THE ITALIANS ARE HERE!

Ciao Duluth

The Italians are Here Produced by UMD, the Italian American Festival has been a year-long exchange between Duluth and Palermo, Sicily. UMD students traveled to Palermo in January. Now the festival activities are in Duluth and are expected to draw people from the region and the world.

Tickets for the Italian American Festival are now on sale and may be purchased by calling (218) 726-7351. This celebration of arts, academics, and culture embraces the centuries-old connection between Italy and America. From opera to an academic conference, and a world premiere musical to bocce, the Italian American Festival events promise enjoyment for people of all ages, interests and nationalities.

"The Secret of the Talking Bird" made its world premiere debut last on April 22 in the UMD Marshall Performing Arts Center. Performances are April 28 through May 1 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, contact the Box Office at 726-8561.

April 28, "Perspectives from Italy", an exhibition of Italian art, opens at the Tweed Museum of Art on the UMD campus, and at the North Shore Bank of Commerce, downtown Duluth. Admission is free, and the exhibits are on display April 28 through June 15.

 

	April 29, "La Traviata", the world-famous Italian opera, by Giuseppe Verdi opens at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

The classic opera is produced by the UMD Department of Music and the Conservatorio Statale di Musica Vincenzo Bellini in Palermo. It will be sung in Italian with English super titles. Opera tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster at (218) 727-2121.

 

May 1, The Italian Heritage Celebration takes place at the DECC. This full day involves bocce, entertainment with featured performances by Jerry Grillo and I Cantatori, Italian cuisine, arts and crafts for kids, merchandise, displays and much more.
* At 2 p.m., approximately 800 Duluth high school students will take the stage to perform a concert of Italian music.
* At 4 p.m., the music of the great Italian American Crooners, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darrin, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, will be performed by UMD Jazz Ensemble I, with UMD alumnus Steve Vecchi as guest soloist.
* At 5 p.m., a heritage banquet hosted by Chancellor Martin will feature distinguished guests from around the United States and Italy.

May 2, the story of St. Peter's Catholic Church will be presented at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, 810 West Third Street in Duluth. St. Peter's is one of Duluth's historic centerpieces and was funded and built by Italian Americans.

The public is invited to all the activities. For information or to order tickets for any festival event, call (218) 726-7351.

Also visit the website online: www.italiafest.us.
Information about the Italian American Festival 2004