360-Degree Reverie! - Official Season Closing Party - June 25, 2019

We're going to gaze out over another fabulous Roman panorama during our Official 2018-2019 Season Closing Party this year.

Many thanks to Air Canada for sponsoring this event. This is an enormous benefit to participants at this gorgeous party and further proceeds and fundraising during the event will be donated to the current CCR charity.

Buffet menu

Assorted “focaccine” - with cured pork and salty ricotta cheese; cheese and pepper; mozzarella and tomatoes

Eggplant Parmigiana minis
Caprese salad skewers

Prawn and mango cocktail

Teryaki salmon cubes

Mini club sandwiches - with turkey, lettuce and balsamic

Barley salad with pesto sauce, arugula, dried tomatoes and feta cheese

Mix of fried croquettes - arancini and supplì

Chicken wings with BBQ sauce

Cheese and pepper “mezzo pacchero” pasta

Mini cheeseburgers

Small sweets 
Fruit

Prosecco

Red and white wine

Orange and pineapple juice

Still and sparkling water 

When: Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Atlante Star Rooftop Terrace, Via G. Vitelleschi 34 (near Vatican City).
Cost: Current season (Sept.-June) CCR members €35 each, non-member guests €45 each. Advance payment required. The cost of this event has been kindly subsidized by Air Canada. Further proceeds will go to the current CCR charity. 
RSVP and payment no later than 5 p.m. June 23rd to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Diana, or until sold out. You are financially responsible for your reservation. Space is limited, so pre-pay a.s.a.p. to account name: Marielle Lacroix, Bank:Intesa San Paolo, IBAN: IT22U0306967684510329915862, specifying name(s) of guest(s) and event name. (You may also pay for your 2019-2020 club dues with the same bank transfer but please specify which costs are included and send proof of payment to the club address.)

Polpetta Aperitivo! - June 4, 2019

A polpetta-themed apéritif? Yes, we're going to meet for an informal drink and nibble at a spot where they believe every course can be turned into polpette -- meatballs, cheese balls, veggie croquettes, fish patties, and so on! Amazeballs, isn't it?!

Our aperitivo menu will include the choice of a glass of wine or beer or a cocktail, a selection of 5 different polpette, hot house-fried chips and a taste of pasta. Vegetarian options available.

When: Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: "Polpetta," Via del Gazometro 14-18 (closest metro: Piramide)
Cost: fixed aperitivo formula €10, as described above; additional drinks and food to be paid separately. Please let us know if you're vegetarian.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Anna by June 2, 2019.

CCR Book Club - June 28, 2019

Note: Change of date!
The reading choice for the club's June meeting is "The Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles. The New York Times review calls it "romantic mischief in 1930s Manhattan."

When: Friday, June 28, 2019
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Villa Pamphili area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email.
Potluck Lunch: Please RSVP letting Luigi know what dish you will be preparing for 6 people.
Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Luigi.

CCR Book Club - May 22, 2019

Our next meeting will discuss "Educated" by American autor Tara Westover.

The New Yorker review says that the author of this memoir "describes in detail the abuse (mental, emotional, and physical) that she endured growing up in [her off-the-grid] family and how she overcame these obstacles."

When: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Piramide area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email.
Potluck Dinner: Please RSVP letting Luigi know what dish you will be preparing for 6 people.
Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Luigi.

Eritrean Dinner - May 9, 2019

If you haven't already enjoyed Eritrean food, here's your chance! Both members and friends are welcome to this informal dinner.

Menu:

Appetizers: Sambusa, Kategna & Falafel

Main course: Zighini with beef or chicken

Water included

Extra: wine or beer

When: Thursday, May 9, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ristorante Eritrea, Piazza del Gazometro 1 (closest metro: Piramide)
Cost: prix fixe meal will cost €14 per person with water, or €17 with wine or beer.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Diana no later than Sun. May 5, 2019.

CCR Kids: Easter Egg Hunt - April 14, 2019

Get out your Easter bonnets and egg baskets, as the Easter Egg Hunt returns!

In conjunction with the Canadian Embassy, CCR will provide kids with a large, secure garden area to have fun on a traditional egg hunt. There's also a lovely indoor option in case of rain.

Here comes the Easter Bunny!

