One of the key changes we have made for 2023 is to move the historical Main stage found at 2nd Ave to Grandview Park, where space is ample for standing, sitting, dancing and enjoying the concerts throughout the day. This means that the band and performers you would normally find on 2nd Avenue will now be found at Grandview Park, plus some new editions. In addition to Grandview Park, live music will also be found at 3 other stages spread throughout festival.

Music Highlights and Performance Schedules

Emma Busse
Currently living in New York, local emerging artist and hometown Italo-Canadian, Emma Busse, will be a special guest performer, as we welcome her back to Vancouver, after making Top 24 on this year’s American Idol, and stealing hearts in her performances.

Opening Ceremony | Grandview Park – Main Stage | Noon – 12:45pm
Piazza Italia | 2nd Ave | 5:30pm – 5:45pm
Piazza Moda | 3rd Ave | 3:25pm – 3:40pm

Luvinya
Local 21 yr old Italo-Canadian emerging artist (aka Lavinia Urbani), creating a buzz at several popular music venues, with an 8 piece ensemble featuring RnB, Italian and original music.

Opening performance | Grandview Park – Main Stage | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Piazza Italia – 2nd Ave Stage | 6:10pm – 7:10pm
Piazza Bosa | Parker Street | 3:15pm – 4:15pm (trio)

Federico Fuoco & Fire
with special guest appearance by Luisa Marshall, Tina Turner tribute artist

An annual highlight, showman Federico Fuoco always takes the attendees on an entertaining ride, this year dedicating some space in performance to honour Tina Turner with special guest Luisa Marshall. Genres will include Italian and English pop/rock and other classics.

Grandview Park – Main Stage | 2:50pm – 3:50pm
Piazza Moda | 3rd Ave | 5:30pm – 6:15pm (duo with Palma D’Andrea)

Carmelina Cupo
The beautiful and charismatic Carmelina Cupo serving up talent with a range of Italian pop / rock and classics, accompanied by wizard on guitar, David Martone.

Grandview Park – Main Stage | 4:40pm – 5:40pm

Gianni Fuoco + Cristina Barbosa + amici
Long time godfather of the local Italian music family, Gianni Fuoco at 90+ years young brings Italian heritage and roots to the stage, and still going strong on his mandolin with Cristina Barbosa on vocals, plus 4 piece ensemble sharing the nostalgia of several decades of Italian music, to include Opera with guest Tenor, Gustavo Herrera.

Grandview Park – Main Stage | 6:10pm – 7:10pm

Jany B Band
Proud of her heritage and with a voice of an angel, Jany brings to the stage authentic energy with Italian spice and latin rhythms, joined by her 6 piece ensemble.

Grandview Park – Main Stage | 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Piazza Bosa | Parker Street | 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Piazza Moda | 3rd Ave | 4:05pm – 5:05pm (duo)

City Opera Vancouver
Host: Alan Corbishley (COV Interim Artistic Director)
Soprano: Allyson Hop
Tenor: Martin Renner-Wallace
Baritone: Yuhui Wang
Pianist: Roger Parton

Piazza Italia – 2nd Ave Stage | 4:30pm – 5:15pm

The Boogie Men Duelling Pianos
featuring Tom Arntzen and Ryan Langevin

Tom Arntzen and Ryan Langevin have teamed up to form the Boogie Men Duelling Pianos, taking you on a wild ride through the greatest pop and rock songs ever! A fun and interactive performance by two of Vancouver’s finest entertainers!

Piazza Italia – 2nd Ave Stage | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Luna Rossa
featuring Patrizia Coletta

Featuring Italian, Latin and other classics, Patrizia’s trio always has pleases, having hips swaying and feet dancing to the beats.

Piazza Bosa | Parker Street | 4:45pm – 5:45pm
Piazza Italia – 2nd Ave Stage | 7:40pm – 8:40pm

Gruppo Trevigiano Veneto (Children’s Choir)

Piazza Italia – 2nd Ave Stage | 1:00pm – 1:20pm

featuring Atelier GRANDI and JAC by Jacqueline Conoir

Piazza Moda | 3rd Ave | 3:00pm – 3:20pm (1st fashion show)

                                        6:30pm – 6:50pm (2nd fashion show)

Fashion Show Co-ordinator | Irena Demarco

Piazza Moda incorporates a stage and piazza atmosphere sharing not just music, but also another aspect Italy is know for – fashion; and where festivalgoers and fashionistas can look forward to two fashion shows, both featuring two (2) Canadian designers and collections: Atelier GRANDI and JAC by Jacqueline Conoir with shoes and accessories provided by Kalena Shoes (Drive merchant since 1967).

Atelier GRANDI

Where fashion meets art.

JAC by Jacqueline Conoir

Feminine lines with Euro inspiration and flare.

Don’t be surprised if you spot an elegant gentleman wearing an impeccable tailcoat and top hat who will gladly polish your shoes to perfection at this year’s Italian Day.

Gaio Il Calzolaio (The Shoemaker), Italy’s top shoemaker/shoeshiner – dressed to the nines and known to work his magic on the shoes of international celebrities – will grace the festival at Piazza Moda at 3rd Ave for the day at this year’s big festa, including a special surprise at 2:30pm!

Having learned his trade as a child at his father’s shop, Michele Massaro, aka Gaio Il Calzolaio, lives and works in Verona but hails from Apulia. For the past 38 years, Gaio has been crafting hand-made and bespoke shoes for international celebrities. Andrea Bocelli swears that nobody can make his shoes shiny and camera-ready like Gaio. Recently, Gaio was awarded the prestigious European Shoeshiner Association’s ‘Golden Brush’ in Brussels, being the first member to join that association as well.

Join us and thake in this unique opportunity to meet Italy’s talk-of-the-town, the flamboyant shoeshiner to the stars who will give you (and your shoes) the thrill of a lifetime!

DJs at Italian Day 2023

DJ Storm (Jeff Gentile) @ Grant Street Piazza

DJ MiXXX (Nick Guarna) @ Napier Street Piazza

MRZ DJ (Maurizio Margari) @ Piazza Moda at 3rd Ave

DJ Vic Mazzei @ 5th Ave (Pasta Eating Contest Stage)