Festa Italiana 2020 will be cancelled

March 31, 2020 | Uncategorized | Permalink

This notification is to inform you that after careful consideration, Festa Italiana 2020 will be cancelled.  

Planning and preparations were in order to proceed with this year’s festival however due to the unforeseen circumstance of COVID-19, the Italian Community Center Board of Directors have deemed it the responsible course of action to take in canceling this years festival.   

The corona-virus has impacted virtually every business and industry across the country. The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, vendors, members and certainly our attendees are our highest priority to ensure a safe environment for everyone.  

Festa Italiana will return to its glory BIGGER and BETTER than ever in 2021.  

Sincerely

Joseph T. Emanuele

Italian Community Center President and Festa Director. 

Festa Italiana General Release

July 8, 2019 | Uncategorized | Permalink

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

For additional information, contact:

Jessica Huebner, Reputation Partners

414.376.2348

jessica@reputationpartners.com

Authentic Food, Groovy Music and Family Fun at Festa Italiana July 19-21

Join the Italian party on Milwaukee’s lakefront featuring authentic foods, exciting new beverages and wines, culture, entertainment and the loudest Italian fireworks on Saturday and Sunday nights!

MILWAUKEE – July 8, 2019 – Festa Italiana is excited to combine new selections with old favorites to this year’s festival on Milwaukee’s lakefront July 19-21. True to tradition and Italian roots, get ready to loosen up your belts and put your dancing shoes on for a weekend of authentic Italian food, drinks, activities, entertainment and more!

Celebrating its 42nd year of Italian heritage and culture, festivalgoers can look forward to a full line-up of musical entertainment ranging from authentic Italian classic covers to far-out disco and country rock. Headlining performers include three-time Grammy Award winner and iconic group KC and The Sunshine Band, award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Vassar, the Femmes of Rock, Sicily’s Angelo Venuto, Frankie Moreno and many more.

This year’s festival will also offer a range of activities fun for the whole famiglia. Take on some friends in a riveting game of bocce ball, or get the kids together for the annual Kids Pizza Making Contest. The carnival also promises a spinning good time for those who love rides and games!

“Mangiare” means “EAT!” Festa Welcomes Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta, Angelo Caputo’s and Milk Bottle Bakery

Get ready to enjoy a weekend of authentic Italian eats! New and returning favorites this year include:

• NEW: Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta. A Chicago staple from the Rudy Malnati family, Pizano’s will offer Festa-goers authentic deep-dish Chicago-style pizza by the slice, along with the Pizano’s famous chopped salad.

• NEW: Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Market. Founded by Angelo Caputo, who grew up in Mola Di Bari, a seaside village on Italy’s Southeast coast, the family owned and operating market has been bringing fresh foods to customers for over 60 years and includes seven stores throughout the Chicagoland area. Caputo’s will offer Festa-goers imported stuffed zucchini flowers, Sicillian eggplant parmesan sandwich, bada bing shrimp, octopus salad, and tomato bocconcini salad.
• NEW: Milk Bottle Bakery. This Milwaukee-based bakery is giving attendees the option to eat an entire Muffaletta! Festa-goers can also just order a half. They will also offer an Italian Beef, Zeppole, and a chocolate & hazelnut parfait.

Other returning food favorites in 2019 include: Alioto’s, Albanese’s, Bartolotta’s, Divino Wine & Dine, Gelateria Italiana, Papa Luigi’s, Peter Sciortino Bakery, Pietro’s Pizza, Saz’s, Vivere Italian Restaurant and of course, Festa Sausage provided by Sendik’s complete with a seeded Italian roll and your choice of garnish – Mangia!

Check out the complete list of food and vendors at: http://festaitaliana.com/fooddrink/menus.

Cucina Showcase and Bartolotta Tribute

Festa Italiana will also host a fantastic line-up of local chef demonstrations and foodie competitions in its Cucina Showcase, including the annual Cannoli Eating Contest on Saturday, July 20, and Kid’s Pizza Making Contest on Sunday, July 21. Full Cucina Showcase Schedule can be found here.