When: Sunday, April 14, 2019
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Where: Caracalla area; exact address sent to confirmed participants.
Cost: €5 per family, only CCR member children and Canadian Embassy children admitted.
Note: This event is a collaboration with the Canadian Embassy. Advanced confirmation is mandatory for security reasons. You are financially responsible for your reservation.
RSVP: to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Diana, providing the full names of children and accompanying adults as per ID.

CCR Walks: Pigneto - May 11, 2019

Our last CCR walk of the 2018-2019 club season will explore the Pigneto area. Originally a working class neighbourhood in the 1930s, it is now one of Rome’s go-to places known for its edgy, hip locali. Once home to Italian playwright, poet, and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini, Pigneto is a good place to start exploring Rome’s modern graffiti scene. No wonder Netflix sponsored a large mural here to launch its Rome-based series “Suburra.” A recent influx of Italian and foreign artists has given the neighborhood a bold, controversial, precarious and tentative new look: let’s go explore!

When: Saturday, May 11, 2019
Time: 10:00
Meeting Place: Pigneto Neighborhood. Exact location will be provided to registered attendees.
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members. 
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Wed., May 8, 2019. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Day Trip: Anzio - May 18, 2019

Off we go to seaside Anzio, famous for having been the holiday home of Emperor Nero and for the landing of Allied troops during WWII. Our day out will include visits to the museums of archeology and of the liberation landing, to Nero’s villa and grottoes, and to the ports and beach.

Our gourmet inclinations will be satisfied with tastings at a local wine bar, lunch at a private seaside home, and a gourmet ice-cream stop before heading back to Rome!

Whether you choose to join the group on an easy train ride from Termini station or meet directly in Anzio after coming in your own car, this outing promises to be a real treat.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019   
Transportation and timing: Visit starts at 9:30 at Anzio train station. By train: meet the group at Rome Termini station to take the 8:12 train (final destination Nettuno; €3.60 each way) for 11 stops to get to Anzio at 9:15; train back to Rome at 5 pm. By private car: parking lot available next to Anzio train station but be aware there’s often heavy traffic on the Pontina and Nettunense roads to get there. Ground transportation within Anzio will be provided.
Cost: €25 members, €30 non-members, includes local transportation in Anzio (but not from Rome), visits to the museums and the imperial villa, wine-tasting, lunch and ice-cream. Advance payment required.
N.B. Numbers are limited, so book early
RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

The CCR wishes to thank the City of Anzio for providing local transportation, Oenoteca Cose Buone for the wine tasting and L'Arte del Gelato for their delicious ice-cream. Participants may want to leave a small donation at the museums and for our young guides from the Anzio hotel and hospitality school.

CCR Book Club - April 16, 2019

The CCR Book Club's April meeting will take place on the 16th. "The Best Kind of People" by Canadian author Zoe Whitall will be the subject of the group's discussion. The Globe & Mail review says the focus of the novel "is the family, its history and how recovering from the inconceivable often means repossessing, perhaps not a sense of self, but a plan for tomorrow."

When: Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: TBD; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email.
Potluck Dinner: Please RSVP letting Luigi know what dish you will be preparing for 6 people.
Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Luigi.

Olive Oil Tasting - April 2, 2019

A recently-opened oleoteca in the historical centre of Rome has a fine selection of top quality olive oils from all over Italy as well as other prelibatezze and temptations. It has kindly agreed to hold a tasting of several of these oils for the Canadian Club of Rome, led by a specialist who will discuss the fine art of olive oil tasting, what aromas and flavours to look for, how olive oil tasting differs from wine tasting, terroir, and food pairing.

The oil tasting will be completed by a selection of cheeses and a glass of wine. Numbers are strictly limited, so please reserve early and experience the diversity of Italian olive oil!

When: Tuesday April 2, 2019
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Centro Storico; exact address will be provided to those who register.
Cost: CCR members €25, non-members €30.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Peter.

Retake Rome Clean-up: Bella, Roma - March 31, 2019

The aim of Retake Rome is to make Rome live up to its innate beauty and become a sustainable city where the redevelopment and care of urban spaces contributes to the happiness of people. So every year Retake Rome promotes over 500 events in every sector of society. This year, to celebrate International Earth Day 2019, 4 parallel urban redevelopment and civic mobilization events will take place in 4 areas of Rome corresponding to the 4 elements (Air, Earth, Fire and Water).

