Convivio Society Presents: 🎯 Bocce & Birra at Amici Bar San Diego May 17th

 

Convivio Society Presents: 🎯 Bocce & Birra at Amici Bar: A Classic Italian Game Meets Community & Culture

In San Diego’s Little Italy, culture isn’t just something you observe—it’s something you experience. And few events capture that spirit better than Bocce & Birra, a lively, hands-on gathering that blends Italian tradition, great food, and community connection.

Hosted by the Convivio Society, this event is part social mixer, part cultural lesson, and part fundraiser—all set in one of the neighborhood’s most meaningful community spaces.

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🗓 Event Details

• Event: Bocce & Birra
• Date: May 17, 2026
• Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
• Location: Amici Bar
• 250 W. Date St. San Diego, CA 92101
• Reservation: Required (No tickets at the door)
• RSVP Deadline: May 10, 2026

⚠️ Space is limited—this is one of those events you’ll want to plan ahead for.

Get tickets here.

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🎯 What Is Bocce & Birra?

At its heart, Bocce & Birra is about bringing people together the Italian way—through games, food, and shared experience.

This event features:

• A hands-on bocce lesson led by John Orsini and friends
• Friendly gameplay suitable for beginners and seasoned players alike
• A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where meeting new people is part of the experience

Whether you’ve played bocce before or are trying it for the first time, this is your chance to learn one of Italy’s most beloved traditional games in a fun, social setting.

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🍺 Food, Drinks & Italian Hospitality

No Italian gathering would be complete without something to eat and drink.

Guests will enjoy:

• Deli sandwiches
• Premium beer (birra)
• Wine selections

It’s simple, authentic, and exactly what you’d expect from a casual Italian afternoon—good food, good drinks, and even better company.

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 More Than a Game: Supporting Culture & Community

Bocce & Birra isn’t just about having a good time—it’s also a fundraiser supporting the mission of the Convivio Society.

Proceeds from the event help fund:

• Cultural programs
• Community events
• Educational initiatives
• Local outreach efforts

By attending, you’re directly contributing to the preservation and celebration of Italian culture in San Diego.

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🏡 The Setting: Amici Bar

Held at Amici Bar, this event takes place in one of Little Italy’s most unique and meaningful venues.

Amici Bar:

• Operates out of a historic home
• Is run by the Convivio Society
• Serves as a cultural hub for events, exhibits, and gatherings
• Supports local causes, including nearby schools and community programs

It’s not just a venue—it’s part of the story.

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🧭 Suggested Itinerary (Make an Afternoon of It)

Turn Bocce & Birra into a full Little Italy experience:

Before the Event:

• Walk through Little Italy and browse local shops
• Grab a coffee or espresso nearby

During:

• Learn bocce, enjoy drinks, and meet new people

After:

• Stay in the neighborhood for dinner at a local Italian restaurant
• Take an evening stroll through Piazza della Famiglia

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🌤 Best Time to Enjoy

Mid-May in San Diego offers:

• Mild temperatures
• Long daylight hours
• Perfect outdoor conditions for games like bocce

It’s one of the best times of year to enjoy an event like this.

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🎯 Final Thought

Bocce & Birra is the kind of event that reminds you what Italian culture is really about.

Not just food.
Not just tradition.

But connection.

A simple game. A shared drink. A few hours with people who quickly feel like friends.

That’s the Italian way—and in Little Italy, San Diego, it’s alive and well.

Get tickets here.

Convivio Society Presents 📚 Book Banter at M Winehouse: An Evening of Italian Literature & Conversation San Diego May 15th

Convivio Society Presents 📚 Book Banter at M Winehouse: An Evening of Italian Literature & Conversation

If you’re looking for a cultural evening in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy—one that blends conversation, literature, and a relaxed social atmosphere—Book Banter is exactly the kind of event that deserves a place on your calendar.

Hosted by the Convivio Society as part of its Confab & Connect Series, this gathering brings together lovers of Italian and Italian American culture for an engaging and intimate literary experience.

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🗓 Event Details

• Event: Book Banter
• Date: May 15, 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: M Winehouse
• Admission: Complimentary

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📖 What Is Book Banter?

At its core, Book Banter is more than just a book club—it’s a cultural conversation space.

Participants gather in a cozy wine bar setting to discuss:

• Italian and Italian American authors
• Themes of identity, heritage, and migration
• Classic and contemporary literature
• Personal reflections inspired by the reading

Unlike large lecture-style events, this experience is designed to be interactive and personal, encouraging everyone to contribute, share, and connect.

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🍷 The Setting: Literature Meets Lifestyle

Hosted at the stylish M Winehouse, the evening blends:

• A warm, intimate atmosphere
• Fine wines and relaxed seating
• A social yet thoughtful environment

It’s the kind of place where conversation flows naturally—whether you’re analyzing a passage from an Italian novel or simply meeting new people who share your interests.