Festa will also be holding a special tribute to Joe Bartolotta in the Cucina Showcase on Saturday, July 20. Bartolotta, a pillar in the Italian community and strong proponent of the Italian Community Center, was a friend to all. Festa will be celebrating his dedication to the Italian community and legacy by Bartolotta chefs at 1:30 and 4:15 p.m. in the Cucina Showcase.

Entertainment Energico

Festa Italiana is bringing back the Italian favorites festa-goers have come to love over the years, as well as new artists and bands that celebrate Italian culture all weekend long! Highlights include:

• KC and the Sunshine Band: Festa is excited to welcome KC and the Sunshine Band to headline Saturday, July 20. With over 100 million records sold, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, Festa-goers can dust of their disco shoes and shake until they drop with one of music’s most iconic groups – enjoying a string of hits like “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “Shake Your Booty.”
• Phil Vassar: Festa is thrilled to welcome back Milwaukee favorite, award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Vassar, in his only Milwaukee summer performance Sunday, July 21. Vassar’s “Histeria Tour” celebrates 20 years of chart-topping hits including 10 number one singles and 26 Top 40 hits.

New at Festa this year will be an entire lineup of regional acts from the Midwest on the U.S. Cellular stage. The full list of acts and their varietal genres includes:

• Buffalo Gospel – Country/Americana, Greater Milwaukee Area
• FBI & the Untouchable Horns – Funk, R&B and horns, Fox Valley, Wis.
• The Flat Cats with Amanda Wolff & Myles Hayes – Swing and jazz, Chicago
• Fort Frances – Sensitive rock, Chicago
• Jayne Taylor – singer/songwriter, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Keith Pulvermacher – Midwestern, Oconomowoc, Wis.
• Koch-Marshall Trio with Rick Vito – Rock, jazz and blues, Greater Milwaukee Area (Originally from Pennsylvania, Rick Vito is also a former member of legendary super group Fleetwood Mac!)
• Liam Ford Band – Rockabilly, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Mic Over Matter – Covers, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz – Classic rock, horns, Greater Milwaukee Area
• WheelHouse – Americana/Bluegrass, Madison, Wis.

Additional exciting acts include: Femmes of Rock, Frankie Moreno, The Sicilian Tenors, Joe Scalisi, The Four C Notes, Hotel California, Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms, Festa favorite The Russo Brothers, Cory Pesaturo, Tony Spavone, Jenna Esposito and more!

Check out Festa’s exciting entertainment line-up here: http://festaitaliana.com/entertainment/entertainment-schedule/

Festa Italiana Expands New Beverage Offerings

Festa will be offering exciting new beverage offerings for attendees this year, including the Aperol Spritz, the official drink, and Peroni on tap, the official beer, of Festa Italiana 2019. In addition, Festa-goers can also enjoy over 25 varieties of Italian wines, beer on tap and cigars complete with whiskey and bourbon pairings! Also new is the Campari Club, serving handmade Italian cocktails including the Aperol Spritz, while providing entertainment, dancing, food tastings and giveaways all weekend long! Featured guest, DJ Rozario, an emerging and talented Milwaukee-based DJ, will be spinning Italian tracks throughout the evening!

For more information on Italia handcrafted cocktails and new wine and beer offerings, visit: http://festaitaliana.com/fooddrink/beverages/

New – That’s Amore! The Dating Game Friday, July 19

Festa Italiana is partnering with professional matchmakers from It’s Just Lunch Milwaukee, to host its very own Italian love connection. Join singles on Friday, July 19 to help bachelors and bachelorette’s find their perfect Italian match in the Klement’s Backyard Stage at 8 p.m. For singles interested in participating, fill out the dating profile on the Festa website by Sunday, July 14. Selected bachelor and bachelorettes will be notified on Tuesday, July 16. Interested singles can also register in person at Festa in the Klement’s Backyard Stage from 6-7 p.m. For more information on details and how to enter, please visit: http://festaitaliana.com/activities/the-dating-game/.

