Middletown Arts Center's Savor the Arts: Italy

Starting in November, the Middletown Arts Center, located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ, will offer a unique way to enjoy artistic experiences from around the globe with Savor the Arts, a series of culture-specific events that blend performances with culinary tastings, exhibits, workshops, armchair travel presentations and more.

Savor the Arts: Italy takes place November 14 – 16 with a celebration of Italian culture. Please call 732-706-4100 to register for events. For more information, please visit middletownarts.org. Club MAC will offer child care throughout the weekend for $5 per hour. Pre-registration is required.

Savor the Arts: Italy Schedule of Events with Descriptions

Friday, November 14

7:00 – 11:00 pm MAC’s Ballroom Social Visits Italy A fun evening of Ballroom dancing. No partner necessary. Light Refreshments. Italian wine will be available for purchase. $15 per person.

7:30 – 9:30 pm Sip and Paint # 1 . Enjoy a night out at this glass-painting workshop with Laurie Ruggeri. No prior experience necessary. BYOB. $30 per person (includes all supplies).

Saturday, November 15

10:00 – 11:00 am The Uniqueness of Florence Italy Brookdale’s Armchair Tour Presentation by Franca Giuliana. Be transported to this beautiful city! Learn about the culture, food, and music and leave feeling as if you spent the morning in Europe! $15 per person.

11:00 am–12:00 noon Puglia: The Next Tuscany Brookdale’s Armchair Tour Presentation by Franca Giuliana. Find out why this Italian South East region is a rising star in tourism. $15 per person.

1:00 – 1:45 pm Mozzarella Making and Tasting Class with Gregory Isnetto Join us for an experience you will never forget! We begin with an introduction to the world of Mozzarella and a tasting of its varietals; from authentic imported Italian Mozz made from traditional milk and methods to our more commonly eaten Mozzarella here in the US, as well as home-smoked mozzarella and the delectable Burrata. A full demonstration is provided to show you how curd becomes the Mozzarella we all love with just a little time, hot water, and stretching. Then we dive in and sample the Mozzarella the way it should be enjoyed…hot and fresh right out of the water! $10.

2:00 – 3:00 pm Mozzarella Cheese Take Home Class with Gregory Isnetto You will be welcomed to the world of Mozzarella in grand fashion with a sampling and tasting of the 4 styles of this amazing cheese. You will witness curd turn into Mozzarella cheese right before your very eyes and at the end of the experience, you will be leaving with your prize in hand: a pound of fresh cheese and ½ lb of fresh curd so you can do it yourself on Sunday? The Fresh cheese can stay out for 24 hours on the counter, refrigerated for up to 4-5 days, or frozen up to a year…it’s your call. It can be enjoyed hot out of the water in class or a year later one you defrost it. Come spend your hour a little differently with us and leave with lasting memories and a new skill! $20.

11:00 am-4:00 pm Italian Wine Cork Crafts with Cindy Gato (Adults)Stop in and make a beautiful wine cork craft with Cindy. Crafts will also be available for sale. Free!

6:30-8:00 pm Pre-Performance Reception Food catered by Gaetano’s. Wine available for purchase. $45 with show ticket.

8:00-10:00 pm Blood Type: Ragu Award winning Off-Broadway Production. A humorous and tender coming of age one-man play exploring the first generation American’s delicate dance between culture and identity through a universal story of family, healing, and forgiveness. Award-winning actor/playwright Frank Ingrasciotta gives a tour-de-force performance portraying more than 20 characters. $30 per person.

Sunday, November 16

1:00-2:00 pm Poetry Reading from “Matriarch – A Journey Through Tradition” by Suzann Brucato Matriarch is a photo journal tribute to motherhood, family, and heritage that conveys the importance of family traditions as a contribution to ensuing generations. Free.

1:00-3:00 pm Paint & Sip # 2 with Gail Sanderson Enjoy an afternoon of relaxation and creativity as you paint your very own Italian scene with acrylic on canvas. All supplies included. BYOB. $35 per person.

2:00-4:00 pm Sunday Gravy Join us for this traditional Italian catered dinner. Wine available for purchase. $25 per person.

4:00-5:30 pm The World of Italian Opera Multi-Media Presentation by Jeffrey DiLucca A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the opera! Learn about Italian Opera and how it influenced our musical culture of today. Become opera literate in this entertaining presentation by Mr. DiLucca, a composer, classically trained baritone and Adjunct Professor of Music at Brookdale Community College. You may also realize you know more about opera than you think you do! $15 per person.