus Circle on Valentine's Day. She is also in demand outside of Manhattan. She shared her cuisine at the Original Arthur Avenue Italian Deli in the Bronx and at Gourmet 2 Go Marketplace and Catering in Bronxville. Rosanna is so taken by the enthusiastic reception she has received in NYC that she wants to create something special in return. In May of this year she will hold Abruzzo Week in New York. Events will be held at various locations throughout the city featuring dishes made with genuine Abruzzese ingredients. A wonderful dolce from Abuzzo is tarallucci, small pockets of dough filled with a combination of white wine, concentrated grape, almond and chocolate. This dessert is so popular that it has its own festival. Tarallucci & Vino is held annually during the second week of August in Casalbordino, Italy. Another wonderful dish is scrippelle 'mbusse, an ancient recipe from the city of Teramo. It is a kind of crepe made with flour, water and eggs, rolled and bathed in broth and sprinkled with cheese. But I have to tell you, this description hardly does it justice. Rosanna will soon return to Italy, but we await her arrival in New York in May, when the city is blossoming in Springtime, for her presentation of Abruzzo Week. I know I'll be ready. To learn more, visit rosannacooking.com]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2012://1.113 2012-01-22T22:36:47Z 2012-01-29T22:06:18Z

When I say novice, I mean novice. Allow me to explain. I tend to hibernate all winter, much like a bear. But once the warm weather arrives, it's a different story. I've never met a beach I didn't like. Packing...

However, none of this stopped me from joining a ski trip to the Italian Alps. First thing was a call to my Sister the Skier to borrow her clothes. "Sure!" she said, "come right over." So I did. She was thrilled to share her skiing excitement. There was long thermal underwear, ski pants and a shirt with Maybe I can't ski, but I can pose. sleeves that hooked over my thumbs to prevent wind from whipping up my arm. It was here that trepidation started to creep into my tropical soul. There were special socks with padding designed for comfort in ski boots. (I was warned not to wear these in regular shoes; I have no idea why.) There was a hooded ski jacket with special interior pockets for money and ID. "Why would I need ID?" I wanted to ask. But when visions flashed through my mind of being lost among the Italian Alpine trees, freezing and waiting for a Saint Bernard with a cask of brandy, too cold to move my jaw and say my name, I decided not to ask. The wardrobe extravaganza wasn't done. There were special gloves with compartments to slip something called a ski pass. There were little squares of hand warmers wrapped in gold foil in case the reinforced ski gloves weren't warm enough. There was a knit woolen hat that fit snugly on my head, guaranteed to produce hours of hat hair. Then there was the gator. This wide circle of fleece slips over the head and rests around the neck. Yes, this is on top of the special shirt, turtleneck, jacket and hood. "In case it's really cold, damp and windy, this comes in handy!" said my Sister the Skier, in a joyful tone more appropriate to lending me a diamond necklace for the Oscars than spending an afternoon in the blinding cold. But this kind of baffling enthusiasm, I would soon learn, is typical of ski lovers. She offered her goggles. I declined, saying that my wrap-around style sun glasses should work just fine. Of course, I had no idea. I just needed to say 'no' to something. I was being buried in bad news. Arrival in Italy: I meet my compatriots and I'm desperately seeking other novices. I meet two beginners, but no novices. Instead, I mostly meet dyed in the wool veteran ski club members. Their individual and collective enthusiasm is contagious, although I have no idea why. I find myself looking forward to cold and snow. I wonder if I've gone insane. Not very convincing, is it? Day One of Skiing: It's early morning when I amble to our communal breakfast in my Suit of Many Layers. It's an effort to bend my elbow to feed myself. "Are you skiing today?" Several people ask me. "Of course!" I answer, under the heady effects of ski-loving Kool-Aid. It seems foggy outside to me, but no one else mentions it. I conclude that it must not be an issue. We make our way to the ski shop where I hang behind and watch the veterans navigate the equipment. Everyone knows what they want. Everyone knows what to do with what they get. Everyone can't get out of the shop fast enough and onto the slopes, which are increasingly obscured by the fog. I watch their smiling faces as one by one they hoist a pair of skis onto one shoulder, an arm casually thrown over the front for counter-balance, both poles in the other hand. It all looks easy, smooth and cool. I'm excited because soon, I will look just like them. I wait until everyone in my group has their equipment, as I am in no hurry. I enter the shop and catch the eye of an unsuspecting staff member. He naturally expects me to be as knowledgeable as everyone else in my group. He is in denial when I am not. He has a hard time believing how clueless I am. His denial prolongs the process and makes me irritable. I keep asking for help anyway, as I have no option. Finally, he gets it. He helps me into the ski boots and locks me in. I can't believe how uncomfortable they feel. "They're really tight; is this normal?" I ask. "Yes." I stand. "I can't straighten my legs; is this normal?" "Yes." But I instinctively try to straighten them anyway, and feel a shooting pain up the back of my calves with every step. I look out the window and the fog is now so thick that I can't see the mountain, which as I recall is about 100 steps away and straight up. I can't imagine 100 steps in the fog with this pain shooting up the back of my leg. In this moment, I can't imagine why anybody skis. He hands me the skis and poles and is happy to see me go. I slowly and painfully make my way outside. Someone takes pity on me and says "If you walk heel-toe, it's easier." I try it and it is easier. Not easy; easier. Not painless; easier. I decide to take what I can get. Now it's time to throw the skis over my shoulder and look cool. But like every other aspect of this experience, it's harder than it looks. The skis are heavy and slippery; traits you want on the slopes but not on your shoulder. (This may explain why skis are worn and not carried during the actual skiing experience.) The skis are held together back-to-back at the bindings, so the bindings are facing out. And they're uncomfortable. And they're smack in the middle of the skis, so I slide them in front of my shoulder. This is more comfortable but now I'm struggling to balance them. I finally get them set and step out with my first heel-toe and the skis slip completely off my shoulder. But that's OK, I can catch them with my other hand. Oh, no I can't. I have a pair of poles in that hand. Now skis and poles crash to the ground. I decide the shoulder-carry is too cool for me right now. Instead, I hold the skis vertically in one hand, poles in the other. I am mystified why anyone would consider this a good time. I slowly make my way toward what I hope is the bunny slope. I can't really tell because the fog is now so thick that the mountain has disappeared. I just travel haltingly in the direction of other skiers. Finally, I can make out a kiosk and the other 2 "beginners" in my group. I catch up to within shouting distance of them. They are above me on an incline and I can't imagine how I'll get there. I'm now off the pavement and on the snow, where I believe the skis were meant to be. So I drop them and realize I have no idea how to get them on. My friend Cindy, who thinks she's a beginner but is soon revealed to be an intermediate, shouts instructions on how to attach the skis. Me with my intrepid skiing friends: Cindy Bigras, Susan Van Allen & Lisa del Percio. Riccardo, our instructor, shouts in my direction and demonstrates the horizontal, incremental creep one performs to move up a small incline. I imitate him and snail my way up. It's then that I notice individual drops of blood in the snow. I am horrified. Who is bleeding? How were they injured? Will I be next? My eyes follow the crimson drops that lead to a man lying on his side, propped up on his elbow, looking more like he's on a couch across from a TV than losing vital life fluids in the frozen earth. I realize he's had a nose bleed and is collecting himself. His skis are still on and he looks OK, certainly calmer than me. It's another example of the ever-optimistic skier. No need to get off the slopes; just wait until the bleeding stops, pop back up and swoosh down the mountain. Dear Lord, take me to the beach.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2011://1.112 2011-11-27T18:55:07Z 2012-01-07T16:15:39Z

