Movie: “Paisan”

The United Theater 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, United States

This 1946 film spans one and a half years of the liberation of Italy towards the end of World War II.  The movie consists of 6 episodes, starting with the American invasion of Sicily in the first episode.  Subsequent episodes include Naples, Rome, Florence, and the Apennines mountains. The movie is included in the Italian

Celebrate La Befana with the Dante Society and Westerly Library & Wilcox Park

Westerly Library 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI, United States

The Dante Society of Westerly and Westerly Library & Wilcox Park will present stories, crafts, and snacks to learn about the Italian tradition of La Befana in the Terrace room at the library. This is open to the public. Please see the Library's calendar for additional detail. Information on La Befana and the Italian tradition

2024 Winter Gathering

Time for the annual winter gathering, open to members of the Dante Society of Westerly and their spouses. Cost is $15/per person; tickets will not be available at the door. An email will be sent to members shortly with details. Seating is limited.  It was sold out last year; please pay early.

$15

Lecture: Reclaiming the Legacy of Our Italian Grandmothers

Westerly Library Auditorium 44 Broad St, Westerly

Juliet Grames will discuss her prizewinning novel, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna, the story of a Calabrian family that emigrates to New England in the harsh years between the World Wars.

Movie: “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”

The United Theater 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, United States

The first movie for the film series in 2024 is "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" (released as "Ieri, Oggi, Domani" in Italy), a 1963 Oscar winning romantic comedy staring Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, and Aldo Giuffrè.  The film consists of 3 short stories, each of a woman (all played by Sophia Loren) living in different financial circumstances

General Membership Meeting March 2024

Westerly Senior Center 39 State St., Westerly, RI, United States

This is the first of four membership meetings for 2024. Agenda will be sent to members shortly before the meeting. Additional details will be forthcoming. 2024 Membership dues may now be paid. Details and a link for credit card payment may be found by clicking on this link: 2024 Dues Information

Movie: “Spettacolo”

The United Theater 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, United States

The town that plays itself:  This is a 2017 documentary of a small hill-town in Tuscany where every summer the citizens become actors, playing themselves.  They dramatize and debate the town's problems in the piazza, which has become the stage for the event. The film is in Italian, with subtitles.  It runs approximately 1½ hours

Fried Dough Breakfast

St. Pius X 45 Elm St., Westerly, RI

Dante Society of Westerly is hosting a Fried Dough Breakfast and Bake Sale.  Proceeds from the event help support educational grants and scholarships in keeping with the mission of the Dante Society.

Movie: Il Sorpasso

The United Theater 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, United States

Il Sorpasso is considered one of the best examples of the Commedia all'Italiana, a cinematic form which, through comedy, offered a critique of Italian social and cultural changes.