The Italian Canadian Museum presents “Pane e Cioccolata” on Sunday June 27, 2010. Doors open at 8pm at the ICM facility, 10190 Keele St., Maple, Ontario.

Entrance Fee: $5 per person.

All are welcome!

RSVP: (905) 832-5200, info@amicimuseum.com

Movies al Museo: Pane e Cioccolata

Entrance Fee: $5 per person.

Movies al Museo - Nuovo Mondo / The Golden Door

2008 is an exciting time of transition and growth. AMICI needs more volunteers to accomplish our many projects.

Our small dedicated group is comprised of individuals from different backgrounds; each brings diverse skills to their work at AMICI, and each is committed to helping build a legacy to the Italian-Canadian community. Without their support, AMICI would not exist!

If you want to make an important contribution to the cultural life of the Italian-Canadian community, are interested in learning more about Italian-Canadian history and immigrant history, or meeting new people, please consider joining our volunteer group.

A great fit for students and recent graduates looking for work experience; some areas of study covered include: Communications, Museum Studies, History, Film Studies, and Public/Art Administration.

Please feel free to call or email us for more information on becoming a volunteer:
Lucy Di Pietro, Curator/Manager, AMICI; Tel: 905-832-5200, Fax: 905-832-5242, email: info@amicimuseum.com

AMICI is constantly building its collections and also preparing related exhibitions celebrating the heritage and passions of Italian immigrants who settled in Canada.

Have you –

• Got something you would be willing to donate?
• Know where we could find objects?

Let us know! Call 905-832-5200 or email info@amicimuseum.com

As an example, AMICI is working on an exhibit called, Forza Italia! Italians & Soccer (working title), which explores the Italian passion for soccer and Italian-Canadian contributions to and participation in the sport.

To develop and produce this exhibition, AMICI is appealing to the community for the loan or donation of objects and other materials.

Forza Italia exhibition:

• Trophies/awards
• Uniforms
• Old soccer balls
• Flags & other team merchandise
• Posters, pamphlets, tickets of/to matches
• Photographs/video
• Newspaper articles
• Soccer club information

If you know of anyone who might be able to donate or loan any of these objects for the duration of the exhibition, or if you would like more information on AMICI and this exhibit, please contact:

Lucy Di Pietro, Curator/Manager, AMICI; Tel: 905-832-5200, Fax: 905-832-5242, email: info@amicimuseum.com

With a Founding Membership of $100 or greater, members can have their names, or those of loved ones, permanently added to our Founding Members Wall.

***Founding membership is limited to 1000 names, so reserve your place on our wall now!

Call 905-832-5200 or email info@amicimuseum.com.

If you are interested in having your story recorded, or know someone who you would like to suggest, please contact us. Call 905-832-5200 or email info@amicimuseum.com.

Vincenzo Alonzi has amassed an eclectic collection of antique/refurbished music players and radios. For over thirty years, he has scoured flea markets and antique shops, purchasing the items, which he displays at his home in North York. A craftsman at heart, with a passion for music and woodworking, Vincenzo refurbished many of the items in his collection himself; most are in working order. He also has an extensive collection of old vinyl records; many are classical recordings. Vincenzo has not limited his collection to music, but also has acquired old cameras, telephones, and even a late 19th century Singer sewing machine.

Originally from Sora, Lazio, Vincenzo Alonzi has a fascinating immigration story. His father, Antonio, was one of thousands of sojourners who travelled to the United States to work in the early 20^th century. Having made some money most returned home to Italy. Like his father, Vincenzo sought work in the New World. Unlike his father, the son decided to settle permanently in Canada.

Vincenzo Alonzi immigrated to Canada in 1957. He travelled on the boat Constitution, arriving at Ellis Island in New York. He enjoyed the voyage, remembering parties and dancing. He travelled by train to Toronto, greeted at Union Station by his girlfriend Italia, whom he married on February 1, 1958. He settled in the city, and spent most of his career as a heavy machine operator.

His work has taken him to the Canadian “true north”. He worked on the construction of a military base, including airstrip, in Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island in 1959. He later worked on the James Bay Project, one of the largest hydroelectric systems in the world, in northern Quebec during the 1970s. Prior to immigrating to Canada, he had worked on a power electric project in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia).

Vincenzo and Italia have 2 daughters, Rita and Maria, and 2 grandsons.

His story is among the first in our oral history library, it includes a video interview and photographs and documents. The Italian Canadian AMICI Museum is planning on collecting life stories of many more Italian immigrants and their children. We will use the stories in exhibitions, and also for research and posting on our website. We hope to build an extensive collection, for use by future generations.

AMICI is working hard to develop a national Italian Canadian museum. It’s a difficult undertaking, especially in the current global economic conditions. Today, more than ever, we need community and public support, receiving no ongoing funding from any level of government. Our work is important! The contributions of Italian immigrants to Canada should be documented and displayed. Current Italian Canadian culture should be examined and communicated. We should have a place to come together and celebrate our history, present and future.

Although we face a major challenge, we are pleased to follow in the footsteps of other Italian Canadians. Living around 200 years ago, these pioneers advocated for and founded museums in Canada! Among the first Italians in Montreal were the Donegani family. John Donegani, both the first Italian municipal councilor and the first Italian judge in Canada, had a keen interest in intellectual affairs. In 1841, he housed a public meeting at his home calling for the creation of an institution of literature, science and arts, housing a library and museum!

Tommaso Delvecchio, an innkeeper in Montreal originally from Lombardy, actually founded the Italian Museum in 1827. A savvy businessman, his museum was created to provide entertainment — to keep old clients and attract new ones. The wide ranging exhibits featured mummified animals, works of art, musical instruments, and wax figures. Although the museum closed about 20 years after his death in 1853/54, we applaud this Italian museum founder.

The lives of Italian immigrants, such as those noted here, are the inspiration for ourwork.

Source: The Italians in Canada, A.V. Spada, 1969.

Date: July 24, 2009

Start Time: 7:30 pm

Location: AMICI/ICM – 10190 Keele Street

Description: Exhibit opening will feature a special program with presentations on the subject matter.

Admission: Free, RSVPs suggested, refreshments will be served.

Start Time: 7:30 pm
Location: AMICI/ICM – 10190 Keele Street

Description:Sabrina Di Marco speaks about her work and travels throughout the globe with special performances by friends.

Fundraiser. Profits will be donated to The Italian Canadian Museum and the OSJ Charities Trust for L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy/Earthquake

Admission: Ticketed – 15$, refreshments will be served.
Start Time: 19:30