Welcome September!
Thoughts of Calabria, Italy
The last few weeks of above normal temperatures 24 hours a day in California remind me of the south of Italy, the Calabria Province where our grandfather Francesco Giordano was born. Calabria and Sicily were known as “The Two Sicilies” from 1815 to 1860. When you think about the scholars of ancient Greece, then the Roman Empire moving through what is now southern Italy, it is not surprising to see the significant accomplishments in science, arts and agriculture attributed to the Italians of Calabria. Francesco Giordano, our mother’s father, was born in 1899 in Lago, Cosenza, Calabria. He was conscripted into the Italian Army on May 4, 1917.
Grandpa was drafted as a 17-yrear-old. Italy was losing the war, so as a last-ditch effort, they called up the Ragazzi del ‘99, the boys born in 1899. Most of the war, he was in the 10th Rifle Regiment, 7th company which was one of the Bersagliere, an elite corps of the Italian army. The “Boys of ‘99” were credited with turning the war around at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, the battleground just north of Venice. As a group, they each received a Medal of Valor. Grandpa also received a War Merit Cross in 1968 as a commemoration of those who were in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.
As we look closer at the history of the Calabrese, we all know we are testa dura, hard-headed. Join some of the testa dura this month for the Festa Gioia Italian Lunch and Shopping Event, Sunday September 24th.
Pasquale Esposito will perform in Morgan Hill for a dinner concert on Sept. 16th, and, of course, mark your calendars for October 1,Little Italy Street Festival in San Jose and for a Two-Day Mask-Making Workshop, a rare occasion, on Oct. 4 and 5, as well as upcoming Limoncello Making for the holidays.
There are discoveries in Calabria of life dating back to the prehistoric days. From 800 B.C. to 400 B.C. foreign civilizations, primarily Greece, became fascinated with this land. Although the area was already settled by natives of the area, Greeks brought their civilization, community planning, politics and written laws, not to mention the glorious grapes, olives and figs that cover Calabria today.
One of these grape varieties, the gaglioppo, became the base of what is still Calabria’s most famous wine, Cirò, from the town of the same name. Kroton is the sight of the first medical school in the world; in the 6th century B.C. Alcmeone dissected eye, ear, brain and spinal marrow. Discovered in 1972 and recently restored are the Bronzes of Calabria. These two Greek bronze statues, dating back to 460-430 B.C. were found on the bottom of the Ionic Sea near Riace Marina in Calabria, Italy. Now they can be seen National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria. (Click here to learn more.)
During this ancient time of Magna Grecia, Calabria was called many different names, most notably Italia. This name was later extended north by the Romans to encompass the peninsula when they ruled from 400 B.C. to 400 A.D. From around 500 A.D. to 1190 A.D. the area was greatly influenced by the rule of various other regimes: Byzantines, Saracens and Normans.
There is much more that is fascinating about the history and products of Calabria that we will be talking about next month!
Buon Viaggio!!
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Gioia is always open by appointment, Contact Kathy 408-640-6628.
SEPTEMBER 2017
PASQUALE ESPOSITO IN CONCERT, Passport to Milan Dinner Show
Three-course dinner by Executive Chef Mark Johnson and musical performance by Pasquale Esposito.
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2017
Time: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Place: Granada Theatre, Morgan Hill, CA
Tickets: $75 /person
Dress to Impress - Collared shirts / No ball caps / Must be 21 or older / Tickets non-refundable
MENU:
Salad: Grilled Caesar with Bagna Càuda - Brioche Croûtons Topped with Shaved Parmesan & Our Signature Caesar Dressing
Entrée: Agnolotti con Spinaci, Funghi, Maiale e Tomato Pomodoro - Fresh Ravioli Pasta with Spinach & Mushrooms, Served with Crispy Pork & San Marzano Marinara Sauce
Dessert: Torta di Nocciola - Hazelnut Cake with Spade and Plow Plum Compote & Chantilly Cream
Le Donne D’Italia Club at Gioia, Limoncello Making
Private Group (Do you have a group you would like to book with us?)
