Entertainment
Award winning entertainer James Liotta brings his much loved alter ego Maria Pappagallo back
to Brisbane for some laughs. James (and Maria) have toured Australia in the latest
comedy hit show "Mamma's Not Happy". James Liotta continues to tour in comedy shows around
the nation and works alongside iconic names such as Joe Avati, George Kapiniairs, Tahir and Effie!
James has appeared in several roles on TV including Fat Pizza, Local Council, Thank God You're Here, Utopia
and many more as well as interviews on such shows as Today Extra, Studio 10 and Weekend Sunrise.
Domenico and his band have been a strong force in Brisbane’s Italian music scene for decades. Domenico and Latinissima are one of Brisbane’s most experienced and versatile multicultural cabaret performers especially Italian favourites.
Featuring a dynamic vocal ability and musical prowess on the accordion that has been fused with the latest electronic technology, Domenico and Latinissima bring a diverse line up of musicians who perform a wide range of musical styles from all around the world including classical, sweet jazz from the 40-50’s, and of course passionately romantic Italian classics.
Introducing our MC for Festitalia: none other than Brisbane’s cultural champion, Damien Anthony Avery-Rossi!
With a rich tri-country background (Italian, American, and Australian), the effortlessly charismatic Damien brings heritage and heart to the stage. His father’s family hails from a picturesque little village called Rossi, perched high on the mountainsides of Molise in south-central Italy, just an hour’s drive from the Amalfi Coast.
A passionate supporter of Brisbane’s cultural and social scene, Damien has long been a familiar face at major events across the city. From 2021 to 2022, he proudly served as an Ambassador for the Consulate of Italy in Brisbane, an experience that deepened his connection to Italian heritage and community.
We can’t wait for Damien to bring his trademark energy, warmth, and flair to Festitalia 2025!
Born on the same Naples street as legendary tenor Enrico Caruso, Raffaele began singing as a child and was discovered performing in local trattorias. He made his highly successful debut with a tribute concert to Caruso in their shared birthplace.
His career flourished across Italy, Europe, and Australasia as a versatile performer of Neapolitan songs, operatic arias, and sacred music. He has appeared as a concert soloist with prestigious orchestras including the Hunan Province Symphony Orchestra, performed in Australia's major capitals, and served as an instructor at prominent European music schools.
Career highlights include performing in Italy's great cathedrals, giving a recital in Naples' 700-year-old Duomo of San Gennaro at the invitation of the cardinal and mayor, and performing for the Pasquale di Costanzo Foundation at the historic forum in Pompeii.
Divina is a Brisbane-based opera trio that breathes new life into opera’s most adored music with their unique arrangements and breathtaking voices.
Inspired by La Divina herself, Maria Callas, the trio invokes elegance, timeless beauty, power and grace, delivering something truly divine.
THE PULCINELLAS
The Pulcinellas are a performers under the
Commedia dell'arte genre which was an early form of professional theatre that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. The characters of the commedia usually represent fixed social types and stock characters, such as foolish old men, devious servants, or military officers full of false bravado. The characters are exaggerated "real characters" who have both scripted and improvised witty dialogue.
Be careful with these three- they are very cheeky!
Meet Youssef Ben Touati – Master Pizzaiolo, Performer and Culinary Consultant
Born in Perugia to Italian and French-Tunisian parents, Youssef Ben Touati grew up in hospitality. Starting at 11 clearing tables in his uncle's restaurant, he progressed to cooking full-time by 16.
His pizza passion developed at "La Casetta," his uncle's pizzeria, where his talent caught the Italian National Team's attention. Under Danilo Pagano's guidance, he won first place in FreeStyle Pizza and bronze in Gourmet Pizza at the 2013 International Championship in Rimini.
Now a decorated Acrobatic Pizza Italian Team member, Youssef combines entertaining dough-spinning with rigorous craftsmanship. He holds multiple world titles in Pizza STG, Pizza Classica, and Pizza Dessert, plus prestigious awards including "Trofeo Pizza d'Autore."
Moving to Brisbane in 2014 with limited English, his skills quickly gained recognition. He's worked at top establishments like Tartufo and Mr. Paganini while consulting for brands like Valoriani ovens and Le 5 Stagioni.
Beyond kitchens, Youssef has performed at Festitalia, the Ingham Australian Italian Festival, and on Italia's Got Talent and Australia's Got Talent, sharing joy and tradition with audiences.
A staunch authenticity advocate, Youssef adapts traditional recipes for diverse tastes while maintaining Italian principles. His mission: inspiring and educating through his love of food.
ZUMPA
Zumpà takes you on a journey through forgotten Italian fishing villages, moonlit olive groves, and the tough, sun-drenched lives of peasants for whom music was a way to laugh, dance, and carry on with la dolce vita.
With a vibrant mix of folk, gypsy, and Italian world music, they serve up a feast for the senses, authentic, soulful, and as satisfying as spaghetti and meatballs… or eggplant parmigiana for vegetarians!
At Fame Performing Arts, the stage is not just a platform for performance, but a canvas for building confidence and fostering a love for the performing arts, for Brisbane’s kids and teens.
Be a part of the musical theatre experience - italiano style!
Brisbane-based singer songwriter Diletta Luna will star on stage. Passionate about celebrating Italian music and classically trained, her influences range from contemporary Italian music such as Mina, Ornella Vanoni, Mia Martini and Loredana Bertê through to Janis Joplin, Sade, Tori Amos and Ella Fitzgerald.
ROAMING CHARACTERS
The festivities continue with Commedia dell'Arte roaming characters, wonderfully costumed Venetian ladies who will happily pose for photographs !
GOODBYE CHARLIE
All members of Goodbye Charlie are experienced professional musicians who entered the Brisbane music scene in the 80’s and 90’s. The members played in well-known Brisbane Cabaret bands of the time.
As a 100% live band with no digital backing, their repertoire of Italian, Latin and Rock n Roll has carried the local tradition of Italian dances and music into the next generation. Get a taste Italian music from the 80’s and 90’s at Festitalia!
Henry is a 14-year-old singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Conondale, Queensland. Starting as a busker on the Sunshine Coast at age 11, he now performs regularly at venues and major festivals across the region.
Key achievements include opening for Emily Wurramara at the 2022 Horizonal Festival, winning the 2023 Caloundra Live & Local Song-writing Competition, and being selected for Maccas Golden Gig at Tamworth 2024, where he performed alongside Col Finley. His debut single "Hide & Seek" reached top 10 downloads in its first week. Recent highlights include performances at Earth Frequency Festival and an upcoming slot at the 2024 Gympie Music Muster. Henry’s second single "Turn Around," recorded with RAF Grant support, was released in May 2024.
ATTIVITA' BAMBINI
Competitions - Gare
Get ready for some rollicking kids' activities!
11.00am to 5.30pm
Big ball; Big parachute; Big fun!
Kids:
To compete
register at the
Information Marquee!
Corse nei sacchi (Sack Races)
Mangiatori di gelato
(Gelato
eating)
Tira Molla
(Tug of War)
Corsa a tre gambe
(Three-legged races)
