Historical Aperitivo: The Fall of Rome - November 12, 2025

The Roman Empire was not built in a day, but it was built to last. Over the course of its final centuries, the vast empire slowly and dramatically fell to its knees. What caused Rome’s demise? Was it inflation, invasion, corruption, Christianity or maybe even lead poisoning? There is no one simple or obvious answer. Bring your curiosity and an open mind to unravel the neat and tidy story you probably learned in school.  Get ready to get to the bottom of this complex and shadowy transformation into the Middle Ages.

Light refreshments will follow the lecture and discussion with historian Christine Contrada.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Private residence (near Corso Trieste); exact address sent to confirmed participants.

Cost: €10 members; €20 non-members (who must, however, be guests of a current member)

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina.

Book Launch: Ron Burnett - November 1, 2025

Canadian author Ron Burnett will be launching his new book edition at a reception here in Rome. He will speak to us (in English) about "Heinz Inlander, Il Pittore Perduto: Un memoriale immaginario" (Davide Ghaleb Editore, 2025), an imaginative retelling of the story of Heinz/Henry Inlander.

Ron Burnett is President Emeritus of Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. Among other awards, he holds the Order of France/Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres. He is the author of over 150 essays and articles in books and journals  around the world. He was the editor-in-chief and founder of Ciné-Tracts Magazine, a film and cultural studies journal that was founded in 1976 and produced seventeen issues. Burnett is also a photographer, videomaker and  filmmaker.

When: Sat., Nov. 1, 2025

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Where: CCR member's private residence, Quartiere Trieste area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. (Parking available nearby at Via Adige 46)

RSVP required by Oct. 30th at canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Linda.

NB: Book early, as space is limited. CCR members only.

CCR Book Club - October 26, 2025

The October book pick is "Creation Lake" by Rachel Kushner.

When: Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

Time: 1 p.m.

Where: Private residence of CCR member -- Colli della Serpentara area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. Open only to current members of the CCR. 

Potluck: Please let Lucy know what food you'll be bringing.

Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Lucy. As space is limited, reservation is compulsory.

Opera House Tour & Ballet Rehearsal - October 19, 2025

We’re returning to Rome's Teatro dell’Opera. This journey will take us once again to the most beautiful rooms, including the entrance foyer, stalls, the royal box, the gallery and the museum room. Our wonderful English-speaking guide, Chiara, will illustrate the historical and architectural changes since 1880 and narrate curious anecdotes about the leading figures and artists who have graced the stage of the opera house.

After the visit we'll have the exclusive pleasure of watching a 30 minute rehearsal of the ballet Marco Spada. First revived by Rudolf Nureyev in 1981 for the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and re-created by Pierre Lacotte, with music by Daniel Auber, Marco Spada is a faithful reconstruction of the spectacular historical production, involving the Teatro’s Corps de Ballet, its orchestra and guests Igor Cvirko and Jana Salenko.

When: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025
Time: Guided tour starts at 5:30 pm followed by the rehearsal at 7 pm.
Where: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Piazza Beniamino Gigli 
Cost: €25 for members for the guided tour and rehearsal, €35 for non-members.
NB: Priority will be given to CCR Members. 
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina by Oct. 10th, with PoP.
NB: Space is limited, so book and pay soon!

Season Welcome Party - October 8, 2025

We're returning to Villa Grandi, the official residence of Canada's Ambassador to Italy, Elissa Golberg, to formally welcome everyone to a new season of Canadian Club of Rome activities.

Menu -- waiter service

Assorted canapés

Meatballs with honey and walnuts

Pastry boats with gratineed vegetables

Vegetarian cous cous

Smoked salmon pockets with creamy filling

Assorted savoury skewers

Fruit skewers

Assorted dessert cups

Corner Superior Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

Orange and pineapples juices

Castore Bellone Cincinnato white wine

Polluce Nero Buono Cincinnato red wine

Still and sparkling water

Tea

Coffee

When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: The gardens of Villa Grandi, the Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to the Italian Republic, Via di Porta Latina (exact address will be sent to confirmed participants only). Street parking only.

Cost: current CCR members €30, guests €45. Advance payment required.

N.B. This event is open to guests only if accompanied by fully paid and registered CCR members.

Security: Please note that due to embassy security requirements we will need the full name of each person attending at the time of booking. Also, you are required to have photo ID on the evening of the event. Anyone not on the list will be denied admission.

RSVP and payment to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by noon Oct. 6th (attach proof of payment). You are financially responsible for your reservation.

Outing to Ninfa Gardens & Sermoneta - September 27, 2025

The CCR is organizing a visit to the enchanting and historic Ninfa Garden south of Rome. The New York Times has called it one of the prettiest and most romantic gardens in the world, the BBC included it in a "garden grand tour" of Italy, and Gucci featured it in an Edenic advertisement.

A private shuttle (compliments of CCR member Richard Klasa) will take us from our meeting point at Latina train station to the Ninfa gardens, where we will visit the site with an English-speaking guide. Then we'll head up to the hill-top town of Sermoneta for lunch, followed by an optional visit to the Caetani family's huge medieval castle.

Lunch menu

large and varied antipasto selection with coldcuts, cheeses, mozzarella di bufala, and more 

strozzapreti pasta with a ragù of sausage, almond slivers & salted ricotta (a secondo will be available for those who prefer it to the primo)

traditional sweets

water, wine, coffee

VEGETARIAN option available (and alternatives for allergies specified in advance)

When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Train schedule: we can  send you details upon request (tickets €8.20)
Meeting Point & Time: 9:20 a.m. at Latina Scalo train station (Sermoneta/north side); NB do NOT get off at the earlier Cisterna di Latina stop. Participants coming by car can leave their vehicle at the train station (NORTH/Sermoneta side of the station, which has a large, free parking lot). To avoid parking problems, a shuttle will take us from the train station to the garden and then to the town centre and restaurant and finally back to the train station. 
Cost: gardens+lunch €51, gardens+lunch+castle €60 (castle free for children).
NB: Book early as space is limited. You are financially responsible for your participation.
RSVP and payment to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by Sept. 22, specifying whether you would like to participate in the lunch and castle visit in addition to the garden tour.