Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Sanremo Festival remains a pillar of Italian culture and a launchpad for iconic artists. Since 1951, it has reflected Italy’s societal changes through music, from Nilla Pizzi’s Grazie dei fiori to Vasco Rossi’s Vita spericolata. This year, Sanremo 2025 promises unforgettable performances, with Carlo Conti hosting and special guests Antonella Clerici and Gerry Scotti. On February 14, artists will honor musical history with a night of covers spanning Italian and international hits. As the festival evolves, it continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Our Christmas has already begun with a fantastic lunch surrounded by our community! A heartfelt thank you to Rudy Fanetti-Durán of C’era Una Volta Kitchen & Catering for the incredible food, Steve Albini for the beautiful accordion music, and our wonderful volunteers, guests, and staff who made this celebration truly special. A special thank you to Girardelli for the generous chocolate donations that sweetened our holiday. Merry Christmas to all!

During our 108th anniversary celebration, Italy Trails generously donated a one-of-a-kind travel experience to "Discover Your Italian Roots." This exclusive itinerary featured unforgettable tours in Rome and Naples, including a visit to the historic departure point for emigrant ships. The highlight? A personalized journey to your family's town of origin, complete with genealogical research and the chance to meet long-lost relatives. Explore your heritage or plan your own Italian adventure with Italy Trails today: www.italy-trails.com.

In October, we received a special visit from 4th graders from La Scuola International School! (www.lascuolasf.org)

We were delighted to welcome the bright young students from La Scuola for a memorable luncheon with our community. These Italian-speaking children filled our space with curiosity, warmth, and excitement, sharing their stories and asking thoughtful questions of our seniors. Their visit was a joyful reminder of the importance of connection across generations, and it brought smiles all around.

Moments like these bring us closer and fill us with gratitude for the wonderful spirit of our community.

Understanding Health and Longevity

Monday, September 9th, 2024

As women get older, they are at a higher risk of developing health problems such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer or dementia. Many health issues may be caused by simple wear and tear on our bodies. Others may be caused by the choices we make. Knowledge about the changes that affect women’s bodies and mind through the life cycle is critical to enhance and extend both health and longevity.

Last Wednesday, February 21st, was a special day for us at Italian Community Services (ICS), as we had the pleasure of welcoming students from Burlingame High School's Italian class and their teacher, the talented Celine Perry as well as representatives from the BHS Italian Exchange Boosters Program.

Burlingame High School is one of the 8 schools that received the John C. Riccio grant from ICS that nurtures and inspires Italian cultural appreciation, language, and community connection.

One of the Italian organizations we deeply value within our community is the Madonna del Lume Society. They host the longest-running religious nonprofit cultural celebration in the United States, La Festa della Madonna del Lume, which takes place every October in San Francisco's Italian neighborhood of North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf. Named for the patroness of fisherman, this two-day festival is a time for families and friends to gather in remembrance, prayer, thanks, and celebration for the longstanding Sicilian tradition that dates back to the 1700’s.

On the enchanting night of January 6th, as the Christmas festivities draw to a close, a mystical character known as La Befana takes center stage. This magical day is none other than the Epiphany, celebrated with joy and anticipation.

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Italian Community Services (ICS) and Workday recently joined forces once again to continue the Holiday Care Package Program for the second consecutive year. This initiative was led by the passionate commitment of Denise Accurso, a dedicated volunteer and Workday employee.

On the night of November 5th, we completed our first fundraising event after the 3yr Covid hiatus. Through the leadership of board members Romana Bracco, Julia Dondero, and David Giannini and the unwavering support of ICS staff, we were able to host a successful fundraiser in our building, Casa Fugazi, with the cooperation of our tenant, Club Fugazi Experiences, and their show "Dear San Francisco." Through ticket sales and auctions, both live and silent, we were able to raise $27K to support our community activities.

In celebration of Italian Heritage and Culture Month on October 16th, we proudly featured a documentary honoring A.P. Giannini. Born to Italian immigrants, Giannini founded Bank of America and played a pivotal role as one of the initial founders of Italian Community Services. The documentary, titled “A.P. Giannini - Bank To The Future,” was presented in our beautiful theater, Club Fugazi, in collaboration with Italian Community Services, Club Fugazi Experiences, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of San Francisco.

Students from Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School visited Italian Community Services with a special surprise for our community. Students in their Italian program serenaded our seniors with a rendition of “Testa, spalle, ginocchia e piedi” at our community luncheon.

Read about how we helped Pasquale, a member of our community, reunite with his family in Italy after nearly four decades apart. Through the collaboration with Miracle Messages, we successfully tracked down Pasquale's family and facilitated a heartwarming virtual reunion.

Learn about the vibrant Italian Program at St. Catherine of Siena School, a proud recipient of ICS's John C. Riccio Grant. With over 40 years of history, this foreign language program immerses students in the rich Italian culture and language.

Join us on a cultural journey and explore the rich history and vibrant traditions of the Tarantella dance. Discover the joy and energy that this iconic Italian folk dance brings to communities around the world.

Discover the numerous ways you can make a difference and support the Italian Community Services and the Bay Area Italian community. It's not just about financial contributions - there are plenty of opportunities to give back in meaningful ways.

Experience the beauty and resilience of Italian traditions in North Beach, where the spirit of Italy continues to thrive through events, dedicated entrepreneurs, and passionate community organizations.

When Carlo Tarrone, a long-time resident of North Beach, faced health challenges and was being taken advantage of during the pandemic, Italian Community Services intervened, working tirelessly to reunite him with his family in Italy.

Explore the fascinating connection between Chinatown and Little Italy in San Francisco. Both have a rich heritage and historical significance, intertwining along Grant Avenue.

Whether you're a food enthusiast, history lover, or culture seeker, these eight places offer a glimpse into the vibrant spirit of Little Italy. Explore the flavors, sights, and stories that make the North Beach neighborhood a must-visit destination.