Italian Heritage Month full of on-campus events

Wagner College’s DaVinci Society has scheduled a series of events on campus commemorating Italian Heritage Month. All events are free unless specified otherwise. This year’s program includes:

Sunday, Oct. 5, 5 p.m. — Spiro 4 — Screening of the Italian film, “Nuovomondo” — Emanuele Crialese’s 2006 film looks at a family emigrating from Sicily to America a century ago. Frank Polizzi will lead a discussion following the screening. Before working as a reference librarian at Wagner College, Frank taught film at Townsend Harris High School on the campus of Queens College.

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. — Union Atrium & Main Hall 23 — A cocktail reception in the Union Atrium at 6 :30 p.m. will be followed by a Renaissance art lecture, “Lippi Revealed: The Restoration of the San Stefano Frescos,” by Wagner College art history professor Laura Morowitz in Main Hall Rm. 23.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. — Spiro 4 — Lecture, “The Joy of Italian Opera,” by Louis Barrilla.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2:40 p.m. — Campus Hall Performance Center — "Italian Idol Singing Contest" — Wagner students compete to win the Certificate of Excellence and a place on the "Viva Italia!" finale concert program. The contest is free of charge, and the public is invited to be part of the audience.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 5 p.m. — Spotlight Gallery, Horrmann Library — Opening reception for “Travels in Italy,” a photographic exhibition, which runs through Nov. 20.

Friday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. — Coffeehouse (Reynolds House, rear) — “Italian Love Songs,” with Neapolitan tenor Antonio Guarna, accompanied by pianist Alba Mazza.

Monday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. — Spiro 4 — Readings from “The Scent of Jasmine: Vignettes from a Sicilian Heritage” by author Florence Terranova Gatto.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — “Learn Italian through Song” with voice coach Alba Mazza. Italian delicacies will be served. COST: $50 per person, or 2 for $70. RSVP Sharon Guinta, 718-390-3221.

Sunday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m. — Campus Hall Performance Center — “Viva Italia!” Finale Concert — A grand finale to Italian Heritage Month. The all-Italian program will feature Robert Delfausse, trumpet, Jonathan Caro, guitar, the Treble Concert Choir, Roger Wesby, conductor, and the winners of the "Italian Idol Singing Contest," accompanied by Prof. Mark Hyczko. The concert is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. — Faculty Dining Room — Wine tasting & dinner — John Vesce, vice president of the Bedford International portfolio, will present and discuss wines. COST: $110 per person. RSVP Betty McComiskey (718) 420-4014.