Commission Corner
Passing of Antonin Scalia – As the country bids farewell to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin “Nino” Scalia, the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission wishes to acknowledge his accomplishments in American jurisprudence and his contributions to Italian American pride and honor. Born in Trenton, Antonin Scalia quickly rose to become the first Italian American appointed to the United States Supreme Court. But by the more ordinary measure of human nature, he was a common Italian: bright, witty, engaged, committed, loving, and dedicated to his family, friends, and country. Click here to learn what Antonin Scalia meant to many Italian Americans.
Planning for 2016 – On February 29th, New Jersey Italian Heritage Commissioners met with New Jersey’s Commissioner of Education David Hespe and Chief Academic Officer Kimberly Harrington to discuss how the NJ DOE can contribute to NJIHC’s 2016 initiatives. Also in attendance were representatives from Ocean County Community College (OCC) and the Honorable Andrea Canepari, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia. Click here to read about the meeting and current NJIHC initiatives.
Muhammad the Lawgiver Before and After Machiavelli
March 3, 2016 @ 4:30 pm
Zimmerli Art Museum (New Brunswick)
Join us for a talk with Columbia University assistant professor Pier Mattia Tommasino at the Zimmerli Art Museum, which focuses on the evolution of the image of the prophet Muhammad between Medieval and Early Modern Europe.
Blaxploitalian: 100 Years of Blackness in the Italian Cinema
March 8, 2016 @ 4:30 pm
Zimmerli Art Museum (New Brunswick)
Join us for a viewing of a diasporic, hybrid, critical, and cosmopolitan dimension documentary that uncovers the careers of a population of entertainers seldom heard from before: Black actors in Italian cinema.
Film – Amarcord
March 9, 2016 @ 6:30 pm
Ramapo College: ASB-136 (Mahwah)
Come watch Amarcord (1974) directed by Federico Fellini; stars Magali Noel, Bruno Zanin, Pupella Maggio, Maria Antoinietta Beluzzi and Armando Brancia.
Don Pasquale, Italian opera by Gaetano Donizetti (sung in English)
March 11 and 12, 2016 @ 8:00 pm
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Basking Ridge)
In a special co-production, Light Opera of New Jersey and Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra are proud to present Gaetano Donizetti’s classic comic opera Don Pasquale!
“A Swingin’ Affair” – Hunterdon County Italian-American Heritage Club 2nd Annual Gala
March 12, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse (Hampton)
The Italian-American Heritage Club and Foundation of Hunterdon County presents it’s 2nd Annual Gala, “A Swingin’ Affair”, a night of music and dancing celebrated the golden age of Italian-American singers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis and many more.
Reggio Emilia Approach
March 15, 2016 @ 6:30 pm
Montclair State University (Montclair)
This panel will explore the Reggio Emilia Approach, its history and growth in Italy, as well as its use in the U.S. school system, through presentations that embrace the perspectives of scholars, teachers, school directors, and parents.
Annual Gala Benefit Dinner Dance
March 19, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Fiesta Banquets (Wood – Ridge)
Don’t miss the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey Gala – an unparalleled evening celebrating the accomplishments of some outstanding New Jersey neighbors.
Film – What a Nice Surprise (Ma che bella sorpresa)
March 20, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
Dorothea’s House (Princeton)
Directed by Alessandro Genovesi, this romantic comedy tells the story of Guido (Claudio Bisio) a romantic dreamer from Milan whose life is shattered when his girlfriend with whom he has lived for years, dumps him for another man.
Film – Cinema Paradiso
March 23, 2016 @ 6:30 pm
Ramapo College: ASB-136 (Mahwah)
Come watch Cinema Paradiso (1990) directed by Giuseppe Tornatore; stars Salvatore Cascio, Phillippe Noiret, Marco Leonardo, Jacques Perrin and Agnese Nano.
Embroidered Stories: Interpreting Women’s Domestic Needlework from the Italian Diaspora
March 24, 2016 @ 7:00 pm
The Center for Italian & Italian American Culture (CIIAC) (Cedar Grove)
The Center will host a presentation by Edvige Giunta (Women’s History Month) about her latest book — “Embroidered Stories: Interpreting Women’s Domestic Needlework from the Italian Diaspora.”