Along with Embassy of Canada staff and Free Exchange members, the CCR is going to paint Piazza Ragusa with the new CO2-absorbing paint that will have the environmental impact of planting a grove of trees. We'll also clean up the playground in the centre of the square. The “Air” site will thus contribute to the Retake objective of reducing "the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by 2030."

Come along to give back to "Bella, Roma" and its people at this family-friendly, sustainable and educational community day.

When: Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time: 9 a.m.
Meeting Place: in the Colle Oppio park (metro: Colosseo). 
N.B. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Cleaning supplies will be provided.

Retake is present throughout Rome and its province with about 85 neighborhood groups and more than 50,000 fans on Facebook. It is also present in 40 cities in Italy, including Milan, Brescia, Naples, Bari and Palermo.

CCR Wine Tasting: Wines from Alto Adige and Friuli - March 23, 2019

We are heading north for this tasting to sample some unique grape varieties from two small but important wine regions -- Alto Adige and Friuli.

Where: Residence of CCR member (Appia Antica area -- details will be sent to registered participants).
When: Saturday, March 23, 2019
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: €30 for members (€40 for non-members); advance payment required to confirm your place.
RSVP to Linda and Paul and payment by Monday, March 18  at canadarome@gmail.com. Please note that you are responsible for your reservation.

Cynthia Chaplin, professional sommelier, member of Le Donne del Vino and professor of Italian wine and culture will lead this tasting. Born in the USA, Cynthia moved to Europe in 1990 and has lived in Spain, Belgium, England and Italy. Cynthia chose to centre her career in Rome where she works with embassies, corporations and private clients, creating and presenting tastings, events, seminars, and in-depth courses. Cynthia is a wine writer and a judge at international wine competitions.

This session will be given in English.

Apericena Evening - March 12, 2019

Let’s chase away the March blues and meet for a fun apericena at this this cute little bar/restaurant that offers an interesting choice of finger food and “pinzette” (pizza served on a wooden board) to accompany your drink.

When: Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Abitudini e Follie, Via Pavia 28/A (San Lorenzo area; closest metro: Policlinico)
Cost: €9 for finger food and “pinzette” and a drink of your choice; additional drinks €5.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

CCR Book Club - March 20, 2019

For our March meeting the group is going to read "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Scottish author Gail Honeyman. This award winning debut novel tackles the modern “cancer” of lonliness in telling the story of Eleanor Oliphant, a bizarre young woman who is oblivious to her eccentricity and envelops herself in rituals to get through her days. She has poor social skills and avoids social interactions as much as possible.

Author Honeyman received the highly coveted Book of the Year award at the British Book Awards as well as the Costa First Novel award. It has been translated into 30 languages and the film rights have been bought by Reese Witherspoon.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Piazza Bologna area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email.
Potluck Dinner: Please RSVP letting Luigi know what dish you will be preparing for 6 people.
Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Luigi.

CCR Walks: Villa Giustiniani Massimo - April 7, 2019

RESCHEDULED
In the 19th century, a group of angelic-looking German Romantic artists, known as the “Nazareni” because they affected a biblical manner and dress, attempted to haul back civilization from the ills of industrialism, which they perceived as a threat to art and culture, and to revive honesty and spirituality in art.

We will venture over to the Casino of the former Villa Giustiniani Massimo to learn about their movement and ideals, and to see how they grappled with ideas which appear to echo the dilemmas the world is facing two hundred years later. In Rome the group lived a semi-monastic existence and recreated a working atmosphere similar to a medieval artist’s workshop. Their fresco series at the Villa Giustiniani Massimo brought them international attention. The Nazareni were to exert considerable influence in Germany, and in England upon the pre-Raphaelite movement, and demonstrated impulses that would lead to the avante-garde later in the 19th century.

When: Sunday, April 7, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.
Meeting Place: Near Basilica San Giovanni; exact location will be sent by email to confirmed participants.
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Wed., Apr. 3, 2019. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Walks: Palazzo Altemps - February 3, 2019

In spite of fathering an illegitimate son, Cardinal Altemps thought he had excellent chances to become Pontiff. His wonderful palace, which we will explore, attests to his power, influence, and appetite as a collector of ancient sculpture. Join us as we learn about the Cardinal’s life, his palace, (including recent excavations that have revealed remains of a Roman domus, medieval fortifications and part of a medieval house), his ambitions, and his wayward son (who ended up being beheaded for kidnapping and raping a woman). Heartbroken by his son’s death, the Cardinal is believed to have commissioned the palace chapel decoration as a memorial to what he felt was a terrible injustice.