The Alto Jonio Dance Company from the town of Villapiana, Calabria, is coming to NYC looking for emerging choreographic talent. On December 26 and 27, 2011, a competition will be held at New York City Center Studios, 130 West...

The Alto Jonio Dance Company from the town of Villapiana, Calabria, is coming to NYC looking for emerging choreographic talent. On December 26 and 27, 2011, a competition will be held at New York City Center Studios, 130 West 56th Street in Manhattan for the best of the best. Under the Artistic Direction of Antonio Fini and co-produced by Gianluca Blandi, the competition will consist of 2 separate pieces for each contestant: a solo and a trio or duet. Performances will take place on December 26 with callbacks on December 27. The winner will be flown to Villapiana, Italy to perform at the annual dance Festival July 30-31, 2012. He or she will be awarded the title of Alto Jonio Dance - Emerging Choreographer, as well as free room, board and tuition to study at the Summer Intensive with Elena Albano from July 23-28, just before the Festival. Visit altojoniodance.com for details and registration information. The jury panel for the New York competition will include Antonio Fini, Artistic Director of Alto Jonio Dance Company, Michael Mao, founder and Artistic Director of Michael Mao Dance Company, Kevin Alpert and Nicola Iervasi, respectively the Executive Director and Artistic Director of Mare Nostrum Elements Movement Theater, Virginie Maecenas, former first dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company and now Director of the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Noa Guy, internationally renowned musician and composer, Felicia Flavale, Villapiana's Cultural Minister and Italian American journalist and photographer, Carolyn Masone. The Alto Jonio Dance Company is the latest endeavor by its Artistic Director, Antonio Fini, and is already making a name for itself. Its premier festival held in Villapiana last summer featured dance luminaries such as Donatello Iacobellis, choreographer with the MOMIX dance company, one of the world's most famous companies.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2011://1.111 2011-11-27T16:55:19Z 2011-11-27T17:11:39Z

"You must visit Nonna. She lives in the village and seldom has visitors, but she absolutely makes the best dolci!" An enthusiastic endorsement like this prompted many journeys for Francine Segan, food historian, author and speaker, in her search...

