Entertainment
GRUPPO STORICO FIVIZZANO FLAGTHROWERS
The world famous Gruppo Storico Fivizzano Flagthrowers will star this year. Fourteen flagthrowers and musicians will make the journey direct from Fivizzano in Italy to bring this ancient art to Brisbane. Flagthrowing dates back to medieval Italian guilds, when the banner or flag was considered a symbol of purity, and was not allowed to touch the ground during energetic performances. The performers, known as sbandieratori, dress in medieval costumes and are accompanied by drummers known as tamburini as they perform.
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COSIMA DE VITO &
I GIOVANOTTI
Cosima De Vito is an ARIA winning, multi-platinum selling recording artist and was the first independent artist in history to debut in the #1 spot on the ARIA chart.
The vocal powerhouse is a fiery Italian songstress born and raised in Perth, Australia. Cosima has been passionate about the world of music from a young age with her grandfather, a gifted Italian tenor, being a major musical influence evoking a strong connection within her from the beginning.
RAFFAELE PIERNO
Raffaele’s reputation as a Maestro di Voce took him all around Europe as a Concert Soloist as well as an Instructor in many of the Prestigious Music schools of the Continent. He has performed for many years for Community and Fundraising Charities, Rotary International, Mater Foundation ‘Little Miracles’ Fundraiser, Brisbane, Australia and Red Cross and when they had the Tsunami was a huge fundraiser to help those in need at time of crisis. Raffaele is highly sort after to perform for both Private and Government commitments has often performed for the Australian Council for Europe since 2009. Raffaele resides between Australia and Italy, as well as travelling to other countries to perform on request.
Get ready for some rollicking kids' activities!
12.30 pm - 4.30pm
Big ball; Big parachute; big fun!
JAMES LIOTTA
2018 host, James Liotta, is an Australian-Italian performer, comedian, TV-radio presenter and producer with over 20 years experience in the entertainment industry.
TALK ITALIAN
JASON FICHERA
YOUSSEF BEN-TOUATI
Italian World Master Pizza Chef and Australia's Got Talent star Youssef Ben-Touati will bring his pizza acrobatics to Festitalia in a brilliant merging of food and athleticism (think Australian Ninja Warrior meets Masterchef).
PRIMA SPADA,
MARE NOSTRVM &
PAX ROMANA
The artistic swordsmanship of Prima Spada will be on display throughout the day. Prima Spada is a fencing group celebrating the work of European masters of the the 16th and 17th centuries, and is particularly focused on Italian Renaissance swordplay. With the global popularity of Game of Thrones making all things medieval bang on-trend, Prima Spada is set to be a real highlight.
Try your hand at fencing with 3 sessions available throughout the day- register at their marquee.
Still in times of old, Festitalia-goers can time travel back to the Roman Empire in the first century with historical re-enactments by the acclaimed Pax Romana. The group recently worked with the Queensland Museum for the Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum exhibition.
Don't miss Mare Nostrvm's Roman village display, have a photo taken with Scipio's legionaries,, try on helmets, write your name on papyrus and grind flour with a flour mill.
ROAMING CHARACTERS
The festivities continue with Commedia dell'Arte roaming characters, wonderfully costumed Venetian ladies who will happily pose for photographs plus there will be fun activities for the bambini, including an animal petting zoo, soccer activities and pasta crafts!
BRISBANE TARANTELLA DANCERS
The Brisbane Tarantella Dancers will bring more colour and brilliance to the event, performing and teaching to all, the traditional southern Italian dance, the Tarantella !
The International multi-award winning singer-songwriter had a breakthrough success in live TV appearances on channel TEN's Landed Music, as well as prestigious support slots form some of Australia's leading music acts such as Daryl Braithwaite, Shannon Noll, Phil Emmanuel, Tim Freedman (The Whitlams), Ash Grunwald, Christine Anu, Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band), Mia Dyson, Sarah McLeod and Small Mercies just to name a few. Jason gained International recognition as he was selected to represent Australia at the 17th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA 2013) held in Hollywood, California. Jason surpassed contestants from over 50 countries to take out Overall Division winner for Pop music. He also received top honours for his original work and vocal categories taking away 10 medals (2xGold,4xSilver, 4xBronze) for his intrinsic style of songwriting and vocal power.
DILETTA & DAN
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.
Returning in 2018 is the Talk Italian Tent - perfect for those wanting to brush up on their conversational Italian, for people perhaps travelling to Italy in the near future, for students, or for those who simply love the language!
KIDS' ACTIVITIES
DENNIS MURPHY'S COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE PUPPET SHOWS
Italy's favourite clown, Arlecchino (Harlequin) launches himself into hilarious adventures and misadventures in a series of witty fast-paced, action-packed comedies. Bouncing off a cast of eccentric characters, Harlequin gets himself into and out of one ridiculous situation after another - just as he has done these last 500 years. CATCH ALL THREE ESCAPADES!
FROG PRINCE 11.45AM
SISTER ACT 2.30PM
TO THE RESCUE 4.30PM
BARILLA PAST'ARTE
Create a picture of an Italian icon using pasta and glue! A Ferrari, or a Vespa, perhaps a stylish bag or shoe?
All entries will be exhibited and the best three win a prize!
Sessions times and registrations in front of the Dante Alighieri marquee:
Session times:
12.30PM 2.00PM 3.30PM
SCORE SOME SOCCER
Think you have what it takes to score some goals like the Sassuolo players in the A Series in Italy?
See how many you can get through the target practice - perhaps win a prize.
Meet the NIG team sponsored by Mapei and get some pointers!
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: Malibu, Sambuca, Garden of Eden and Kryptic. These bands were regular entertainers at the Italo-Australia Club, Abruzzo Club, The Tavernetta, ANFE and other clubs around Brisbane.
The members of Goodbye Charlie initially met whilst playing in the 7-piece band Sambuca. Sambuca eventually disbanded but these four members kept the tradition of live Italian music going. 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.
Goodbye Charlie is at Opera in the Vineyard at Ballandean Winery every year.
Get a taste Italian music from the 80’s and 90’s at Festitalia!