Join us for live music:
Bruno Mondardo
Saturday, June 21
11:00am – 12:00pm
Selena Villa
Saturday, June 21
11:15pm – 12:00pm
Sons and Daughters of Italy Choir
Saturday, June 21
1:00pm
Outdoor patio
“Recipients of the 2014 Arts, Culture and Entertainment Award, Italian Heritage Awards of Distinction”
For over 25 years, the Sons of Italy Choir has kept alive the traditions of its Italian roots through the singing of traditional, contemporary, and classical music throughout our community.
Formed in 1989, The Sons of Italy Choir is a mixed voice community choir with men and women joining from all areas of Hamilton. It began with support from The Sons of Italy Trieste Lodge, Hamilton, in its early years of growth. The singers are pleased to have Angelo Venditti as current President and Artistic Director and through his leadership and musical talent, continues to be a driving force for its success. Members of the Executive team work together in support of the choir’s activities.
Create Your WOW Life with Carla LaBella
Saturday, June 21
2:00pm – 3:15pm
Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you. ~ Katie Reed
In this interactive workshop, you will learn WOW (Ways of Optimizing Well-being) tips aimed at replenishing and renewing your energy so that you can pursue goals that truly matter to you. Themes to be explored include, but are not limited to, sleep, mindfulness, self-compassion, talking back to your mind chatter, and gratitude. By the end of the session, you will walk away with a fuller “toolbox” that will support you in creating a meaningFULL life worth living.
Carla LaBella is a Professor of Psychology at Mohawk College. She teaches a variety of psychology-related courses (primarily Introductory Psychology and Positive Psychology) to various programs within the College. She is the co-facilitator and co-founder of the Happiness Series for students and staff, and she offers wellness sessions throughout the College and in the greater Hamilton community. Outside the College, she is a board member for the Suicide Prevention Community Council of Hamilton (SPCCH), the Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia (HPS), and she is a committee member for Mindfulness Hamilton. She earned her MA in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Waterloo, Honours BA in Psychology from McMaster University, a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center, and she became a Modo Yoga teacher and a Unified Mindfulness Coach. Her debut book, The WOW Book: Ways for Optimizing Well-Being was recently published by FriesenPress (2024). For more information, visit carlalabella.ca
Alessandro Montelli
Saturday June 21
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Italian Canadian Alt-pop artist Alessandro Montelli began his career performing in his hometown, Bari in the south of Italy. Soon after releasing his first single and promoting it all over the country, his passion for the Canadian music scene and his family’s roots made him move to Toronto in 2016 where he would experience busking and make a name for himself in both the music industry and in the Italian community.
After working with local producers Atom & Bluxz, in 2021 he dropped his singles “Life”, “Vaffanculo” and “Anything You Need” delivering a mix of pop-punk and hip-hop calling it Alternative Pop. In 2022 Alessandro gets to perform his songs to sold out audiences, both solo and with his band, in some of the most prestigious venues that Toronto has to offer, such as the El Mocambo, Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace, and the Axis Club, as well as showcasing for Breaking Sound, Lemmon Stage, Sofar Sound and Canadian
Music week. One of his latest singles “You all have a bf”, presents a fun storytelling on what could be everyone’s dating life in the 2020s. At the end of 2023 the artist gets chosen to represent the Italian community in Canada at the italian competition NYCcanta, in New York City which allows him to perform his newest italian song “Chiedere Asilo” in front of a full house at the Oceana Theatre in Brooklyn, also aired later on Italian national Tv, Rai 2 and Rai Play.
Currently working towards his new EP, Alessandro is relentless with his projects and he believes he brings a whole new vibe to the music scene, performing both in Italian and English.
Nancy Hope
Sunday June 22
12:15pm – 1:15pm
Nancy Hope is a rising star in the country/rock music scene from Stoney Creek, Ontario.
Known for her heartfelt storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and magnetic stage presence, her music draws from the raw emotion of life’s highs and lows, blending soulful melodies with a modern edge.
Some of her past performances include the legendary El Mocambo and Horseshoe Tavern, the Rogers Centre Corona Rooftop, the Toronto Congress Centre and the OLG Stage for reaching the top 100 on “Canada’s Got Talent” Season 2.
She is currently working with Canadian Country singer/producer Dustin Bird, and will be releasing new music this summer.
Charlie Chiarelli
Sunday June 22
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Charly is an internationally award winning artist of many platforms. His feature film is “Road To The Lemon Grove” (google it), children’s book is “Once Upon A Pizzeria” – and there are a number of plays which he’s written and performed.
He takes great pride in having been inducted into McMaster University’s Hall of Fame. His most cherished one-man musical play is his flagship, “Cu Fu”, replete with harmonica tunes and original vocals. It is his revised rendition of this performance which will delight the festitalia audience.
You can learn more about this amazing performer by visiting charlychiarelli.com
Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club – Free Sessions
Saturday June 21
10:00am – 12:00pm
Hamilton Italian Centre
420 Crerar Drive
If your Soccer Player is looking to go the extra mile to work on Individual Technical Skills that will improve their ability on the ball and build their confidence when in possession outside of the team environment, this session will be for you! Come join us for our skills session and have some fun!
David Rocco Al Fresco Dinner
Saturday June 21
6:00PM – 10:00PM
Hamilton Italian Centre
420 Crerar Drive
Festitalia Pasta Eating Contest
Expo Weekend
Think you’ve got what it takes? Join the fun at the Festitalia Pasta Eating Contest during Expo Weekend! Bring your appetite, your friends, and your competitive spirit for a deliciously good time.
Proudly Sponsored by: Genuine Bakery
Visit the Sasso Pizza Market & Bar food stand for
Festitalia Past Chair Panel
Meet past Chairs and participate in a lively panel about heritage and history of Festitalia, hear stories and ask questions of the panel members.
Hosted by Dennis Concordia.
Festitalia Selfie Wall
Show off your Italian flair! Snap some fun selfies with your family at our festive, family-friendly photo area.
Heritage Mapping
Mark your family’s roots on our giant map of Italy! Pin your hometown or ancestral region and see where all our guests come from on our community heritage map.
Craft Station
Get creative with hands-on activities for kids and families! Colour, decorate, and design your own Venetian masks, make pasta necklaces, and enjoy plenty of Italian-themed crafting fun.
Games Section
Enjoy a variety of games inspired by Italian culture—fun for the whole family!
Planting Station
Visit our outdoor patio to plant seeds in compostable containers. Take them home and watch them grow, a perfect keepsake from your Festitalia day!
Always Connected Programming
Cool Down Zone – located in our classroom
Summer Inclusion Zone – located on the greenspace
L’Albero del Tempo (The Tree of Time)
Be part of a collective community art piece! Write what being Italian means to you on a paper leaf and add it to our Tree of Time. At the end of the festival, these heartfelt messages will be placed into our Festitalia 50th Anniversary Time Capsule, to be opened in 2050 for our 75th anniversary.
Car Rally
Sunday June 1
8:00am
Some of the most beautiful Italian sports cars. Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo.
Come at 9:00 and see some of the world’s most beautiful cars. Talk to the owners & take a picture beside your dream car.
To register, email your name and car details to info@festitalia.ca
The $20 entry fee for car and driver can be paid via e-transfer to payments@festitalia.ca
Mass on the Grass
Sunday June 22
1:00pm
With Father Cucci of St. Anthony of Padua RC Church
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