When: Sunday, February 3
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Piazza Navona Area; exact meeting point sent to confirmed participants.
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members. There is also a €10 museum entry fee.  
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Thu. Jan. 31, 2019. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Wine Tasting: Wines from Campania and Basilicata - January 26, 2019

To ring in the New Year we will sample an interesting variety of wines produced in Campania and Basilicata. Sparkling, rosé, white and red!

Where: Residence of CCR member (Trieste area -- details will be sent to registered participants).
When: Saturday, January 26, 2019
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost:  €30 for members (€40 for non-members); advance payment required to confirm your place.
RSVP to Linda and Paul by Wed., Jan, 24 at canadarome@gmail.com. Please note that you are responsible for your reservation.

Cynthia Chaplin, professional sommelier, member of Le Donne del Vino and professor of Italian wine and culture will lead this tasting. Born in the USA, Cynthia moved to Europe in 1990 and has lived in Spain, Belgium, England and Italy. Cynthia chose to centre her career in Rome where she works with embassies, corporations and private clients, creating and presenting tastings, events, seminars, and in-depth courses. Cynthia is a wine writer and a judge at international wine competitions.

This session will be given in English.

Children's Christmas Party - December 20, 2018

You’re invited to a Children’s Christmas Party! A fun event for children of Canadian Club of Rome members (and their parents). There will be games, Christmas crafts... and meeting Santa!

Please bring the following items:

1. A snack to share with everyone (sweet or savoury. Please let me know what you are planning to bring).
2. A wrapped gift for Santa (write the name of your child on it and Santa will give it to him or her).
3. A gift to donate (can be a second hand toy in good condition).

When: Thu., Dec. 20, 2018
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Parioli area; exact address sent to confirmed participants.
RSVP canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Neeya no later than Dec. 10th end of business day.

CCR Holiday Dinner - December 11, 2018

The Canadian Club of Rome’s holiday season dinner this year takes us back to Casa Bleve, where we had such a successful celebration four years ago.

Signora Tina Bleve and her team will welcome us back with a menu of:

Prosecco, juices, still and sparkling water
Her famous “sfizi” – mixed antipasti, with bread

Rombo [turbot] with zucchini flowers and potatoes

The house "Crema Pugliese" for dessert

Red and white wines from their collection, and Passito [raisin wine] to accompany the dessert
Coffee

When: Tuesday December 11, 2018.
Time: 8 p.m. for aperitivi,  8:30 for dinner.
Where: Via del Teatro Valle 48-49 (two blocks west of the Pantheon).
Dress: Business suit, holiday season attire.
Cost:  CCR members €50, non-members €60.
RSVP and Proof of Payment: no later than 5 p.m. on Fri. Dec. 7 to canadarome@gmail.com.
Payment: Bank transfer to -- Account name: Marielle Lacroix, Bank: Intesa San Paolo, IBAN: IT22U0306967684510329915862. Please specify "payment for 2018 holiday dinner."
NB: Space is limited. Please advise us of any food allergies or aversions when you reserve.

Eataly: Pizza and More - November 28, 2018

Beat the November blues. November 28th may be your lucky night! Your hosts Jeannine and Luigi are organizing a CCR social evening of pizza and wine/beer at Eataly. The brew master of Eataly’s Birreria will present information on Eataly’s beer selections. Anna, the Eataly event organizer, will speak to us about their brand and the manager of the Pizzeria, Barbara, will give us information on how their pizza is made (type of flour, yeast, rising).

When: Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Eataly, Piazzale 12 Ottobre 1492 (connected to Stazione Ostiense/Piramide via underpass)
Cost: prix fixe meal will cost €20 per person and include an antipasto, pizza (bufala margherita, vegetarian, or prosciutto & mushrooms), and beer/wine, and a selection of Sicilian pastries.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Jeannine and Luigi no later than Mon. Nov. 26 at 12:00 so that we can give Eataly the exact numbers.
Notes: Maximum 20 participants. Friends of CCR members are welcome.