Italian Week 2008

Let yourself be a part of a thrilling, amazing, entertaining and above all mystifying adventure through Italy. Italian Week 2008, the adventure awaits YOU..... come feel the passion

The Ultimate Coffee Experience

10am Di Bella Coffee Head Office, 82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills

Traditional Cupping - This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘ The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. We will then venture into the tasting room where you will have the chance to taste the differences between our unique Di Bella blends. Di Bella Coffee aims to improve coffee standards in people’s homes and cafes by providing education on all aspects of coffee and its use. We are always happy to take a hands-on approach to teaching you how to use your coffee equipment, offer advice or give tips on how to make that elusive ‘perfect’ cup of coffee. Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

Barista Skills 2pm – 4pm Di Bella Coffee, 82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills

This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. In this course you will experience an in depth approach to the art in coffee making! You will learn about the important techniques in coffee extraction and even discover the secret on how to turn milk into silk! The word barista (plural: baristi [masculine or mixed sex] or bariste [feminine]) is of Italian origin. In Italy, a barista is a bartender', who typically works behind a counter, serving both hot (such as espresso) and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

Architecture – Association Toscani nel Mondo for QLD e NT Monday 26th May, 6.00 pm.
The Association Toscani nel Mondo del Queensland & N. T. will organize a conference by Arch. Alessandro Barocchi on the subject: “Firenze, capoluogo della Toscana, genesi d’una citta’ dall’eta’ romana ad oggi”, c/o Cortina Restaurant, Sandgate Rd., Nundah. Refreshment will follow with typical food and Tuscan wine.

Ticket $ 25. Bookings by 23 May: Association Toscani nel Mondo del Qld. & N.T. segreteria@toscaniqldnt.org.au - Tel.no. 32525049 or gvittori@bigpond.com – tel. no. 0404542714.

Tuesday 27th May

Literary evening with Susan Parisi presenting ‘Blood of Dreams’ - At Viale Canova and Dolci Sapori, 828 Sandgate Road, Clayfield - 6pm

The Italian Consulate for Queensland and the Northern Territory and the Dante Alighieri Society of Brisbane are proud to present Susan Parisi, author of Blood of Dreams. You are invited to meet Susan Parisi, author of Blood of Dreams at the launch of her novel of intrigue in the time of Carnevale. Come along and share the flavours and scents and sounds and mystery and passion and colours of the Venice of Casanova’s day.Susan’s award winning novel Blood of Dreams is an erotically-charged story of obsession, betrayal and murder that has been compared with Patrick Suskind’s Perfume and the lush historical fiction of Sarah Dunant. Set during the hedonism of Carnevale in 18th century Venice, Blood of Dreams is a complex journey of splendour and sacrifice. Sponsored by Dolci Sapori and Viale Canova, this literary event proudly supports The Official Italian Week celebrations . Tickets $30.00 Download Booking Form Places are strictly limited. Bookings close Friday May 23rd. Read More .. SOLD OUT

Wednesday 28th of May

Italian Week Cup Sponsored by Di Bella Coffee at Brisbane City Football Club from 6.00pm

A fun filled evening of calcetto (5 a side half field soccer match). As current world champions, soccer is part of daily life in Italy and for this evening you can put together a team and play against other teams in 10 minute a side halves. To organise a team, or book a table for the Italia Cup please direct all inquires to Brisbane City Football Club Phone: (07) 3356 8834
Our office hours are between 6pm-9pm Monday to Thursday. Fax: (07) 3356 5144
Email: secretary@brisbanecityfootball.com.au Brisbane City Football Club, Spencer Park , 42 Newbery Street Newmarket Qld 4051 More Information

Thursday 29th May

The Ultimate Coffee Experience

Di Bella Coffee Head Office, 82 Abbotsford Road,

Bowen Hills 10am till 12.00pm

Traditional Cupping - This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘ The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. We will then venture into the tasting room where you will have the chance to taste the differences between our unique Di Bella blends. Phillip Di Bella Says “Everyone knows Italians mastered coffee, and a lot of the first coffee makers in Australia were Italian migrants. They brought the coffee culture with them, but everyone who’s manufactured coffee here has done it exactly as they do in Italy." Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

An Encounter with Gioachino Rossini 6.30pm Lyric Theatre, QPAC.

As part of its 2008 season Opera Queensland presents ‘The Barber of Seville’ . Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto (based on Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville) by Cesare Sterbini. The première (under the title Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution) took place on February 20, 1816, at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. Act 1 - The square in front of Dr. Bartolo's house. In a public square outside Dr. Bartolo's house a band of musicians and a poor student named Lindoro are serenading, to no avail, the window of Rosina ("Ecco ridente in cielo"/"There laughing in the sky"). Lindoro, who is really Count Almaviva in disguise, hopes to make the beautiful Rosina love him for himself - not his money. Almaviva pays off the musicians who then depart, leaving him to brood alone.

Featuring the Opera Queensland Chorus and The Queensland Orchestra.

