2012 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

STAGE-Cedar Street and India

Sponsored by Tarantino Sausages

10:00-11:15 am

JUDY CIOTTI & JOHN CAIN

Judy Ciotti & Pianist John Cain will kick off the Festival with an exciting line up of tunes from the Italian American repertoire. You'll love Judy's renditions of dozens of songs made popular by such stars as Connie Francis and others, accompanied by piano virtuoso John Cain.



 

 

 

12:15-12:45 pm

Introduction of VIPs and Queens of the House of Italy

 

12:45-2:00 pm



The nationally-acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble will delight the crowds with their high-energy, audience interactive shows. This ensemble has gained world-wide recognition with the success of their CD, The Italian Wedding, and appears at festivals and corporate events across the nation. They were recently voted the "Best Ethnic Band" by San Diego Magazine as part of their "best of" issue.

1:15 pm

The Sicilian Festival is all about FAMILY-- a celebration of Sicilian American families past, present and future. It is with the greatest joy that we salute the family of Diana and Tony Tripoli, who married on stage at the Sicilian Festival in 2010. This year, we will have the greatest joy in introducing their new baby Amelia, who will be presented on the Cedar Street stage. Nonna Licia will arrive from Italy for this memorable event, as will her Nonna and Nonnu from Florida. So come celebrate with us and welcome Amelia into the Sicilian Festival Famiglia.

 

2:15-3:15 pm

CRISTINA FONTANELLI

Returning to San Diego by popular demand, New York's own award-winning vocalist and PBS Host Cristina Fontanelli will perform the classic songs and arias of Italy on the Cedar Street stage. Hear this amazing voice interpret the great songs of her heritage and experience for yourselves why she has been invited to sing them all over the world.

 

3:30-4:30 pm

Alessandra Belloni & Ensemble

Alessandra Belloni is the Artistic Director, Founder and Lead Performer of
"I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA", an Italian Music, Theatre and Dance Ensemble who are Artists-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in New York City.  She is also the designer of a line of signature series Italian tambourines made by Remo, which is sponsoring this performance in part. She is the only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in traditional Southern Italian folk dances and percussion that she learned from the old people in the fields

 

4:45-6:00 pm

THE SCREAMIN PRIMAS

The Screamin' Primas will be on hand to orchestrate a lively, fun-filled salute to the music of Louie Prima. The Screamin' Primas capture the spirit of Prima's extremely fun and entertaining show via their accurate live re-creations of Louis' hits performed in the original Louis Prima style. They will close the Sicilian Festival with a bang, complete with a Mardi-Gras style parade through the Festival area.

 


OPERA STAGE-Date Street and India

10:00-11:25 am

MARIA LOZANA with the SANTO TOMAS CHOIR of Ensenada

The Ensenada Classical Choir, directed by Juan Tomas Acosta and featuring renowned opera star and choir artistic director Maria Lozana, will bring the beautiful music of Italy to the Festival. Child prodigies Myra Aguila and Isabella McCormick will sing a selection of Mexican and Italian songs.

 

11:30-12:30 pm

SOPRANO NATALIE MORAN

The Sicilian Festival is proud to welcome Soprano Natalie Moran to the Sicilian Festival opera stage. A native Southern California, Natalie has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe and is proficient in a variety of musical styles in addition to opera.

 

12:45 pm-1:05 pm

BALBOA PARK ITALIAN DANCE TROUPE

Always a huge favorite at the Festival, the Italian Dance Troupe of Balboa Park will perform a variety of lively Italian and Sicilian dances to delight the crowds.

 

 

 

1:15 pm-2:15 pm

Soprano Delynn Ketcherside and accompanist will present a variety of Italian classics.

2:30 -3:30 pm

JIM BIANCHI & GUEST ARTISTS

Jim Bianchi and Guest Artists will entertain the Festival crowds with beautiful renditions of Italian favorites.

