Valentine’s Day a Smash!

Thank you to the Valentine’s Day Committee for creating such a beautiful Italian Club Valentine’s Day celebration. The evening was filled with love, joy, and a true sense of community, thanks to your thoughtful planning and attention to detail.

Guests were welcomed with a flute of champagne, and gentlemen in tuxedos escorted the women to their tables. Each place setting featured candy favors and red, heart-shaped napkins, setting a romantic tone from the start. Dinner was outstanding: a flavorful salad, perfectly prepared steak, and a delicious wine sauce served over steak and mashed potatoes. Chef John impressed everyone with a stunning panna cotta, complete with a chocolate heart and raspberry drizzle.

Four couples celebrating wedding anniversaries were recognized and warmly applauded during the evening. Music by David Martin’s House Party Band kept the energy high, with guests dancing all night long.

The décor was breathtaking, highlighted by elegant draping, heart-shaped lights, and red-and-white floral centerpieces accented with fairy lights. Gifting the centerpieces to the women servers was a deeply touching gesture.

This unforgettable evening truly brought our community together in celebration of love and friendship. Photos are posted, but we are looking for more! Send them to [email protected], and don’t forget to sign up for the Crab Feed – our next event!

Italian Club Valentine’s Dinner Dance – February 14

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Italian Club at our Annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance on February 14th at the Clubhouse!

Enjoy a magical evening of Hearts and Flowers, celebrating amore with your loved ones and friends. The night features a wonderful dinner menu and live music by David Martin’s House Party—a high-energy, nationally known band with an incredible variety of music that keeps the dance floor full all night long.

✨ Details at a Glance:
📅 February 14, 5:00 @the Clubhouse
🍽️ Dinner & Dancing
🎶 Live Music: David Martin’s House Party

This is a members-only event, and each member may invite one guest.
Not a member yet? Join today and sign up for this special evening!

Don’t wait—this beloved event fills quickly. Join us for a night of great food, music, dancing, and romance! 💃🕺💖 Sign up by clicking the flier below:

Bob Iacopi Remembered

Linda Planting and Bob Iacopi

Bob Iacopi was a long-time member of The Villages Italian Club, which began with fewer than 100 members in 2000 and has now grown to over 500 members. He became President of the Club in 2006 and served in that role until 2014, when he stepped down to care for his ailing wife. He remained on the Board until his recent passing. Bob’s vision of providing quality, affordable events that celebrated Italian culture helped shape the club into one of The Villages’ most popular and successful organizations.
Continue reading “Bob Iacopi Remembered”

The 25th Anniversary Italian Club Festa!

The Italian Club held its 25th Anniversary Fiesta on Saturday, October 11th at Cribari. An enormous undertaking, the Italian Club Board worked on this event for over 10 months, pulling everything together beautifully. And of course, we can’t forget our many volunteers — too numerous to name, but absolutely essential to our success!

The three-hour celebration brought together more than 300 members and guests for an afternoon of food, fun, and festivities. Designed as a member appreciation event, it was our way of saying “thank you” for your support over the years. The Cribari Plaza and Center were beautifully transformed with Italian décor, making guests feel as though they’d stepped into a lively festival in Italy.

There was something for everyone –

  • Gift bags filled with items celebrating our history – 25th anniversary napkins and coasters, imported Italian candies, and biscotti.
  • Music by J.B. Webb, whose Sinatra tribute had people wondering if “Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself had returned.
  • A performance in the Auditorium by Bill Likens and friends, where members could sit and relax inside.
  • Spencer Grey, our roaming magician, amazed guests with tricks that left everyone asking, “How did he do that?”
  • A cooking demonstration by Joe Civello that had everyone’s mouths watering.
  • A fortune teller who stayed busy the entire afternoon — perhaps inspiring a few lottery ticket purchases later!
  • A photo booth for lasting memories (we can’t wait to post the pictures online).
  • Games galore – a cornhole challenge, a golf pitching battle royale, and a “guess the corks in the jar” contest – where the number guessed exactly!
  • And, of course, incredible food by Chef John: fresh pizza, meatballs, two kinds of pasta, Caesar and Caprese salads, garlic bread, and a tricolor Italian cake — all perfectly paired with wine. No one left hungry!

If you couldn’t join us, stay tuned for our Christmas Party on December 13 and a full slate of events for 2026, to be announced at our January 10 Members Meeting.

Click here to see event photos!