3rd Annual Little Italy History Shuffle
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Step into the rich history of Cleveland's Little Italy during the 3rd Annual Little Italy History Shuffle (A Glass from the Past 3), a unique walking tour that combines fascinating stories, beloved neighborhood landmarks, and delicious Italian recipes and treats.
+ FREE PROGRAMS AT IAMCLE +
Book signing with Christine Taylor Lohrmeyer
Seeking Our Italian Roots with Pamela Dorazio Dean and Libby Cataldi
Book discussion and recipe sampling with Annette Januzzi Wick
America's Mighty Mouse: The Chuck Vinci Story
Sat Aug 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
FREE program
*SPECIAL FEAST PROGRAM*
Meet author Christine Taylor-Lohmeyer for a special book signing celebrating America’s Mighty Mouse: The Chuck Vinci Story, the story of Cleveland native Chuck Vinci.
Vinci is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning the medal in 1956 and 1960. In America’s Mighty Mouse, Taylor-Lohmeyer, Vinci's granddaughter, tells the story of the athlete behind those remarkable achievements and the family, determination, and Cleveland roots that shaped his life.
Complimentary beverages and bites!
Book discussion and recipe sampling with Annette Januzzi Wick
Seeking Our Italian Roots with Pamela Dorazio Dean and Libby Cataldi
Book discussion and recipe sampling with Annette Januzzi Wick
Something Italian: Food, Family & the Stories That Hold Us Together
Sun Aug 30, 3:00p.m.
FREE program
Part author talk, part storytelling, and part tasting, this program celebrates the many ways food carries our history and keeps us connected to those who came before us.
Memoirist and food writer Annette Januzzi Wick, with roots in Abruzzo and Calabria, presents her new book, part family history, part recipe book.
Complimentary beverages and bites prepared from Christine's family recipes!
Seeking Our Italian Roots with Pamela Dorazio Dean and Libby Cataldi
Seeking Our Italian Roots with Pamela Dorazio Dean and Libby Cataldi
Seeking Our Italian Roots with Pamela Dorazio Dean and Libby Cataldi
Featuring the book:
It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live
by Libby Cataldi
Tues Sept 8, 6:00 p.m.
FREE program
Join IAMCLE Director Pamela Dorazio Dean and her friend author LIbby Cataldi, as they share their journeys to discover their ancestral villages in Italy and how they became connected. Libby shares her full story in her recently released book, It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live, which will be available for purchase at the program.
Complimentary beverages and bites!
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, Aug 10 & 24 2026, 7-8:15pm $30 per class
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.
Seeking Our Italian Roots: Two Women, Two Journeys - Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026 6:00-7:00p.m. FREE
In 2023, author Libby Cataldi and IAMCLE Director Pamela Dorazio Dean met while participating in the Italian Diaspora Studies Summer Seminar of the Calandra Italian American Institute in Italy. Although they had known each other only a short time, they discovered a remarkable connection through their shared desire to visit their ancestral villages. Drawing upon her own journey to her family's village of Rotondella, chronicled in her memoir *It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live*, Libby helped make Pamela's long-held dream of visiting her grandparents' village possible through translation, guidance, and encouragement.
This free program explores these two intertwined journeys through conversation, photographs, and personal reflections. Together, Libby and Pamela will reflect on the importance of ancestral villages, family history, and the unexpected connections that shape our understanding of who we are. Their stories remind us that the search for our roots is rarely undertaken alone; often, the people who guide us are continuing a journey that began long before us.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Ancient Rome: Unfiltered September 12, 2026, 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 per person
Abruzzo & Molise: Roots of Cleveland's Italian Community Oct 3, 2026 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 pers
What was it really like to live in Ancient Rome? Join us for a lively morning exploring the people, power, and everyday moments of the Roman world. Dr. Paola Basile brings it all to life through engaging stories and images, plus traditional Roman food and wine to enjoy along the way.
Abruzzo & Molise: Roots of Cleveland's Italian Community Oct 3, 2026 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 pers
Abruzzo & Molise: Roots of Cleveland's Italian Community Oct 3, 2026 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m. $30 pers
Abruzzo and Molise share a rich cultural heritage shaped by landscape, tradition, and centuries of history. This program explores the distinct character of these neighboring regions, from their customs and cuisine to their art and everyday life. Presented by Dr. Paola Basile, the experience also includes samples of traditional food and wine from Abruzzo and Molise. .
REGISTRATON COMING SOON
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.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
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 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.