Community
18 January, 2025
New faces for carnival
FROM pasta making demonstrations, to a female accordionist performing hot off her European tour, this year’s Cairns Italian festival promises to have “more of everything”, according to festival president Claudio Di Bartolomeo.
On top of the usual famous bands that are now part of the Cairns Italian Festival family, this year’s week-long event brings in some new faces to build the festival’s entertainment reputation.
Bringing some MC flair to the festival events are Simone Barbieri and Marco Petta, from Radio Italiana, which airs in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Also new to the event will be Melbourne-based Nikki Dagostino, one of Australia’s most entertaining piano accordionists.
“Nikki will be touring in Europe but is coming back just to be at our festival,” Mr Di Bartolomeo said.
And this year the festival introduces Viva la Diva, three Italian female vocalists who have joined forces for the festival.
“The singers formed just for us, and we’ll launch them, just as we did the Italian Stallions last year,” Mr Di Bartolomeo said.
Other new events to debut this year are Opera in the Rainforest, and the Long lunch, La Dolce Vita.
The popular Festa Day would also be bigger and better with “more entertainment, more food, and more interactive stalls” Mr Di Bartolomeo said.
Aiming to top last year’s 36 food stalls, 2025 stalls made up of local and family businesses will feature authentic Italian dishes from arancini and wood-fired pizza, to the classic desserts of cannoli, gelato and tiramisu. All of which will be complemented by the best Italian wines and other beverages.
People can also watch and learn as interactive demonstrations are delivered in the art of making pasta, mozzarella, burrata and sausage.
Now in its third year, the Cairns Italian Festival will run from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, August 3.
Festival favourites such as the spaghetti eating competition, Tastes of Italy, Italian Speaking contest, theatre, the Gala Ball, and Mareeba’s Salami Sausage Festa will also make their return.
“There is so much work done in the background, it doesn’t really stop year-round,” Mr Di Bartolomeo said.
“But the best thing about festival week is festival week. You get to see what you have achieved,” he said.
“What I love about it is it brings the community together; everyone is happy, our old people are happy. We are keeping our traditions and culture alive.”