Tradizioni for All!

• Italian Idol each night at 8:30 p.m. on the Cucina Showcase Stage. This year’s talent competition will feature new and exciting elements, including celebrating Lady Gaga as one of Festa’s “Italian Idols.” On Friday, Festa will be hosting a “Dress Like Gaga” contest, and a Club Idol Dance Party. Also new, this year contestants have the option to accompany themselves on acoustic guitar or ukulele. To pre-audition, please follow Italian Idol on Facebook for information and updates.
• Saturday, July 20.
• taking place Sunday, July 21.
• happening each day – complete with authentic gondoliers!
• Sunday Mass and Procession will be led by Father Thomas Suriano at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 21 in the BMO Harris Pavilion. Non-perishable donations to Hunger Task Force upon entrance to Mass is encouraged.

Advance tickets for Festa Italiana are on sale now online.  Purchase your advance online ticket for $10 through July 18 at http://www.festaitaliana.com. For ticket questions, please call 414-223-2808.

Daily Admission Information/Deals

Festa Italiana offers plenty of affordable ways to visit the festival!   Purchase your advance tickets online today at www.festaitaliana.com through July 18 for a discounted rate of $10.00. 

• Admission tickets are $13.00 at the gate and children ages 12 and under are admitted free for all three days when accompanied by an adult.

Friday

• Those with physical challenges along with their caregivers receive free admission and half-price on two selected food items. Courtesy of Festa Italiana and Summerfest.  Special VIP ticket needed. Please pick up your ticket at the Italian Community Center. 

Saturday

Sunday

About Festa Italiana

The 42nd annual Festa Italiana takes place at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) on Milwaukee’s lakefront Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21. Festa Italiana is one of the largest Italian events of its kind in America today. The Festival began over 40 years ago for the purpose of reuniting an Italian community torn apart by urban renewal projects and was the first ethnic festival in Milwaukee on the Summerfest grounds. Today, several ethnic festivals are celebrated on Milwaukee’s lakefront and the city is now widely known as the City of Festivals. Through the dedication of more than 2,000 volunteers, the annual Festa Italiana has become a favorite family event to Milwaukee and surrounding areas. For more information on the festival, please visit www.FestaItaliana.com or call (414) 223-2808.

Follow us on social media:

(@FestaMKE)

(facebook.com/festaitalianamilwaukee)

(@FestaMKE)

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Festa Italiana Expands Beverage Offerings, Welcomes Aperol Spritz, Peroni as Official Drinks of 2019 Summer Festival, July 19-21

June 21, 2019 | Uncategorized | Permalink

Festa will offer over 25 varieties of Italian wines, new Italia cocktails, cigar and bourbon pairings and Campari Club to the grounds!

MILWAUKEE – June 21, 2019 – Festa Italiana is offering new and exciting beverage options at this year’s festival taking place on Milwaukee’s lakefront July 19-21. The expanded beverage list will include the Aperol Spritz, the official drink, and Peroni on tap, the official beer, of Festa Italiana 2019. In addition, Festa-goers can also enjoy over 25 varieties of Italian wines, beer on tap and cigars complete with whiskey and bourbon pairings!

“To beat the summer heat, it’s only fitting to feature refreshing options like Aperol Spritz and Peroni as the official drinks of Festa Italiana! Both iconic beverages play a part in the well-rounded and authentic Italian experience our guests have come to expect each and every year,” said Joe Emanuele, Italian Community Center president and chairman of Festa Italiana. “This year, guests can hang out in the Campari Club offering delicious cocktails and entertainment, as well as take in more choices and more selections throughout the entire grounds. Festa is known for its food, and we are really excited to now offer a full variety of beverage selections as well, for the perfect pairing.”

