Winter Fun Classes

We are so excited to offer a short film discussion series focusing on the films of Roberto Begnini. We will be watching the following films before class and then discussing the historical and significance of the movies, Pinocchio (2019) and La Vita e Bella in Italian culture.

Pinocchio (2020) with Breanna Campos

December 12, 2024, 4:30-6:00pm, In-Person - English, all levels

Join us on December 12, 2024 in-person from 4:30pm - 6:30pm to learn the history and significance behind the Italian movie Pinocchio (2020). All students will watch the movie on their own prior to joining the discussion. It can be found on several different streaming platforms, such as here or here. There is a small fee to watch the movie on a streaming service, which the student will be responsible for.

Pinocchio is one of the most famous fictional stories ever written in Italian literature. The discussion will revolve around the history behind the story and author’s origins and why it’s so significant in Italian culture. The class will be held in English, for all levels.

La Vita e Bella (1997) with Beatrice Mabrey Robson

December 17, 2024, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, virtual - English, All levels

Join us on December 17, 2024 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm via Zoom with Beatrice Mabrey-Robeson to discuss the  historical context and film background of La Vita e Bella. All students will watch the movie on their own prior to joining the discussion. It can be found on several different streaming platforms, such as here. There is a small fee to watch the movie on a streaming service, which the student will be responsible for.

According to Wikipedia, “Life Is Beautiful (Italian: La vita è bella, Italian: [la ˈviːta ˈɛ bˈbɛlla]) is a 1997 Italian comedy-drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami. Benigni plays Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, who employs his imagination to shield his son from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp.”

Coffee & Chat with Daniela Silvestrin

December 10, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am, In-Person - Italian, Levels A1/A2

We are offering casual conversation classes with Daniela Silvestrin on December 10, 2024 from 10:00am - 11:30am to improve and practice your conversational skills during winter break. The focus will be on casual conversational topics in order to improve confidence in your conversational strengths. BYOC - Bring your own coffee :) For levels A1/A2.

Coffee & Chat with Cinzia Corio-Holman

December 14, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am - In-Person - Italian, Levels B1 and up

We are offering casual conversation classes with Cinzia Corio-Holman on December 14, 2024 from 10:00am - 11:30am to improve and practice your conversational skills during winter break. The focus will be on casual conversational topics in order to improve confidence in your conversational strengths, while sipping on some coffee. BYOC - Bring your own coffee :)  For levels B1 and up. 

Elsa Morante with Gabrielle Orsi

December 12, 2024 6:30pm - 8:00pm, in-person - English, all levels

Join us for a fascinating class with Gabrielle Orsi on Thursday, December 12 at 6:30pm, in-person, on award-winning Italian author Elsa Morante's life and works, plus her legacy in Italian literature and culture and how she fits into the larger picture of the 20th century and Italian-Jewish culture. Gabrielle was a Visiting Scholar at the American Academy in Rome and had the opportunity to work on Morante's manuscripts in the archive in Rome.

Elsa Morante (1912-1985) was a major female novelist of the 20th century and an inspiration for contemporary novelist Elena Ferrante, whose pen name derives from Morante's. While Morante's husband, Alberto Moravia, is perhaps better known beyond Italy, Alberto always insisted that Elsa was the superior writer!  Of Jewish heritage, Morante fled Rome when the Nazis occupied the city during World War II, an event which marked her writing. Though reluctant to be in the spotlight, Morante moved in the same circles as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luchino Visconti, and other artists, literati and cinema personalities of the 1950s-1970s.  Morante's masterpiece was recently translated into English for the first time. 

Arancini Cooking Class with Pina Di Rosa

*Class has been delayed until January due to unforseen circumstances. Updates to follow for those registered. December 7, 2024, 10am - 1pm - Virtual - English, All levels

Join us for a virtual cooking class on December 7 from 10am - 1pm. Students will cook alongside Pina, as she shows the class how to make vegetarian arancini and spritz aperitivo , which is a dish known in all Italy as an appetizer for all occasions. Just in time for holiday parties! The information and ingredient list will be sent to the students prior to the class to give students enough time to grocery shop. Students are responsible for having all ingredients on hand. The class limit is 10 students, so grab your spot!