Event Schedule
The 2024 Schedule
11 AM - 11:15 Benvenuti!
Festival Begins!
Introductions!
We will have a brief welcoming address. Arrive early for some tasty Italian cookies, pastries with coffee, or a delicious lunch.​
12:00 PM & 1:15 PM Balliamo!
Gli Azzuri Italian Dancers
Gli Azzurri, established in 1987, has been a pillar of Italian dance, enchanting audiences in Calgary, throughout Canada, and on international platforms. Their performances are a vibrant celebration of Italian culture, expressed through the timeless language of dance.
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
The Crescendo Choir
​The Choir is celebrating over a quarter-century of musical excellence, we invite you to experience the blend of familiar Italian melodies that has become their signature. The choir is not just a group of voices; it is a family that represents the vibrant spirit of Italy right here in the heart of our community.
2:00 PM & 3:30 PM Cantano!
The Calgary Opera
The Calgary Opera's performances will feature two singers and a pianist who will grace the stage. Fun and familiar Italian opera selections with a twist of folk music woven in will be sure to delight listeners.
4:00 PM & 5:15 PM Cantano!
MJ & Ty
MJ & Ty from !Cadence perform their soulful blues and adult contemporary songs creating a resonant musical journey.
5:00 PM Pompa d'Uva!
Grape Stomping Contest
Contestants will be given an equal amount of grapes. The contestants will have 2 minutes to stomp as many of the grapes as possible (with their bare feet)! Whoever has the most juice in the barrel wins.
11:15 AM & 5:30 PM
Solo 2 - Featuring Dominic & Francesca Ambrosio
Enjoy a blend of traditional Italian songs along with chart toppers performed by father and daughter duo Dominic and Francesca. Dominic’s enduring commitment to music over the past 25 years has been a source of inspiration for the new generation of singers.
12:15, 1:40, 2:30 & 4:20 PM Greg Rumpel Wandering Accordion
Greg Rumpel began playing the accordion as a youth in Regina, Saskatchewan. For the last 30 years, he has been performing accordion music in Calgary as a soloist and also as a member of many groups. He has played in many bands covering varied styles of music such as Italian, German, French, klezmer, old-style country, mariachi, etc. For “Taste of Italy”, Greg can be heard playing familiar Italian melodies such as That’s Amore, Funiculi Funicula, Santa Lucia, etc.
1:30 PM Mangiamo!
Pasta Eating Contest
Contestants will be served equal amounts of pasta. The first contestant to eat every noodle on their plate without using their hands or any utensils wins!
3:00 PM Cornicione!
Pizza Dough Making Contest
Contestants will be given an equal amount of pizza dough. Contestants must make a 12-inch pizza crust with no holes. Points will be awarded based on the closest crust to 12 inches and there will be bonus points for style!
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Cantiamo!
Italian Karaoke
"KISS Karaoke & DJ Services” is known today as “KISS Productions” to incorporate even more diversity in their services – karaoke, gear rental, DJ & Pro Audio. End of the day on a high note with some classic Italian Karaoke!
7:00 PM Ciao & Buonanotte!
Festival Ends
Grazie a tutti! Make sure to stick around to the end to see if you're a prize winner and to grab some last-minute good eats before heading home to get ready for the week!