During daylight hours, from September to June, I am an Italian instructor. Every giugno, before my studenti pack up for le vacanze d'estate, I leave them with a few ideas for summer fun in Italiano. Buon divertimento!***
Luciano Pavarotti Tribute Concert featuring Vittorio Grigolo, Saturday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millenium Park. The Italian singing sensation and an heir to Luciano Pavarotti’s throne as the king of tenors presents a program of familiar opera arias, Neapolitan songs and pop opera hits from his debut album, Vittorio. (Bonus: he's rather handsome)
Leaning Tower of Niles
6300 Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL
Directions: Leaning Tower Family YMCA. Manheim N to Touhy, then Touhy East.
You don't have to travel all the way to Pisa to catch a glimpse of the about-to-fall tower! This large sized replica is the perfect antidote to high airfares to Europe.
Mario's Italian Lemonade in Chicago’s Little Italy
1068 W. Taylor St. (Racine and Taylor)
Blue Line Train: Racine stop.
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight from early May to September 15th. In bad weather, when not many people are out, the stand sometimes closes early.
Warm summer nights are made for Italian ice, snowballs, seeds and nuts, lupini beans, dried chickpeas and candy.
Caffe Gelato
Cross Streets: Damen and Division
Blue Line Train: Damen Stop
This is my favorite gelateria in Chicago. A wide array of fresh, seasonal flavours awaits. Don't forget to ask for extra panna. A full coffee bar is also available, offering Italian-made Illy coffee products.
Venetian Night 2008
Location: Along Lake Michigan between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street
Time: 8:30pm
Watch 30 lighted boats float by then lay back on your blanket and enjoy the spectacular fireworks show (accompanied by a customized music soundtrack).
***and remember that Italian is the most beautiful language in the world (va bene, va bene, I am a tad biased) and summer is the perfect season to devote yourself to learning a new language!