 

 

 

3:35 -4:30 pm

ITALIAN TENOR ROSARIO MONETTI


Italian Tenor Rosario Monetti sings beloved Neapolitan classics.

 

4:45 -6:00 pm

LUIGI & FRIENDS

San Diego Favorite Luigi Luevano, together with his troupe of talented vocalists, presents the most beloved melodies in Italian music.

 

JAZZ & COOKING STAGE-Grape Street and India

10:00 am-11:30 am

TRIO GADJO

 

Back again this year by popular demand is Trio Gadjo. The Sicilian Festival welcomes this young trio of accomplished musicians who will present a sizzling repertoire of gypsy jazz tunes.

 

12:00 pm-1:00am

Shawn Styles-Grilling with Styles

Meteorologist/Lifestyle Reporter
San Diego News 8
will share his favorite recipes

 

1:45-2:15 pm

PASTA EATING CONTEST

sponsored by
MONA LISA ITALIAN FOODS

Don't miss the exciting and fun pasta eating contest. Have your cameras ready to watch the contestants down their pasta in record time!

 

2:30-3:30 pm

PAUL ELIA

Paul's show embodies the spirit of Las Vegas in the 60s and features his award-winning impersonation of Dean Martin. Paul performs songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, among others! So put on your dancing shoes and swing to Paul's wonderful repertoire.

 

3:45-4:15 pm

THE OPERA SINGING CHEF


The Sicilian Festival is proud to welcome Elizabeth Podiadio, the Opera Singing Chef, to our cooking stage. Elizabeth will show the audience how to create an authentic eggplant carbonara, a true Sicilian dish which is easy to prepare, tasty and healthy! Buon appetito!

 

5:00-6:00 pm

THE PIZARRO BROTHERS

The incredible young piano virtuosos, 12-year old Angelo and 15- year old Dominic will once again grace the Sicilian Festival stage, performing and entertaining the audiences with their renditions of traditional and classic Italian songs, as well as upbeat Louie Prima tunes on three keyboards.

 

 

STAGE-Beech Street and India

10:00 am-12:45 pm

Z-BOP

The exciting and versatile Z-Bop Band will will open the Festival with their renditions of Italian American dance music as well as other swinging sounds of the decades.

 

 

 

1:00-3:15 pm

THE SICILIAN BAND

Enjoy the authentic Sicilian sounds of Tony and his Los Angeles-based band, featuring lively vocals and a wide range of Sicilian and Italian music.

 

 

 

 

3:30-6:00 pm

SICILIAN SWING

Direct from New Orleans, where his band Sicilian Swing jump jived and wailed for many years, comes Daniele Spadavecchia, accompanied this year by his local gypsy band. Listen to his hot renditions of all the Italian favorites....Louie Prima style.




 
Piazza Basilone, Fir Street & India

 

10:00 -11:30 am

CARMELLO SARCONE on MANDOLIN

 

Sit back and relax to the melodic sounds of Carmello and his "mandolino" as he performs a wide variety of the most beloved Italian songs.

 

ACCORDION MANIA BEGINS!

11:45 am -1:00 pm

SMILIN JACK

Accordion Sensation Smilin Jack will serenade visitors to the courtyard with his wide repertoire of Italian and popular melodies.




 

 

 

1:15 -2:45 pm

SAMI & TINA ACCORDION DUO

See this duo performing their music on interesting, never-seen, accordions equipped with standard bass and button keys.

 

3:00 -4:45 pm

ACCORDION JAM....Members of the Southern California Accordion Club join local performers in a lively salute to the accordion!

5:00 -6 pm

LOU FANUCCHI & Company

San Diego's prominent accordionist Louis Fanucchi will be on hand with his guest artists to close out the Festival with more

ACCORDION MANIA

AND, throughout the day

Roman Holiday's Strolling Performers & Street Musicians



Roman Holiday's lively musicians will entertain the crowds as they stroll through the streets with their colorful costumes and lively Italian/Sicilian music.