Known as one of the Midwest’s largest Italian festivals, attendees can look forward to pairing a wide variety of beverages with festival favorites such as Italian sausage sandwiches, fried eggplant, calamari, panini, sfingi Italian doughnuts, pasta and more. With nearly 20 food vendors attendees can experience all the mouthwatering tastes of Italy right on Milwaukee’s lakefront!

Sip Your Way Through Festa

• Local wine varietals and tastings: The wine list includes traditional Italian whites and reds.  Including but not limited to; Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Mamertino, Moscato, Lambrusco, Montepulciano, Pinot Noir, Chianti and Nero d’Avola. Returning this year are LoDuca wines as well as Corvina Wine Company, with an expanded menu at the Corvina Wine Bar.
• Italia Cocktails: Attendees this year can enjoy a variety of fresh, handmade cocktails perfect for a hot summer day. Selections include the Campari Sunset, Paloma di Amalfi, Cranberry Limonata, Negroni and a Milano Mule. 
• Beer on tap: Festa has expanded its tap beer offerings to include – Miller, Miller Lite and Peroni. Craft beer lovers can also experience new selections available, such as Terrapin Recreational Ale and Terrapin Hopsecutioner. These craft offerings and local favorites are available across the grounds.
• Cigar and liquor pairings: Festa will be introducing barrel-crafted liquor selections, a barrel-aged Negroni and barrel-aged bourbon cocktail, in addition to cognac, scotch, port, whiskey and reposado tequila.There will be multiple locations for guests to purchase top-tier cigars including Arturo Fuente, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and many other top shelf cigar options, which will be conveniently located near the bourbon booths for the ultimate pairing experience.

The official beverage of Festa Italiana, festa-goers can enjoy a refreshing Aperol Spritz, complete in a souvenir take home 16-oz acrylic goblet. In addition to Aperol Sprtiz, Festa-goers can expect to find wide range of new and returning beverage options, including:

Festa Introduces the Campari Club

New to the festival grounds will be the Campari Club, serving cocktails including the Aperol Spritz, while providing entertainment, dancing, food tastings and giveaways all weekend long! Featured guest, DJ Rozario, an emerging and talented Milwaukee-based DJ will be spinning Italian tracks throughout the evening!

#SpritzAtFesta – Campari Club & Social Media Photo Contest

Keep the Italian celebration going on social media with a new photo contest! Throughout the festival grounds, Festa-goers can find one of three Aperol Spritz-themed photo booths, take a fun photo while enjoying a refreshing beverage, and share on social media with the special #SpritzAtFesta hashtag for a chance to win prizes all weekend!

Tickets for Festa Italiana are now on sale. Purchase your advance ticket for $10 now through July 18 at www.festaitaliana.com. Tickets are $13 at the gate after July 18. Children 12 and under free. Former and active military, firefighters, law enforcement and teachers and one guest get in free Sunday, July 21.              

Full List of Entertainment Announced at Festa Italiana July 19-21

June 17, 2019 | Uncategorized | Permalink

Festa Italiana is excited to combine new musical selections with many Italian favorites to this year’s festival on Milwaukee’s lakefront July 19-21, celebrating food, family and tradition. In addition to the previously announced headliners of KC and the Sunshine Band and Phil Vassar, festivalgoers can look forward to an energetic experience with a new lineup of all regional acts on the U.S. Cellular stage at the Summerfest Grounds.

Now in its 42nd year of Italian heritage and culture, Festa Italiana is bringing back the Italian favorites Festa-goers have come to love over the years, as well as new artists and bands from the broader Wisconsin and Illinois areas that will allow festa-goers to enjoy a complete variety of entertainment while enjoying everything Italiana!

