2024 Entertainment Schedule coming soon…..

Musica della Festa 

Since 2018 Festa Italiana NC provides 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 eight full hours, as well as a live-curated DJ based on the Galbani Culinary Stage, Festa goers enjoy sounds ancient and modern, acoustic, electric & electronic, across the Bel Canto; Classical Opera; Contemporary  Singer-Songwriter; Mid Century Crooner, Light Opera & Show Tunes; Rock & Roll; Synth Rock; and Traditional Italian Roots & Folk (musica popolare). 

Check out the Festa’s 2.5-hour on-line 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!

… and LIVE on the 2023 Riccobene Music Stage

11:00 AM - Angela Vittori & Hatchback – 4-piece contemporary pop-rock & country, 1st Appearance at Festa!

11:45 AM – Ariel Reed & Mitchener Howell, Classical Opera & Bel Canto, with accompanist, Dr. Charles Hogan, 5th Appearance at Festa!

12:30 PM – Tom DeVito & Backfence – 4-piece classic rock, pop & ballads, 3rd Appearance at Festa!

1:00 PM - Official Opening Ceremonies - with civic, cultural and Festa dignitaries. Festa is proud and honored to announce that Dr. Valentina Cecchi from the Honorary Italian Consul serving North Carolina, will be joining this year’s Festa!

1:15 PM – Jason Damico & New Blue – 3-piece rocking blues, 1st Appearance at Festa!

2:00 PM – Danny Mazzerina & Jukebox – 5-piece original & contemporary rock, 3rd Appearance at Festa!

3:00 PM – Michela Musolino, Musica Mezzogiorno ed al di là, with Fabio Turchetti & Mario Monterosso, 4th Appearance at Festa!

4:00 PM - David Quick Quintet – Crooning Jazz, Smooth & Hot, 2nd Appearance at Festa!

5:00 PM - Loreins Vellani & Mebanesville – 8-piece traditional & contemporary, acoustic-electric Italian melody & song, 5th Appearance at Festa!

6:00 PM - Synth City – 5-piece synth pop & beyond, 3rd Appearance at Festa (formerly of ADSR)!

 … and … don’t miss quaggiu dalla strada / down on the street  …

·       Shaun Jay, Magician & Master Illusionist, 2nd Appearance at Festa!

·       Tom Weierick, European Hurdy Gurdy (street organ grinder), 1st Festa Appearance!

 … and … on the Galbani Culinary Stage …

·       DJ Ben Vellani, Italian & American-Italian Hits From Across the Generations into Tomorrow!

Artist Profiles

Ariel Reed & Mitchener Howell, with accompanist, Dr. Charles Hogan
Classical Opera & bel Canto
Durham & Raleigh, NC 

Ariel Reed, a graduate of the UNC School of the Arts (high school), Peabody Conservatory of Music (undergraduate), and Florida State University (graduate), has developed her opera credits through the roles of Nedda in I Pagliacci, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Suzel in L’amico Fritz, and Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief with the Triangle Opera Studio; Gianetta in L’eslisir d’amore with Capital Opera; title roles Little Red Riding Hood with Triangle Opera; and Gretel from Hansel and Gretel with Peabody Opera, the Florida State Opera, and Capital Opera’s Outreach program, as well as Mrs. Gobineau in Long Leaf Opera’s 2002 and 2008 productions of The Medium. Ms. Reed has recorded a CD, “Tangos y Canciones,” and performs frequently in the area with her father, classical guitarist, Randy Reed. Her oratorio credits range from Baroque to contemporary and include Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Arvo Pärt’s Berliner Messe, and Bach’s Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht (BWV211). Ms. Reed has performed nationally and internationally as soloist at the Aspen Music Festival, the Franz Schubert Institut, the Lake Placid Institute, the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, and with ensembles such as the Cantores Musicae Antiquae of Florida State University, Duke University Collegium, and Peabody Renaissance Ensemble. From 2004 - 2010, Ms. Reed performed as part of North Carolina Opera’s outreach program in the schools and other community venues. 

Mitchener Howell, a native of Durham, NC and a product of Durham Public Schools. graduated from Yale University, where he founded the Yale College Opera Company. He served many roles with this company, organizing and directing its well-received inaugural production, Handel's Giulio Cesare. 

