Italian Travel

🎸✨ **Road Trip to Niagara Falls: Bruce Cockburn Live** ✨🎸 **Friday, February 20** Join us for a winter evening road trip to **Niagara Falls** to see iconic Canadian singer-songwriter **Bruce Cockburn** live in concert. Known for his poetic lyrics, masterful guitar work, and powerful storytelling, this promises to be a memorable night of live music. [More show info here](https://fallsviewcasinoresort.com/events-and-promotions/schedule-of-events/bruce-cockburn.html) *** ### 🕒 Schedule * **4:00 PM** – Depart Toronto 📍 *Pickup: outside Christie Station* * **Early Evening** – Possible sightseeing or free time in Niagara Falls *(traffic permitting)* * **7:30 PM** – Concert at the **OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino** * **\~12:00 AM** – Approximate return to Toronto *** ### 🎶 About the Venue: OLG Stage The **OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino** is a modern, state-of-the-art concert venue located in the heart of the Fallsview entertainment district. **Venue highlights:** * 🎤 Excellent acoustics and sound quality * 👀 Great sightlines throughout the theatre * 🪑 Comfortable seating with plenty of legroom * 🍹 Bars and concessions on site * 📍 Connected to Fallsview Casino and close to restaurants and attractions It’s one of Ontario’s top venues for live music and an ideal setting for an intimate performance like this one. *** ### 🚗 Transportation We’ll be travelling in a **Kia Soul** featuring: * ❄️ **Winter tires** * 📻 **SiriusXM satellite radio** A safe, comfortable, and fun winter road-trip ride. *** ### 💵 Cost & Payment * **$50 per person** *(includes concert ticket + round-trip transportation)* * **Must eTransfer $50 to nicolasbello@yahoo.com to lock in your spot** * RSVP is confirmed **only after payment is received**

Let’s get together to speak French! We’ll enjoy tea/coffee and some icebreaker games. Everyone is welcome. Venez parler français! À bientôt, Hassane. \*Merci beaucoup de vous être inscrit(e) à notre prochaine rencontre! Nous sommes ravis de votre présence. Afin de permettre à d’autres de se joindre à nous, nous vous demandons respectueusement : 1. **Si vos plans changent,** veuillez mettre à jour votre statut (passer à 'Non') le plus rapidement possible pour libérer votre place. 2. **Si vous êtes sur la liste d'attente,** merci de ne pas vous présenter à l'événement. Votre statut doit être confirmé pour pouvoir participer. Veuillez vous inscrire directement aux prochaines dates disponibles. Au plaisir de vous accueillir! \*To allow others to join us, we respectfully ask that you: * **If your plans change,** please update your RSVP status (change it to 'No') as quickly as possible to free up your spot. * **If you are on the waiting list,** please do not show up for the event. Your status must be confirmed to participate. Instead, please register directly for the next available dates. IMPORTANT: Veuillez noter que pour profiter pleinement de nos échanges, une aptitude de base à la conversation est vivement souhaitée : ce groupe est un cercle de discussion convivial et non un cours de langue. Please note that to fully enjoy the experience, a basic speaking aptitude is recommended: this group is a social conversation circle, not a formal teaching class. We look forward to welcoming you! Please join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LRUdXbjpG8I9aph4dU6Go8

**Closing the Year of the Snake.** **Gently welcoming the Year of the Horse.** . . On **Friday, February 20th**, Peter Arcari and Kira Callahan invite you to a two-hour sonic immersion designed to soften, awaken, and restore with ARCALLA. . Two transformative hours of singing bowls, ethereal voice, gongs, hand pan, drums and more, will guide you to release what no longer serves you, open your inner landscape, and feel fully present in this moment of transition. . \*Let go of what weighs you down \*Honour what has completed \*Invite fresh energy, clarity, and renewal . . 📍 **At The Smoking Frog (665 Dupont)** 🕯 Arrive 6:45–7pm. Doors lock at 7:15. . 🛏 Comfy beds provided. . 🎟 Tickets: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rest-reset-transformational-sound-journey-with-arcalla-tickets-1853344777119?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rest-reset-transformational-sound-journey-with-arcalla-tickets-1853344777119?aff=oddtdtcreator) . **ARCALLA Sound Journeys sell out — reserve now to secure your spot.** . REGULAR $65 \| EARLY BIRD $55 . Bring water, an eye mask, and your own incandescent heart. 💛

