Dana Point in southern Orange County. Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution — Author D Ramey Logan. License:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

May 8, Thurs. – Aperitivo Evening & Bocce Ball Tournament Marbella Country Club – 5:00pm – 9:30pm – Spring is in the air and it’s a perfect time to come and enjoy a game of bocce, good food and lively conversation at the picturesque Marbella Country Club. The evening will begin with a bocce ball tournament from 5:00pm – 7:00pmjudged by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato! We will have two games running simultaneously so grab a partner and sign up in teams of two!  If you’ve never played before this would be a great time to start! The tournament will be held on Marbella Country Club’s croquet lawn located right below the Valencia Terrace. Prizes will be awarded!  

Chef Robert Opelle is rolling out an Italian buffet beginning with an antipasto display followed by salad, grilled vegetables, tortellini, meatballs, sliced sausage and garlic bread. Wine tasting will feature Rio Maggio wine. There will be a no-host bar open from 5:00pm until closing. Tickets are $30 per person including tax & tip.  Tickets are going fast so RSVP now!  Tickets can be purchased and bocce ball sign ups can be made online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/aperitivo-evening-bocce-ball-tournament-tickets-11244900801

May 11, Sun.- Festa della Mamma – Mother’s Day – This special day is always celebrated the second Sunday of May the same as in the United States. The first official Mother’s Day in Italy began in Assisi in 1957.  Italians bring their mothers pink roses and white roses to the cemetery.  School children prepare poems for their mothers and learn poems to recite. It’s a day full of love and celebration to remember the important role that mother’s play in the home and in society.  

May 18, Sun. – Italian Movie Bowers Museum reception 2:00pm screening of The First Assignment (Il Primo Incarico) (2011) Italian with English subtitles. For directions and more info go to www.bowers.org

May 24 & 25,  Sat. & Sun.- Orange Crush Scotter Rally – Saturday’s ride starts at 10:00am for Italian coffee, cappuccino and biscotti. Ride leaves at noon and heads…..more details to follow regarding the route. Meet at Newport Italian Vespa 1536 Newport Blvd Newport Beach. Sunday’s ride starts at Massimo’s Scooter Shop 629 Terminal Way, Costa Mesa with coffee and donuts at 10:30am. Scooters depart at 11:30am heading south through Laguna Beach and ending at a surprise location for BBQ and drinks.  For more information contact Newport Italian Vespa 949-515-8377

May 25, Sun. – Grand Opening of Michael Cipolla’s Cowboy Canyon Winery 2pm -6pm at Giracci Vineyards & Farms $30 per person includes buffet BBQ, glass of wine & souvenir glass, live music and dancing.  16162 Jackson Ranch Road, Silverado 92676.  Tickets sell out fast!   http://shop.cowboycanyonwinery.com/goc-bbq-p2.aspx

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