The Italian Cultural Center, Casa Italiana di Las Vegas, is a non-profit organization that thanks to the hard work of all its volunteer who offer their time and knowledge,
have brought to Las Vegas, with a fervent spirit, various gatherings exploring the traditional and contemporary culture of the so-called Bel Paese.
CILV relies on the support of individuals and businesses that share the same values and commitment.
Casa Italiana di Las Vegas was founded two years ago by a small group of enthusiastic Italians and Italian Americans who firmly believed in the importance of granting to whomever loves Italy, an entity where common interests could be shared. A place where one can celebrate its ultra-rich and intertwined art and history, deep rooted culture, heartwarming and belly pleasing cuisine, amongst many other things “Italiano”.
Though young in existence, CILV has hosted a considerable series of cultural events occurring all year long, with most offered for free to its audience, aiming to create a physical and virtual space in Las Vegas, where Italophiles can meet and enjoy the programs offered.
Several classes and courses are offered at CILV, including Italian and Latin courses for adults and children, and special meet and greets with prominent names in the Italian scene. One of the most appreciated was the Salotto Italiano, an informal set up much like in an Italian coffee bar where guest speakers covered topics ranging from Italian cooking to culture. Entrepreneurs who established their businesses in Las Vegas, told their stories of success and how they promoted the “Italian way”.
And since Italy also means food, excellent food, at Casa Italiana one can find a rich program of cooking classes. Thanks to the collaboration with public libraries in Las Vegas and Henderson, CILV periodically offers classes held by qualified instructors on the diverse culinary tradition peculiar of each Italian region.
Additionally, the collaboration with these libraries also allows them to offer workshops for children, and movie and documentary screenings (in some cases U.S. premieres), on some of the most prominent Italian geniuses from the past and contemporary history. An added perk is the ability to meet with the Italian movie directors, artists, and journalists.
In the pursuit of continuous means to let the American audience get to know the many Italian excellences, Casa Italiana has recently established a collaboration with Lecco Film Commission, a non-profit organization located in Lecco, Lombardia, that has the goal to promote Lecco’s locations through movies and any kind of videos, helping in particular young movie makers.
This year, for its third time, Casa Italiana will collaborate with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) presenting an Italian culture class. For more than twenty years OLLI has offered an array of academic and cultural choices for retired and semi-retired adults. The class brought by CILV are “Italian Culture: People, Places and Facts” divided into six lectures. In each class the conversation is about a famous Italian artist, and virtually travel through the places that were meaningful to him/her.
In just a couple of years, CILV has proven its passion to members and non-members alike, as it continuously strives to bring all who are interested, the very best of Italia.
