Music Stage
Musica della Festa
Since 2018, Festa Italiana NC has provided the largest, most comprehensive, annual showcase of authentic musica italiana in tutta la peninsola intero e nel mondo italico / Italian music from across the peninsula and throughout the Italian diaspora. For seven full hours, Festa goers can enjoy sounds ancient and modern, acoustic, electric and electronic, across the Bel Canto; classical opera; contemporary singer-songwriter; mid-century crooner, light opera and show tunes; rock and roll; synth rock; and traditional Italian roots and folk (musica popolare).
2025 Festa Entertainment Run of Show
11 a.m. Oak City Serenaders: Three-piece mandolin ensemble performing traditional and early modern Italian and American Italian melodies. From Raleigh, N.C. First appearance at Festa!
Noon Ariel Reed and Mitchener Howell: Classical opera and Bel Canto, with accompanist Jon Latané. From Durham and Raleigh, N.C. Seventh appearance at Festa!
12:30 p.m. Allegro Dance Company: Italian dance, story, and instruction. From Pittsburgh, Pa. First appearance at Festa!
1:30 p.m. Official Opening Ceremonies: With civic, cultural, and Festa dignitaries. Festa is proud and honored to announce that Dr. Valentina Cecchi, the Honorary Italian Consul serving North Carolina, will be joining this year’s Festa!
2 p.m. Michela Musolino: Musica mezzogiorno and more. From Memphis, Tenn. Sixth appearance at Festa!
3 p.m. Allegro Dance Company: Italian dance, story, and instruction. From Pittsburgh, Pa. First appearance at Festa!
4 p.m. Olivia and Anthony Bucciero: Mid-century American Italian crooning. From Myrtle Beach, S.C. First appearance at Festa!
5 p.m. Loreins Vellani & Mebanesville: Eight-piece traditional and contemporary, acoustic-electric Italian melody and song. From Mebane, N.C. Seventh appearance at Festa!
6 p.m. David Quick and the Mr. Wonderful Jazz Quintet (and raffle announcements): Mid-century Italian-Americana songbook, smooth and hot. From Pittsboro, N.C. Fourth appearance at Festa!
and don’t miss quaggiu dalla strada / down on the street: Tom Weierick, European Hurdy Gurdy (street organ grinder). From Wake Forest, N.C. Second appearance at Festa!
2025 Entertainers
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11 a.m.
Oak City Serenaders: A three-piece mandolin ensemble performing traditional and early modern Italian and American Italian melodies
-
Noon
Ariel Reed and Mitchener Howell: Classical opera and Bel Canto, with accompanist Jon Latané
-
12:30 p.m.
Allegro Italian Dance: Movement, story, and instruction from a dance company out of Pittsburgh
-
1:30 p.m.
Official Opening Ceremonies: With civic, cultural, and Festa dignitaries. Festa is proud and honored to announce that Dr. Valentina Cecchi, the Honorary Italian Consul serving North Carolina, will be joining this year’s Festa!
-
2 p.m.
Michela Musolino: Traditional and contemporary mezzogiorno music from Memphis, Tenn.
-
3 p.m.
Allegro Italian Dance: Movement, story, and instruction from a dance company out of Pittsburgh
-
4 p.m.
Olivia and Anthony Bucciero Mid-century American Italian crooning from Myrtle Beach, S.C.
-
5 p.m.
Loreins Vellani & Mebanesville: Eight-piece traditional and contemporary, acoustic-electric Italian melody and song
-
6 p.m.
David Quick and the Mr. Wonderful Jazz Quintet: Mid-century Italian-Americana song book, smooth and hot
And don’t miss quaggiu dalla strada (down on the street):
Tom Weierick, European Hurdy Gurdy (Street Organ Grinder), in his second Festa appearance!
From 2020: Check out the Festa’s 2.5-hour online benefit musical concert, featuring 32 artists and performance groups with a total of 44 performances, spanning from 20 provinces, regions, and states across Italy, Morocco and the U.S. here!
Interested in performing or helping with Festa’s stagecraft?
Please contact Larry Vellani at Larry@festanc.org or 919.304.3670.