Barista Skills

2pm – 4pm Di Bella Coffee,

82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills

This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. In this course you will experience an in depth approach to the art in coffee making!
Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More You will learn about the important techniques in coffee extraction and even discover the secret on how to turn milk into silk! Read More

Friday 30th May

Sebastian Di Mauro Art Exhibition and presentation 7pm By Invitation

In conjunction with the QUT Art Museum Art exhibition and discussion featuring Sebastian Di Mauro, a significant Australian contemporary. His work was featured in the first National Gallery Sculpture Prize at the National Gallery and has been selected for every major sculpture prize in Australia. Sebastian is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and since 1987 he has held over 35 solo exhibitions. His work has been included in excess of 90 group exhibitions and has been exhibited in Australia, Europe and Asia.

Saturday 31st May

Italian Style Down Under: QUT Art Museum 10am FREE

Elio Marzullo and Bruce Tully. Italian Born Elio Marzullo of fashion house Elio Moda and Bruce Tully from Depazzi will discuss the influence of Italian design on their respective practices. Elio Marzullo has taken a distinctive and personal approach to fashion, bridging the gap between Italian and Australian styles working towards a greater style consciousness down under. Based largely on the Australian opal, the Depazzi jewellery collection has been uniquely influenced by Italian design due to the training of Bruce Tully who has combined with an extraordinary team of people we have attracted including: Elisabetta Gucci, tutors in Italy, photographer Richard De Chazal, designer Eva Burgija, media advisor Selena Wallace, our craftsmen, the media and many others who have believed in Depazzi from conception.
 http://www.artmuseum.qut.com/

Italian Food and Wine at Sirianni’s Fine Foods at the Emporium - 10.00am to 2.00pm

Hosted by Sirianni Fine Foods and featuring wine tastings from Ballandean Estates Wines. Showcasing Italian producers, Sirianni’s Fine Foods brings together as selection of Italian food and beverage suppliers to offer exhibitions and tastings. Sample exquisite products from famous Italian gastronomic icons During the day, Ballandean Estates Wines, producers of renowned wines and hosts of events such as ‘Opera in the Vineyard’ provide a window into the world of wines made in the Italian Tradition with which to toast the delicacies of the Italian culinary experience.

An Encounter with Gioachino Rossini.

1.30pm Lyric Theatre, QPAC.
As part of its 2008 season Opera Queensland presents ‘The Barber of Seville’ . Sung in Italian with projected English translations. The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto (based on Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville) by Cesare Sterbini. The première (under the title Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution) took place on February 20, 1816, at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. Act 1 - The square in front of Dr. Bartolo's house. In a public square outside Dr. Bartolo's house a band of musicians and a poor student named Lindoro are serenading, to no avail, the window of Rosina ("Ecco ridente in cielo"/"There laughing in the sky"). Lindoro, who is really Count Almaviva in disguise, hopes to make the beautiful Rosina love him for himself - not his money. Almaviva pays off the musicians who then depart, leaving him to brood alone.
Featuring the Opera Queensland Chorus and The Queensland Orchestra

Rosario La Spina Puccini Spectacular St John’s Cathedral - 8pm

Internationally renowned artist born in Brisbane Italian/Australian Tenor with experiences at ‘La Scala di Milano’ Rosario La Spina recreates the power and passion of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini as we mark the 150th anniversary of his birth.
You will be moved by beautifully stirring arias and choruses from Turandot, Madama Butterfly and La Bohème then experience a full production of Act I of Tosca, culminating in the magnificent Te Deum procession. With a star-studded cast in the majestic surrounds of St John’s Cathedral, this spectacular celebration of Puccini’s extraordinary musical legacy will inspire and uplift. Jacqueline Mabardi as Tosca, Rosario La Spina as Cavaradossi, Jeffrey Black as Scarpia Brisbane Symphony Orchestra & The Queensland Choir, conducted by Antoni Bonetti. Sat 31 May - 8pm - (2 hrs) - St John’s Cathedral - 373 Ann St, Brisbane SOLD OUT

Sunday 1st June

Music Concert Featuring - 12.00pm to 4.00pm Suncorp Piazza Southbank

The Finalists of the Pellegrino scholarship, Since 2000 the Consulate of Italy to Queensland and the Northern Territory, together with the founder of the Pellegrino Scholarship, Cav. Steve Pellegrino, have given opportunities to young aspiring artists to further their skills and knowledge in an Italian prestigious University or cultural institution. At Italian Week 2008 the finalists of these young Italian/Australian artists will perform to a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges. The successful artist will receive the annual “Pellegrino Scholarship”. Young, local and promising artists coming to you live from Southbank’s Suncorp Piazza. Commencing from 2008 the winner will have the possibility to attend the university of music of Giulio Rapetti, MOGOL, C.E.T. (Centro Europeo Toscolano) http://www.cetmusic.it/ Poet, composer, author of the most known songs of the last 50 years, Mogol worked with the best Italian singer ever including Lucio Battisti (whose songs are considered immortal), Mina, Celentano, Gianni Morandi.

