CiaoDC Chat with Host of "Dream of Italy" on PBS!

CiaoDC recently chatted with Kathy McCabe, the Executive Producer and Host of PBS' Dream of Italy travel series and Editor and Publisher of Dream of Italy magazine.  Tune into our latest interview as Kathy discusses her Italian heritage, visits to the country, and her work on Dream of Italy.  Listen here to listen to the full CiaoDC Chat or visit dreamofitaly.com to learn more!

Bella Italia Market - Vendor List

The much-anticipated Bella Italia Market at Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center is happening this weekend, December 1st and 2nd. The market will serve as a great venue for Christmas shopping, with Italian goods, food, and more!  See a list of some of the market's vendors below:

Dolci Gelati, cheese & ice cream

Appian Market, handcrafted accessories, shoes

Barboursville Vineyards, wine

Franca Bartoli, fashion designer

Batistini Farms, olive oil & more

Beretta USA Corp., sport fashions & leather accessories

Calligaris, home decor

Giancarlo Chiancone, art

Daminano Durante, art and portraits

Ferrante Fotography, photo art

Illy Coffee, espresso & more

The Italian Store, specialty foods & more

LA MOTO of Washington, D.C., Vespa motorcycles

Patricia & Franca, Italian treasures

Paolo Nascimbeni/Life in Italy, Deruta ceramics, wall art

Melitta Paterni, cashmere accessories

Davide Prete, sculpture & jewelry

Angela Puglisi, art

Giovanni Raspini, silver jewelry

Regina Grace Designs, novelty items

Regnum Siciliae Imports, Sicilian ceramics, bags, more

Amina Rubinacci USA Inc., upscale fashions

Santa Maria Novella USA, beauty products

Serafino Fine Italian Leather, leather accessories

Monica A. Tierney, books 

"Stars for Darfur" Event to Help Genocide Victims

Italians in DC is teaming up with Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) to raise  money for Sudanese genocide survivors in honor of International Human Rights Day.   All proceeds will benefit humanitarian crisis relief. "Stars for Darfur" will feature Italian and Sudanese musicians and an auction for handmade crafts made by women in Darfur.  The event will be held at Tenley Bar & Grill in D.C. and will begin at 5pm on December 8th.  Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. For more information, contact program@darfurwomenaction.

CiaoDC Chats with Celebrity Chef Lidia Bastianich on her new Memoir and PBS Special!

CiaoDC Publisher and Host, Alyssa Ciccone chats with Emmy-Award winning Chef/Author Lidia Giuliana Mattichio Bastianich.  Lidia discusses her struggle as an immigrant, her journey of building an Italian food empire, the importance of the family, the sacredness of the dinner table, and, finally, rediscovering America through food!  For full podcast, listen here.

PBS Special: Lidia Celebrates America , A Heartland Holiday Feast will debut on December 18th on PBS. For more information click here.  Her new memoir, My American Dream, A Life of Love, Family and Food is in bookstores now!  See more information here.

"Being Italian is all about family....and the dinner table is a very special place."
-Lidia Bastianich 

"Che Vuoi Che Sia" Film Viewing at Casa Italiana

Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center is hosting a viewing of the Italian film Che Vuoi Che Sia (What's the Big Deal).

The comedy, directed by Edoardo Leo, follows a young Milanese couple, Anna and Claudio, struggling with the decision to start a family.  The pair decides to wait until they are more financially sound and, in the meantime, Claudio launches an online fundraising page to raise money to launch a web business.  One drunk night, Anna and Claudio post on the page, suggesting that visitors pay in exchange for a clip of their sex tape.   

See the movie on Sunday, December 9th at 3pm at Casa Italiana! 

Holiday Podcast: Dream of Italy PBS Host and Publisher, Kathy McCabe Chats with CiaoDC!

TV Host and Publisher of Dream of Italy, Kathy McCabe chats with CiaoDC on her amazing journey to Italy, her beloved Italian mom and travel partner and her special moment with Film Producer, Francis Ford Coppola in Basilicata.  You'll want to curl up to a warm cappuccino and homemade biscotti for this one!  Listen here for our holiday podcast.

"Bella Italia Market" at Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center!

Visit the Bella Italia Market just in time for holiday shopping! On December 1st and 2nd, Casa Italiana in D.C. will be hosting a market featuring Italian products, gifts, and services.  Admission is free.  See times below:

December 1st: 10-6

(Designer Fashion Show at 4pm)

December 2nd: 10-5

For more information, visit casaitalianacenter.org.