U.S. Cellular Stage Acts:

New at Festa this year will be an entire lineup of local acts from the Midwest. The full list of acts and their varietal genres includes:

• Buffalo Gospel – Country/Americana, Greater Milwaukee Area
• FBI & the Untouchable Horns – Funk, R&B and horns, Fox Valley, Wis.
• The Flat Cats with Amanda Wolff & Myles Hayes – Swing and jazz, Chicago
• Fort Frances – Sensitive rock, Chicago
• Jayne Taylor – singer/songwriter, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Keith Pulvermacher – Midwestern, Oconomowoc, Wis.
• Koch-Marshall Trio with Rick Vito – Rock, jazz and blues, Greater Milwaukee Area (Originally from Pennsylvania, Rick Vito is also a former member of legendary super group Fleetwood Mac!)
• Liam Ford Band – Rockabilly, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Mic Over Matter – Covers, Greater Milwaukee Area
• Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz – Classic rock, horns, Greater Milwaukee Area
• WheelHouse – Americana/Bluegrass, Madison, Wis.

Additional Highlights include:

• Femmes of Rock: The Femmes of Rock, starring Bella Electric Strings and led by rock violinist and arranger Nina DiGregorio, are ready to rock Festa 2019 with their blistering solos and unique arrangements – not to mention their beauty and charm. Performing the music of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Van Halen and more, Femmes of Rock takes Bella Strings to a whole new level. All-new arrangements, original material, a live rock band, video, lights, choreography, comedy and more are in store for this high-energy show that is sure to leave Festa-goers in awe.
• Joe Scalisi: Festa-goers will think they’ve stepped back in time when they hear Joe Scalissi in this year’s entertainment lineup. Joe has been performing his tribute show, Joe Scalissi Sings Dean Martin for over 20 years, and has performed at the annual Dean Martin Celebration in Steubenville, Ohio more times than one can count. Festa is thrilled to host Joe at this year’s festival where his performance mannerisms, voice and quick wit are 100% Dino!
• Frankie Moreno: Las Vegas’ three-time Headliner of the Year – Frankie Moreno – brings his modern take on piano-pounding classic rock ‘n roll, expert songwriting and an electric stage presence that will have Festa-goers on their feet from start to finish! Having just hit the Billboard charts with his fourth new album, “This is Frankie Moreno,” he becomes the first artist in Billboard history to chart four new albums in less than one year.
• Hotel California: For almost three decades, Hotel California have been recreating the legendary sound of The Eagles and thrilling audiences all over the world. Since 1986, they’ve remained the industry leading substitute for The Eagles, playing to huge outdoor and arena audiences, sharing bills with some of rock’s legends, and going places no tribute band has gone before. With incredible lead vocal similarity, intensely accurate instrumental work, soaring harmonies, and top flight live performances, Hotel California is ready to rock Festa Italiana this year!
• The Four C Notes: The Four C Notes are the Midwest’s only tribute dedicated to recreating the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons! While they call Chicago home, they have been seen at private events, performing arts centers and outdoor festivals across the country! The Four C Notes will bring their melodic tribute of features to Festa this year, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” and many more!

Other Exciting Acts Include: The Sicilian Tenors, Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms, Festa favorite The Russo Brothers, Cory Pesaturo, Tony Spavone, Jenna Esposito and more!

Festa Italiana takes place Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21, at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Festivalgoers can take in all entertainment acts for the value price of only $10.00 for advance sale tickets now through July 18. Tickets are $13.00 after July 18 and at the gate.

A full Festa Italiana entertainment schedule of performers is available at www.festaitaliana.com.

*Editors Note: For interview requests or high-resolution photographs, please contact Kevin Wells at 414.376.2893 or at kevin@reputationpartners.com.

About Festa Italiana

The 42nd annual Festa Italiana takes place at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) on Milwaukee’s lakefront Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21. Festa Italiana is one of the largest Italian events of its kind in America today. The Festival began over 40 years ago for the purpose of reuniting an Italian community torn apart by urban renewal projects and was the first ethnic festival in Milwaukee on the Summerfest grounds. Today, several ethnic festivals are celebrated on Milwaukee’s lakefront and the city is now widely known as the City of Festivals. Through the dedication of more than 2,000 volunteers, the annual Festa Italiana has become a favorite family event to Milwaukee and surrounding areas. For more information on the festival, please visit www.FestaItaliana.com or call (414) 223-2808.

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