Howell then focused on performing, and had several notable successes during his tenure at Yale including the role of Astolf in Schubert's rarely performed opera Die Verschworenen, featured soloist on the Yale Glee Club's European tour, and the role of the Duke of Dunstable in Gilbert and Sullivan's farcical opera Patience. He participated in master classes with guest artists, including renowned baritone William Warfield, soprano Virginia Zeani, tenor Jerry Hadley, and opera and musical theater composer Adam Guettel. 

In 2004 Howell had the honor of soloing for Richard Brodhead’s inauguration as president of Duke University. He went on to earn his master's degree from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver in 2006, garnering praise for his interpretation of Fenton in Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. 

After graduation, Mitchener began performing roles with opera companies in the Triangle area. He has sung Bastian in Mozart’s Bastian and Bastianne, and a concert of Mozart operas for Capitol Opera Raleigh. Mr. Howell has also worked with Long Leaf Opera as Jazz in Blitzstein’s masterpiece, Regina, and covered the role of Ed in the premiere of Carter Chandler’s brooding, blues-infused opera, Strange Fruit. 

Recent performances include the Vicar in Meredith College's (Raleigh) production of Britten’s sole comedic opera, Albert Herring (starring Metropolitan Opera soprano Claudia Waite), Alexis in The Sorcerer, Captain Fitzbattleaxe in Utopia, Ltd, and Ralph Rackstraw in the HMS Pinafore with the Durham Savoyards'. Mr. Howell has previously sung a co-recital with Jay Pierson for the Strobilus Chamber Music Series, and was excited to recently make an international debut as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with the Young Artist Project in Italy. Mr. Howell’s performed his most recent recital entitled, “A Spring Awakening” (featuring music of Ravel, Grieg, Verdi and William Grant Still) with the St. Luke’s Artist Series. 

Charles Hogan enjoys a vast spectrum of activity as a pianist, collaborator, conductor, choir trainer, composer, organist, and scholar. At the University of Kentucky, he concurrently earned Bachelor of Music with High Distinction and Master of Music degrees, being a student in the University Scholars Program. From Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, he received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano and choral conducting with further instruction in organ. He attended the Vancouver International Song Institute, where he was in the first class of apprentice pianists of their SONGFIRE theatre of artsong program. He conducted the Cincinnati Cathedral choir’s recording O Still, Small Voice of Calm (Pro Organo Records, 2010) and wrote a book on the development of Anglican evensong and modern interpretations of it (MorningStar Publishers, 2015). He has taught at such institutions as Elon University, the University of Dayton (Ohio), Earlham College (Indiana), and the University of Kentucky.

The Backfence Band
Classic Pop, Rock & Ballad Covers 
Raleigh, NC

The Backfence Quartet plays popular music from the previous 10 decades. The band specializes in Classic Rock, R&B, and pop, and adds to it its own blend of swing era, beach, folk, country, movie soundtracks, blues, and light jazz tunes. The Backfence Quartet is a highly versatile band, capable of entertaining large crowds at wedding receptions, as well as performing background music at smaller, more intimate gatherings. The Backfence Quartet format offers a cost-effective alternative for providing “live” music at your special event. 

You’ll be amazed – incredible sound for just four guys! 

Learn more, and enjoy the sounds of BackFence band here!

The Jukebox

Classic Pop, Rock & Originals
Raleigh, NC

The Jukebox is celebrating over half a decade of performing by bringing their unforgettable energy and talent back to Festa Italiana.  After making their Festa debut in the fall of 2019, they appeared virtually in 2020 before returning in-person to Boylan Ave & Tucker St. in 2021.  Two years later, with the Festa Italiana moving to a new location and drawing larger crowds, The Jukebox’s highly anticipated set that blends original earworms with singalong classics is something you won’t want to miss.  The band consists of front man Daniel Mazzerina, lead guitarist Jackson Reed, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Josh Velazco, bassist Will Taylor, and drummer Jeremy Velazco.

David Quick Jazz Combo
Midcentury Italian-Americana Song Book al modo di Dino Paul Crocetti (Dean Martin) 
Durham, NC

Sometimes dubbed “Mr. Wonderful” for his superb mastery of Dean Martin’s 20th century, romantic vocal style, David and his swinging musical back-up have put him in the forefront of the next generation of popular regional crooners.  

Learn more and enjoy a listen to “Mr. Wonderful” here!

