What do Negroni, Pirlo, Spritz, Campari, Rossini have in common? These are all names of cocktails called aperitivi, Italian cocktails to stimulate appetite. Aperitivo has its roots in Torino in 1786 with the invention of Vermouth.
Today in Italy Aperitivo is much more then just a cocktail. Aperitivo is  culture. A true Italian  ritual of moderate drinking,savoring food, socializing, meeting, exchanging ideas, chatting or to sum it up having fun after tedious hours of repetitive work in the office. Like the American happy hours? I highly doubt it! 
Aperitivo takes place after work between the hours of 6 to 9 and sometimes longer. By paying for a cocktail or any drink you can enjoy an  unlimited buffet consisted of small and not to so small dishes (SPUNTINI). For Italians it is a sacred time of day and often it replaces dinner. Aperitivo’s “home” is definitely Milan, the fashion capital where bars compete to offer “the best” aperitivo in the grandest style.
A few NY restaurants are beginning to catch on this trend. 
My idea is to combine the Aperitivo ritual with an Italian conversation club.  Just like if you were in Milan after work! We will take the Aperitivo ritual vary seriously just as we will take our Italian conversing. I’ve been a very busy Italian teacher here in NY for the past 14 years. My students are all successfully working and speaking Italian at NY companies in various fields from financial, medical to motion pictures and so on. I’ve noticed that my evening group classes learn best with a glass of prosecco or wine and  tons of fun . Why not? It's not a nunnery. Nothing wrong with a little cocktail. 
My name is Mauro. I am also an actor and a Voice-over artist. My latest work can be seen on the Biography channel. One of my latest play The painter project was performed Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre.
Does Italian teaching and acting go together? Yes Yes. I've learnt.
Hearing intonations,understanding dramatic expressions and quickly responding are key elements of  understanding and owning a foreign language. Learning from a book or repeating like a monkey from an American website just won't do it.
It's about inter-ACTING (see  and then most important is  letting go and having fun. Just like on stage 
Yes Yes and yes again, in my opinion having fun is the most vital element in learning a language. Grammar is taught indirectly while conversing and not by thinking so much. Throw away that stupid grammar book! How do I do it? Well that’s my craft  , thats why I am so busy and I need a drink  So come join my group Thursday nights and “Facciamoci un aperitivo e quattro risate!”