Entertainment program at the Festa Italiana in Portland

Portland, OR – The Festa Italiana Association, Inc. announced the entertainment for the 16th Annual 2007 Festa Italiana to be held August 23-26, 2007 at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Featuring award-winning Italian music performances the 2007 acts include the following:

• EuroRhythms -- One of the most consistently sought after musical variety acts, Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms have dazzled audiences from coast to coast. They have been acclaimed for their ability to captivate the younger “Pop Culture” audiences while simultaneously thrilling established fans of Italian & Swing music.

The EuroRhythms have a long history. Ray Massa was born and raised in Southeastern Ohio (Bellaire, Ohio) of Italian parents who emigrated from the Campania region of Italy. In 1992, Ray began to recruit top musicians and build a band capable of attracting national attention.

With many Italian songs trapped in his memory from repetitious playing of the albums his family brought with them from Italy, Ray inspired his new group to help him rearrange the traditional songs with a higher energy Pop sound with the hope of attracting younger Italian Americans to the wonderful treasure of Italian music. With a lot of hard work, the EuroRhythms have accomplished their goal. Today, the EuroRhythms’ professional musical talents are complimented with five vocalists including Ray Massa, Tony DiMelfi (Grandparents from the Basilicata Region) and vocalist Marco Capoccia, (Born and raised in the region of Frosinone, Italy).

• The Carter Family Marionettes -- The Carters have been professional puppeteers since 1976. They trained with master puppeteers of Romania, Sicily, and China. Stephen Carter received the Fulbright Award for puppetry studies in 1984 and holds a postgraduate degree from the Institute of Theater and Cinema in Bucharest.

The Carter Family Marionettes have been featured performers at National and World Puppet Festivals from Scotland to Uzbekistan. They have presented their plays in five different languages and have also been invited as guest director/designers internationally. The company has been awarded the "UNIMA/USA Citation of Excellence" (the highest award in American Puppet Theater) for three of their productions.

Chris and Stephen Carter were the Directors of the 1999 Puppeteers of America Festival of the Millennium held at the University of Washington, August 1999. The Carters are especially known for their mastery and preservation of the traditional Sicilian marionette theater known as Opera dei Pupi.
Chris and Stephen Carter founded the Northwest Puppet Center in 1986. In 1993 they purchased and renovated a charming church in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle.

The center presents a family season of puppetry by the Carters and selected guest artists with over 250 performances each year. The Northwest Puppet Center provides a valuable resource and fascinating entertainment for children and families.

• Chef Marissa Burback -- Following her passion for Italian cuisine, Marissa Burback showcases her talents at the Porto Terra at the Portland Hilton Hotel. Her menu ranges from classic authentic Italian to a fusion of Tuscan and Northwest cuisines.

A native Oregonian, Chef Burback knew at a young age her career desires would be within the culinary world. She attended the Western Culinary Institute’s Le Cordon Bleu program in Portland immediately after high school, acquiring the foundation of knowledge and skills that has made her the chef she is today.
Following her culinary education, she quickly joined the team at the Pavilion Trattoria, a fine dining restaurant within the metro area.

Her first experience in the culinary field not only opened her to the world of fine Italian cuisine, but also allowed her skills in the kitchen to be shown, which displayed her dedication to quality and her creative menu ideas. She joined the Porto Terra as Sous Chef, with her past experiences in innovative Tuscan creations being a significant asset. As Executive Chef, she offers seasonal dishes using garden fresh produce, house-made pasta, and Oregon influenced ingredients. Her passion and love of food are the driving forces behind the delicious and innovative creations she wants all to enjoy.

• The Hot Frittatas -- Northern California’s liveliest ensemble for international café music: Italian, Sicilian, French, Mexican, Brazilian, and more. The Hot Frittatas consists of fiddle, mandolin, accordion, guitar, and bass. The Frittatas have produced two CDs, Caffe Liscio (2001) and Invitation to the Dance (2004), both enthusiastically received, locally and nationally.

Their spirited performances include the Cotati Accordion Festival, The San Francisco Mandolin Festival, Santa Rosa Festa Italiana, The Wild Iris Festival, The Sonoma County Fair, Healdsburg Summer Music Concerts, the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, and more. They have also appeared on the nationally-syndicated radio show, West Coast Live, in San Francisco, as well as numerous wine and food events throughout the North Bay.

• Franco Corso -- Franco Corso, a versatile and charismatic vocalist, maintains an extensive repertoire of classic Italian, American standards and dance tunes.
In Sanremo, Italy, Franco opened the Shows for International Opera Singer Andrea Bocelli and shared the stage with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell. He also performed with 9-pieces Orchestra for Mr. Donald Trump at his Palm Beach residence Mar-a-Lago.

The New York Times said of Mr. Corso, “Powerful performance with great music arrangements… Franco Corso has the voice and appearance of Andrea Bocelli, the style of Julio Iglesias and the stage presence of Dean Martin. A must see Performance!!”

• Moreno Fruzzetti -- Moreno Fruzzetti, who has been awarded with the prestigious honor of “Ambassador of Italian Music to America”, is a truly gifted performer. He receives rave reviews at Italian festivals and shows throughout the world. As his loyal supporters can attest to, he brings a sense of flare and personality to his performances. Not only does Moreno have a golden singing voice, but he has an onstage presence that can not be learned.

A native of Pisa, Italy his repertoire includes Italian and American ballads, arias, and Italian pop and classic Italian favorites. Some of his songs include Volare, O' Sole Mio, Mamma, Ave Maria, Guarda, Una Furtiva Lacrima, Unchained Melody, and Con Te Partirò.

• Gabriel Guerrero, Gary Casciano and Domenico Brunetti – are all world-class strolling accordionists and will be performing throughout the 4 days of Festa Italiana.

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Festa hours: Thursday 5:00 pm-9:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 11:00 am -11:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am- 7:15 pm.

The purpose of the Festa Italiana Association is to promote and coordinate a cultural celebration annually as a gift to the people of Portland so that they may share the beauty of the Italian culture. This is a family event and opportunity to enjoy Italian music, dancing, food and culture.

Nearly 300 volunteers along with several generous sponsors provide for this unique celebration of Italian culture and heritage of Italian-Americans in the Portland metropolitan area. More information can be found on our website: www.festa-italiana.org.

10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410