The Leonardo Da Vinci Society
Newsletter January–May 2017
Dear Members of the Leonardo da Vinci Society,
As we approach a new year, we reflect on what makes this Society unique and on the reasons why we would like your
continued support.
A very precious description by our Vice President Vincent Fausone defines our identity:
”The Leonardo da Vinci Society is unique among the numerous and honorable Italo American organizations. The Society
promotes knowledge and connoisseurship of the unique and stellar contributions that have been made by Italians
through the millennia to the world at large. Architecture, music, sculpture, paintings, literature, and the extraordinary
scientific discoveries of the Italian Peninsula deserve special recognition and it is the mission of the Society that everyone
is made aware of the invaluable, original, and exceptional contributions that have been made by Italians over the centuries.”
I wish to thank all who have attended recent events and especially the Golden Gala, our annual fundraiser. We could not
have done it without you. At the same time, I would like to invite those members who could not attend recent events to
re-approach us and look at the great programs that our event chair, Paola Tonelli, has put together for you. And check
out the Giovani events in January and February that the whole family can enjoy.
We look forward to seeing all of you in the New Year.
Happy Holidays to all!
Amelia Antonucci
President
[email protected]
Board of Directors:
Amelia Antonucci - President
Sonia Alioto - Membership Chair
Vincent Fausone - Vice President
Lorraine Legg - Treasurer
Jeanette Adams - Recording Secretary
Paola Tonelli - Event Chair
Sabrina Longega Wilson - Social Chair
Laura Piccirillo Waste - Society Historian
Alessandro Baccari - Italian Heritage Historian
Colomba Ghigliotti - Special Project Coordinator
Valentina Consolo - Giovani Co-Chair
Isabella Weiss di Valbranca - Giovani Co-Chair
Francesca Bannerman - Legal Counsel; COMITES adjunct member
Founded in 1949 by Countess Lillian Dandini, Mrs. Dobbins D’Anneo and Mr. Louis Piccirillo, The Leonardo Da Vinci Society was incorporated as a
non profit on July 25, 1951 to promote a broad and deep understanding and appreciation of Italian contribution to art, literature, and culture by
means of lectures, concerts, exhibits and receptions honoring distinguished persons.
The Leonardo Da Vinci Society is a 501©(3) non profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
www.davincisanfrancisco.com
CALENDAR OF THE EVENTS January-May 2017
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, at 5:00pm
"Festa Della Befana"
.
Istituto Italiano di Cultura, “Evento Giovani”, for children
of all ages. Refreshments, music, and performances.
regarded as some of the finest architectural achievements in
Western Art. Michael Stehr will discuss the careers of these
artists, the differences between their aesthetics, and how
the rivalry between them shaped the skyline of Baroque
Rome.
Free for LDV members, $5 for everybody else.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, at 10:00am
"Frank Stella: A Retrospective"
A guided tour at the De Young Museum.
In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman who delivers
gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the
night of January 5) in a similar way to St. Nicholas or Santa
Claus. A popular belief is that her name derives from
the Feast of Epiphany or in Italian La Festa dell'Epifania.
Michelle Longega Wilson, a 10 years old author, will talk
about the history of La Befana. Every kid is invited to recite
a Befana poem and will receive a sock full of goodies!
The movie: “La Freccia Azzurra” will close the evening.
Tuesday, JANUARY 10, at 7:30pm
"Borromini, Bernini, and the Rivalry that
Shaped Baroque Rome"
Museo Italo Americano, by Michael Stehr.
This retrospective of Frank Stella surveys the career of this
towering figure in post-WWII American art. Fifty works, including paintings, reliefs, sculptures and maquettes, are displayed, representing Frank Stella’s prolific output from the
late 1950s to the present day. This will be the first comprehensive U.S. presentation devoted to the artist since 1970.
Maximum 20 people.
Brunch at the Museum following.
February 18, at 4:30pm
"Conscious robots? Fact or fiction?"
Museo Italo Americano, By Federico Faggin
Francesco Borromini and Gian Lorenzo Bernini are two
giants of 17th century Italian architecture, and both are
considered founders of the Baroque style. But the two men
could not have been more different, in both temperament
and in the kind of work that they produced.
While continually competing for the same commissions,
both would eventually contribute works that would be
regarded as some of the finest architectural achievements
Federico Faggin will explain the near-miraculous phenomenon of consciousness and will highlight the basic differences
between a computer and a living system. He will also describe the nature of consciousness in much depth, and some
of his conjectures on the origin of life and consciousness.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, at 6:30pm
"Carnevale"
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, at 6:00pm
"Italian Contemporary Cinema"
Italian Athletic Club, “Evento Giovani”, Masquerade, Dinner
and Dance for families. Children encouraged.
4 films to be announced - screening at SFIAC
Enjoy a family evening of fun! Dress in costume and be ready
to eat, dance and be part of a contest. Live music!
THURSDAY, MAY 11, at 6:30pm
"Guglielmo Marconi"
$75 per person and $25 per child
.
Istituto Italiano Di Cultura, a conference
Tuesday, FEBRUARY 28, at 5:00
"L’Italia di San Remo"
Italian Cultural Institute, “Evento Giovani”, by
Rolando Giambelli
LdV Society in collaboration with the IIC will hold the first
conference of a cycle on one of today’s Italian scientists in
the Bay Area, in the past and now.
LdV Society in collaboration with the IIC will host an evening
about Italian Music. Rolando Giambelli, photographer, musician, and judge of San Remo 2016, will talk about the history
of the festival and enlighten us with a few behind the scenes
“secrets”.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, at 6:30pm
"International Women Day"
Italian Cultural Center, “Italian Women Artists and writers
of the Renaissance” by author Natalia Costa.
Natalia Costa-Zalessow, Professor
Emerita in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at San
Francisco State University, has
written extensively about Italian
women writers and poets from the
XIII to the XX century and is a frequent contributor to academic journals and literary dictionaries.
Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937), inventor of wireless radio,
is the first past Italian scientist to be celebrated. Today’s
young Italian scientist will join us and describe his achievements.
MAY EVENTS - Date TBD
"Trip To Tomales"
Field trip to the Marconi Conference Center in Tomales.
Visit to the History Room at Marconi Center, curated by Elia
Haworth. The exhibition presents a 100-year look at the
development of wireless radio technology still widely used
today and highlights historic events that transpired at the
Marshall, Point Reyes, and Bolinas stations.
"May Annual Alfresco Meeting"
A special thanks to all our members and friends for your continuous support!
HAVE A GREAT
2017!
To Join the Leonardo Da Vinci Society, apply on line at www.davincisanfrancisco.org
Leonardo Giovani : This program is geared towards the interests of younger members until 50
years old (for 2016-2017 only). The Leonardo Young will have its own events and every member,
regardless of the age, can participate. From wine tasting to concerts, to art, and food events; the
Leonardo Young mission is to deliver fun and culture to the younger professional.
www.davincisanfrancisco.org