Entertainment
DOMENICO TARABORRELLI AND LATINISSIMA
CELEBRITY MC
DAMIEN ANTHONY
AVERY-ROSSI
RAFFAELE PIERNO
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.
Damien Anthony Avery-Rossi is a prominent Australian media personality, television presenter, and entertainment reporter based in Brisbane, Queensland. Born in the USA, Damien is best known as a presenter on Channel 7's popular travel and lifestyle program 'The Great South East' and as the curator of The Sunday Mail's iconic social pages.
A versatile media professional, Damien serves as a sought-after MC and event host for corporate functions and charity galas, while holding official Ambassador roles for major events including the Brisbane Horse Racing Carnival and Noosa Long Weekend Festival.
Since 1995, Damien has hosted the annual "Rossi's Oscars" charity event across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, raising over $250,000 for cancer research and various charitable causes, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to community engagement and philanthropy.
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 OPERA
DILETTA & DAN
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.
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.
THE PULCINELLAS
YOUSSEF BEN-TOUATI
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!
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).
FAME PERFORMING ARTS
ROAMING CHARACTERS
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!
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!
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 CATANIA
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.
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 !
ATTIVITA' BAMBINI
Competitions - Gare
Get ready for some rollicking kids' activities!
11.00am to 5.30pm
Big ball; Big parachute; Big fun!
Corse nei sacchi (Sack Races)
Mangiatori di gelato
(Gelato
eating)
Tira Molla
(Tug of War)
Corsa a tre gambe
(Three-legged races)