"You must visit Nonna. She lives in the village and seldom has visitors, but she absolutely makes the best dolci!" An enthusiastic endorsement like this prompted many journeys for Francine Segan, food historian, author and speaker, in her search for the very best Italian sweets. These treasured recipes are now in her latest book, Dolci, Italy's Sweets. Ms. Segan wanted to collect not only the recipes from generations past but also the ones served today in contemporary Italian kitchens. She met with famous chefs, contacted infamous Italian bloggers and visited the kitchens of Italian grandmothers. Her book guides us through Italy's hills and valleys, nooks and crannies, as she cooks, tastes and records these luscious desserts. Ms. Segan celebrated the launch of the book at The National Arts Club in the Gramercy Park section of Manhattan on November 10, 2011. Always an engaging speaker, she recounted stories of her latest trips to Italy and her search for divine desserts. She told of one Nonna who kept Francine in her kitchen for 6 hours until she "got the recipes right". Still, I can think of worse ways to spend a day than in a warm cucina filled with aromas of chocolate and fruit. The book is beautifully illustrated and the recipes are taken from all over Italy. Chapters are devoted to after-dinner liqueurs and special coffees. Ms. Segan includes a smattering of history and folklore among the dolci, as well as some of her favorite Italian food proverbs. For example, instead of 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away', it's 'due dita di vino e' una pedata al medico' (two fingers of wine is a kick in the butt to the doctor). And my personal favorite: a tavola non s'invecchia (while at the table no one grows old). You can purchase Dolci: Italy's Sweets at amazon.com. To learn more about Francine Segan, visit francinesegan.com.]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2011://1.110 2011-10-30T15:33:30Z 2011-10-30T15:49:35Z

Underneath the historic center of Naples lies the skeleton of another city, Napoli Sotteranea, 2400 years old and marked with the passage of time. The two cities, above and below, have been inextricably linked throughout history. Both cities are...

Underneath the historic center of Naples lies the skeleton of another city, Napoli Sotteranea, 2400 years old and marked with the passage of time. The two cities, above and below, have been inextricably linked throughout history. Both cities are made of the same yellow tuft stone. Each city is easily accessed from the other, and each one has protected the other at different points in history. You might say that each city makes the other one possible, viable and alive. So how did this all begin? The area in and around Naples is geothermal, and pressure over centuries created tuft stone out of compacted volcanic ash. When the ancient Greeks founded the city in the 8th century B.C.E., they dug underground into the stone creating cisterns to hold the rain. Over time, they added a series of canals, well shafts and tunnels to distribute the water. The Romans later greatly expanded and improved this water system. It remained in use until as recently as 1885, when an epidemic of cholera forced Naples to replace it. Early on, the yellow tuft stone was recognized as a strong and pliable building material. In the 13th century Naples fueled a significant period of expansion by extracting large amounts of tuft stone from the underground. In the 17th century, laws were enacted forbidding the import of construction materials into the city, but ever-resourceful Naples simply reached beneath and drew its tuft stone from there. The combination of water distribution systems and extraction created underground spaces of various sizes. Some are so narrow that you have to turn sideways to walk through them. Others are so tall and wide that musical concerts and living spaces can fit inside them. The underground even added another player to the Neapolitan cast of fanciful, mythical characters: the ghost-monk, Monaciello. There are several variations on this legend, but they seem to agree on certain key points. He appears in 2 forms: Good and Bad. At one point in Naples' history, thieves used the underground tunnels and well shafts to gain access to the palazzi of rich merchants and noblemen. The bandits entered and exited the homes unseen leaving no evidence of their presence, carting away valuables. They often hid the valuables under mantles they wore, similar to a monk's robe. From this phantom-like behavior the idea sprang up that the items were taken, not by human hands, but by Monaciello. Bad Monaciello, to be exact. Even now, if a Neapolitan can't find his car keys, you might hear him cursing the Bad Monaciello under his breath. But back to the past. Since this is an Italian story, amore inevitably enters the picture. Sometimes, when a bandit crept into an opulent palazzo, he would find the beautiful and willing wife of the owner, left alone while her husband attended to business elsewhere. Romantic encounters often followed. The bandit-lover would bring gifts to his new lady of interest. When the husband finally returned, saw the gifts and asked his wife for an explanation, she would answer, "It must be from Monaciello." Good Monaciello, to be exact. The underground once again came to the rescue of its sunlit counterpart when the bombardment of WWII forced hundreds of citizens to relocate beneath Naples. Although it was not an ideal environment in which to live, it saved many lives. Neapolitans brought what belongings they could; some furniture, bedding, clothing. The lack of sunlight and musty air forced some of the weak and elderly to make an impossible choice: return above ground and risk survival amid the bombing, or remain underground where their ability to breathe was severely affected. World War II was a dark period in Naples' history, and its memory is kept alive in Napoli Sotteranea. Metal renderings of soldiers in gasmasks, holding weapons and crouching amid tanks remain in the underground, remnants of a former art exhibition commemorating the events. Metal bed frames and tricycles, long forgotten traces of the lives of WWII refugees, are grouped together for emotional effect. And it is emotional, believe me. After the war, much of the rubble left from the bombardment was bulldozed into the underground. After that, it was used as an unofficial garbage dump. In 1968, worldwide seismic shifts caused water and sewerage systems in many cities to overflow. However, the vast spaces of Naples underground absorbed these events and they did not disrupt the city above. After about 20 years of excavation and reclamation, much of the underground is available for tours and interesting uses. Currently, a tracking system can be found there, monitoring worldwide seismic shifts and displaying the results on a large flat screen. Scientific experiments are also conducted there, such as creating the optimal environment for the proliferation of plant life. It's not just science, though. Musical concerts and art exhibitions are also hosted in the underground. I can only imagine what a Halloween "Haunted Underground" might look like. To learn more and schedule an unforgettable tour, visit Napoli Sotteranea. ]]> tag:www.essenceofitaly.net,2011://1.109 2011-10-16T14:46:41Z 2011-10-17T23:00:34Z

