Casa Lectures

If you are a member of the Casa, you will receive mailings and registration information for all lectures and discussions sponsored by the Casa. Unless stated otherwise, all lectures are free and open to the public.

Our fall 2008 offerings include the following:

A Conversation with Ross Talarico

Thursday, September 25
7:00 p.m.
Casa Italiana LeChase Lounge
Free and open to the public

One of the Casa's favorite authors will discuss his latest book, The Reptilian Interludes (and a Child's Prayer), an epic poem that is "Brilliantly written and immensely readable…" in the words of the Popular Culture Review. Casa friends will remember Talarico's other work, including Hearts and Times: the Literature of Memory and The Journey Home: 11 Italian-American Narratives and Utterance of Joy.
Join us for this illuminating look into the mind of one of contemporary literature's most celebrated poets and writers.

An Auspicious History: the Italians of Rochester
A lecture and book signing by Frank Salamone, with videos by Elisabetta D'Amanda

Sunday, October 19
3:00 p.m.
Casa Italiana LeChase Lounge
Free and open to the public

Professor Frank Salamone of Iona College will begin with a presentation and book signing on his new book, which examines the lives of Italians and Italian-Americans in our area following World War II. Salamone explores the meaning of ethnicity and sheds light on anthropological, sociological, and historical theories of ethnicity and its use to advance the goals of a people.

Following Salamone's lecture, Elisabetta D'Amanda will present the videos Children of Columbus and As Good As Bread: Preserving Italian American Ethnicity. The first of these, a WXXI documentary, focuses on Rochester and its Italian American community to the end of the nineties. As Good As Bread: Preserving Italian American Ethnicity is a short documentary featuring three Italian American children learning about Italian American traditions and history.

Doll Discussion and Afternoon Tea by Helene Marlowe
Sunday, November 16
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Casa Italiana LeChase Lounge
Free and open to the public

Noted doll collector Helene Marlowe will display and discuss collectable Italian dolls by the Furga Doll Company, as well as creche dolls and Lenci dolls. Following the discussion, enjoy afternoon cookies and tea.