Swinging Sixties Senior Center (211 Ainslie St.) launched the first in the Michele Giannattasio Lecture Series in April. This series is dedicated to Michele Giannattasio Senior and Junior, (but the junior is better known as Michele Grannis). The story of the senior Michele Giannattasio is a classic American success story: he emigrated from Salerno, Italy to settle in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with his wife and toddler daughter then garnered a reputation for his carpentry and raised six children in the community. This eponymous lecture series will enlighten its audience on the Italian culture that adds distinct flavor to the neighborhood.
The first and second lectures will be presented by Joseph Sciorra, PhD, the Director of Academic and Cultural Programs at Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College and the Editorial Director, for the Italian American Review. His first lecture focused on Italian religious processions and also informed on community-based sacred spaces and devotional art. The second lecture will be presented on May 30 from 7 p.m.–8 p.m. at Swinging Sixties Senior Center (211 Ainslie Street, BK). It will cast a spotlight on our neighborhood’s beloved Giglio festival and utilize archival footage of the feast from the 20s, 30s, and 50s
The Giglio on Film, the 2nd lecture in Michele Giannattasio Lecture Series will occur on May 30 from 7 p.m.–8 p.m. at Swinging Sixties Senior Center (211 Ainslie Street, BK 11211)
The Greenline 