Enza Pantano

Enza Pantano started singing from a young age, you could say it’s in her blood, coming from a family of singers and entertainers. She started getting attention and accolades very early in her career both here in Australia and overseas, winning various awards throughout Italy in a concert singing tour which featured singers from all over Europe.Over the years she has worked with many International & Australian artists. With her regular appearances on "Hey Hey Its Saturday" & The "Midday Show" as backing vocalist, she has worked with a very high profile group of people such as: Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Barry Manilow, Thelma Houston, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Daltry, Chaka Khan, The Commodores, Keb Mo and The Doobie Brothers, to name just a few.Equally the Australia artists have been just as impressive; Tina Arena, Marica Hines, Venetta Fields, Billy Thorpe, Ross Wilson, Jack Jones, Peter Cupples plus many more, from all genres of the music industry. Read More

Peter Cupples

His love of Italy resulted in him writing many songs in Italian and performing with his Italian-Australian daughter Georgia. They will sing original material together for the first time in public. Peter Cupples, Australian singer, songwriter and producer whose career spans several decades, commencing as lead singer of 70's band Stylus, first came into prominence in 1975 as lead singer and songwriter for the blue-eyed soul band Stylus. Stylus released four albums which included such hits as 'Summer Breeze' 'World of Make/believe' 'So much Love' and 'Work out fine' to name a few. Peter works with many charity’s, recently writing songs for the ‘Make a Wish foundation’ and the ‘Sacred Heart foundation’. Peter also wrote the song ‘Best of the Best’ for the racing hall of fame, and the kangaroo’s team of the century tribute. Read More

Alex Raineri

14 year old Alex Raineri is a young Australian-Italian pianist and composer currently studying piano performance with Leah Horwitz OAM at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Selected internationally, Alex Raineri was the first young artist selected for a tour of America and Australia with the “Castles and Cathedrals” program launched in Melbourne at St Michaels Church in October where Alex was greeted with two standing ovations. Alex was the subject of a television feature story on Australian ABC television’s The 7.30 Report (2nd October 2006) and Sunday Arts (4th August 2007 and 3rd February 2008). Alex’s music is being played worldwide. Read More

Opera Queensland

Australia's second largest opera company. It performs a season of at least three opera productions each year as well as concerts and other performances throughout the state. Opera Queensland is delighted to be a part of the Italian Week celebrations, embracing and celebrating Italian operatic culture in Brisbane and Queensland. Opera Queensland is an integral part of the cultural infrastructure of Queensland and performs to an audience often in excess of 120,000 each year.The Company is deeply committed to playing a central role in the education of young Australians.

Anna-Maria La Spina

Born in Brisbane, Italian-Australian, citizen of the world, when Anna talks about singing in her favourite garden, she is talking about Madison square garden, her other favourite haunts are Wembley stadium and the Roxy in Los Angeles. Anna, is not one ordinary singer. Two world tours under her belt with the 20 million+ album selling ‘Savage Garden’, gave her the opportunity to show both her prowess as a performer and her discipline as a vocal arranger. That same tour gave Anna the opportunity to perform on such heavyweight American & European TV dates as the 'tonight show with Jay Leno', 'Regis and Kathy Lee', the 'world music awards' in Monte Carlo and 'top of the pops' UK. She has also been seen singing alongside rock stars Ozzy Osborne and Slash from Guns'n'Roses.

Fashion - Sunday 1st June 12.00pm to 4.00pm Suncorp Piazza Southbank

Elio Moda - For over 20 years Italian born designer Elio Marzullo, owner and creative director of the label Elio Moda, has developed a reputation for quality and excellence in fashion and personal styling and has successfully filled a gap in the Australian market with his award winning Elio Moda label. Known nationally for his classically chic and stylish designs, Elio is known locally for his depth of character and unique charisma that has won the hearts of a loyal client following. Through numerous fads and fashion movements Elio has persisted with his own ideas and in a manner unique to the design industry has incorporated passing trends subtly so to preserve a timeless flavour in his work Read More

Italian Motor Expo 2008 - Sunday 1st June 12.00pm to 4.00pm

Southbank Parklands on in Little Stanley Street, the Italian Motor Vehicle Clubs will showcase Classic and contemporary Italian Motor Vehicles. See Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ducati, Maserati and Lamborghini. The respective motor vehicle clubs will put on display a range of Italian motor vehicles, motorbikes and scooters from private collections, dealers and distributors.





Monday 2nd of June

La Dolce Vita, from 7pm to 11pm

Park Road Milton.In keeping with last year’s event to celebrate the Official Italian Week, La Dolce Vita has organised an evening of live music and entertainment for the ‘Festa della Repubblica’. Eat, drink and celebrate Italian Week at a party which will once again feature the Queensland Ferrari Club who will display a wide selection of cars on Park Road.