Ciao, Amici –

HAPPY 2014 or, as we say in Italy, BUON ANNO!!!  I hope all of you enjoyed a great Holiday Season and are now ready to “attack” the new year with gusto.  To help you add gusto to your life, we at Circolo Italiano are delighted to bring you 4 lovely events to celebrate the first three months of 2014.   And here they are:

On Sunday, January 19th, CIRCOLO ITALIANO BOCCE is meeting again at Arnoldi’s (corner of Olive and Cota Streets, SB) at 4:00pm.  No need to reserve ahead of time, just show up.  We will play bocce and, as an option, we can stay for a pizza or spaghetti dinner… Playing bocce is free, the dinner and/or refreshments will be paid by each of us individually.  How easier can you get!

On Saturday, January 25th, CIRCOLO IS GOING TO THE OPERA.  The SB Symphony is performing  Verdi’s best arias with the participation of singers and chorus.  It will be at the Granada Theater with a start time of 8:00pm.  We have incredibly reasonable group rates (Section B: $44 and Section C: $23.20).  We are now trying to see if it would be feasible to start the evening with a pre-concert dinner.  Stay tuned for more information coming to you this coming week…but, if you are an operatic buff, SAVE THE DATE.  It cannot get any better than this!

Fast forward to February.  An Italian-American sister organization is organizing an evening of  Carnevale on Saturday, February 22, 2014.  The Carnevale will take place at the Hall of Holy Cross Church, from 6-9pm.  Cost: $15 per person which will cover “wine tasting and a fabulous assortment of antipasti and fine Italian wines.” Circolo Italiano is going, so start thinking about an appropriate costume/mask.  More details coming your way but in the meantime MARK YOUR CALENDARS for this evening of fun!

LASTLY, CINEMA ITALIANO CLASSICO!  This year it will be in March and on 3 Saturdays.  Here are the dates: March 15, 22, and 29.  Anna Brusutti, our Artistic Director, is presently in Italy and, aside from visiting family and friends,  she is also looking for an appropriate line-up of classic Italian films.  She has a couple of exciting ideas, so stay tuned for more information coming to you soon….  In the meantime, SAVE THE DATES!

Arrivederci e Buon Anno a tutti,  Gabriella