JCCIA MEETING: The next JCCIA Meeting will be on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Des Plaines Theatre. This will be our St. Joseph's Meeting and Dinner with Italian and Polish delicacies, in collaboration with the Polish community!

SAVE THE DATE: The 2025 Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Galleria Marchetti.

SAL DA VINCI CONCERT: Platinum Selling Superstar from Italy! March 26, 2025 come to the Des Plaines Theatre to share your Italian Pride & support Italian musicians! All JCCIA members and Affiliate Organization members will receive a discounted price of $40/ticket! To reserve your ticket contact jcc@jccia.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN: Applications for the Women's Division Scholarship and JCCIA John Fischetti Scholarship are available!

WOMEN'S DIVISION: For Women's History Month, the JCCIA Women's Division will be celebrating the incredible Italian American women in our community. The theme this year is 30 under 30, each day for the month on March highlighting an outstanding young woman who displays leadership and inspires others. The Women's Division Festa della Donna Celebration will be on March 11 at Cucina Biagio.

MODA 2025: The Women's Division Scholarship Benefit Dinner and Fashion Show has been scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025!

ITALICO INFO: Have Italian American Community updates or information you would like to see in the next edition of ITALICO? Submit your request to the JCCIA Office at jcc@jccia.com!

IAPC HONOREES: Congratulations to Judge Lisa Marino, Melrose Park Mayor Ronald Serpico, and Patrick Santoro, the honorees of the Italian American Political Coalition at their annual Heritage Celebration. Read more, "IAPC to Honor Trio of Titans at their Heritage Event" by Fra Noi.

ST. JOSEPH'S TABLE: There are a variety of St. Joseph's tables that are occurring this month! For a full list of celebrations, view "Viva San Giuseppe!" by Fra Noi.

CASA ITALIA PUBLICATION: "Italian Women in Chicago, Volume II, Siamo arrivate! We have arrived!", highlighting accomplishments in a wide variety of fields, stories of spiritual faith, cultural influences and much more!

MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE: Italian Americans LOVE their moms. Now you can express that affection with a Mother’s Day greeting in Fra Noi, "Say “Happy Mother’s Day” the Fra Noi way!". It’s a great way to say “Happy Mother’s Day!” to the moms and nonnas in our lives!

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars! Exciting events are just around the corner, brought to you by the JCCIA’s Affiliate Organizations!

March 6 | Annual Heritage Celebration

Italian American Political Coalition (Contact: 708-369-2500 or judy.iapc@yahoo.com)

March 8 | Annual Dinner Dance

Societá SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna (Contact: 847-577-8230)

March 8 | Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Jude

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Contact: 708-344-4140)

March 11 | Festa Della Donna Celebration

JCCIA Women’s Division (Contact: 847-494-1198 or womensdivision@jccia.com)

March 13 | JSOL Children's Endowment Fund Dinner

Justinian Society of Lawyers (MORE INFO)

March 16 | Buffet Meal

Americans of Italian Descent of DuPage County (Contact: 630-699-0299)

March 18 | Italian American Author Book Club

Casa Italia (Contact: lincapuz@gmail.com)

March 19 | Annual St. Joseph's Table

Columbian Club of Chicago (MORE INFO or Contact: events@columbianclub.org)

March 19 | St. Joseph's Table & Blessing

Calabresi in America Organization (Contact: ciao@calabresiinamerica.org)

March 20 | JCCIA General Meeting

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (Contact: jcc@jccia.com)

March 23 | St. Joseph's Table

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 26 | Sal Da Vinci Concert with Arisa

JCCIA Members and Affiliate Organizations receive discounted tickets! (jcc@jccia.com)

March 29 | Lenten Pilgrimage: Pilgrims of Mercy

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 29 | Dishes & Desserts

Society Burgio for Women (Contact: 847-902-1976 or societyburgioforwomen@gmail.com)

April 5 | Stravaganza Internationale di Danza Fashion Show

Italian American Executives of Transportation (MORE INFO)

April 10 | Italian Caucus Reception in Springfield

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (Contact: jcc@jccia.com)

CLICK HERE for the full calendar of events! Have an event you would like to be added to the calendar? Submit your request to jcc@jccia.com! 

SAVE THE UIC ITALIAN PROGRAM: Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago are fighting to preserve the Italian and Italian American Studies department amid recent budget cuts. Sign a petition and help protect the Italian and Italian American Studies Program at UIC.

PRINCE PIZZA: New York's iconic Prince Street Pizza has landed in Chicago! Read more about the legendary Sicilian-style slices and innovative toppings brought to Randolph Street's Restaurant Row with "Street Pizza chain expands to Chi-Town" by Fra Noi.

