Don’t miss this vibrant two-day celebration of Italian culture — featuring a special Italian Festa Jazz Club. With over 150 stalls, live music, street food, wine tasting, art and fashion exhibitions, expect a joyful showcase of Italian heritage, creativity and community — with jazz taking centre stage in 2025.
Saturday 18 October
Rita Marcotulli
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Renowned Italian pianist Rita Marcotulli invites audiences on a sound journey through memory and improvisation. This solo recital blends original compositions with tributes to film music and Italian greats like Modugno and Pino Daniele — a deeply personal and expressive performance where nothing is predictable and everything is possible.
Ilaria Crociani & Paul Grabowsky AO
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Award-winning Italian-Australian vocalist Ilaria Crociani and legendary Australian pianist Paul Grabowsky AO present a premiere performance of new songs born from rare, quiet hours.
Gianni Marinucci’s Morricone Project
8:00pm – 9:00pm
Trumpeter and flugelhornist Gianni Marinucci leads a tribute to Ennio Morricone, reimagining his iconic compositions through a jazz lens. This evocative quartet performance is a cinematic, atmospheric and moving tribute to one of film’s greatest composers.
Sunday 19 October
Ronny Ferella: Come Here Go Away
3:00pm – 4:00pm
A heartfelt musical reflection on the Italian-Australian migrant experience, Come Here Go Away blends original compositions, folk songs and global musical influences. Drummer and composer Ronny Ferella’s quintet delivers a powerful tribute to those who made the journey — and a rebuke to those who stood in the way.
Daryl McKenzie Big Band + Angela Librandi
Exhibition Building Forecourt
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Celebrate la dolce vita in style with powerhouse vocalist Angela Librandi and the Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra. Expect sizzling big band arrangements, reimagined Italian classics and fiery Latin grooves — a vibrant fusion of tradition and contemporary jazz.
Rita Marcotulli: Koinè
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Marcotulli returns with Koinè, a transcontinental jazz collaboration exploring the idea of a shared musical language. Joined by Mirko Guerrini, Michelangelo Scandroglio and Niko Schäuble, this quartet performance promises spontaneous musical dialogues and soulful surprises.
For the full Italian Festa program, check out the website here.
