The Dante Society of Westerly, RI

Il Risorgimento: Creating A United Italy
2026-10-10 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Westerly Library Auditorium, 44 Broad St, Westerly, 02891
Dr. Alfred Crudale, Professor of Italian at the University of Rhode Island and Bridgewater State University, presents Il Risorgimento: Creating A United Italy
(please note the new date for this lecture)

In this multimedia presentation we discuss the factors which contributed to the Italian uprising, the Italian patriots who shaped the course of the revolution, and Italy as a united nation. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, join us as we explore the Italian revolution for the Unification of Italy.
Alfred R. Crudale is a native Rhode Islander who grew up in the Knightsville section of Cranston. He has been an educator in Rhode Island for over forty years and earned his Ph.D. in Italian literature from the University of Connecticut. He is a lecturer in the Italian departments at the University of Rhode Island and Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.
In 2021 Bordighera Press published Crudale’s book THE VOICES OF ITALY: ITALIAN LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO PROGRAMS IN RHODE ISLAND. He is also the author of three children’s books, A New Home for Salvatore, released in May of 2024, Buon Natale, Salvatore, released in October of 2024, and Good Morning, Catbird, released in May of 2025. Crudale’s poetry and short stories have been published in The Association of Rhode Island Authors Annual Anthology, and in the Rhode Island Bards Poetry Anthology. He and his wife Barbara live on their small farm in West Kingston, RI, where they raise chickens and goats.

Note: Unless specifically noted as being streamed or recorded, the lectures in the lecture series hosted by the Dante Society of Westerly are live events only and are not recorded. They are neither streamed online nor available afterwards as recordings.
Lectures are free and open to the public.

This event is presented in partnership with the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park.

2026 Annual Anna Turrisi Cooking Demonstration
2026-10-15 18:00 - 20:30 | Calabrese Club, 28 Pleasant Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
(updated Sept 1)
The Dante Society of Westerly continues the tradition of hosting the annual Anna Turrisi Cooking Demonstration.
This year the guest chef is Joyce Amedeo of Joyce’s Everyday Gourmet
Tickets are required for attendance. There is a 160 seat limit.
Ticket sales will open September 12
(see Ticket Information below)
Publicity kicks off with an interview on Betty Jo Greene’s local radio show on WBLQ (1230 AM and 103.1 FM) Saturday morning, September 12, starting at 7 AM

The event will feature a video of the guest chef, Joyce Amedeo, preparing the entree Chicken Anna, followed by a live Q&A session with Joyce. The meal featuring chef Joyce’s dish will then be served by Westerly High School culinary students. The meal will be followed by a raffle and an auction.
Joyce Amedeo is the owner and chef at Joyce’s Everyday Gourmet. Joyce’s Everyday Gourmet is located in the Mill Pond Plaza and open six days a week. In November, Joyce will be starting her 20th year in business. Joyce captures the art of dining at home with packaged meals, prepared fresh and ready for takeout. She uses the finest ingredients combined with her culinary skills. She takes pride in catering many events for all occasions in party size trays to go.
Joyce is the daughter of Frank Algiere, also known as FRA. She attributes many of her skills to her father working alongside him at FRA’s Italian Gourmet. Joyce is honored to be chosen for this year’s Anna Turrisi’s cooking demonstration.

The program runs from 6:00 to approximately 8:30; doors will open 5:30.
The video presentation will begin at 6:15.
Raffle tickets will be available before the video presentation and during the meal.
Raffle tickets will not be sold during the video or Q&A session.
The auction will be held after the raffle.

Event Program
Space for advertisements and/or personal messages are available in the event’s program.
Among other items the brochure will also contain the menu and the recipe for Chicken Anna.
Cost for the space is:

Full Page: $250
Half Page: $125
Quarter Page: $60
Eighth Page $30

For additional information, please contact the Dante Society of Westerly with this form: <<Request Information>>

Ticket Information
Purchase details will be provided here by September 12.
Tickets will be available at that date for purchase online (by credit card) or at the Chamber of Commerce (cash or check only).
Tickets will be available for early purchase by members (cash or check) at the upcoming member’s meeting on September 10.
Tickets are $40 each.
No tickets will be sold at the door.

A limited number of table packages will also be available online for $375. The package consists of a reserved table with a sign for you, 8 tickets, and 1/2 page in the program.
In respect of those buying a table package which includes a reserved table with a sign, members are requested to not bring in their own signs.
Ticket sales will end once it is a sell-out or on the Monday before the event.

