The Columbus Italian Festival’s 2018 theme celebrates FORZA ITALIANA, Italians in Sports with legends such as Rocky Marciano, Joe Di Maggio, Alicia Sacramone, Alberto Tomba, Mary Lou Retton, and a host of others. Join us for a full display of photos and short bio’s in the cultural tent.
We invite the northern Ohioans to join the Central Ohioans for a Bocce bash and clash of pallinos throughout the weekend. Sign up on the festival website.
The festival is thrilled to bring many great Italian artists to Columbus this year. Friday night’s headliner is Vocalist Sal Valentinetti. In 2016, Season 11 of the NBC hit show “America’s Got Talent” was taken by storm by Sal Valentinetti. With his flawless tribute to the great Frank Sinatra, the world quickly became to know him as “Sal the Voice.” Valentinetti has been touring all over the nation. A favorite of the Bronx Festa Ferragusto, Sal met Columbus’ Big Band leader, Rick Brunetto, where they performed together.
Brunetto, head of Columbus’s Festival entertainment, chose to bring Sal to Columbus this year. “We are so looking forward to Sal’s fresh appeal to the classics which everyone can’t get enough of.” Accompanied by the Rick Brunetto 17-piece orchestra, this is a must-see show! Valentinetti’s self-titled EP, “There’s No Place Like Home,” (July, 2018) will be available at the festival.
Festival Headliners also include the internationally acclaimed Aristos from Sicily, featuring Giovanni San Giovanni on electric violin and keyboards, Salvo San Giovanni on percussion and soprano Grazia Maria Luca. This dynamic trio will delight with Neapolitan classics and Italian Opera mixed with fresh arrangements of American pop – Italian Style. This trio is a real treat, exciting and innovative. Something you have not seen before.
Michéal CASTALDO is an award-winning, classical crossover recording artist. He appears at various festivals and venues throughout the U.S. and Europe. Born in Calabria, Italy and raised in Toronto, Canada, he now resides in Manhattan. Micheal Castaldo and the Rick Brunetto Big Band meet for their second festival appearance together since 2014 as Micheal headlines Saturday night’s performance. In his concerts, michéal CASTALDO takes audiences on a musical journey, revealing how Italians have influenced the world of popular music throughout the decades. From his humorous storytelling to his innovative and unique arrangements of well-known hit songs sung in Italian, Calabrian and Neapolitan this is a show that is fast-paced, heartfelt, hopeful, funny, and touching.
The Columbus Italian Festival is
Oct. 5-7 at 168 E. Lincoln Street, Columbus.
614-294-5319, www.columbusitalianfestival.com
