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Connie Bertuca

Past Administrative Assistant

Connie Bertuca.

The Dante Society of Santa Cruz supports a variety of activities for its members and others interested in learning more about Italian language, history, art and culture, including:

Italian Language Classes
(Fall, Spring, and occasionally Summer) 

A variety of classes from Beginning to Conversational Italian taught by native Italian speakers. 

Italian Film Series 

(Fall and Spring) 

We screen recent and classic Italian language films with English subtitles at Cabrillo College VAPA Forum Room 1001.  Film Historian, Logan Walker provides an informative introduction before the film and hosts a Q&A session after each film.

Santa Cruz International Film Festival

(each Fall)

We also sponsor an Italian language film as part of the SCFF, held each fall, and provide for a special reception for Dante members and their guests.

Lecture Series

(Fall and Spring) 

We are also fortunate to have interesting lectures by visiting and local experts on Italian history, art, music and more. 

Dante Bocce Team
(Spring and Summer)

We sponsor a Dante bocce team for fun recreational play with other community members.  We also try to get Dante members to play casual bocce the month prior to when league play begins. 

Italian Dinner Gatherings
Informal gatherings at Italian restaurants throughout Santa Cruz County. 

Ferragosto
In August, we celebrate what has become the Italian national holiday that occurs in the middle of August (generally August 15) with one of our Italian restaurant sponsors. 

Dante Scholarship
Providing financial support for students pursuing studies in Italian art, history, or language. 

 

Opera Outings
When the opportunity presents itself, Dante members have attended live performances and simulcasts of famous Italian operas. 

Art History Group
Italian art lovers gather monthly to watch DVD lecture series on Italian art and artists. 

Italian Book Club and Readings
As opportunity arises, Dante members and guests are invited to book readings.  If you would like to form an Italian book club, let us know so we can announce it to our members. 

If you know of an event coming up, or if you would like to help organize an event that you think would be of interest to Dante members please let us know.

  • Planet Italy: An Adventure in Teaching and Learning
    Planet Italy: An Adventure in Teaching and Learning
    Sun, Dec 10
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000
    Dec 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000, Cabrillo College, Aptos campus, in VAPA building 1000, Art History Forum room 1001
    Join us for a lecture from Andy Kreyche, Planetary Educator no tickets necessary; first come first served (register for event reminder) donations welcome at the door
  • Italian Literature Book Group: The Eight Mountains
    Italian Literature Book Group: The Eight Mountains
    Fri, Jan 19
    Location will be emailed to guests
    Jan 19, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
    Location will be emailed to guests
    (Dante members only) Start reading so we can discuss...
  • Film: The Eight Mountains [Le otto montagne] (147 min.)
    Film: The Eight Mountains [Le otto montagne] (147 min.)
    Sun, Feb 04
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000
    Feb 04, 2024, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000, Cabrillo College, Aptos campus, in VAPA building 1000, Art History Forum room 1001
    Join us for our Winter Film Series: Majestic Landscapes and impetuous Passion *all films are in Italian with English subtitles no tickets necessary; first come first served (register for event reminder) donations welcome at the door ❤️ 🇮🇹
  • Italian Film: Olimpia's Way (Acqua e anice)
    Italian Film: Olimpia's Way (Acqua e anice)
    Sun, Nov 12
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000
    Nov 12, 2023, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000, Cabrillo College, Aptos campus, in VAPA building 1000, Art History Forum room 1001
    Join us for our Fall Film Series: New Horizons | Nuovi orizzonti *all films are in Italian with English subtitles no tickets necessary; first come first served (register for event reminder) donations welcome at the door ❤️ 🇮🇹
  • Dante member Italian Literature Book Group for November
    Dante member Italian Literature Book Group for November
    Fri, Nov 10
    Location will be emailed to guests
    Nov 10, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
    Location will be emailed to guests
    Start reading so we can discuss...
  • Una tazzina di caffè  ☕️
    Una tazzina di caffè  ☕️
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Oct 21
    Pacific Coffee
    Oct 21, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
    Pacific Coffee, 7554 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003, USA
    Join us for an informal social meet-up
  • Italian Film: The Pioneers (I pionieri)
    Italian Film: The Pioneers (I pionieri)
    Sun, Oct 08
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000
    Oct 08, 2023, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    Cabrillo, VAPA Bldg 1000, Cabrillo College, Aptos campus, in VAPA building 1000, Art History Forum room 1001
    Join us for our Fall Film Series: New Horizons | Nuovi orizzonti *all films are in Italian with English subtitles no tickets necessary; first come first served (register for event reminder) donations welcome at the door ❤️ 🇮🇹
  • Dante member Italian Literature Book Group for October
    Dante member Italian Literature Book Group for October
    Fri, Oct 06
    Location will be emailed to guests
    Oct 06, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PDT
    Location will be emailed to guests
    Start reading so we can discuss...
  • Italian Outdoor Potluck at Thomas Family Farm
    Italian Outdoor Potluck at Thomas Family Farm
    Membership Offer
    Sun, Sep 24
    Thomas Family Farm
    Sep 24, 2023, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
    Thomas Family Farm, 1690 Pleasant Valley Rd, Aptos, CA 95003, USA
    Join us for a lovely afternoon at the Farm.