Program series - Explore Italy: Culture, cuisine, Language
Experience Italy without leaving Cleveland!
Explore Italy: Cuisine, Culture, and Language is an IAMCLE signature series that brings the richness of Italy to life through engaging, accessible experiences. Programs highlight regions, cities, and broader themes in Italian history and culture, weaving together storytelling, language, music, and tradition. Many sessions include curated food and wine tastings that connect participants more deeply to the places being explored. Designed for both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts, the series offers a welcoming way to experience Italy without leaving Cleveland. All programs take place at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland. See below for information on programs and registration.
Italian Folk Music & Tamburello Workshop - Mondays, 09/21-11/30, 2026, 7-8:15pm $120 for 6 classes
Connect with the traditional songs and sounds of Italy in this workshop led by percussionist Anthony Taddeo. Participants will explore authentic folk music through voice and rhythm, with selections from the Alla Boara repertoire and Alan Lomax recordings. Sessions also introduce the tamburello and the cultural context behind the music.
No prior musical experience is required.
Abruzzo & Molise: Roots of Cleveland's Italian Community Oct 3, 2026 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 pers
Journey into Abruzzo and Molise—the regions at the heart of Cleveland’s Italian American story. In this Explore Italy Signature Series class, you’ll discover the landscapes, history, traditions, and enduring cultural ties that connect these neighboring regions to generations of Italian Americans in Northeast Ohio.
Guided by IAMCLE’s mission to preserve and share Italian American heritage, this session explores why so many people left Abruzzo and Molise, how they built new lives and communities in Cleveland, and the customs they carried with them. Dr. Paola Basile will bring their stories to life through engaging discussion and images, followed by traditional regional food and wine to enjoy.
The first part of the program will feature discussion, while the second will be devoted to sampling the delicious foods and wines of Abruzzo and Molise.
The Birth of Italia: From Kingdoms to Nation Oct 24, 2026 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 person
Italia (Italy) as we know it today is the product of a long and complex history, shaped over centuries by remarkable men and women. This program explores the key figures, pivotal events, and cultural forces that made the Risorgimento possible, while tracing how a shared sense of Italianità began to emerge as early as ancient times.
Presented by Dr. Paola Basile, the program also features tastings of traditional foods and wines, offering a flavorful journey through Italy’s rich regional diversity.
Natale in Italia: Italian Christmas Traditions Dec 5, 2026, 10:30a.m. - 12:30p.m. $30 person
Celebrate the season through the rich traditions of Italian Christmas, from festive foods and customs to the spirit of family and faith that defines the holiday. This program explores how Christmas is observed across Italy, highlighting regional practices and enduring cultural traditions. Presented by Dr. Paola Basile, the experience includes samples of traditional Italian Christmas food and wine, along with a lively game of Tombola for prizes.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Italian Genealogy Conference - Nov 14, 2026
Italian Genealogy Conference
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Attend in person or virtually via Zoom
Discover new resources and strategies for researching your Italian family history during this full-day genealogy conference featuring nationally recognized experts Suzanne Russo Adams and Joel Cole. Participants will enjoy eight expert-led sessions covering Italian civil, church, military, and genealogical records, as well as valuable online research resources.
All registrants will receive digital access to recordings of every session for two weeks following the conference.
Location
Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center
10825 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
Registration (Includes Continental Breakfast.)
Early Bird - Register by October 23:
General admission: $50
CIAO, IAMCLE, and ISDA members: $40
After October 23:
General admission: $60
CIAO, IAMCLE, and ISDA members: $50
At the door, if space remains: $65, no box lunch will be available for day-of registration
Optional box lunch: $15 (sandwich and salad options available)
** We strongly recommend purchasing a boxed lunch in advance or bringing your own. The lunch break is too short to visit any of the nearby restaurants or cafes.
Parking in the Cleveland History Center lot: $10 (buy now or pay at door)
Sessions Presented by Suzanne Russo Adams
· Getting Started Researching Your Italian Ancestors
· Exploring Catholic Marriage Records
· Beyond the Index: Reading Italian Records
· Same Name, Same Town: Finding the Right Ancestor
Sessions Presented by Joel Cole
· In Peace and War: Italian Military Records
· Italian Civil Registration Records
· Online Resources for Italian Research
· Update on FamilySearch/Italian Records
·
Conference Sponsored by Italian Sons & Daughters of America (ISDA)
Presented in partnership with:
Cleveland Italian Ancestry Organization (CIAO)
Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE)
Italian Language Classes - 2026
Our Italian language classes provide a welcoming, small-group introduction to Italian, with an emphasis on practical vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational skills. Classes may be taken individually or as a progressive series.
Summer/Fall Session 2026
- Basic II: Sept 8-Oct 13
- Basic III: Oct 20-Nov 24
- Basic V: Sept 9 - Oct 14
- Basic VI: Oct 21-Nov 25
Classes are held in person. In the event of severe weather or other issue, a class may be moved to Zoom at the discretion of the instructor. Individual Zoom attendance is not available when classes are held in person.
Registration includes copies of all class handouts.
Fees
- $125 per level
Enrollment & Policies
- If the minimum enrollment of 10 students is not met, the class will be canceled and registration fees refunded.
- No refunds after the first class
- Class fees cannot be prorated; if you miss a class, please speak with the instructor to review what was covered
- Classes are listed in numerical order, but this is not a rigid sequence. Each level moves at a pace that reflects the needs of the students enrolled.
Eligibility
Open to adults and youth ages 12 and older.