DJ Ben Vellani
Italian & American-Italian Hits From Across the Generations into Tomorrow!
Raleigh, NC 

A resident of Raleigh, NC and a US-Italian co-national, DJ Ben Vellani advises us to get ready for a uniquely contemporary twist on a blend of Italian and Italian-American hits from across the generations!

A volunteer at each of the first four Feste, this year Ben takes to the booth on the Galbani Culinary Stage to provide the mix for Festa goers on the State Capitol end of the Fayetteville Street Mall in between the master culinary presentations. DJ Ben has brought the sound to downtown Raleighs nightlife for several years, providing the soundtrack to weekend nights out in bars and clubs in Raleigh and Glenwood South Entertainment District. Expect a unique collection of Italian and Italian-American melodies from across the generations mixed with a special fusion of Italo disco and Italo dance sounds that inspire him and reflect his Italian-American musical journey.

Jason Damico & New Blue
3-Piece Rocking Blues
Raleigh, NC 

High octane, blues rock, recording artist/actor, multi-instrumentalist, producer, Jason Damico is an emerging and driving force in the entertainment industry. Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina this “rocking young turk” has already racked up many awards: Carolina Music Awards Rock Male Artist of the Year and Youth Artist of the Year; 8x GRAMMY® Considered; Triangle Blues Society Solo Blues Challenge Winner competing in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis; Best Overall Musician Award; Youngest Member (15) of the Duke University Jazz Ensemble; Song of the Year Semi-Finalist Winner; winner of multiple music video awards, and more.  

Recent collaborations/releases include: GRAMMY® Winning Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Smashing Pumpkins), GRAMMY® Nominated Eric Gales, P.J. Farley (Fozzy, Mr. BIG, Trixter), Tony Franklin (Jimmy Paige), Gary Hoey, and more.  

Damico has toured the East Coast—rocking thousands of fans at hundreds of celebrated venues, some of which include: House of Blues (SC), Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts (NC), Bull Durham Blues Festival (NC), The Big Apple Indie Music Series at Toshi’s Living Room (NYC), The Towne Crier (NY), The Falcon (NY), Arlene’s Grocery (NYC), The Empire Hotel (NYC), The Orpheum (TN), Lincoln Theatre (NC), The Pour House (NC), The Blue Note Grill (NC), SAS 35th Annual Concert Series (NC), Hilltop Tavern (NJ), Hilton’s Ad Lib (PA), Earl’s Hideaway (FL), Midtown Live (NYC), OCC (NY), and more. 

With 500K+ unique views across You Tube, 50K+ streams on Spotify in over 70 countries, Damico’s radio support includes: WNCU (NC), WHVW (NY), Radio Coteaux (France), EGH Radio (UK), Route 66 Radio (Spain), Beyond the Dawn Radio (US), Blues City Radio (Live 365), WHY (VA), WOR (NY), WRPI (NY), WSHA (NC), WHUP (NC), WTBQ (NY), WCOM (NC), etc. Jason has also charted with “Hold Me A Little Closer” (from debut CD Blood, Sweat & Blues) as a Top 10 track on the Hit Tracks Top 100 in The Netherlands. Television, video and other press support includes: WRAL TV, Woo Hoo TV and Bee TV, Fox Traxx, Making Music Magazine, Lifoti Magazine, News & Observer, The Herald Sun, The Daily Tar Heel, Indy Week and more. 

Angela Vittori & Hatchback
4-piece contemporary pop-rock & country 
Wake Forest, NC 

Based in North Carolina's Triangle, Hatchback is an entertaining, high-energy band that performs a variety of genres ranging from your favorite classic tunes to current hits. Their unique dynamic and fun atmosphere keeps the party going!” 

Fronted by Italian-American lead vocalist Angela Vittori, known for her soulful, bluesy & country influenced style, Hatchback takes the audience on a intensely wild musical ride that will leave festival goers wanting more of this Tar Heel band.

Honored to have them as the festival opener, you’ll be sure to see this four piece standing in line afterwards at some of our infamous Italian food vendors and sipping some vino after their performance on September 23rd! 

Mebanesville
Traditional & Contemporary Acoustic-Electric Italian Song,  
Mebane, NC 

Mebanesville introduces and delights live audiences with the best in roots, rhythm, and world music from the Mediterranean Basin to the British and Irish Isles, while heading down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.  

