LIVE BEDTIME STORY: STREGA NONA

Strega Nona is an award-winning series of children's books written and illustrated by American-Italian author Tomie dePaola (1934-2020). Set in Calabria, in southern Italy, the books tell the stories of Strega Nona or “Grandma Witch”. She is known throughout her home village for her numerous, magical remedies. Strega Nona is getting old, so she hires […]

NETFLIX WATCH PARTY: BENVENUTO PRESIDENTE!

Benvenuto Presidente! (1993) is an Italian comedy written by Fabio Bonifacci and Nicola Giuliano and directed by Riccardo Milani and starring Claudio Bisio. Elections are held for the President of the Republic, but political leaders cannot reach an agreement. As a result, main party leaders all chose to vote for a historical figure as a […]

LIVE BEDTIME STORY: STREGA NONA

Strega Nona is an award-winning series of children's books written and illustrated by American-Italian author Tomie dePaola (1934-2020). Set in Calabria, in southern Italy, the books tell the stories of Strega Nona or “Grandma Witch”. She is known throughout her home village for her numerous, magical remedies. Strega Nona is getting old, so she hires […]

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JOE CACCHIONE

Join comedian Joe Cacchione as he hosts Italian Week’s first Trivia Night, Italian style! Are you a trivia buff? Do you like all things Italian? Test your knowledge on pop culture, food, history, art and more in this fun game of Questions and Answers.  Brush up on your Italian information (you do not have to […]

NETFLIX WATCH PARTY: DONNIE BRASCO

Donnie Brasco (1997) is an Oscar-nominated film loosely based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone (played by Johnny Depp), an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s, under the alias Donnie Brasco. Brasco maneuvers his way into the confidence of an aging Mafia hitman, […]

LIVE FROM PRESTON STREET: ANNOUNCING CONTEST WINNERS

Join the Chair of the Festival’s Board of Directors, Alessio Monterosso, live from Preston Street on Sunday night. We'll wrap up our digital festival by announcing the winners of our 2020 art contest, sharing some festival highlights, and answering any questions through a live Q+A!

LIVE BEDTIME STORY: STREGA NONA – THE CHRISTMAS EDITION

Back by popular demand! Strega Nona returns with Big Anthony and Bambolona in time for Christmas and you do not want to miss this story.     Strega Nona is an award-winning series of children’s books written and illustrated by American-Italian author Tomie dePaola (1934-2020). Set in Calabria, in southern Italy, the books tell the […]

FILM SCREENING: THE CHAIN

Tullio and his brother have not spoken for over twenty years due to a dispute over land inheritance in Italy. To create the appearance of a man of leisure, Tullio turns the business over to his sons, putting Massimo, the younger, educated, favourite son in charge. Joe, who has worked alongside his father in the dirt, is shunned. Massimo makes a fatal business error which puts the family company in jeopardy. The whole thing explodes in a family war between father and sons that wrecks not only the family garden, but forever changes the dynamics within the family.

THE CHAIN play was a critically acclaimed box office smash thirty years ago and again in 2019.

Free

MASTERCLASS: THE ART OF THE APERITIVO

A favourite Italian tradition is the aperitivo, a pre-meal cocktail drink that takes place at the end of a workday ahead of dinner, otherwise known as the Italian happy hour.

In this interactive virtual masterclass, Mati Ottawa's Marty Pineault will guide participants in preparing their own traditional aperitivo. Participants will learn about the rich history of aperitivo, specialties and traditions of different Italian regions, and varieties of Italian cocktails.

Free

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JOE CACCHIONE

Italian-Canadian comedian Joe Cacchione returns for an entertaining evening of Italian trivia, comedy, prizes and more!

Note: You don't need a team, but we encourage you to invite friends to join the fun!

Free

VESPA TOUR OF ST. ANTHONY’S PROCESSION ROUTE IN LITTLE ITALY

Italian Week's Stefano Bianco will take you on a brief historical tour of the traditional procession route that follows the annual outdoor Mass. Starting from the steps of St. Anthony’s of Padua Church in Ottawa, Stefano will travel the procession route on a vespa, stopping at prominent sites in Little Italy to speak with members of the Italian community.

Free

LIVE BEDTIME STORY | STREGA NONA MEETS HER MATCH

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join Canadian theatre director, producer, and writer Jessica Ruano for an exciting new adventure with Strega Nona Meets Her Match (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Free

MASTERCLASS: MAKING TRADITIONAL ITALIAN PASTA

In this interactive hands-on virtual masterclass, participants will follow holistic chef and TV host of Simply Cooking by Mmm Chef Daniela Crocco, to learn how to make pasta dough by hand from a few simple ingredients.