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 Why This Event Matters

Events like Book Banter play an important role in preserving and celebrating Italian culture in California. Through literature, attendees explore:

• The Italian immigrant experience in America
• Cultural traditions and storytelling
• The evolution of Italian identity across generations

For readers of The Italian Californian, this is exactly the kind of grassroots cultural engagement that keeps heritage alive—not just through festivals and food, but through ideas, stories, and dialogue.

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🤝 Get More Involved: The Piazza Pass

If you enjoy events like this, consider getting the Piazza Pass through the Convivio Society.

Membership offers:

• Access to exclusive cultural programming
• Discounts on events
• Invitations to private gatherings
• A deeper connection to the local Italian community

Click here.

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🧭 Suggested Evening Itinerary (Little Italy Style)

Turn your Book Banter night into a full cultural outing:

Before the Event:

• Grab dinner at a nearby Italian favorite like Mona Lisa or Barbusa
• Take a walk through Piazza della Famiglia

During:

• Enjoy the discussion, sip wine, and meet fellow attendees

After:

• Stroll through Little Italy at night
• Stop by a dessert spot or café for espresso

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🌆 Final Thought

In a neighborhood known for its restaurants and festivals, Book Banter offers something quieter—but just as meaningful.

It’s a reminder that culture isn’t only celebrated through food and events—it’s also shared through stories, ideas, and conversation.

And sometimes, all it takes is a book, a glass of wine, and the right group of people to bring a culture to life.

Bella Vita Fest San Diego 2024

 

COMING Soon!

Bella Vita Fest

Celebration of Italian Culture, Featuring Chalk Art, Wine, Food, Music and More
October 19 & 20, 2024
Little Italy • Downtown San Diego

Bella Vita Fest, produced by the ArtWalk San Diego team, promises a unique experience for attendees. View more than 50 chalk art paintings being created live before your eyes on the pavement. Treat yourself to delicious Italian wines and food. Enjoy live music with an Italian flair. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend!

More info click here.

Italian Cultural Center of San Dego Presents Paths to Italy Saturday June 1 4 - 6 pm

 

Paths to Italy Saturday June 1 4 - 6 pm At Convivio's Amici House in Little Italy Discover paths to Italian citizenship, residence, home ownership, and touring with three experts

Dreaming of becoming an Italian citizen, resident, home owner, or more knowledgeable traveler? Join San Diego's Honorary Consul and Convivio Director Tom Cesarini, ICC's CILS Program Director Patrizia Lissoni, and Elena Bernardi of Cultural Italy to discover tips and steps towards Italian citizenship, residence, home ownership, or glorious touring in Convivio's charming space in Little Italy. To celebrate Italy's Festa della Repubblica, ICC and Convivio collaborate in helping our constitutencies get curious abut how to become... more Italian! Time for questions and gelato for all from GelatoLove to follow. All your donations will be split equally between Convivio and Italian Cultural Center, both not-for-profit associations.  Suggested donation is $15 per participant.

Convivio Society of San Diego Announces Endowment Campaign for larger Cultural Center

 

The Convivio Society of San Diego, a nonprofit that celebrates all things Italian and brings art and culture to San Diego's Little Italy, announces its endowment campaign for a new cultural center! 

 For the last two decades, with patronage and guidance from its supporters, the Convivio Society has brought unique, innovative arts and cultural programming:

• It has developed a space in Little Italy that serves as the neighborhood's heritage, event, and visitor center;

• It has established the Italian Archives of San Diego to preserve our cherished artifacts and recount our collective historical narrative, so vital to the development of San Diego;

•  It has published books on the history of Little Italy and San Diego's fishing industry;

• It has brought you concerts, artisan exhibits, presentations and lectures, films, and we have partnered with like-minded groups to further our impact through collaborative programs and projects;

• It has brought Italian consular services to Little Italy to help co-nationals;

• this spring, it will embark on our ambitious documentary series on the Italian heritage and culture of San Diego;

• and it is working to re-establish the much-cherished Sicilian Festival in San Diego 
  

And now the Convivio Society is seeking support to make its vision of a larger cultural center, a home for all of San Diego's Italians, Italians everywhere, and for those that wish they were, a reality! To donate to this worthy cause, and support other worthwhile causes and programming by the Convivio Society, click here: givebutter.com/contribute

 

Musicarramba! Presents Rat Pack Reborn

Join us for music under the stars and the intimacy and charm of Amici House as we present the next performance in our Musicarramba! series: Rat Pack Reborn! Come hear some of the timeless tunes from the Great American Songbook interpreted by local crooner Jefferson Schildgen! Read more here.

Fri, August 25

7:30pm - 9:00pm PDT

Amici House

250 W. Date St.

San Diego, CA 92101

Italian Heritage Night with the Padres!

