From June 9 to 19, 2016, Preston Street will once again be home to the Italian Week Ottawa Festival. Now in its 42nd year, the festival will continue to celebrate Ottawa’s rich and vibrant Italian culture, history, food and music. This year’s celebration is all about family and the importance of bringing generations together by celebrating our history as well as our future. Bring the kids and grandchildren down to Corso Italia for a fun-filled week of activities for the entire family!
From famous comedians and chefs to international DJs, paint nights and local talent, this year’s festival will literally have something for the entire family. This year’s theme is “Being Italian” and we hope you will join us and share your Italian pride with the Ottawa community. Here are a few highlights from this year’s exciting line-up. We hope to see you for Italian Week!
June 9: Join the us for the official Italian Week Ottawa flag raising at Ottawa City Hall at 11 a.m. with Mayor Jim Watson, Italy’s Ambassador to Canada, Gian Lorenzo Cornado and the Executive Committee for Italian Week Ottawa 2016-17. The ceremony will be followed by a small reception. All are welcome.
June 9: Residents of Villa Marconi and their families are invited to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with a pasta dinner proudly sponsored by Italian Week.
June 9 to 19: Check out the Airborne Action Sports team riding fresh park ramps and rails at 193 Preston Street. The kids will love the giveaways, prizes and a chance to win a free MADD Gear scooter!
June 10: Italian funny-man and comedian Frank Spadone will have you laughing off your chair at 7 p.m. at Absolute Comedy. Tickets are available online: http://www.absolutecomedy.ca/. Your Absolute Comedy ticket grants you FREE access to the Italian Week After-Party with DJ Rise Ashen at Sala San Marco.
June 10: Join the Committee and special guests for the Italian Ottawa Week Launch Party, which includes a lovely five-course meal. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Please stay for the After-Party with Juno nominated DJ Rise Ashen starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are available via the website: http://www.italianweekottawa.eventbrite.com/.
June 11 and 12: The first-ever Calcetto Cup soccer tournament will be held during Italian Week. The tournament will be based on a Euro Cup format with 24 teams, and six on six. You can sign-up to play via the website: http://www.italianweekottawa.ca/ or come out with the family to cheer on your favourite players.
June 11: Bring your lawn chairs and settle in for an outdoor film exposition of Roman Holiday. Bring the kids, and enjoy a classic film under the stars! The screening will take place outside by Preston Hardware. This free event is open to all.
June 13, 14 and 15: New this year, are three Italian-themed paint nights at local Preston Street establishments. No painting experience is required. A painting instructor will guide participants through a step-by-step process, which will result in your very own masterpiece. Paint nights are great social activities to reconnect with friends and make new ones! Registration is available online via http://www.italianweekottawa.ca/.
- June 13 – Di Vino Wine Studio @ 7 p.m.
- June 14 – Heart & Crown @ 7 p.m.
- June 15 – La Grotta @ 7 p.m.
June 16: Di Vino Wine Studio will host celebrity chef, David Rocco at 6 p.m. for an exclusive evening of wine pairing, a menu inspired by the celebrity chef, and booking signing. This event is now sold out!
June 17 to 19: Check out the Little Italy Art Tour at various locations on Preston Street. This exposition is sponsored by the BIA for Italian Week.
June 17-18: For the very first time in Canada, Louis Prima Jr. will entertain crowds under the big tent. Stay for DJ Tatiana's electronic dance beats! Throughout the weekend enjoy food and drinks, Aperol Spritz section, win prizes, Face-in-Hole with some of the great Italians, pick up a #SonoItaliano t-shirt and wear it with pride!
- Louis Prima Jr., the son of the legendary Louis Prima, will perform all the classic hits under the big tent starting at 8 p.m. on both nights.
- International performer DJ Tatiana will also perform both nights starting at 10 p.m. Her show is not to be missed!
- Performances are free and open to the public.
June 18-19: Check out the Kids’ Zone offering an Italian-themed jumping village, kids’ entertainment and face painting. There is a fee for access to the kids’ zone. Details are available online at http://www.italianweekottawa.ca/.
- June 18: Sophie Latreille will dazzle audiences with her stilt walking and hula hoop antics from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free.
- June 19: Enjoy Sophie Latreille's one-woman circus show from 2-5 p.m. Admission is free.
- June 18 from 6-8 p.m. and June 19 from 2-5 p.m. bring the family out for Zip-E-The Clown as he performs magic, juggling, mini-bike and a hilarious circus act show. Admission is free.
June 19: We will close the festival week by celebrating Father’s Day with our Family Day on June 19, which includes local talent of the likes of Jessica Leung Tuk, Disco Inferno and Johnny Vegas. The Kids’ Zone will be open as well. This year’s Italian Week Festival is all about family and we hope to see you and your family on Corso Italia for the 2016 Italian Week Ottawa Festival For more information, visit http://www.italianweekottawa.ca/ or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #ItalianWeek2016 and #SonoItaliano #SonoItaliana