Just enough news to enjoy with a slice of cheesecake...

Yes, I know, I know, normally we share our news over a cup of cappuccino and a brioche, but due to my computer being (still!) in the repair shop, how about we talk about what's happening in Stresa while we partake of this cheesecake that I made today.

Many musical events scheduled in Stresa... Here are some highlights.

Jazz is back. Cafe Bar la Verbanella, located right on the lungolago across from the Regina Palace Hotel, has brought back for another year their very successful Thursday Jazz Evenings. Each Thursday, from now through September, a different jazz band or artist will entertain. June's performers are listed here.

If you prefer classical, Friday, June 19th, at the Hotel des Iles Borromees, as part of the Festival Internazionale Associazione Musicale Dino Ciani Concerti, Mendelsohn's Variations will be performed in the Sala Minerva. This concert is also part of an ongoing summer series, for a look at the schedule, click here.

The XIX Festival Organistico Internazionale is also taking place now; five organ concerts by five different masters, all at Chiesa Santi Ambrogio e Theodulo in Stresa. This week's performance, Sunday evening at 9:30 PM, features Rubin K. Abdullin, from Russia.

How about a different kind of sound now? This Sunday, June 14, you'll be able to hear the roar of dozens of automobiles that are taking part in the 45th annual Rally Valli Ossolane. Twice during the day the cars will race for time up and down the winding mountain roads that lead from Stresa through it's frazione, villages, Levo, Carciano, and Someraro. Very exciting, certainly, but better to watch from a safe spot, and plan your day around not needing a car, as roads in and out of town will be closed for some time. What sort of rally is this? Take a look at this moment from the 2007 race for an idea:




Let's end on a quiet, peaceful, note. Get away from it all at the Giardino Botanico Alpinia this Sunday, where there will be special demonstrations on how to construct a bird feeder and artificial nests, as well as guided walks through the gardens trails.