Mebanesville has brought musica italiana popolare e moderna—traditional and contemporary--to audiences at some of the most popular clubs, wineries, restaurants, and concert stages, as well as universities and community organizations, in the Triangle and Triad of North Carolina, and beyond. The ensemble was a featured music guest on Frank Stasio’s syndicated radio program, The State of Things, on the PBS affiliate WUNC radio. 

The ensemble has also collaborated with film makers, cultural foundations, and theatre and dance companies, including PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as the Paul Green Foundation, the Murphey School Radio Program, Odyssey Stage, and The Dance Cure, all based in Chapel Hill, NC; the Gallery Players in Burlington, NC; the Open Road Theatre and The Raleigh Little Theatre in Raleigh, NC; the Playwrights’ Forum in Greensboro, NC; and Artauro Productions in Durham, NC. 

Mebanesville’s latest album, “Town & Country,” was described by Times News (Burlington, NC) long-time cultural critic Charity Apple as, “(l)ike a typical Mebanesville performance, the album includes something ancient, something new, something borrowed, something brewed—but all thoroughly Mebanesville In the rendering.” NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, describes Mebanesville’s album as “All praises for Mebanesville, Town & Country … a potent mixed brew of cultural entanglements that remind us over and over again how music tenderly invites us across both geographical and spiritual borders. Drink these songs slowly and fully as they open our hearts and arms wider!” 

Mebanesville co-founder, Loreins “Larry” Vellani, is the immediate descendant of Reggio Emilian (Arşân ed Rèz) emigrants. Larry has performed with some of the most respected interpreters of social and narrative song and dance—in English, Italian, Spanish and Ukrainian--including Guy and Candy Carawan, Barbara Dane, Mimi Fariña, Ronnie Gilbert, Rhiannon Giddens, Beverly Grant, Si Kahn, Fran McKendree, Natalie Marrone, Michela Musolino, Holly Near, Bruce Phillips, Fabio Turchetti, Baldemar Velasquez, and Salvatore Villani. He also has performed with some of the Southeast most renowned traditional Anglo and Afro-American musicians, including Lonny Austin, Marvin Gaster, Tommy Jarrell, Lauchlin Shaw, Paul Taylor, and Joe Thompson. 

Larry & his Mebanesville Co-Founder and life-partner, Peggy Boswell, are citizens of the Republic of Italy as well as the United States. Larry is the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Italian American in North Carolina for his contributions to the study and popular performance of Italian and Italian-American folk and contemporary music throughout North Carolina. 

Learn More

Take a peek at Mebanesville here (and here) ahead of their Festa performance!

Michela Musolino, with Mario Monterosso & Fabio Turchetti
Traditional & Contemporary Mezzogiorno Singing & Drumming
Memphis, TN USA & Cremona, LOM

Michela Musolino, an internationally recognized Sicilian-American singer and percussionist, Michela is the grand-daughter of Sicilian immigrants to North America. She has re-discovered her own cultural roots through the study and reinterpretation of the folk songs of Sicily and Southern Italy. Along with her creative partner, Fabio Turchetti, Michela has created Project Metalli Sonanti (Metalic Soundings), a multi-media performance inspired by the ancestral sounds of Grecian, Roman, Arabian, Byzantine, Norman, Bourbon, and Italian Sicily. Michela’s voice weaves both ancient and modern melodies together with Turchetti’s organetto and guitar work, create a beautiful, unique alchemy of sound, story, melody, and memory—both ancient and modern, Italian and pan-Mediterranean. 

Fabio Turchetti, a musician and composer from Cremona, Lombardia, Italy, travels the world with his music, dividing his time between a repertoire of Italian folk revival and his own compositions.

Italian guitarist Mario Monterosso is best known internationally as rockabilly/psychedelic visionary TAV FALCO’S guitarist and producer. Since 2014, Monterosso has worked as touring guitarist for TAV FALCO’S PANTHER BURNS, and has produced several albums for both Tav Falco’s Panther Burns and Tav Falco solo, most of which include appearances from IGGY AND THE STOOGES alumni MIKE WATT and TOBY DAMMIT.

Outside of his work with Falco, Monterosso has become a fixture in Memphis’ rockabilly and roots music scene, playing regular shows with artists such as JASON D. WILLIAMS and DALE WATSON (Ameripolitan Awards founder).

Learn more about Michaela here.

Learn more about Fabio here, and enjoy a listen!

Interested in performing or helping with Festa’s stagecraft? Please contact Larry Vellani at LDPVellani@gmail.com or 919.304.3670.