Anyone with a **GENUINE INTEREST** in Italian language, culture and cuisine is invited to register for our event. ☆☆☆ Siete invitati al nostro Meetup d'italiano. Portate uno o piu amici e le vostre storie da raccontare! La consumazione è "alla romana". (Cioè, 'spartire equamente fra amici una spesa comune'). You are invited to our Italian Meetup event. Bring your friends and your stories to share! The event is "Dutch treat" (I.e., 'each participant pays for their share of the expenses'). ☆☆☆ For additional information, please click on any of the following: **(1) [ABOUT THE GROUP](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000015-c988dc988e/IMG_6067.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **(2) Q&A WITH ONE OF THE MEMBERS REGARDING:** **— (i) [Our TWO-STEP registration process.](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000022-543ec543ee/IMG_6040-0.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (ii) [ITALIAN LANGUAGE](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)**[ ](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)**[spoken at the events.](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (iii) [The RESTAURANT INDUSTRY – A note](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000023-cdd84cdd88/IMG_6027.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (iv) [COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000021-b85d3b85d5/IMG_6104-5.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **(3) [GROUP POSTER](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000026-bdb2bbdb2e/IMG_6121.jpeg?ph=b7d9291998)** ☆☆☆ We are pleased to advise that we will no longer be collecting the three dollar Meetup Organizer fee. ☆☆☆ As this is a group on the **MEETUP DOT COM** platform, it is important to note that **ALL MESSAGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS** will flow through the Meetup website. For any members enroled in an event, please check this website from time to time for any updates. ☆☆☆ **TO REGISTER**: (1) You **MUST FIRST** join the Waitlist!! (2) **YOU WILL THEN** be contacted by the Organizer, who will clarify all details and answer any questions you may have. (3) **FINALLY**, your name will be added to the 'Attendees' list. Grazie per la comprensione, Amici. Non vediamo l’ora di vedervi alla cena. Carlo

On Sunday, February 22nd, at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto, the Toronto Film Society is showing a double feature of Italian films: two films for one low price! First up is Il Sorpasso (The Easy Life) (1962). A defining masterpiece of Italian *commedia all’italiana*, Dino Risi’s *Il Sorpasso* follows the unlikely pairing of shy law student Roberto and charismatic drifter Bruno as they tear through the sun-drenched roads of Ferragosto in Bruno’s roaring Lancia Aurelia. What begins as a spontaneous joyride becomes a sharp, unsettling look at a country racing toward modernity, at once funny, free-spirited, and deeply poignant. Dino Risi blends social satire with emotional depth, powered by memorable performances from Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Shown in the original Italian with English subtitles. Next on screen is Federico Fellini's Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova d’orchestra) (1978). Part mockumentary and part political allegory, Orchestra Rehearsal transforms a single rehearsal room into a chaotic microcosm of Italian society. A documentary crew observes an orchestra whose players bicker, complain, organize, rebel, and eventually confront forces beyond their control. The comedy gradually sharpens into something darker and more surreal, echoing the turbulence of 1970s Italy. With Nino Rota’s music driving the rhythm of the film, this compact work becomes a provocative meditation on authority, art, and the fragile balance required to create harmony. Shown in the original Italian with English subtitles. Please note that this is a paid event. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. Tickets: https://paradiseonbloor.com/purchase/381893/

Let’s explore Lumière: The Art of Light together! It’s a beautiful outdoor light exhibition at Trillium Park with glowing art installations and a peaceful lakeside vibe. Perfect for a chill walk, good conversations, and meeting new people. Feel free to bring your favorite coffee or hot chocolate with you to keep warm while we explore! ☕🤍 📅 Saturday ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📍 Trillium Park, Ontario Place, Toronto Dress warm and come join for a cozy, fun evening!

