San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Friends of Italy

🎉 This Tuesday evening, up to 16 enthusiastic players will gather to learn, play, and master SCOPA, one of Italy’s most beloved and historic card games. Right at the start, we’ll determine who’s "new" to SCOPA and who has played before.

New players will get a basic SCOPA 101 tutorial to get started, and then we’ll seamlessly integrate everyone into the game.

Whether you're a complete beginner or have played before, everyone is welcome and supported by our wonderful members!

🤔 What is SCOPA?
SCOPA, meaning "broom" or "sweep"🧹 in Italian, is a classic card game that has been bringing families and friends together for centuries. The goal of SCOPA is to "sweep" or clean the table of cards! You’ll play with the traditional 40-card Scopa deck, which includes 4 suits: denari (coins), spade (swords), bastoni (clubs), and coppe (cups).

Known for its simple-to-learn rules and exciting strategy, SCOPA is more than just a card game—it's a reflection of Italian culture, celebrating connection, joy, and a little bit of friendly competition.

Together, we’re not just learning and playing SCOPA—we’re also building a tradition of Italian Game Nights! These regular events will celebrate the beauty and camaraderie of Italian culture through play.

In the future, we’ll explore more traditional Italian card games like Briscola, Tressette, and even Tombola (the origin of Bingo!) 🎭🇮🇹
It’s an opportunity to bond with fellow Italian culture enthusiasts, enjoy some friendly competition, and create unforgettable memories.

☕️🍕 A Quick Note: If possible, please pick up any food or beverages from the fantastic businesses at the SLO Public Market BEFORE 6 PM so we can start promptly and make the most of our evening!

The SLOC Friends of Italy Bocce Team is in full swing, competing in our first-ever bocce league at Templeton Tennis Ranch (TTR)! 🎉
We’re now deep into our Spring League adventure, playing a "best of three" series each week in a fun, friendly competition. The camaraderie is strong, the bocce balls are rolling, and we’re making great connections along the way!

🌟 Why post this event if the team is full?
We want to share the journey, invite you to cheer us on, and build a waitlist for future summer and fall leagues. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! If you’d love to be part of the fun next season, RSVP to be added to the waitlist!

🏆 League Details:
📍 Where: Templeton Tennis Ranch (TTR)
📅 When: Thursdays, March 13 – May 1
🎯 Format: Best of three games per match

The spirit of Italy is alive in every throw, and we’re here to enjoy the game, the friendships, and the experience. Join our waitlist and be ready to roll next season!

🇮🇹 Friends first, bocce always!

Join us on April 25th as we celebrate Italy’s Liberation Day Holiday (Festa della Liberazione) with a fun-filled afternoon of amazing food, awesome people, and Italian traditions! Liberation Day is a national holiday in Italy that is annually celebrated on April 25. It marks the fall of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic and the end of the Nazi occupation in Italy in 1945, towards the end of the second World War.

We'll gather at Templeton Tennis Ranch for a county-wide community picnic potluck, bocce ball, Scopa card games, and more!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, April 25th, 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: Templeton Tennis Ranch (bocce ball court area)

Bring your favorite Italian dish to share at the potluck! Think pasta, pizza, lasagna, fresh salads, Italian breads, cheeses, and of course, dessert! Whether you're cooking or bringing something homemade, we welcome all contributions.

What to Expect:

• Picnic Potluck: Enjoy an afternoon of delicious Italian food shared with friends and family.
• Casual, laid-back fun: Relax, socialize, and celebrate Italian heritage together!
• Bocce Ball: Fun game for all ages—bring your best skills (or come to learn)!
• Scopa Cards: Join in a few rounds of the traditional Italian card game for some extra fun.

How to Participate:

• RSVP here on MeetUp so we know how many will be joining.
• Feel free to let us know in advance what delectable dish or goodie you're making or bringing!

Come celebrate Italian culture, play games, and enjoy the joy of community!