|
These are the great performing artists that will be at Festa this year, supported in part by grants from King County's 4Culture, The Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and other supporters as noted. For the complete schedule of Festa Weekend, click here.
|
 |
Aaron Caruso...
Nationally-known NY tenor returns to Festa after a 10-year hiatus and performs on the Moretti Mainstage at 4 PM, both days. Aaron is a real showman and his shows contain something for everyone. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Seattle Office of Art & Culture. aaroncaruso.com
|
 |
Mbrascatu...
This popular indie band from Portland, OR will only be playing on Sunday this year. With their songs sung in Calabrese dialect, this is "Tarantella Rock" at its finest! mbrascatu.com. Sponsored in part by a grant from King County's 4Culture.
|
 |
Tony La Stella...
Mamma Mia! Local Italian-American tenor Tony La Stella and his band play Saturday night and then backup the Festa "All-Star" Jam Session. This you don't want to miss! Website for Tony and the guys. Sponsored in part by the Veterans Family Fund of America
|
 |
Fortissimo!...
Known for many years
as "Seattle's Three Tenors," these singers
have been show-stoppers at Festa for over
16 years now... Gino Lucchetti, Chai
Ahrenius and Steve Wall are all brilliant
operatic talents in their own
right... together they are awesome! Always
a standing ovation.
|
|
|
Gino
Lucchetti & Nancy Grossi...
This Italianate tenor and lovely diva
partner perform all of your favorite
operatic arias with verve and emotion... glorious Italian vocals. Visit Gino's website.
|
 |
Danny
Quintero...
"Danny Q." is known throughout the NW as a
great Sinatra-like song stylist. When not
fronting a 16-piece Big Band at nightclubs
like Tula's, he shows off his silky voice
in more intimate gigs with a quartet. Check out Danny
Q. on Facebook.
|
 |
The Vancouver Italian Folk Chorus...
Very versatile ensemble whose repertoire includes some of the most beloved Italian songs of all time. We appreciate their loyalty to us all these years and are looking forward to their return next year.
|
 |
Italian
Choir of British Columbia...
Returning to Festa this year...this Canadian choral group never fails to impress audiences with their tight harmonies and classic repertoire. They also feature an accordionist and a wonderful soprano.
|
 |
Ballard
Sedentary Sousa Band...
Early Saturday afternoon on the Moretti Mainstage, The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band presented classic Italian marches including the "March of the Bersaglieri" and "A Frangesa," as well as excerpts from "Aida" and "il Trovatore." Guaranteed to wake you up! sedentarysousa.com.
|
 |
Seattle
Mandolin Orchestra...
Returning to Festa year after year, this large and unique ensemble plays beautiful Italian music on mandolins of myriad sizes. Website. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Seattle Office of Art & Culture.
|
 |
The
Porcaro Group...
Now a regular on the Moretti Mainstage, Rob Porcaro hails from Toronto, Canada and has been singing since he was 9 years old. In the late 60's, he fronted the legendary "Thin Red Line" and immigrated with them to Seattle where he now sings at festivals like the Bite of Seattle the Taste of Tacoma and the San Gennaro Festival. |
 |
The
Primo Basso Band...
Led by Lenny Luzzi and Tom Falcone of the Rigatones and featuring a "hot" Italian singer, this five-piece combo plays every year at "The Great Italian Festival" in Reno, Nevada. For samples, click here!
|
 |
Julie
Cascioppo...
Julie Cascioppo, Seattle's "Sicilian Diva" has entertained audiences in Paris, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Hamburg, Brussels, New York, LA and San Francisco. When she's in Seattle, she's usually at Vito's or some other intimate cabaret of the type that used to be called "smoky." She loves to perform at Festa because she gets to play to to her Italian side and sing songs from her childhood. Visit her website web site
to see what she's up to when she's in
town.
|
 |
The
RigaTones...
Lenny Luzzi and Tom Falcone...always draw
big crowds with their tunes and
high-energy antics. Watch for them each
afternoon in the big Wine & Beer
Garden with everyone singing along. Now,
That's Amore! Ce
La Luna Mezzo Mare - Lenny Luzzi, The
RigaTones.
|
 |
La
Mezzanotte Trio...
Consisting of Bonnie Birch, Nick Heiting
& Paul Ostler will appear in both the
Wine Garden and on the Moretti Mainstage
accompanying Fortissimo! Hear musical
samples and learn all about them at their
website.
|
 |
The
Tarantellas...
Richard Sclafani and Pete Cicero were lifelong musicians who grew up in Italian-American families in Seattle. They were musical "paesans" for 30 years until Peter's passing a year ago. He has been ably replaced by guitarist Juan Barco. Follow their schedule at The Tarantellas.
|
 |
Olde World Puppet Theater...
The award-winning Olde World Puppet Theater from the Puppet Museum in Portland Oregon, present their zany production of "No, No, No, Pinocchio," twice daily all weekend in Tino's Cortile. Supported in part by grants from the Seattle Office of Art & Culture and 4Culture.
|
 |
Spotlight Repertory NW...
A Festa first - opera for kids! Spotlight Rep presents a short and light-hearted version of Humperdinck's opera "Hansel and Gretel" with a witch that has to be seen to be believed! Sunday morning on the Mainstage in the Fisher Pavilion. Facebook
|
 |
Cinquegranelli Montessori Students...
Students from our local Italian Montessori School have opened Festa Italiana with song and dance for over 25 years. Visit their website or follow on Facebook
|
 |
Bob
Bailey III...
Our Grape Stomp caller, also known as "Doc Bailey"
loves to make Seattle laugh. Around
the world he's a comedy star but
at home he's just a funny guy from
Ballard. Bob
Bailey III on Facebook.
|
