Italian Summer Festivals in Toronto

In the early part of the 20th century, many Italians left their homeland and headed to America, the “land of opportunity”.  One of the places that many Italian immigrants settled was Toronto.  By 1920, most of the Italian population found their homes in downtown Toronto on College Street between Bathurst and Ossington.  The area became the center for Toronto’s Italian community and dubbed “Little Italy“.  It was, in fact,  the starting point for Italian immigrants in Toronto. Although the cultural mapping of the area has changed over the years, the name “Little Italy” has been officially adopted by the local community and business owners to pay tribute to the thousands of Italians who made their journey to Canada and found their new homes in this area.

In the 1950s and 1960s, a new wave of Italian immigrants made their way to Canada.  Many Italians began moving out of “Little Italy” and headed northwest to the St. Clair Ave and Dufferin Street area known today as “Corso Italia“.  Corso Italia sprang to life with Italian family-owned stores and cafes.  During the 1982 World Cup, when Italy took top prize, the streets filled with what was estimated as 500,000 people to celebrate.  The streets were flooded with Italian flags and jerseys. As time passed, the area changed, however the remnants of the Italian culture still remains.  It is still the most popular place to watch Italia play in World Cup or Euro Cup matches and was also the place to celebrate the 2006 World Cup Championship win.

Celebrations on St. Clair after 2006 World Cup Final.

So, it is no surprise that when summer rolls around, these two areas, that once were predominantly Italian, hold summer street festivals, inspired by the summer feste of Italy.  It may not be true to the Italian festivals you may experience in Italy, but it does share one very important thing in common – community.   The businesses of these areas open their doors to everyone and the streets come alive with music, dance, and food.

Here are a couple “Italian” summer street festivals in Toronto:

Taste of Little Italy
June 19-21, 2009
College St

Recommend:  Sit out on the patio and share a gelato with friends @ Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe before catching The Pino Cea Band as they perform both traditional and contemporary Italian music.

Corso Italia Festival 2009
July 4 & 5, 2009
St. Clair Ave West

Recommend:  Grab a gelato from La Paloma Gelateria @ 1357 St Clair Ave W and then make your way to the Corso Italia BIA state @ 1241 St Clair Ave W to see Josephine Biundo perform.

Italian Fashion: Jonk 46

I am quite surprised that there isn’t more information behind the company that creates Jonk 46.  I was going to nix the idea of writing about this particular line but you see the Jonk 46 logo everywhere in Italy.  So, I’ll do my best.  Jonk 46 is a men’s casual street wear fashion line.   The product line is composed mostly of t-shirts, polo shirts, and hoodies.  The Jonk 46 style is a mixture of preppy, sporty, and street.  Jonk 46 has been worn in various Italian television programs (including I Cesaroni), movies, and has even been endorsed by some Italian celebrities (ie. Francesco Arca).

Here are some images from the Summer 2009 catalogue:

For more information on Jonk 46 visit http://www.jonk46.it

Check out these other “Italian Fashion”:

Italian Fashion:  Monella Vagabonda
Italian Fashion:  Never Without You
Italian Fashion: Hollywood Milano
Italian Fashion: Boccadamo
Italian Fashion: Baci & Abbracci
Italian Fashion: Guru
Italian Fashion: Carpisa
Italian Fashion: Sweet Years

5 Questions With…Diana Spechler

Not too long ago, I was lucky enough to win a copy of Who By Fire from a book giveaway that Suitcase Contents was having.  The debut novel by author Diana Spechler is an incredible story of  family, personal journey, and forgiveness .  If you haven’t already added this book to your collection, I strongly suggest you do.  You can purchase Who By Fire here.

I love to read.  I enjoy getting completely wrapped up and lost in a story.  I am always so intrigued with each authors unique writing process and journey.  So, as you can imagine, I was so thrilled when Diana Spechler agreed to answer some of my questions.

It is with great pleasure, that I share with you now, my “5 Questions With…Diana Spechler“:

1)  Who By Fire is your debut novel, tell us about your journey from the writing process for Who By Fire’s birth to it being published.

Who By Fire began as a short story called Close To Lebanon. I wrote it in graduate school. I thought it was done, but the characters kept haunting me. The story was about this fractured family, and there was so much love among the characters, but there were also all these communication issues. I couldn’t set the Kellermans aside. So I returned to them, and the story got longer and longer and longer, until it was too long to call a short story. Once I finished it (years later), my friend, Cristina Henriquez, one of my favorite contemporary fiction writers, read my draft and said, “I think my agent would like this. Can I send it to her?” Obviously, I said yes. Actually, I think I said, “Holy shit! Are you serious?!” So she sent it to her agent, who signed me, helped me edit the manuscript, and ultimately, sold it to a great editor at an imprint of HarperCollins that nurtures a lot of debut novelists. I still kind of can’t believe it.