No equipment needed.

Free

LIVE BEDTIME STORY | STREGA NONA: HER STORY

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join actress, art director, and producer Marinella Montanari for an exciting new adventure with Strega Nona: Her Story (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Free

MASTERCLASS: GROW YOUR GARDEN WITH THE URBAN BOTANIST

Virtual

Join Emma Terrell, The Urban Botanist, for a one-hour interactive virtual lesson where you can learn how to grow your green thumb. We will be talking all things tomatoes, herbs, soil, fertilizers, and more!

Learn how to plant, prune, stake, and fertilize your tomatoes. Up your garden game this summer with lots of helpful tips and tricks from Ottawa’s own Urban Botanist.

Free

LIVE BEDTIME STORY | BIG ANTHONY: HIS STORY

Virtual

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join Canadian actor, playwright, and director Eleanor Crowder for an exciting new adventure with Big Anthony: His Story (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Free

DANTE’S PERSPECTIVE

Virtual

Dante's Perspective is a multidisciplinary event to appreciate Dante's poetry from three different perspectives: politics, nature, and love.

Princeton Professor and author Simone Marchesi will guide the audience in new approaches to Dante, and the artists from Jobel Art for Earth will bring to life some of the most famous and beautiful of Dante's verses. Woven throughout will be a storyline tracing some of the more mysterious aspects of Dante’s life.

Free

ITALIAN SCAVENGER HUNT

Think you know Little Italy and Italian culture? Prove it!

Join our very first Italian Week Scavenger Hunt, powered by Escape Manor. Solve riddles, answer trivia, find hidden items, and perform fun and humourous tasks on social media (if you want to), all from the comfort of your own home.

Amazing prizes!

$10

ITALIAN PUZZLE QUEST

Think you know Little Italy and Italian culture? Prove it!

Join the Italian Puzzle Quest, powered by Lockdown Ottawa. Solve riddles, answer trivia, find hidden items, and perform fun and humourous tasks on social media (if you want to).

Amazing prizes to be won, valued at over $4000!

$15

FILM SCREENING | PINOCCHIO

Plouffe Park 130 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7P3, Ottawa, ON, CA

Enjoy the fresh air and bring the whole family for a special outdoor screening of the 2019 version of Pinocchio co-written, starring, and directed by Roberto Benigni!

Free

Feast of St. Anthony Mass and Procession

St. Anthony of Padua Church 427 Booth St, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Join this annual event to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony which includes an outdoor mass on the steps of St. Anthony’s Church, followed by a procession.

Free

BOOKS AND BISCOTTI

Italian-Canadian Historical Centre 1026 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON K2C 0A6, Ottawa, ON, CA

Join us for this literary event featuring prose and poetry read by local authors.

Free

MASTERCLASS | CREATING AN AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Sala San Marco Event & Conference Centre 215 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R1, Ottawa, ON, CA

Join award-winning Chef Pino Posteraro as he leads you through the unique Italian tradition of creating beautiful charcuterie.

$45

LIVE BEDTIME STORY | STREGA NONA TAKES A VACATION

Virtual

Kids love the Strega Nona stories! Join for an exciting new travel adventure with Strega Nona (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Free

MASTERCLASS | MAKING FOCACCIA BREAD ART

Sala San Marco Event & Conference Centre 215 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R1, Ottawa, ON, CA

Make focaccia art using vegetables to create idyllic scenes! Host Rebecca Drent will take you through this fun activity!

$30

LIVE BEDTIME STORY | STREGA NONA’S HARVEST

Virtual

Kids love the Strega Nona stories! Learn about gardening with Strega Nona and Big Anthony (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Free

MASTERCLASS | A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ITALIAN WINE

Sala San Marco Event & Conference Centre 215 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R1, Ottawa, ON, CA

Experience Italy through the eyes of world-renowned sommelier Veronique Rivest and increase your knowledge of Italian wines!

$45

GRAND FINALE WEEKEND 2022

Corso Italia (Preston Street)

Italian Week Ottawa's Grand Finale Weekend includes comedy, music, performances, and more. Sponsored by the Preston Street BIA.

Free

Annual General Meeting

Villa Marconi - Banquet Centre 1026 Baseline Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Join us as at our AGM as we look back at the 2022 Festival, review our financials, elect new board members, and take a sneak peek at the 2023 Festival line-up! The meeting is open to the public, but only active members can vote. You can become a member by visiting our registration page, registering, […]