The Italian Cultural Centre Society Presents:
Italian Heritage Month 2011 (June 2-29)
Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
Week 1: (June 1-5) Opening Week Celebrations
Thursday June 2:
Grand Opening Ceremonies of Italian Heritage Month 2011 and Italian National Day Celebration “Festa della Repubblica” Celebrating Vancouver's 125th and Unified Italy's 150th anniversaries. The Consul General of Italy, Francesco de Conno will take part and the ICC's Italian Canadian Associations will provide traditional sweets for the community to the tune of the Italian melodies passionately provided by the Italian Choir of BC and the Vancouver Italian Folk Chorus! 7:30 pm in the Ballroom. Admission by suggested donation of $2 - FREE samples of traditional Italian sweets for everyone!
Friday June 3
Italian/English performance of Farfalle at the Children’s Festival at 7:00 pm Variety Theatre on Granville Island In collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture
Sunday June 5
Italian Day on The Drive – Celebrate all that is Italian on The Drive - Vancouver’s original “Little Italy”! Visit the ICC’s Piazza Italia where we’ll be serving up our famous meatball sandwiches and other delicious Italian fare! Don’t miss the “Little Italy” children’s activity and play area along the Napier Greenway!
Week 2: (June 6-12) Art, Architecture & Design
Monday June 6
THE ROME OF POPE JULIUS II, PATRON OF THE ARTS (by Dr. Efrat El-Hanany, Capilano University). This presentation will explore the unparalleled cultural achievements of Pope Julius II, known as il Papa Terribile, who commissioned the creation of some the greatest masterworks of Michelangelo, Raphael and Bramante in the Roman High Renaissance, including the paintings in the Sistine Chapel, the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the frescoes of the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican. Dr. Efrat El-Hanany is an art historian specializing in the visual culture of the Italian Renaissance with an MA and a PhD from Indiana University in Bloomington. She currently teaches at Capilano UniversityAt 7:00 pm in the Museum.
Wednesday June 8
THE FACTORY AND THE TEMPLE (by Dr. Christopher Pearson, Capilano University). Though Italy has one of the richest architectural legacies of any country, her important contributions to the design culture of the last hundred years are not so widely known. This presentation will survey major monuments and developments of modern architecture in Italy and by Italian architects from 1900 to the present day, paying special attention to the Stile Liberty (Art Nouveau), Futurism, Rationalism, postwar Modernism and Postmodernism, as well as such contemporary architects as Paolo Portoghesi, Gae Aulenti, Paolo Soleri, Aldo Rossi, Massimiliano Fuksas and Renzo Piano. Dr. Christopher Pearson is a historian of art, architecture and urbanism who focuses on the visual culture of the 20th century. He taught history and theory of art and architecture at many universities in the US, and from 2006 he was a founding faculty member of Quest University Canada. His most recent book is Designing UNESCO: Art, Architecture and International Politics at Mid-Century (2010). He is a faculty member in the Department of Art History at Capilano University. At 7:00 pm in the Museum.
Thursday June 9
LEARNING FROM MILANO. (by Russell Taylor, Simon Fraser University). This presentation will focus on the contemporary design scene in Milan. By “design” we mean what the Milanese would understand that to mean - “product or industrial design”. Milan is a leading innovation centre for the production of ideas and form and this lecture will feature the most important work being done now in the world’s greatest design capital. The session will feature current research being conducted annually in Milan by Russell Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Design, the School of Interactive Arts + Technology, Simon Fraser University. Professor Russell Taylor is a leading expert on contemporary Italian Design and Architecture, and is Director of the SFU ItaliaDesign Field School program. At 7:00 pm in the Museum
Week 3: (June 13-19) Food & Wine
Monday June 13
ITALIAN QUALITY SEAL RESTAURANT AWARDS 2011 - The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada–West is pleased to announce the 1st edition of the “Italian Quality Seal Restaurant Awards”, an exclusive event to celebrate the prestigious recognition presented to restaurants around the world for their excellence in authenticity, creativity and use of traditional ingredients in Italian cuisine.
This important recognition - which promotes the image of top Italian Restaurants abroad and guarantees the highest quality of Italian hospitality standards - will be presented to the winning restaurants by Italian Consul General, Francesco de Conno, and ICCC President, Celso Boscariol, at a special event at the Italian Cultural Centre Ballroom on Monday, June 13th at 5.30 pm.