Menu
Salad
Roll
Chicken Anna
Desert

Proceeds from the event help support educational grants and scholarships in keeping with the mission of the Dante Society.

2026 Lecture: Boogie Woogie Virtuoso Arthur Migliazza
2026-10-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Westerly Library Auditorium, 44 Broad St, Westerly, 02891
Award winning pianist Arthur Migliazza brings the Boogie Woogie and Blues piano tradition back to life through truly unbelievable piano playing and engaging storytelling.

Award winning pianist Arthur Migliazza brings the Boogie Woogie and Blues piano tradition back to life through truly unbelievable piano playing and engaging storytelling. During this special encore performance, Arthur takes us on another journey through the origins of this extremely influential and important African-American music and uncover its connections and relevance to all of American pop mu- sic that followed, including Jazz and Rock and Roll. Italians are also a part of the story!

Note: Unless specifically noted as being streamed or recorded, the lectures in the lecture series hosted by the Dante Society of Westerly are live events only and are not recorded. They are neither streamed online nor available afterwards as recordings.
Lectures are free and open to the public.

This event is presented in partnership with the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park.

General Membership Meeting November 2026
2026-11-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Westerly Senior Center, 39 State St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This is the Fourth of the four members’ business meeting for 2026.
(the next meeting will be scheduled for March 2027)
The general agenda is:

Call Meeting to Order
Opening Statement by the President of the Society
Approval of the previous Minutes (Minutes from November are now available – see the page Index of Meeting Agendas and Minutes)
New member Introduction
Committee Reports
Upcoming Events & Programs
Other new items

When available, the full agenda can be found in the Index of Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
This meeting will be held at the Senior Center.

Members are reminded that the bylaws require attendance at a minimum of 50% of membership meetings as well as participation and support in society activities.

Please review the minutes from the previous meeting (September 10, 2026) prior to attending the meeting.
The minutes from the previous meeting, when available, may be found using this link: Index of Agendas & Minutes

Movie: Nov 17 - The Conformist
2026-11-17 16:00 - 18:00 | The United Theater, 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
The United Theatre and the Dante Society of Westerly present a screening of The Conformist.
This 1970 Bernardo Bertolucci film is listed in the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage’s 100 Italian Films to be saved.
Based on the 1951 novel by Alberto Moravia, the IMDB movie description is: A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.

The movie premiered in 1970 in Berlin, had a limited release in the US starting in late 1970, then a limited release in Italy starting in 1971. It was released on DVD in the US in 2006.
The movie is rated R. It was nominated for the 1972 Academy Award as Best Writing, “Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium”
The original release is in Italian with English subtitles
The movie runs just under 2 hrs
Details and trailers can be found here on IMDb.com.
Additional information on the movie can be found here on Wikipedia.
A link to the theater listing is HERE

This movie is rated “R”. Please review the links provided for IMDB and/or Wikipedia above for specifics on the rating.
As part of the United Rewind Series, tickets are $13 online; $11 at the theater at the day of the showing. 65 and over are free.

2026 Holiday Concert with the Troubadour and Little John
2026-12-12 | The Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
>> Holiday Concert with the Troubadour and Little John <<

Join Frank Pendola, one of Westerly’s favorite sons and one of Southern New England’s favorite vocalists teams up with Westerly born and well-known comedian John Roarke. Together, these 2 old friends are excited to plan a whole new show for us this year.

Two shows will be held on Wednesday, December 12, at the Granite Theatre: 3 PM and 7 PM

>> Additional information will be provided at a closer date <<

2027: Celebrate La Befana with the Dante Society and Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
2027-01-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Westerly Library, 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
The Dante Society of Westerly and Westerly Library & Wilcox Park presents an opportunity to learn about the Italian tradition of La Befana in the Terrace room at the library.
Children and families are invited to join us for a morning celebration of the Italian folklore tradition of La Befana. The Legend of Old La Befana will be read, followed by a reading of “Buon Natale, Salvatore” a new children’s book by Al Crudale. Kids will enjoy snacks and a themed craft to work on.
Additional details will be provided closer to the date of the event.
Please see the Library’s calendar for additional details.

Information on La Befana and the Italian tradition can be found here on Wikipedia.

Italian Opera
2027-02-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Westerly Library Auditorium, 44 Broad St, Westerly, 02891
(Details Pending)
