The North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation, is the coming together of people of all ancestries who are interested in sharing and enjoying things Italian. NBICF was founded in 1985, as a 501C Non-Profit Corporation, to celebrate Italian Culture and provide the large Italian community of Sonoma County a focal point for common interests.
CURRENT AND FUTURE EVENTS
The Board of Directors sends its best wishes to all. This past three years have been challenging for the Foundation as fundraisers and events were postponed or canceled. See the newsletter for information on all planned activities.
We held a several Monthly Dinners in 2023, a Winemaker Dinner in February and our annual Pizza event in July. Events are planned for November & December described in the following. As reported in the last newsletter, the heavy winter rains caused roof and ceiling damage at the Italian Cultural Center. Additionally, termite infestation was found and needed attention. This was addressed and damaged areas removed and replaced with new material and painted. The Foundation is seeking tax deductible donations earmarked for the NBICF Building Fund.
In order to raise funds to support our Travel Abroad Scholarships, the Board of Directors has authorized a Raffle for a Free Trip to Italy. 10 Days for 2 people in Tuscany! Tickets for the raffle are $25. First Prize includes airfare, lodging, and transportation. Click on this link to view and print a flyer with information on purchasing tickets. For information on the Terms & Conditions for the raffle, click here.
The next dinner event is scheduled for December 18 at the St. Rose Parish Hall. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Cesar Orozco from Sonoma County Catering Co. Doors open at 5 Dinner at 6 pm. Dinner includes: Antipasti, Caesar Salad, Bread, Tri-Tip with Mushroom Sauce, Fingerling Potatoes, Vegetables and Dessert with Wine at the Table.
To make a Reservation and pay online, visit the Reservation page by clicking here.
Reservations for the December 18 Dinner are required by December 10
See below for a mail-in reservation form for the dinner.
In Scena! Italian Theater Festival comes to Santa Rosa!
Presented by the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation and In Scena!
October 29, 30 & November 1. All 3 plays are in Italian with English supertitles.
For times, locations in Santa Rosa & Reservation Information, click here.
Piccolo Mercatino di Natale – Saturday, November 18th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the
NBICF Center – 64 Brookwood Ave, Santa Rosa – parking on Chinn.
Celebrate the holidays and support local Italian artisans by shopping at
Piccolo Mercatino di Natale. Affordable original paintings * Homemade biscotti * Handmade greeting cards – Charcuterie boards * Glass art * Photographs * Jewelry
Embroidered items with Italian themes * Gently used Italian-related books.
December 17, 2023 – Sunday, 2-4 pm (doors open at 1:30)
Author Kathleen Ann González at the NBICF Center.
Kathleen Ann González has published with various periodicals and has stories in three
anthologies and a textbook. She has independently published six book including the translation into Italian of Casanova’s Venice: A Walking Guide. She also organized the symposium “Casanova in Place” bringing together Casanova scholars in Venice in 2019. As a high school English teacher, Kathleen Ann González has won various awards and
recognition for her work. Books and other items will be available for purchase.
For a reservation for this lecture, click here.
The November-December Newsletter includes information additional activities and events. Click here to review the current newsletter. The following is a summary of activities described in the newsletter.
- November 18, 2023 – Saturday, 10am – 4pm: Piccolo Mercatino di
Natale at the NBICF Center. - November 24, 2023 – Friday, 4-7pm: Winter Lights, Tree Lighting
Event with Coro Allegro performing at Old Courthouse Square. - November 26, 2023 – Sunday, 1:30pm: Sundays at the Center with
Diane McCurdy, film: Terraferma - December 10, 2023 – Sunday, 1:30pm: Sundays at the Center with
Diane McCurdy, film: Mediterraneo - December 17, 2023 – Sunday, 2-4 pm (doors open at 1:30)
Author Kathleen Ann González at the NBICF Center. - December 18, 2023 – Monday, (doors open at 5pm, meeting and
dinner at 6pm): Members Dinner Meeting, “il Festa di Natale”
Father Denis O’Sullivan Parish Center (St. Rose)
For a reservation form for the Dec 17 talk & Dec 18 Dinner, click here
With the loss of revenue the past three years and the building repairs, the Board is focused on minimizing expenditures and encouraging members to take advantage of local merchant Oliver’s Market program for donating a portion of eligible purchases to NBICF. The application required for making this donation is included in the current newsletter or click here for a printable form.
Italian Citizenship Assistance (ICA) has joined NBICF as a new business member. ICA is one of the largest Italian-American firms that provides assistance to individuals of Italian descent who are interested in obtaining dual citizenship.
For information on ICA, visit their website by clicking here.
For a list of all upcoming events, visit the News & Events page.
Click here for Membership Renewal or New Membership Application
For a master calendar of all planned activities, click here.
- Balliamo Dancers
- Romans at Festa
- BBQ at Festa
- Cooking Class at Festa
- Coro Allegro – Scampagnata
NBICF has about 250 active members and offers a variety of programs including monthly dinners for members and guests, fall festival, choral group, travel study tours, language classes, college scholarships, and much more. For important announcements about activities and events, see the News & Events page.
The panel on the right lists several News & Events Categories, e.g. Monthly Dinners. By clicking on the Category of interest, you will see all the posts in that Category. For information on membership, visit the Membership page.
NBICF’s College Scholarship Program for students studying Italian Language is the focal point for fund raising activities such as Festa Italiana, Wine Maker Dinners where local Italian Cuisine is paired with the fine wines of Sonoma County, special holiday dinner programs, and frequent Cultural Events featuring guest speakers, Italian Movies and Operas, etc. For more information on the Scholarship Program, click here.
In 2000, a building in downtown Santa Rosa was purchased and serves as NBICF’s permanent home, the Italian Cultural Center, providing office space, classrooms, meeting rooms and a research library. For a summary of the NBICF activities, visit the About Us page.
To contact us via email, visit the Contact page by clicking here.
The Foundation is managed a group of volunteers elected by the membership. For information on the Board of Directors, click here.
To view a video from a past event : the 2013 Festa Italiana, click here.
Our Newsletter, Mosaico Culturale, is published 6 times annually. Click here to view the Mosaico.
To support NBICF’s goal of fostering Italian Culture in the community, consider making a tax deductible donation. Donations may be made optionally to a specific fund, e.g. General Fund, Scholarship Fund, Building Fund, or In Memoriam.
Click here make a Tax Deductible Donation to NBICF.
Any offering described in this website should not be read as an endorsement or warranty by NBICF.
See NBICF.org Policies and Guidelines