The presentation will be followed by a reception during which the winning restaurants will feature some of their signature dishes, paired with Italian wines sponsored by our member wine agencies. The event will be attended by local media and members of the international business community. PLEASE NOTE: This event is free and open to the public but due to limited space RSVP and a registration are required. For more information and to register, please contact the Italian Chamber of Commerce at 604.682.1410 – iccbc@iccbc.com.
Tuesday June 14
Wine wisdom! Learn to taste wine with expert professional sommelier, Marta Chiavacci (FISAR Sommelier of the Year in 2007) and the fascinating and informative Carmen D'Onofrio of Stile Wines. Pre-register for this one-hour lesson - cost $25.00 each. In the Museum, 7:00 pm. Limited seats available. Ph. 604 430 3337
Wednesday June 15
PIZZA 101 - Luscious, cheesy, thin, thick - the world of pizza is infinite! Come taste authentic Italian pizza and discover the secrets of this refined culinary art from Vancouver's and Italy's experts! Learn about this history of pizza, the key to the best crust, seasonal toppings, and whether we really should be putting pineapple on our pizza. Presented in collaboration with Slow Food Vancouver. This event is free but pre-registration is required as seats are limited. In the Ballroom, 7:00 pm. Ph. 604 430 3337
Saturday June 18
ESPRESSO YOURSELF!! Wake up with Vancouver's finest coffee roasters and biscotti makers! Sample premium espresso, cappuccino and iced lattes along with delicious Italian biscotti! Learn the secrets to making your own fabulous biscotti with Chef Eduardo Bilardello of Brioche Urban Baking and Catering! Plus, presentations by Vancouver's top coffee connoisseurs, including Caffé Artigiano, about fair trade coffee, roasting techniques, and flavour characteristics. Enjoy award-winning barista latte art, prize draws and much more to espresso yourself! 9:00 am-12 noon, in the ICC Osteria. Pre-registration is required as seats are limited! Ph. 604 430 3337
Sunday June 19
ITALIAN MARKET DAY! The best in Italian food, entertainment and fun! Delicious Italian food, live music, the city's best gelato samples and presentation (with Chef Maurizio Persichino and Bella Gelateria), cooking competition with Vancouver's top chefs, students and celebrity judges, Slow Food workshops, market vendors (just like in Italy) and tons of fun for the entire family! This outdoor festival is an event not to be missed! Noon - 5:00pm.
The Great Italian Culinary Challenge – For aspiring chefs in the making. Chef Pino Posteraro will lead a panel of celebrity judges as they select Italian Heritage Month 2011 at www.italianculturalcentre.ca the winner of the first edition of this exciting competition! Judging is open to the public in the Ballroom at 12:30 pm.
"History and evolution of the art of Gelato". Arrivederci ice cream, Ciao Gelato! Satisfy your coolest cravings and experience flavourful bursts of fruit and goodness! Gelato is the sweetest inspiration and an integral treat for Italian tourists and across the world. Gelato is a nostalgic symbol of a warm summer day and delicious moments. When did this heavenly creation come into being, how has it evolved for the delight of our taste buds?! Expert pastry chef, culinary instructor and gelato scholar, Chef Maurizio Persichino, will guide you through the history and evolution of this wonderful expression of culinary art and naturally a guided tasting will follow courtesy of Maestro Gelatiere James Coleridge from his award-winning Bella Gelateria (www.bellagelateria.com)! This is a free event but pre-registration is required as seats are limited, ph. 604 430 3337. 2:00 pm in the Ballroom.
