Live from Sicily! Day 3 of Experience Sicily Myths and Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below. Free time, a visit to the ancient Jewish baths (Mikveh) where we read the Kaddish for those who left this place in 1492 and 1493 during the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition, and then a cooking experience with Alessia…
Tag: ortigia
Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: Day 2
Live from Sicily! Experience Sicily Day 2 of Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below. We dove deeply into the history and beauty of magical Siracusa and Ortigia Island. A magnificent performance of The Trojan Women and so much more!
Apollo Inspires The Start Of Our Journey
Live from Sicily! Today starts our Myths and Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below tour. This itinerary, co-hosted by Tony Allicino, has been a dream of mine to lead since before starting Experience Sicily. It’s a journey to the heart–both of Sicily and of oneself! We’ll be visiting sacred sites throughout the island that are…
Dance Through 2019 With Joy
Happy New Year! Buon Anno! Bon’annu nuvo!
Lucia Brought Light
The pure and beautiful Lucia was known to enter the dark catacombs of Siracusa, lighting her way with a torch in order to feed less fortunate, early Christians. It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled capital was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s patron saint, Sant’Agata, who…
Rice Balls, Glorious Rice Balls
Before I continue with the significance of the December 13 Feast for Santa Lucia, let’s talk about the really serious stuff! That is, that Palermitani celebrate the Saint by eating arancine. Arancine (as they are known in Palermo, pictured right; Arancini, if you’re from the east side of Sicily, pictured left), are rice balls filled…
Santa Lucia Lunch Sun., Dec. 9 in New York City
In Siracusa, Sicily last spring, I thanked Santa Lucia for guiding me through last winter–a particularly long and arduous one for me. Now, days from the winter solstice, I invite you to join me for our annual Experience Sicily luncheon celebrating the patroness of light, eyes, sight, and wheat on Sunday, Dec. 9 in New…
Wishing You Joy For Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for supporting Experience Sicily and giving me the opportunity to share my passion for life, Sicily, and of course, cannoli with you! May joy greet you and your loved ones today!
Celebrating Sicily’s Martyr, Santa Lucia
All Saints Day is a day to remember all the saints known and unknown. On All Saints Day, November 1, we also remember martyrs, like Santa Lucia of Siracusa, pictured, who adorns the city’s Duomo. Save the Date: Sunday, December 9, we are hosting our annual Festa di Santa Lucia luncheon at Cacio e Vino…
Euripides and Dionysus in Sicily
The ancient Greek god Dionysus is the central character in The Bacchae by Euripides, pictured here from when I saw the play in 2012 in the amphitheater at Siracusa, produced by the National Institute of Ancient Drama (INDA) as part of their annual Greek theater festival. Last week, I saw The Bacchae again at Brooklyn…