Wine and Music This Week!

Several events happening this week that didn't make it into our E-news for the month.

Wednesday, April 21st: 2 wine events
6-8pm: The Best of Piedmont and Tuscany
Cork Wine Bar - Giuseppe Vajra of GD Vajra and Roberto Stucchi-Prinetti will be there to talk about their winemaking and instruct a tasting on newly released vintages of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Barolo, Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Reserva.
Cost: FREE!
RSVP: info@corkdc.com

7-10pm: Cantina Del Pino Wine Dinner
Liberty Tavern (Clarendon) - Executive Chef, Liam LaCivita, and Northside Social's General Manager and Wine Director, Alison Christ, are hosting a special, 5-course wine dinner Wednesday night with Renato Vacca of Cantina Del Pino. Cantina Del Pino is located in Barbaresco, Italy and Mr. Vacca is flying in from Italy especially for this dinner.
Cost: $80/person
RSVP: Call Liberty at 703-465-9360 and make sure you mention your reservation is for the wine dinner. This event is limited to 20 seats!

Friday, April 23rd
6:30pm: Italian Cultural Institute Violin and Piano Concert featuring Francis Duroy and Alessandro Magnasco
Embassy of Italy - the talented duo will perform a selection of works by Beethoven, Brahms, Sarasate, and Schumann.
More information and RSVP

Sunday, April 25th
3:00pm: Meet Italian Winemaker from Dal Maso Winery in the Veneto!
Cork Wine Bar - Reserve a spot to taste the Dal Maso portfolio of wines. Beautiful crisp whites and reds from indigenous varietals, plus fresh Sauvignon Blanc and bold Cabernet. Nicola Dal Maso will discuss the entire portfolio and taste 6 of their diverse and terroir driven wines.
Cost: $40
RSVP: info@corkdc.com

Lecture & Tasting Reception Wednesday!

Join CiaoDC.com and the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW)for a lecture and tasting reception on Food, Family, Culture: An Italian American Woman's Culinary Journey on Wednesday, April 21 from 6-8 at Luigis. It's FREE! Plus, win exciting prizes simply for coming: Door Prize #1:$100 gift certificate to Luigis; Door Prize #2: Private Cooking Class with Chef Carmine Marzano and Deborah Marzano; Door Prize #3: Signed copy of Cooking with Carmine DVD! Winners will be selected on Wednesday at Luigis. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Event info and RSVP here.

Ci vediamo a Luigis!

Free Events, Giveaways and Everything Italian!

Faction of Fools' House with Two Doors promises a laugh-out-loud, feel-good production by a well choreographed and talented cast of Commedia dell'Arte characters live at the first annual WATTAGE, Capital Fringe Festival's new spring performance series, through Sunday, May 9.

Appropriately staged in the old AV Italian Restaurant on New York Ave, 'House' invites audiences to take a light hearted stroll through Naples where a beautiful runaway and a mysterious foreigner chance to meet by night in the streets of Naples, transforming a cloak-and-dagger intrigue into a Renaissance bedroom farce complete with masks, swordplay, mistaken identity, and laughs for the whole family. The love-strucken Spainard, Luzio (Lover Boy) played by Graham Pilato, is hysterically loveable guiding the audience with Pulcinella (Denise Perrino) through 'this strange town' of Naples. Costume Designer, Lynly Saunders and Mask Designer, Antonio Fava (founder and director of the International School of the Comic Actor in Reggio-Emilia, Italy) beautifully match the players to their 17th Century garb. All of the 'Fools', masked and unmasked, men and women (or was that a man?) are a delight to watch.


The Faction of Fools Theatre Company, Inc -- DC's only theatre company devoted specifically to Commedia dell'Arte -- and its Founder, Matt Wilson should be applauded for their vision and enthusiasm to showcase such classic theatre right here in our Nation's Capital.

Faction of Fools' The House with Two Doors runs for 18 performances from April 15 thru May 9 at The Shop @Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001. Suitable for Ages 8 and up. Tickets are $20 and are available at 866-811-4111 or here. Be CiaoDC.com's guest for a FREE performance on Saturday, April 17, 5 pm compliments of Faction of Fools Theatre Company. Limited Space Available. Spend this Saturday evening in bella Napoli with our local Commedia Dell'Arte 'Fools. RSVP to monica@capitalfringe.org for your FREE ticket!