A famous face turns and smiles broadly. A camera clicks. A bulb flashes. A moment in time is preserved forever. This ritual occurred countless times in 1950's Italy. The paparazzi, who would not be so named until Fellini's film...

A famous face turns and smiles broadly. A camera clicks. A bulb flashes. A moment in time is preserved forever. This ritual occurred countless times in 1950's Italy. The paparazzi, who would not be so named until Fellini's film La Dolce Vita in 1960, chronicled every celebrity arrival, shopping spree, bacchanal, stolen private moment and eventual departure. The Italian public, still recovering and psychologically escaping from the ravages of WWII, seemed to have an insatiable appetite for the celebrities in their midst. Celebrities symbolized an Italy moving forward, progressing toward a better future. Not only did Italy send its famous to Hollywood, but Hollywood also came to Italy, specifically to film at the Italian studio Cinecitta'. La Dolce Vita - 1950 - 1960; Stars and Celebrities in the Italian Fifties is a photographic exhibition celebrating this unique period. Italy was reveling in the peace of the mid-20th century. It had time to be frivolous and a strong desire to distance itself from the horrors of war. It feasted on the wild and wealthy lives of the famous. This hunger was fed by a steady diet of movie magazines, fattened by gossip columnists and photojournalists. Photographs are tricks of light. They capture the image in front of the camera, but that's only the beginning. Photographs also reveal something about the person behind the camera and the society in which they both exist. At the Dolce Vita exhibition, all of these elements are in play. At first glance, the images are captivating because of the celebrities they showcase. But with closer inspection the images reveal what is around the celebrity: the fans, the looks of adoration, the autograph books offered in hope of capturing in writing what the camera captured in light. The women's dresses, jewelry, shoes, gloves and purses and the men's shirts, ties, suits and sweaters tell a story. And not only of the celebrity but more interestingly, of who surrounds them. They perch on vespas, sit at cafe' tables, dance in nightclubs. They look happy, surprised and a little uncomfortable. This is Italy at a unique moment, on the cusp of an era that would move faster and faster toward an unknown future. Fascinated by images and stories of celebrity decadence, what scandalized Italians then feels almost quaint now. This is an Italy that existed for a time and is no more. The exhibition is curated by Marco Panella, promoted by Ministro del Turismo, Cinecitta' and Artix. Consisting of 84 black and white images, most have never been seen in public before. They are on display throughout Eataly, 200 5th Avenue in Manhattan, hanging from the ceiling rafters throughout the store. The exhibition lasts until November 14. After you've been beguiled by the Italy of the '50's, delight your palate with dinner at nearby SD26 located at 19 East 26th Street. This is the latest restaurant run by Tony and Marisa May, the same father/daughter team who served New York at San Domenico's Restaurant on Central Park South since 1988. SD26 serves contemporary Italian cuisine with a 750 labels Wine List. When I dined there I met Matt Dillon. Maybe I brought some of that celebrity vibe with me from the Dolce Vita exhibition.]]>