 

Come together with the Little Italy Association of San Diego, the Italian Community Center, Convivio, the San Diego Italian community, and the Padres for Italian Heritage Celebration at Petco Park. Your Theme Game package includes a limited-edition themed Padres hat, donation to a local community group, and a ticket to the Dodgers vs. Padres game.

This is a special, non-Convivio event so social club member benefits do not apply. More here.

Be part of the dream! Support The Italian Californian and help us unify and share the Italian American community of California!

 Be part of the dream! Support The Italian Californian and help us unify and share the Italian American community of California!

While we at The Italian Californian are a small, little-known start-up online magazine, we do have the critical mission and goal of unifying and representing the Italian-American community in Californian. We at The Italian Californian support this endeavor through the selling of advertising space and the support of you, our beloved and respected readers. So please be part of the dream, add your voice and action to our passion, and support this online magazine by donating any amount. We at The Italian Californian can not thank you enough and know that you will find this action exceptionally personally rewarding. Mille grazie!!

Click here to contribute

-Christopher Forte,

President & CEO & Editor-in-Chief

News From San Diego's Conivio Society

 News from San Diego's Convivio Society

Vent'anni di Convivio | 20 Years of Convivio

Gratitude should not be something we express on occasion--indeed, it should be a daily practice. All of us at Convivio strive to remember this each day as we continue our community work and keep an eye on our vision: A large-scale cultural center and museum for our community. And so, we are continually grateful for the opportunities to work in our communities and of course, for YOUR INVALUABLE SUPPORT, without which we could not do what we do. For the last two decades, with your patronage and guidance, we have brought you unique, innovative arts and cultural programming: We have developed a space in Little Italy that serves as the neighborhood's heritage, event, and visitor center; we have established the Italian Archives of San Diego to preserve our cherished artifacts and recount our collective historical narrative, so vital to the development of San Diego; we have published books on the history of Little Italy and San Diego's fishing industry; we have brought you concerts, artisan exhibits, presentations and lectures, films, and we have partnered with like-minded groups to further our impact through collaborative programs and projects; we have brought Italian consular services to Little Italy to help co-nationals; this spring, we will embark on our ambitious documentary series on the Italian heritage and culture of San Diego; and we are working to re-establish the much-cherished Sicilian Festival in San Diego for this summer. All of us at Convivio express our thanks to our supporters for your financial contributions, volunteer help, moral support, partnerships, kind words and accolades, and ongoing encouragement! Thank you for being on this journey with us--we look forward to co-creating even more with you. We can use your help! Volunteer with us and make an impact on our community! Volunteer with Convivio >> UNA STORIA SEGRETA EXHIBIT 🗓 Opening March 3, 2023 📍New Americans Museum, Liberty Station Convivio is proud to collaborate with the New Americans Museum at Liberty Station in realizing this exhibit for San Diego! More Convivio news: click here. Convivio MAILING PO Box 1055 Del Mar, CA 92014 OUR SPACES Amici House & Caffè Caritàzza 250 W. Date St. San Diego, CA 92101

The Convivio Society in San Diego Presents "Karaoke at the Caffe" Every Third Thursdays

 

Join us for our first happy hour of the year on February 16--and maybe sing a song or two! Help support our nonprofit and meet new friends at Amici House and the Caffè! Happy hour drink prices for our members! Go to CONVIVIOCLUBS.ORG

The Convivio Society "provides advocates, donors, and volunteers the organizational capacity to advance Italian cultural identity, preserve Italian cultural-heritage assets, cultivate community and fellowship, and foster multicultural awareness through the humanities." You can visit them at the Amici House, The Little Italy Event, Heritage, and Visitor Center," at 250 W. Date Street San Diego, CA, between Little Italy's bocce ball courts and dog park. 

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Christmas Party at Little Italy San Diego's Amici House

 

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 The Amici House is a program of the Convivio Society and can be found at 250 W. Date Street San Diego, CA 92101 by the Little Italy Dog Park. The caffe, Caffe Caritazza, is open 7 am to 2:30 pm Monday thru Saturday and the House/gift shop is open 10 am to 2:30 pm Monday- Saturday.  

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Do your Christmas Shopping at the Amici House! Small Business Saturday!

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And don't forget, the Saturday after Black Friday (Novemeber 26th) is Small Business Saturday!For those living in or visiting the San Diego area, the Little Italy neighborhood businesses will be there to welcome you, including the Amici House as part of the Convivio Society! Remember, as a nonprofit, your patronage helps us celebrate all things Italian, bring arts and culture to Little Italy, and benefits our community partners, like Washington Elementary School. Click here or below for more information. Hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

250 W. Date Str. San Diego, CA 92101

The Amici House is a program of the Convivio Society and can be found at 250 W. Date Street San Diego, CA 92101 by the Little Italy Dog Park. The caffe, Caffe Caritazza, is open 7 am to 2:30 pm Monday thru Saturday and the House/gift shop is open 10 am to 2:30 pm Monday- Saturday.