Week 4: (June 20-26) Performing Arts
Monday June 20
Community Choir Night The harmony of these local Italian Choirs will be music to your ears! Experience the passion and talent of the Trevigiano Veneto Folk Group, the Italian Men’s Choir Canada and the Famee Furlane Balletto. At 7:00 pm in the Ballroom. FREE ADMISSION
Tuesday June 21
The Eduardo De Filippo Theatre Group will perform one of the most famous comedies of Eduardo De Filippo, Questi Fantasmi, for an unforgettable and hilarious Italian theatrical evening! The performance is in Italian and Neapolitan dialect. Directed by Tony Serge. At 7:00 pm in the Ballroom FREE ADMISSION
Wednesday June 22
Move over Bocelli…On this night there is no distinction between the audience and the entertainers. Have fun, be yourself and sing your heart out at the Italian Karaoke night! Italian and English music for the Italian Idol in all of us! Starting at 8pm in La Trattoria. FREE ADMISSION
Thursday June 23
Voice of the Night youth singing contest! Cheer on your favourites as they dig deep to put on the performance of their lives and take home the grand prize of $1000! Produced and presented by the fabulous Carmelina Cupo (www.carmelinacupo.com). At 7:00 pm in the Ballroom. FREE ADMISSION
Friday June 24
I Commedianti theatre group presents "Giovanni Caboto tra storia e leggenda", a one-act recital with a surprise conclusion... Staring Italian actor, Giuliano Esperati with a young chorus composed of our local university music students. Directed by Roberto Albertazzi. The Performance is in Italian. At 7pm in the Ballroom FREE ADMISSION
Saturday June 25
La Festa delle Regioni Banquet and Dance A celebration of the traditional, genuine goodness of Italian cuisine! Support the Vancouver ICC's first ever Italian Heritage Month and our children's language programs while you enjoy a multi-course menu created by our Chef Rebecca Johnson, featuring wholesome regional Italian specialties and the award presentation to the Immigrant of the Year. Doors open at 6:00 pm, dinner served at 7:00 pm. Live music for dancing after dinner! Tickets cost: $60.00. $5.00 for each ticket sold will support the ICC Italian Language School. Generously sponsored by Bella Gelateria (www.bellagelateria.com). For tickets and info please contact our office at 604 430 3337. POPULAR SELL-OUT, BOOK EARLY!
Week 5: (June 27-29) Indoor & Outdoor Cinema
Monday June 27
Italian Cinema (Indoor, for children): The Adventures of Pinocchio (…Inventor Geppetto creates a wooden marionette called Pinocchio. His wish for a son is unexpectedly granted, when the Blue Fairy gives life to Pinocchio. The fairy also assigns Jiminy Cricket to act as Pinocchio's "conscience" and keep him out of trouble. Jiminy is not very successful in this endeavor, as Pinocchio is willingly lured through various forms of temptation, the most frightening of which leads him to Pleasure Island, where he is almost turned into a donkey... In English. At 6:00 pm in the Trattoria. FREE ADMISSION (Indoor, rated PG): Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (Cinema Paradiso) (1988) A boy who grew up in a native Sicilian Village returns home as a famous director after receiving news about the death of an old friend. Told in a flashback, Salvatore reminiscences about his childhood and his relationship with Alfredo, a projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. Under the fatherly influence of Alfredo, Salvatore fell in love with film making, with the duo spending many hours discussing about films and Alfredo painstakingly teaching Salvatore the skills that became a stepping stone for the young boy into the world of film making. The film brings the audience through the changes in cinema and the dying trade of traditional film making, editing and screening. It also explores a young boy's dream of leaving his little town to foray into the world outside. Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale and Antonella Attili. In Italian with English subtitles, 155 mins. At 7:00 pm in the Museum. FREE ADMISSION
Tuesday June 28
Italian Cinema (indoor, rated PG-13) Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips) (2000) (Indoor show for adults) An Italian housewife, Rosalba, finds herself stranded during a family vacation. Instead of waiting for her controlling businessman husband, she hitchhikes her way home, only to impulsively detour to Venice. She finds accommodations with a restaurant maitre d' and soon finds herself enjoying her new life. Meanwhile, her husband has sent a bumbling plumber, Constantino, as a private detective to find her. After meeting and falling in love with Grazia, Rosalba's neighbour across the hall, Costantino calls Rosalba's husband and quits, claiming that he is unable to find her. However, her husband's mistress appears to try to convince her to return home to Pescara. Starring Licia Maglietta, Bruno Ganz and Giuseppe Battiston, directed by Silvio Soldini. In Italian with English subtitles. At 7:00 pm in the Museum. FREE ADMISSION
Wednesday June 29
Italian Cinema under the Stars! Roman Holiday … On a highly publicized tour in Europe, Princess Ann becomes a royal rebel in Rome and escapes her luxurious confinement. However, her adventures lead her to unexpected encounters including one with Joe Bradley, an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome who thinks he has the royal scoop of the century. The events lead to more twists and turns than the Tiber River! SPONSORED BY VANCITY. Starring Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Eddie Albert, directed by William Wyler (1953). At dusk (approx. 9:30 pm) FREE ADMISSION.