DARIEN DELIGHTS: Celebrating its first year in Darien, Antonio's Italian Bistro brings old-school Italian-American charm with a focus on exceptional service and comforting dishes. "A Taste of Tradition: Antonio’s Italian Bistro Old-School Italian-American Hospitality" by Elizabeth Keyser.

CANNOLI REIMAGINED: Tony Volpentesta's love for Japanese food and culture led him to reimagine the classic cannoli, creating a unique twist on the beloved pastry. Check out Tony Cannoli in Mundelein - "What do sushi and cannoli have in common?" by Fra Noi.

CHICAGO CULTURE: From opera to art, read about what Italian cultural experiences are coming up in Chicago, "A preview of music, film, theater, dance and more" by Fra Noi.

IL VOLO IN CHI: Don't miss your chance to see Il Volo performing at the Chicago Theatre on March 14, having first appeared there more than a decade earlier in the course of their first international tour. "Popera Supertars Il Volo" by Ron Onesti.

TEXAN HERO: March 2nd, Texas Independence Day, celebrates the story of Prospero Bernardi, an Italian hero who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. Read more with "Happy Texas Independence Day, also thanks to Prospero Bernardi" by Anthony Nussmeier.

SLICE OF SALT LAKE CITY: Salt Lake City’s pizza game just got a major upgrade! Slice House, by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, offers four distinct pizza styles—from New York to Detroit—for a bold, chef-driven pies by the slice. "Slice House by Tony Gemignani Brings Iconic Pizza Styles to Utah" by Katie Hatzfeld.

RESTAURANT RETURNS: After closing its doors in May 2024, Finalmente Trattoria is making a grand comeback to Westport’s dining scene this month! Now under the ownership of Connecticut restaurateur and Italy native Giuseppe Cinque, this beloved spot will reopen with authentic Italian flair—bringing a little piece of Italy back to the heart of Westport! "Westport's Finalmente Trattoria, closed after 19 years, to reopen under new owner" by Abby Weiss.

LITTLE ITALY ARCH: It is the 10 year anniversary of the Little Italy San Jose Gateway Arch! A ceremony will be held to celebrate, "10 Year Anniversary of Little Italy San Jose Arch".

NEW HOBOKEN HOTSPOT: Luca Infantino, the mastermind behind a Hoboken favorite Alessio’s, is bringing something new to town—Casa Italia, a gourmet Italian specialty market, set to open this April. "Alessio’s to Open Casa Italia Gourmet Market in Hoboken" by Samantha Impaglia.

INFLUENTIAL ART: Brooklyn-based artist Eric LoPresti, with Sicilian roots, blends art and technology to create contemporary landscapes that captivate and inspire. "Eric LoPresti: Fusing art and tech" by Jeannine Guilyard

ITALIAN EXPRESSION: As Italians, we know conversation isn’t just a way to communicate—it’s a way of life! Learn more about the history of Italian conversation and expressions "Expressive, animated, unstoppable: the Italian love for talking" by Chiara Dalessio.

CARNEVALE: This centuries-old tradition, revived in 2003, lets locals flip the script with a "Chief of the Fools" in charge, feasts and parades - "Carneval di Mat: when Bormio hands power to 'the fools'" by Luca Signorini

FROM ITALY TO THE OSCARS: Italian craftsmanship steals the show at the Oscars with Bottega Orafa Paolo Penko’s stunning jewelry in Conclave. From Ralph Fiennes’ minimalist cross to Isabella Rossellini’s iconic design, these pieces are true works of art! "Forged in tradition: how Conclave is bringing Italian Craftsmanship to the 2025 Oscars" by Silvia Nittoli

ITALY'S GEMS: Asolo, Italy, known as the "City of a Hundred Horizons," has inspired artists and poets for centuries with its rich history and breathtaking views. From ancient Roman ruins to Renaissance architecture, this small town offers a peaceful escape with a vibrant cultural scene and a deep connection to Italy's artistic legacy. "The One Hundred Horizons of Asolo" by Chiara Dalessio.

OSAKA EXPO: Get ready for a dazzling fusion of art, innovation, and culture at Expo 2025 Osaka! Italy’s Pavilion will feature jaw-dropping masterpieces like Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ, groundbreaking green technologies, and an immersive celebration of Italy’s timeless creativity – all set in a breathtaking Italian garden. "Art, innovation, and sustainability: Italy’s vision for the future at Expo 2025 Osaka" by Luca Signorini.

COFFEE IN CUISINES: Coffee isn’t just for your morning cup anymore—it’s taking savory dishes to the next level! Learn more about the history of coffee and how it can be a versatile ingredient in various culinary dishes! "Coffee in the kitchen: the unexpected role of our favorite brew as a culinary ingredient" by Chiara Dalessio