Benvenuti al Darwin Italian Festival

ITALIAN FESTIVAL

Benvenuti al Darwin Italian Festival

Save the date, the 2015 Darwin Italian Festival is almost here! The Festival will make its exciting return on Saturday 9th May 2015, at Civic Park in Darwin CBD.
Come Festival day, Civic Park will be transformed into Little Italy, complete with traditional Italian music, dancing and of course, food! This venue is well-recognised as the ambient space that sets the tone for the annual Darwin Festival.
The inaugural 2013 Darwin Italian Festival exceeded all expectations, welcoming an enormous gathering of around 15 000 people between 2pm and midnight and with similar or larger numbers expected this year, it is becoming one of Darwin’s largest community events.
This year, expect an exciting and diverse assortment of special guests, entertainment and family friendly activities. Enjoy a range of mouth-watering traditional Italian food and beverages and soak in the authentic Italian atmosphere.

Spettacoli!

The 2015 Festival boasts an impressive line-up of performers, musicians and entertainers. The event will be hosted by Vince Sorrenti, one of Australia’s most loved comic entertainers. Vince is a five time winner of the coveted Mo Award for Australia’s Best Stand-up Comic. He will perform his latest comedy in the evening, and will no doubt add some fun, light-hearted commentary throughout the event.
Darwin born, Italian sisters, Lisa Pellegrino and Natalie Pellegrino, are the Official Festival Ambassadors and will open the festival and will talk with special local guests about their history, culture and life as a Darwin Italian! Melbourne- based band Santa Taranta will play traditional, festive music from the South of Italy. The wonderful Tarantella Darwin Dance Troupe will add to the festivities once again, performing their traditional Italian dances. There will be pizza throwing demonstrations, a spaghetti eating competition, flag throwing and NT band, The Neo will bring a unique blend of funk and soul to finish the night dancing.
Mangiare!

Enjoy a delectable range of mouth-watering, traditional Italian dishes offered by the gathering of sensational local restaurants including:
Il Lido
The Precinct
Viva La Vida
Lo Castro
Salvatore’s
Cucina Italian Diner
Café Del Art
The Italian Club
Four Birds
The Trader
Parap Fine Foods
Kurt’s Cakes
Cucina Sotto Le Stelle
Manoli’s
Nicola’s Calamari
Uni-Azzurri Soccer Club

Be tempted by the best of traditional Italian cuisine including colourful antipasti, mountains of delicious pasta and heavenly slices of pizza. Be enticed by divine deserts including tiramisu, cannoli, pannacotta and gelati, then finish with an Italian Espresso. Buonissimo!
Traditional Italian beverages will be flowing at the festival, including beautifully, aromatic coffee; your ultimate caffeine fix. Thanks to the Italian Club, a fantastic bar will offer refreshing Italian beers, wine and aperitifs. Of course, kids and families will be accommodated with soft drinks also available for purchase.
Famiglia e la cultura
There will be something for everyone at the 2015 Festival with a focus on family fun and culture. Learn to cook the authentic Italian way with cooking demonstrations, new to the Festival this year. Enjoy the cultural photo displays, workshops, roving performers and, the big favourite; bocce!
For the romantics out there, the festival will feature the Fontana Di Trevi, a charming recreation of the famous Trevi Fountain of Rome. People travel from all over the world to visit the fountain and throw coins. As seen in the 1954 film; ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’ throwing one coin will lead you back to Rome, two will lead to love and three to marriage! Coins will be collected and donated to local charity.
This year, the Festival introduces another exciting new feature; a dedicated childrens’ activity area. There will be an incredible variety of activities including; jumping castles, climbing wall, pizza and crepe making and a selection of games and crafts- all thanks to Help NT and the City of Darwin Fun Bus.
This May, take advantage of the long-awaited opportunity to experience that authentic Italian atmosphere once again. With an exhilarating mixture of food, drinks, art, culture and entertainment for all ages, the Darwin Italian Festival 2015 is an event to be enjoyed by all.
Don’t miss the 2015 Darwin Italian Festival- Saturday 9th May- Civic Park, Darwin CBD proudly brought to you by the Italian Festival Association.