Aperitivo con Amici unites many people from the Italian community in Charlotte, NC. The evening meeting, held on the last Friday of each month at Capishe: Real Italian Kitchen, acts as a comfortable environment for meeting up with old friends, networking with other professionals, and bringing together children. It’s an opportunity for immersion in Italian language and culture (though English is still welcomed and embraced!).

Daniela Cunico Dal Pra, professor of Italian at UNC Charlotte, actively attends Aperitivo con Amici. She explained, “It's an opportunity to socialize and build community with Italians living in the Charlotte area, to welcome new arrivals, and to meet Americans who have traveled to or lived in Italy, or who have Italian ancestors.” 

In March of 2022, one of these new arrivals was one of CCI-NC’s now-scholarship winners, Wolfgang White. He has Italian ancestry and began learning the language through college courses as a UNC Charlotte student. After a recommendation from his instructor, he attended his first Aperitivo con Amici to meet the CCI-NC board members and curate professional relationships. He was surprised by the openness of those in attendance – the down-to-earth nature of the event meant he could engage with others in his new target language on a personal level.

“It was the first time I felt challenged linguistically; it was optimal for practicing my Italian,” White recalled. “I also got to network in Italian and learn about business, but it was clear from the beginning that long-lasting friendships formed there.”

“People were kind. I didn’t feel like a college kid amongst adults – I felt included. It was a great place to forge friendships while getting to know about the Italian community’s activity locally and internationally,” White said.

As for true kids, they’re welcome, too: Aperitivo con Amici is open to people of all ages. Whether they’re six years old or 60 years old, someone always has something to say at the Aperitivo. CCI-NC warmly invites you, your family, and friends of all ages and language backgrounds to join us for our lively get-together each month.