CANCELLED 2018. Celebrate Italian history and heritage in Little Italy/University Village at Festa Italiana
When: August 18-20, 2017, Friday 5PM-11PM, Saturday 12-11 pm, Sunday 12 – 10pm
Where: Little Italy, Taylor Street at Ashland Avenue to Racine
Admission: suggested $5 donation with proceeds benefiting the University Village Association.
More than 50,000 fest goers are expected to attend. Festivities include: Delicious food and live entertainment on three stages, meatball and cannoli eating contests, grape stomping and carnival rides and family-friendly activities.
- Longtime family-owned restaurants and neighborhood newcomers will serve up some of the best food in the city.
- Italian and Italian-American singers will perform American and Italian classics. An Italian dance ensemble will perform and teach the tarantella.
- Fest-goers will have the opportunity to play Italian card games, compete in contests to see who can consume the most meatballs and cannoli, and buy Italian-themed art, Christmas ornaments and other merchandise.
- On Sunday, August 20, a traditional procession from the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (1224 W Lexington St)to the Festa Italiana event site. A traditional Italian marching band will lead flag-bearers and worshipers from the 11 a.m. mass through the streets of the neighborhood, up Taylor Street to the Rosebud Stage for a short enactment of centuries-old Italian songs.
- The Fest will also offer trolley tours of Little Italy.
Schedule
Friday, August 18th
Center Stage
8:00PM Cole Degenova and Chicago Diamond Trio
6:00PM Coax & Folks
Oscar O. D’Angelo Festa Stage
8:00PM Anthony Bruno Orchestra
6:00PM Rose Colella Cocktail
Rock Stage
8:00PM Too White Crew
6:00PM Hairbangers Ball
Saturday, August 19th
Center Stage
8:30PM Breezy Rodio
6:30PM Alfonso Ponticelli & Band
5:00PM Vince Chiarelli
3:30PM Lisa Roti
2:30PM Tradizione Vivente Tarantella Dancers
2:00PM Daniella Crocco
12:00PM Angel Spiccia
OSCAR O. D’ANGELO FESTA STAGE
8:30PM John Michael Coppola
7:00PM The Four C Notes
5:00PM Outcast Jazz Band
3:00PM Josie Falbo
1:30PM Dakota
12:00PM Sam Fazio
Rock Stage
8:00PM Wedding Banned
6:00PM Catfight
4:00PM Blooze Brothers
2:00PM Rosie and the Rivets
12:00PM Stingchronicity
Sunday, August 20th
Center Stage
9:00PM Francesco Marino
7:00PM Opera Moda
5:00PM Connie Marshall/Johnny Gabor Quintet
3:00PM La Tosca
1:00PM Frank Gualtieri & the West End Jazz Band
12:00PM The Joe Policastro Trio
Oscar O. D’Angelo Festa Stage
8:00PM Soco 7
6:00PM The Chicago Jazz Orchestra Featuring Paul Marinaro
4:00PM The Flat Cats Swing Band
2:00PM Denise Tomasello
12:00PM Tommy Panici Trio
Rock Stage
8:00PM 7th Heaven
6:00PM The Boy Band Night
4:00PM Libido Funk Circus
2:00PM The Hat Guys
12:00PM The Funk Crusaders