2)  Who By Fire is written in three voices, which I find very interesting as it allows you to get to know each character more intimately.  What was your reasoning behind doing this?  Did you find it difficult to switch writing between characters?

Usually, I could only write from the perspective of one character per day. I had Bits days, Ash days, and Ellie days. That was frustrating, of course. Restrictions of any kind are frustrating. But I really felt that the story needed to be told from multiple perspectives. It’s a story of how the remaining family members are coping in the aftermath of a kidnapping. They’re all responding so differently. I really wanted to explore everyone’s grief comprehensively.

3) Throughout the writing process you must have become very close to your characters, but, if you had to choose just one, who would be your favorite character and why?

I love them all. I really do. This is like asking me to choose a favorite child. Okay, fine: I guess I’d pick Ash. In the end, his journey wound up feeling the most important to me. Don’t tell the others I said that.

4) Writing involves a certain discipline and focus. What advice would you give to other writers and future (potential) authors?

It’s important to make writing the centerpiece of your life. That doesn’t just go for writing, actually. I think it’s good, general advice: Pick one thing and focus. Otherwise you’re a dabbler. Committing to an art involves not just self-discipline, but a certain level of risk. In the end, though, I think it’s better to really make a go of mastering one thing than to be kind of okay at a bunch of things. I would also advise aspiring writers to develop a thick skin. Rejection is a big part of becoming a writer. It’s a rite of passage. It’s practically unavoidable.

5) What’s next for you?  Have you begun working on a new novel?

Yes. I’m working on a novel set at a weight-loss camp for kids in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s based on my experience working at such a camp a few summers ago.

***

Thank you, Diana.  It has been so much fun doing this!

To find out more about Diana Spechler visit:
www.dianaspechler.com
www.harpercollins.com/DianaSpechler

And, for all of you that have Facebook, become a fan of Diana Spechler.  You can drop her a note and stay up-to-date on news and upcoming events.

Have you read “Who By Fire”?  What are your thoughts on the book?

Il Duomo di Cosenza

As you walk up the narrow and picturesque Corso Telesio in the centro storico of the old city of Cosenza, you will discover the Duomo. It is a magnificent sight and rich with history.

Photo Credit:  mauriziod

The Duomo is believed to have been built in the 7th century. However, it was rebuilt in the Gothic-Provencal style following the devastating earthquake that shook Cosenza in 1184. The new church was consecrated in 1222 in the presence of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia when he gave the city of Cosenza a reliquary containing a fragment of the Holy Cross.

Photo Credit: giramondo595

In the early part of the 18th century, the Duomo received a facelift. At that time, the church was covered with a Baroque superstructure, which damaged the integrity of the original structure and resulted in many works of arts being damaged. Shortly after that, the interior of the Duomo was radically altered with new flooring, pillars and even walls – also in the Baroque style. It wasn’t until 1831, that the facade of the Duomo was renovated back to the Gothic style. After some time, the original arches and structure of the Duomo were brought back to life.

View overlooking Piazza Duomo from front entrance of Duomo.
Photo Credit:  mizoroki

As you make your way from the Piazza up the front stairs and in the Duomo, you are instantly drawn to large rectangular pillars, high ceilings and exposed wood beam ceiling. The pillars divide up three naves which house the many beautiful frescoes, paintings and sculptures.

In one of the chapels within the Duomo dedicated to the Madonna Del Pilerio (the patron saint of the city of Cosenza), you will find a painting of the Madonna with the baby Jesus. If you look closely at the painting, you will notice that the Madonna has a spot on her cheek. It is believed that the Madonna freed the city of Cosenza from the plague in 1576 by taking on the disease herself (which appeared as the stain on her cheek).

In the left transept is a monumental tomb for Isabella of Aragon (married to the King of France, Phillip III). Isabella of Aragon was six months pregnant when her and her husband stopped over in Cosenza. Tragically, on their return back to France; she fell off her horse. As a result, she gave birth to a premature stillborn son. The injuries from her fall and the childbirth led to her passing on January 28, 1271 in Cosenza.

You will also find near the side door of the Duomo, located in the right aisle, an ancient Sarcophagus from the Roman imperial era. In it are the remains of Henry VII of Germany,the son of Frederick II of Swabia. He was buried with honours in the cathedral after his death in 1242.

If you happen to find yourself wandering the streets of old Cosenza, be sure to take a few moments to enjoy the beauty of Il Duomo.  The amount of history in this building is remarkable and inspiring and worth the visit.