Our Amici dinners, hosted by the Console Onorario d'Italia, Arnaldo Partessoti, are for AICC members, Italian natives, Italian language students, and anyone who might enjoy an evening of delightful Italian food and company. Our next dinner will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Italian American Bocce Club located at 2340 Severn Avenue in Metairie. Come as early as 6pm to learn or practice with Bocce Club members. We'll enjoy a full, homemade spaghetti dinner beginning at 7pm, and then have more time to play bocce following dinner. Please mark your calendars now and plan to join us! As always, the cost is $35 per person (includes meal, glass of wine, tip, tax). For reservations, contact Pepper Caruso (504)522-7294 or pepper@americanitalianculturalcenter.com.

After many requests, the American Italian Cultural Center is pleased to offer Italian for Children and Teens, specifically for students in 5th through 12th grade. Help your children honor and embrace their Italian heritage by teaching them la bella lingua. A six-week Saturday course will begin Saturday, April 26, and classes will be held from 10:30am to noon. Cost is $170 ($130 for AICC members). All classes are taught by a native Italian speaker and feature a small class size and a convenient location downtown. Click here to download the registration form.

Peter Patti, local wine specialist with Republic National Distributing Company, brings his 44 years of experience to lead a fun and informative session focusing on Italian wines appropriate for summer enjoyment. It will be held at the American Italian Cultural Center on Friday, May 2nd from 7 to 9pm. Appetizers and hors d'oeuvres provided. Cost is $25 per person for AICC members and $30per person for non-members. To RSVP, please contact Pepper Caruso (504)522-7294 or pepper@americanitalianculturalcenter.com or click here to download the form to email.

Have you ever wanted to speak la bella lingua? Do you have some knowledge of Italian, but want to take your skills to the next level? Now is your chance! The American Italian Cultural Center is offering four separate courses beginning April 23rd for learners of all ages and levels:

• Beginning Italian I (basic language skills and a general understanding of communicating in Italian)
• Beginning Italian II (build upon knowledge and skill of the language)
• Continuing Italian I (for students approaching a conversational level)
• Continuing Italian II (practice skills through conversation and review)

All classes are taught by native Italian speakers and features small class sizes and a convenient location downtown. Click here to download our flyer to register.

Every Wednesday night at 7pm at the Italian Bocce Club on 2340 Severn Road in Metairie, come enjoy $2 beer and $1 soft drinks while learning to play this wonderful game from our heritage. For more information, contact club president Sal Christiana at 504-451-2209.