L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY,   JANUARY  31,   2013  L'Italo-Americano PAGE  15 Florence: Preparation to Mark Michelangelo Anniversary Continued from page 1 It was at the turn of the 16th century that Michelangelo created, in his loved Florence, one of his two most famous works, David. Because of the nature of the hero that it represented, it soon came to symbolize the defense of civil liberties embodied in the Florentine Republic, an independent city-state threatened on all sides by more powerful rival states and by the hegemony of the Medici family. The eyes of David, with a warning glare, were turned towards Rome. It took a committee of 30 Florentine citizens that comprised many artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, to decide on an appropriate site for David. In Autumn 1504 the Florentines witnessed the exceptional event: after four days traveling around the city, transported inside a wooden cage, Michelangelo's David finally reached its destination, next to the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio (the city hall) and stayed there for centuries. Then in 1873 David was moved to the Accademia Gallery, and later replaced at the original location Portrait of Cosimo I de' Medici by Angelo Bronzino - Uffizi Gallery by a replica. The Florence where Michelangelo was born was a city empowered by art and beauties. A leading spot of that amazing time we call the Renaissance. The cultural supremacy of Florence, and Italy, was represented, decade after decade and century after century, by incomparable artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci. Nevertheless, we can only try to imagine the immense surprise and marvel the Florentines were hit by as the Michelangelo's "Giant" was uncovered. But Michelangelo was not done. His legacy could not stop there. Just a few years after David, called in Rome from the Pope, Michelangelo produced the other extraordinary piece of his art, one of the world's (if not "the world's") most iconic pieces of art, as it is often recalled, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which has celebrated its 500th anniversary in November. British Art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon writes in his book "Michelanglo and the Sistine Chapel," that the artist did not want to paint the 12,000square-foot ceiling, which is 68 feet high, because he thought it was a ruse by his enemies to get him to fail on a grand stage. "As they well knew he was a sculptor, not a painter, and would be bound to make a fool of himself," Graham-Dixon wrote. "He kept turning it down saying 'I'm not a painter; I'm a sculptor,'" said Diane ApostolosCappadona, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the work extensively. Well, a painter or a sculpture, he created something that seems to go well beyond human imagination. Slow Wine, a must have for all Italian Legendar y carwine lovers maker Continued from page 1 Lamborghini sets its 50th anniversary in the US Slow Wine Guide 2013 If you are a wine lover, Slow Food has released a few days ago in New York its new comprehensive work on Italian wine, Slow Wine. It is in English and takes a much different approach than most other wine tomes, looking at a variety of factors to evaluate Italy's wineries in their entirety, taking into consideration the wine quality, typicality and adherence to territory, value for money, environmental sensitivity and ecologically sustainable viticultural practices. "Slow Wine was conceived to give a realistic snapshot of the current Italian wine landscape. The guide in fact features reviews of 400 different wineries, each one visited by Slow Food experts", co-editor Giancarlo Gariglio told reporters. If want even more from a guide like this, and you are a techsavvy, the guide has also been paired by a brand new Slow Wine 2013 app, available for any devices. It contains all contents of the paperback guide (including ratings of over 400 wineries and 3,000 wines) as well as new features that allow users to easily navigate and share information on the vast Italian heritage of people, vineyards and wines. The new edition of the Slow Wine app debut has been set during the Slow Wine US tour, which will have a Californian event in San Francisco on February 4th. May 2013 marks the 50th anniversary when Italian industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini, the maker of one of the world's most extraordinary sports cars. The year sees celebratory events held worldwide and the debut of a new model. To mark the half-century milestone, the Miami Consulate General is sponsoring a classiccar parade at Miami Beach, Florida from 29 January to 8 February. The president of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, will attend the event that will host the much anticipated world debut of a new Lamborghini model. Road tests will also be held on Homestead Speedway, with the participation of 120 Lamborghini dealers from around the world. While there are no details available on the new model, Winkelmann told it will not be "a revival or retro". The company is also staging the Grande Giro Lamborghini in May in Italy, which is set to be one of the largest-ever Lamborghini gatherings with hundreds of vintage and modern Lamborghinis from every corner of the globe. Feb. 2, Sat.-Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. Feb. 3, Sun.-Santo Padre Pio Society- Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter's Italian Church (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles), 10:30 a.m. For information please call President Maria Bruno at (818) 241-4672. Feb. 9, Sat.-A Tribute to the Venetian Festival Carnevale presented by The Orange County Medical Association with the Italian-American Community. Place: the OCMA Conference Center (17322 MurphyE D Irvine, 92614) from Ave., 6:30pm-10:30pm. An ItalianE L evening of cocktails, dinner, C and dancing with live entertainment. Cost is $80.00 per perA Nrebuilding La Lucciola, a facility C son. Carnevale to benefit for handicapped children in Emilia Romagna. Tickets can be purchased at http://venetianfestival.eventbrite.com. For information call (949) 398-8100. Feb. 9, Sat.-Little Italy Carnevale, San Diego. This familyfriendly event, reminiscent of Carnevale in Venice, Italy, includes various vignettes of entertainment, live music, dancing, food, arts and crafts, and people dressed in traditional Venetian masks and costumes. For information call (619) 233-3898 or visit www.littleitalysd.com. Feb. 9, Sat.-Club Italia's Sweetheart Dinner Dance at St. John Eudes Catholic Church (9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311). Live Band (The Sicilian Band) and catered food. For informaiton, call Sigrid Ravizza at (661) 297-0507 or (818) 426-1490. Feb. 9, Sat.- St Peter's Italian Church Casa Italiana Valentine Dinner Dance And Crowning of the Parish Queen. 5:00 pm Mass; Crowning of Parish Queen at 6:00 pm. Dinner Dance follows; Reservations 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Feb. 10, Sun.-Families of Italian Lineage Cuori e Fiori, Valentine Party at Mission Viejo Country Club. Gourmet dinner, appetizers, etc. Dancing to the music of Tony Ciaramitaro. Members $45.00, Non-Members $55.00. For information call (949) 363-5348. Feb. 10, Sun. – Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Open House (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). 9 am to 1 pm hosted by Los Angeles District. For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 372-7812 Feb. 10, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). For information contact Carmelo Sabatella at 626 3727812. . Feb. 13, Wed.-St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Feb. 16, Sat.- OCAIW -11:00 am Buca di Beppo (13390 Jamboree Road, Irvine) $25.00 card Bingo. Call Linda 714.812.4410 Feb. 16, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. Feb. 17, Sun.-Italian Cultural Arts Council Presents Cinema Italiano! "La Notte" Subject: A day in the life of an unfaithful married couple and their steadily deteriorating relationship, timeless Award winning film. Director: Michelangelo Antonioni, Stars: Jeanne Moreau, Marcello Mastroianni and Monica Vitti. Where: Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706). In the state-ofthe art, ultra deluxe Norma Kershaw Auditorium. COST: Adults $10, Students: $5 (no need to RSVP) Parking Notice! The north and south lots cost $6. Disabled parking is free. Street parking is free. SCHEDULE Arrival: 1:30- 2:00 pm, Reception/Refreshments Seating in Auditorium: 1:45 pm, Program Begins: 2:00 pm. For additional information call (714) 567-3600.

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