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David Marker to Demonstrate Zampogna and other traditional Italian musical instruments
David Marker, the director of the feature-length film Zampogna: The Soul of Southern Italy, will be at this year’s Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa to demonstrate the zampogna and other traditional Italian musical instruments. Marker, a 2009 graduate of the University of … Continue reading
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The Snacks are Back
By popular demand, the Snacks will be back at the 2013 Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa! The Snacks have been called “The Most Original Cover Band you’ll Ever See”. Their act has been referred to as part theater and part comedy, … Continue reading
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Singers Invited to Participate in Festival Mass
Vocalists and musicians are invited to participate in a special liturgy honoring the elderly taking place on Saturday, July 27th at the Italian-American Heritage Festival of Iowa in downtown Des Moines. The mass will be celebrated on the main stage … Continue reading
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Mass Honoring the Elderly
A mass honoring the elderly will be held on the main stage of the Viva L’Italia Festival on Saturday afternoon, July 27th. Italian men and women 80 years of age or older are asked to send or bring their names, … Continue reading
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Festival Seeking New Photos for Italian Wedding Album Display
A very popular flip chart at our past festivals has been the Wedding Album Display. Some of the pictures in the large album date back to the early 1900′s and others are more recent. The first album is complete and … Continue reading
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Festival Cultural Committee Seeking Artifacts from Emilia Romagna and Campania
Our rich Italian culture will once again be the focus of this year’s Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa. Our Cultural Hall will be located in the east wing of the Pappajohn Educational Center on the festival grounds at the corner of … Continue reading
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Gina Severino Gedler and Ben Hagen are Back at This Year’s Festival!
Gina Severino Gedler is a regular to the Des Moines entertainment scene and has been performing for over 30 years. She has had the privilege of appearing in numerous musicals on stage and many various professional acts throughout the state and … Continue reading
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The Flying Marsupials Return!
The Flying Marsupials formed in 1989 and played in central Iowa through 2003. The party-loving cover band played everything from bars and weddings to huge venues and outdoor festivals. Over the years, “The Supes” opened for many big-name acts, including … Continue reading
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Illinois Musician Vince Chiarelli Making His First Appearance at Iowa’s Italian Festival
Vince Chiarelli comes from a blood-line of musical tradition. He inherited his name and musical talent from his grandfather who is well known around Rockford as “Vince the Singing Tailor”. Starting when he was 18 months old, the younger Vince … Continue reading
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The Sons of Gladys Kravitz to Perform at Italian Festival
A whimsical name evoking another time, when actors could act and sitcoms were funny—and the music was great! The Sons of Gladys Kravitz specialize in performing the very best music of the last 40 years, with letter-perfect renditions from artists … Continue reading
Italian Festival Seeking Vendors
The Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa is now accepting vendor applications for our 2013 festival to be held July 26-27, 2013 at the Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines. Vendor applications will be accepted through April 15, 2013. … Continue reading
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Cristina Fontanelli Makes First Appearance at Festival
Cristina Fontanelli has become a well-known personality through her recordings, her appearances on TV, radio, in concert, nightclubs, and opera, and through her acting debut on network television. Her most recent accomplishment is as PBS Host for Andrea Bocelli’s historic free concert in Central Park … Continue reading
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2013 Festival Best Sauce Contest Announced
The 2013 Festival Best Sauce contest will be held on Saturday, July 27th. Advanced registration is required. Upon receipt of registration, the contestants will be notified by mail with additional information regarding the time when the sauce should be brought to the … Continue reading
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2013 Festival Queen Contest Announced
The 2013 Festival Queen contest is open to young ladies of Italian descent, residing in Iowa, who are between 17 and 23 years of age. The young ladies will be judged on personality, poise, appearance, community involvement, and overall presentation. … Continue reading
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Franco Corso Headlines Iowa’s Italian American Heritage Festival
The Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa is proud to announce that Franco Corso will headline this year’s entertainment lineup, backed by a full 9-piece orchestra. With a voice that melts hearts and instills passion, Franco Corso, The Voice of Romance, is … Continue reading
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Artistic and Multimedia Contests Announced
The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa will present the 4th Annual Italian American Heritage Festival on July 26th and 27th, 2013 in the Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines, IA. The Festival will once again be awarding $3,000 in Artistic Scholarships to … Continue reading
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2012 Festival a Huge Success!
The 2012 Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa was a huge success! Thanks to all who attended, those who volunteered, and the committee members who worked their hearts out to make sure the festival would show the positive contributions of … Continue reading
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