Golf courses are not just for golf. In winter, city-owned courses become cross-country skiing and snowshoeing territory. Of these, the Don Valley Golf Course has the largest and most scenic routes. It goes across rivers and under massive highways. Toronto's only ski lift is just outside its boundaries, which we can visit if the gate there is unlocked. After romping through the golf course, we'll continue exploration in the Hoggs Hollow neighbourhood. It has some historical buildings, a fancy French restaurant, and a 1850s tavern. Heading south along Yonge Street, we'll reach a clutch of eateries, where you can choose between Georgian, Indian, or Thai food. This event depends on snow. If there is heavy snowfall, you're encouraged to ski or snowshoe the golf course portion of the hike. If there is no snow and ice, we'll just walk. Walking in heavy snow is not recommended. If you must, wear muck boots and/or traction aids. After the golf course, the rest of the hike will be on foot. **Highlights** 1. Don Valley Golf Course main building (depart 12pm) 2. Golf turf blanketed in snow (or barren and grey) 3. Hogg's Hollow Bridge 4. Earl Bales ski lift 5. Don Valley Golf Course main building (depart 1:12pm) 6. Auberge du Pommier 7. C W Jeffrey's house 8. St. John's York Mills Anglican Church 9. York Mills Centre (depart 1:40pm) 10. Miller Tavern 11. Tamada Georgian Restaurant / Mumbaikar 12. Pii Nong Thai (arrive 2:05pm) **Neighbourhoods** Armour Heights > Hoggs Hollow > Bedford Park **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1clcrZAR9LCTyev1-8BHf3pNAgyS-Muw&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1clcrZAR9LCTyev1-8BHf3pNAgyS-Muw&usp=sharing) Moderate incline going down from golf course, potentially covered in ice. Stairs to St John's York Mills Anglican Church. Uphill along Yonge St from York Mills to Glen Echo. Free admission to golf course in winter. **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the **Grandview Heights Public Library** in **Conference Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. \*note change in location\* Grandview Heights library (1685 W 1st Ave, Columbus, OH 43212) Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations!

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the **Columbus Public Library (Northside Branch)** in **Meeting Room 2** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. \*Note the change in location this week due to no space the Upper Arlington library.\* Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations! Perhaps we can do two times a week as well. TBD.

A classic Italian road comedy that was so good the film ministry recognized it as "culturally significant." Starring Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant, the film shows that for young men in love the rules of the road are only suggestions. And the rules for love? Hey, this is an Italian picture! Oh to be young and filled with joie de vivre or la dolce vita. A french/italian fun filled movie with a surprising twist at the end. Do you have a fun memory from your youth? Location TBD, but it will be in person for sure!

# **Band: Old Possum's Menagerie; Caller: Richard Ades** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Let's gather for lunch at Carfagna's followed by an optional stop in Carfagna's Market to check out the tastes and smells of Italy. Carfagna's address is 1440 Gemini Pl, Columbus, OH 43240

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Please join the Columbus Atlassian Events Team for an evening program where we show you how we are using the Atlassian tools to track, manage and collaborate with others on our hobbies, From Jira & Confluence and Lego, to Tabletop gaming and Trello to miniature painting and Jira. Join the Columbus Atlassian leaders as they walk you through how the Atlassian tools enhance their passion projects.   We'll go over space structures, lessons learned as we built and tracked our project and how it helped us organize group adventures.   Looking forward to sharing our fun with you!Please take note of the New Location and Time of the event. Pay Parking can be found on street, and in locations marked. Agenda --- Speakers Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Moderators Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Hosted By Kimberly Deal, Atlassian User Group Leader Kevin Stanley, Chief Everything Greg Sprowls, Agility Lead --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-columbus-presents-for-the-love-of-atlassian-using-atlassian-to-manage-your-passion-projects/.