More giveaways when you RSVP for Food, Family, Culture: An Italian American Women's Culinary Journey. Hosted by CiaoDC.com and NOIAW
Prize #1. $100 Gift Certificate to Luigis
Prize #2: Private Cooking Class with Chef Carmine Marzano and Deborah Marzano
Prize #3: Cooking with Carmine DVD signed by Chef Carmine

More about the event here. Space is limited, so hurry and RSVP!

Spring Fever at Luigis Giveaway

RSVP for Family Food Culture: An Italian American Women's Culinary Journey on Wednesday, April 21 from 6-8 at Luigis, and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Famous Luigis!

This special reception will feature a speaking engagement and Q&A session by Luigis Owner, Restaurateur Deborah Marzano; chef demonstration by Chef Carmine Marzano; tasting reception; networking; door prizes and more!

Hosted by the National Organization of Italian American Women of the Greater Washington, DC Region (NOIAW) and CiaoDC.com. FREE. Limited Space Available. RSVP by April 18 to noiaw@noiaw.org. Luigis, 1192 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Spring Fever at Luigis Giveaway will be awarded to one lucky winner on April 21 at Luigis. Must be present to win!

Ci Vediamo a Luigis!

READ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RESTAURATEUR, DEBORAH MARZANO HERE.

Pizza Buonissima in Georgetown: Il Canale

Ciao Amici!

I just returned from 2 weeks in Italia for my honeymoon, and it was wonderful. Being there reminded me that amazing Italian food doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, especially when it comes to pizza. Although I wouldn't normally recommend getting pizza anywhere other than 2 Amy's, Paola Buffa and Enrico Sautto have started serving up very authentic and delicious pizza at Il Canale, 1063 31st St. in Georgetown. Upon entering you see the wood-fired oven where all the magic happens and move into their sleekly decorated downstairs dining room and bar. The upstairs dining room is slightly more spacious, and when it's warm you can dine al fresco on the "terrazza." I can't attest to their pastas and other dishes, but the mixed antipasto platter is a great starter, and their wine selection provides plenty of options. With a glass of red wine in hand and the Pizza Margherita in front of me, I could almost close my eyes and pretend I was back in the Bel Paese. Buon Appetito!

-Krissy

Escape to the 'Light' this Spring

Passion, love and simplicity are the shining stars in Arena Stages' Light in the Piazza. Dressed with illuminated images of Botticelli's Primavera, juxtaposed by an orchestral quintet, Arena's stage brings Italy to life during this magical chamber musical. Lovely leading lady Clara and her 'oh so handsome' Fabrizio embrace you with flutters of butterflies in a love at first sight crush. The Naccerelli family epitomizes La Famiglia -- demure, dramatic and fiercely loyal. Through the eyes of Clara's mother, Margaret, the audience is guided by a refreshing perspective of old world charm where love is the highest honor and art is uncovered in the unique. Light in the Piazza is a pure delight. This Spring, follow your heart to Arena Stage where Italy is just a theatre ticket away!

Congratulations to Monique Quesada. She is the winner of CiaoDC.com's Count Down til Spring Theatre Giveaway. She and a guest will enjoy tickets to Light in the Piazza TONIGHT!

"Grazie mille ragazzi di CiaoDC.com, not only for the tickets to "Light in the Piazza" (che fortuna!!), but also for making me feel like the best of Italy is only a click away," says Monique.

CiaoDC's Count Down 'til Spring Theatre Giveaway

Escape to Tuscany for one night when you enter CiaoDC.com's Count Down 'til Spring Theatre Giveaway contest. Send us a comment below about something Italian you'll be doing this Spring and be eligible to win two (2) tickets to the Arena Stage Production of Light in the Piazza on Friday, March 12. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, March 7. Winner will be announced on Monday, March 8.

In bocca al lupo ("In the mouth of the wolf." An Italian expression for good luck!)

Read CiaoDC.com interview with Light in the Piazza's Signora Nacerelli played by Mary Gutzi. Read here.