Learn to Speak Italian While Enjoying Delicious Italian Food

For Italian-born, U.S.-based Alessandro Concas Sr., teaching the Romance language through his Serata Italiana (Italian Evening) initiative is all about heart, passion and great cuisine – even in the midst of a pandemic.
What do you get when you combine an expert Italian language and culture program with authentic Italian settings, cuisine and an avid passion for bringing like-minded people together for authentic experiences? The Serata Italiana initiative, brainchild of Alessandro Concas Sr., husband/promoter/business partner of renowned pianist and entrepreneur Oksana® Kolesnikova. For the Italian-born Concas, teaching the quasi-seductive Romance language through his Serata Italiana program is all about heart, passion and great food – even in the midst of a pandemic.
Due to social distancing measures, Serata Italiana has been operating mostly in an online fashion the entire last year, but the program has finally resumed on a face-to-face basis, with new classes forming right here in Santa Clarita. Online classes are ongoing and always available anywhere in the US via pre-scheduled Zoom meetings.
Concas was born in Rome, the son of Sicilian and Sardinian parents and grew up in the Costa Smeralda area of Sardinia, but has been a U.S. citizen for over two decades – yet it was his underlying connection to his native country of Italy and the Italian people that spearheaded his launch of Serata Italiana, first in Florida, then in Los Angeles and which ultimately lead to his decision to teach the classes. His fun, hands-on teaching approach is often compared to the Rassias Method.
“The way I see it, there is an inherent value in being able to speak a foreign language, especially when it comes to Italian, being that I am of Italian descent and share a deep-rooted love with the culture and ancestry there,” Concas explains. “This is one of the primary reasons I started Serata Italiana, as I believe all like-minded Italy lovers, especially those with business, familial or personal connections to the country, should honor their roots and interests – and there’s no better way to do so, by my estimation, than learning the language.”
Serata Italiana (Italian Evening) is an expert Italian language and culture program that offers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of courses, all experienced to the backdrop of authentic Italian settings, dinners and more. Described as a “fun and effective approach” to learning Italian, the classes encompass grammar review, reading/writing exercises, geography lessons, role play, travel tips and culture notes, with native instructors regularly stressing the practice of proper verb conjugations, vocabulary building and popular idiomatic expressions – all while ultimately keeping the experience fun and educational. “We find that couples especially love attending Serata Italiana” says Concas. “It’s a fun and educational activity not easily found anywhere else.”
As a bonus, a complimentary authentic Italian meal is served during every in-person class, featuring generous portions of delicious pasta and other Italian delicacies.
During the Serata Italiana grammar instruction sessions and accompanying meals, Italian-language films may be shown from time to time alongside popular Italian song translations, with Concas and his partner in this endeavor, Natalie Blancardi of Coldwell Banker, always welcoming film and music suggestions from their students.
“Students are always invited to bring their favorite desserts or vino to class, and are always encouraged to network and socialize amongst themselves – in Italian, of course,” adds Concas. “We do stress, however, that students use Uber or Lyft should they indulge in additional revelries.”
Serata Italiana takes place every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9pm in Valencia for the Intermediate Group. A new Beginners Group is forming in Santa Clarita, welcoming only a few more select students, due to space limitations. Classes for children and teens also available via Zoom. If interested, please visit www.SerataItaliana.club, TEXT 323-533-8623 or email info@oksanafoundation.org.