L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 5 Italian Language Meetup Groups – La Dolce Lingua! H ave you ever heard the Italian language praised as one of the great romance languages in the world? Of course you have! I like to call it La Dolce Lingua. It is both beautiful to hear and even more charming to speak. There are several ways to expand your Italian language expertise. One, of course, is to attend formal Italian language classes. But if you don't wish to make a formal commitment, or if you just prefer to occasionally practice what you already know, consider joining an Italian lan- guage meetup group in your area. S imply perform an Internet search for "Italian lan- guage meetup groups" and you will likely find one conveniently located nearby including groups in S an F rancis co, O akland, Alameda, and Concord. These meetups are ideal for those of us whose first language was indeed Italian but who don't have the opportunity to speak the lan- guage very often as adults. The San Francisco Italian Language Meetup Group is quite active with frequent and diverse gatherings. In the past, the mee- tups have included free Italian movie nights at U.C. Berkeley as well as one event described as "Celebrating the Diversity of the European Union – World Affairs Council." Q uite impres s ive wouldn't you say? For more information about the group, vis it their w ebs ite at http://www.meetup.com/San- Francisco-Italian-Language- Meetup. Another favorite group can be found in the East Bay suburb of Walnut Creek. Although still going by the original name, "The Concord Italian Language Meetup Group", it now meets in nearby Walnut Creek at Caffè La Scala. For more information about this group, explore their website at http://www.meetup. com/italian-354. Founded in May 2006 by an Italian-A merican gentleman named John, the Walnut Creek group meets for approximately tw o hours every Wednes day evening and on alternate Sunday mornings. They call their gather- ings "caffè con gli amici" (coffee with friends). The group offers conversation around Italian film, books, travel, restaurants, and, of cours e, plenty of dis cus s ion about the topic of, what else, Italian language. The organizers of both the S an F rancis co and Walnut Creek/Concord meetup groups, Kelly (San Francisco) and John (Walnut Creek/Concord) share their thoughts and experiences below. How long has your Italian Language Meetup Group been meeting? Kelly: The San Francisco Italian M eetup group w as formed in 2003, so the group has been meeting for 12 years. John: The Concord group was established in May 2006, originally meeting in Concord, but later mov ing to Walnut Creek for our monthly meetings. What was the inspiration that prompted you to form the group? Kelly: The group was formed by other members who, like me, had lived abroad in Italy for a long time and wanted to continue the language and cultural exchange here in the U.S. with Italians and Italian speakers. John: I grew up speaking Italian, and, as an adult, I think it is very important to meet new people that speak the language so we can continue to practice and keep our vocabulary strong. What are some of the bene- fits members share with each other Kelly: We keep the beauty of the Italian love of life going here in San Francisco, through speak- ing "la bella lingua," organizing cultural events related to Italy and Italian, meeting others who share a passion for the Italian language, culture, food, wine and lifestyle. John: The ability to share experiences whether they be from travelling to Italy, attending an event, watching an Italian film, or reading a book, we can gather to share Italian culture while speaking the language. D es crib e th e d ifferen t events/gatherings/meetings in which your members most like to participate? K elly: A peritivi (happy hours ), coffee convers ation, potluck dinners, barbecues, film screenings, picnics, hikes, lec- tures, and festivals. John: We meet six times a month at an established location, Caffè La Scala. Our meetings are every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and alternate Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Some of us bring books, movies or other Italian related items to share. Someone always has a bi-lingual dictionary handy for those of us who sincerely want to spruce up their vocabu- lary and keep an ongoing list of new, more sophisticated words. Does your group have spe- cific goals set for future activi- ties/expansion/promotion. Kelly: Since I've been the group's Principal Organizer, the group has grow n from 800 - 1,300+ so we're continuing to expand. This year I'm really working on getting other mem- bers to s tep up as Event Organizers, so we can continue to offer a variety and big calen- dar of events. I would love to get some more outdoor activities going throughout SF and the Bay Area, we will just need addition- al Organizers to make this hap- pen. As this group seems to be the main Italian-speaking group in San Francisco based around lan- guage and culture, and with an on-going calendar of events, for both Italians and Italian speak- ers, we would love to collaborate with more Italian businesses, bus ines s ow ners and Italian lovers to keep the group growing and active in different ways! John: Members share with me how much they appreciate the way the group is currently organized and how important it is to practice speaking in an informal setting such as ours. Our group enjoys having the opportunity to meet frequently at an es tablis hed meeting location. Members are encour- aged to bring friends and neigh- bors s o our group is alw ays grow ing and evolving in an organic way. As a member of both an East Bay and Wes t Bay meetup group, I am never more than a week away from the opportunity to mix, mingle and chat with like-minded Italian-speaking amici. Check out the possibili- ties in your area at http://ital- ian.meetup.com. The website's search engine allows you to type in your location and find groups locally or worldwide! CATHERINE ACCARDI One way to meet new people, or practice your social skills, is through meet ups The Concord/Walnut Creek Italian Language Meetup Group enjoys "caffè con gli amici" at Caffè La Scala in Walnut Creek Feb. 3, Tues. - "Italian Art and Architecture in the Bay Area: Th en an d N ow " organized by BA I A and the I talian Community Services. Club Fugazi, 678 Green Street, San Francisco. For tickets: www.italiancs.com or www.baia- network.org Feb. 8, Sun. - Le Donne D'Italia Bubbly & Bingo. Join San Francisco's Italian Womens' Club for lunch and an afternoon filled with fun, and Bubbly and Bingo with cash prizes, at the Italian Athletic Club. For more details and tickets contacts Antonette 415-509-4810 or email sagit19@aol.com Feb. 8 , Sun. - A Celebration of Italy's Big Three: Rome, Florence and Venice. Author Susan Van Allen ("50 Places in Rome, Florence and Venice Every Woman Should Go"), mode- rates a panel of passionate experts who will share insider's info on Italy's Big Three. Museo Italo-Americano (Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Building C, San Francisco, 94123. Please RSVP to (415) 673-2200 Feb. 25, Thurs. - Lecture By Luisa del Giudice: "Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts: Art, Migration, Development". Luisa del Giudice, Executive Director of the Italian Oral History Institute, Los Angeles will be presenting her edited col- lection. D w inelle H all, 2100 Ber keley Way, Ber keley, California 94720. Info http://italian.berkeley.edu Feb. 26, Fri. - Lecture By Luisa del Giudice: "Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts: Art, Migration, Development". Luisa del Giudice, Executive Director of the Italian Oral History Institute, Los Angeles, will be presenting her edited collection at Museo Italo Americano (Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Building C, S an F r ancis co, 94123) . I nf o: ( 415) 673- 2200 or sfmuseo@sbcglobal.net Mar. 3, Tues. - Exhibit Opening: Botticelli to Braque: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. Some of the most iconic images in the history of Western art as they travel to San Francisco. March 7, 2015–May 31, 2015 De Young Museum. Golden Gate Park | 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, 415.750.3600 Through Apr. 19, 2015- Primo Angeli: A Retrospective. The Museo Italo Americano will exhibit the works of San Francisco design legend, Primo Angeli. Info: Phone: (415) 673-2200 , E- mail: sfmuseo@sbcglobal.net Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Building C

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