Date: Sunday, September 17th
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: 16395 Roseleaf Court, LG
What to Bring: Click here to see list.
Festa Gioia September Lunch and Shopping Experience
There are many new and exciting items to see from Italy
Date: Sunday, September 24
Time: Noon to Six pm
Place: Gioia 16395 Roseleaf Court, LG
RSVP Kathy 408-640-6628
UPCOMING ...
2ND ANNUAL LITTLE ITALY FOUNDATION SAN JOSE
STREET FESTIVAL 2017 SUNDAY OCTOBER 1ST IN LITTLE ITALY SAN JOSE
This event is a FUNraiser for continued efforts to build a museum and cultural center. Join us to celebrate Italian Culture and help us to raise funds for the Cultural Center in Little Italy with Master of Ceremonies Pasquale Esposito.
Date: Sunday October 1
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (for lunch and dinner)
Place: Little Italy San Jose: The growing Little Italy San Jose Area is in downtown San Jose near the San Jose Arena and Guadalupe Park: 323 W St. John St., San Jose, CA 95110
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE EFFORTS.
Click here for more info..
Check out the projects and follow the news by clicking this link.
http://www.littleitalysj.com/
Venetian Mask Making Class at Gioia
Carla will conduct a special class for all of you that have been waiting and hoping to learn the ancient art of Venetian Mask Making. All materials and light dinner included
Date: Two-day event: Wed., Oct 4 and Thurs., Oct 5
Time: 4pm to 8pm each day
Place: 16395 Roseleaf Court L.G.
Cost: $150 (normal pricing $300)
RSVP 408-640-6628
SAN BENITO COUNTY OLIVE OIL FESTIVAL
Join us at Gioia and Brigantino Olive Oil
Date: Saturday, October 14th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: San Benito County Historical Park
For more info click here.
Click here for the Pasquale Esposito Italian Tenor 2017 Tour Schedule
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS always opened by appointment in Los Gatos. Call Kathy 408.640.6628 or Contact kathywinkelman@gioiacompany.com
And always at your disposal online at
www.gioiacompany.com.
CAMPANIA
Thinking of staying in the Vietri sul Mare region? Here is a B & B owned by one of our friends in Italy, check it out.
CASA IDA Historic House Rental & B&B Italy
Campania, near Vietri sul Mari,
Cava Dei Tirreni, Campania, Italy
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SORRENTO
ITALY FOR THE SPRING
Sorrento Emotions and Dreams
Italian Specialist and Local Residents
Luxury, tailor made vacations
Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri and all of Italy
Enjoy holidays, short breaks, weddings, honeymoon, dining, cooking, shopping, scuba diving, water activities, coastal excursions with personal crew.
Contact Signore Tonino Pepe,pepetonino2@gmail.com, and tell him Gioia Co. sent you.
PUGLIA
Puglia, Italy with Valentina
May 14-25, 2018.
Travel through the Puglia region
A step into real Puglia with Valentina,author, designer, artist and native.
To read about trips and see videos, click here:
https://valentinaexpressions.com/trips-to-puglia-2
UMBRIA/TUSCANY-- Right on the border
Vacation at
Le Selve, an Agriturismo! Contact
info@gioiacompany.com or 408.640.6628 for a special introduction to the owner. Sleeps six or 12. Two stories. Separate units. Beautiful view. Organic olive grove. Walking trails. Full kitchen. Swimming pool.
FLORENCE TOURS WITH CHRISTINA MIFSUD
Multiple tours available from Christina Mifsud from Florence.
For more details on the various opportunities, click here.
ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTER SACRAMENTO
This club offers ongoing tours in Italy especially their Thanksgiving trips. Check them out here and tell them Gioia sent you!
http://www.italiancenter.net/
See you soon...
GIOIA ITALIAN ART AND PRODUCTS