Italian Week in Ottawa, in it’s 39th year, celebrates the rich diversity of Italian-Canadian community, their heritage of culture, food, music, poetry and the vibrant passions of it’s people.
Italian Week, pre-kick off party at the Rideau Carleton Raceway to a sold out dinner crowd, who enjoyed an Italian theme meal, amazing fun moments had by all, who were also entertained by the music of Tequila, and Rossano Giamberardino .
Plans were well underway for this city’s most anticipated festival with Italian Week, 2013 president Claudio Pagani, who did not disappoint the city. St. Anthony’s Church procession which was attended by thousands of people in the hot weather. People the next night attended the Assaggi Night, “Taste of Italy’ event, had a chance to try foods from Joe Calabro (Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana Ltd), Casa Nicastro Deli, Da Santino Ristorante and to Go, St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall, Little Italy Bakery, Ciccio Ristorante, The Bootleg Porchetta Company, Sala San Marco Banquet Hall, The Grand Pizzeria and Bar, and special guest was Claudio Fracassi “The Soup-A Guy’ all under one location at Sala San Marco. The crowed danced all night long from the music by Compagnia Popularia band .
Spotlight this year was “A Roman Holiday” an evening honouring Rome and Lazio, and the culture of that region, which brought a little bit of Carpineto to Ottawa featuring music by Compagnia Popularia band direct from Lazio, Italy as they preformed for guests that danced and ate at a sold out event helded at the Tudor Hall. The next day people boarded a boat to cruise along the Ottawa River and see some historical sites as they danced to the music preformed by The Tequila Band.
Each year nominations are accepted for the Italian Week Person of the Year for an Italian-Canadian who has contributed in a concrete and tangible way to initiatives in favour of the Italian-Canadian community in Ottawa. This year the Italian Week Person of the Year is Angelo Andrella. who got his award at 2013 inaugural Italian Week Gala dinner, 460 in attendance this year, which was held at St Anthony’s Soccer Club. This year co-Hosts were Vittorio Coco (Chin TV / Radio, Toronto), and Trina Costantini-Powell. The Showtime Party Band, which performed an eclectic mix of classic oldies, disco music, and more current popular songs, made sure everyone was up and dancing all night long.
Up coming events contact Giovanni at giovannipublicist@gmail.com