Montreal’s Italian Week Festival – August 7-16, various locations

The 22nd edition of Montreal’s

Italian Week Festival

Montreal’s Italian Week is a cultural festival held annually throughout the city. Attended by more than 390 000 festival-goers annually, the festival offers a large variety of shows and activities celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Italian-Canadian community through art, music, gastronomy, fashion and folklore.

Bocce Tournament

August 8th, at 8:00AM-4:00PM     Parc Georges St-Pierre (NDG)
August 9th, at 10:00AM-8:00PM     Parc Ouellette (Lasalle)
August 12th-14th, 2015 at 7:00PM    Parc Delorme (St-Léonard)
Bocce tournaments will be taking place all over the city throughout the festival. Everyone is invited to participate in this popular Italian game. Show your bocce spirit by watching or joining the fun!

Guided Tours of Little Italy

English tour: August 16th at 2pm.
French tour:  August 15th at 2pm and August 16th at 10am.
This year,  Amarrages sans frontières will offer guided tours of Little Italy, highlighting the historical landmarks and cultural movements that shaped the community. The walking tours will last approximately three hours. Among the several stops is the Madonna Della Difesa, the oldest Italian church in Montreal.  Along the way, festival-goers will also have the chance to taste scrumptious sweets.
It is mandatory to reserve a place to participate in either of the tours. Prices vary according to age.
For more information or to reserve a place, contact Amarrages sans frontières at 514-272-7049  or email at [email protected]

FIAT 500 car exposition 2015

August 14th, 15th, 16th 2015
St-Laurent Boulevard
If you love classic cars then you are most likely aware that the Fiat 500 has been a part of Italian culture for decades and that it has recently resurfaced in the market. We are pleased to be able to showcase these classic cars alongside their newer generations as part of our festivities.

Best Baba Contest

Sunday, August 16th, 2015 at 2:30pm
Shamrock Stage (corner of Shamrock and St-Laurent)
Our pastry challenge is back. Once more, your taste buds will not be able to resist the urge to experience a scrumptious Italian dessert. This year, the Neapolitan “baba” will be featured. The pastry chefs will compete before your eyes in the hopes of astonishing the judges, brought on board especially for the occasion.

Exposition Inspired by Campania

This year the Leonardo Da Vinci Center, in Saint-Leonard, will be hosting an exposition of artists from our featured region, Campania. Come discover the works of Guido Marena, Frank Caracciolo, Gianni Giuliani, Nick Pierni, Alfonso Fiengo and Marcello Improta.

Literary Events

The Writers’ Tent, corner St-Laurent & Mozart
Friday, August 14, 2015 from 4:00PM to 10:00PM
Saturday, August 15, 2015 from noon to 10:00PM
Sunday, August 16, 2015 from noon to 10:00PM
For all future writers, literary lovers and those curious by nature… dare! Take part in this cultural sharing experience! In collaboration with the Association of Italian Canadian Writers, Montreal’s Italian Week is proud to announce the seventh edition of the literary program. Members of the association will be on site, at the heart of Little Italy, to present their works and discuss with all, whether you speak French, English or Italian.

Italian Film Festival

For the fifth consecutive year in a row, and to the delight of all, classic Italian films will be screened throughout the entire festival. The films will be shown at the Leonardo da Vinci Center, Little Italy’s cultural center, Casa d’Italia, as well as at Cinéma Beaubien and Cinéma du Parc. They will be screened in English and Italian, with subtitles. It is an attraction that will appeal to all movie, art, and history lovers! Access to all movie screenings are free. General admission. For more information, please call 514-279-6357.

Cooking Classes Italian-Style

As part of Montreal’s Italian week, Ateliers & Saveurs offers several cooking classes and wine tastings inspired by Italy’s flavours and aromas.

Luci e ombre della Napoli Aragonese Conference

Thursday, August 13th at 7:30PM
Leonardo da Vinci Centre, Piccolo Theater
This presentation will trace the history of Naples from the rise of Alfonso the Magnanimous to the fall of Ferrandino, with a particular emphasis on the political and cultural features of the Aragonese Kingdom. More specifically, the presentation will discuss the revival of ancient art in the renovation of Castel Nuovo and the Pontano chapel, together with the rebirth of literatures at the court of Castel Capuano and at the academy of Giovanni Pontano, the royal secretary. The goal is to underline how the uniqueness of early Renaissance Naples stems from its status of commercial and intellectual crossroad open to Spain, the Middle East and the courts of northern Italy.

Anna Liani

Friday, August 14th, 2015 at 9:30PM
Corner St-Laurent and St-Zotique Street, Loto-Quebec Stage
Singer-songwriter Anna Liani will perform a dozen of remixed Italian songs to the delight of festival goers. Be ready to discover this artist who, among other things, sang for the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas and collaborated with other singers and songwriters on multiple projects. Her voice has toured the world with the song Bello Amore.

Mosaikashop

August 14th, 15th, 16th 2015
St-Laurent Boulevard
Price: 2$ per person
Throughout history, Italians have mastered and improved the mosaic art. This technique, still practiced, is appreciated through the world by the shapes and colors harmony. Don’t miss this opportunity to admire and participate to the confection of various works throughout the Montreal’s Italian Week. Places are limited and the priority will be given to those who arrive first.

Moda Sotto le Stelle Fashion Show

Saturday, August 15th, 2015 at 10PM
Boulevard St-Laurent, corner St-Zotique (Loto-Québec stage)
On this unique night of August, festival-goers eager to enjoy Montreal’s Italian Week will be introduced to Italian fashion. For a few hours, the designers will come together to present a vibrant and colorful fashion show. Under the stars, style and elegance will merge with urban chic, sexy, and glamour styles through these new stunning collections!

Opera – The Barber of Seville

Sunday, August 16th, 2015 at 9:00PM
Boulevard St-Laurent, Loto-Québec stage
* In case of rain, the opera will be presented in Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense Church.
The Barber of Seville is a four-act melodramatic opera created by Gioachino Rossini. It will star several local and international artists from Italy. A mix of love, lust, and deception, Count Almaviva’s tale will seduce you. Head over heels in love with the beautiful Rosina, Almaviva will do everything in his power to win her heart, with the help of his notorious valet, Figaro. As the first festival to offer a free outdoor opera, Montreal’s Italian Week honors tradition and will present this work as its grand finale.

For more details, please visit: www.italianweek.ca  514-279-6357.