Join us at the Beachstreet Starfish Pavilion at the Virginia Beach oceanfront (17th Street Park) September 19-20, 2008, for a fun-filled weekend saluting all things Italian! This event will feature Italian cuisine, entertainment, and merchandise. Admission will be free.

Food will be the heart and soul of Festa Italiana in Virginia Beach, with pizza by the slice, pasta, Italian sausages, espresso, cappuccino, gelato (several flavors), wine, and beer. Aside from the serving lines and seating available under the big tent, vendors will also be serving food in our boardwalk village. Merchandise vendors will also be part of Festa Italiana and will be located in the boardwalk village set up at the 17th Street Park.

Food under the big tent is being provided this year by La Bella Italia restaurant of Virginia Beach.

Entertainment at 2008's Festa Italiana in Virginia Beach will definitely offer something for everyone! Ray Massa's Eurorhythms is consistently one of the most sought-after musical variety acts in the country, having dazzled audiences from coast to coast. They have been acclaimed for their ability to captivate the younger "pop culture" audiences while simultaneously thrilling fans of Italian and swing music. The popularity of this seven-member band is attributed to their unique arrangements of songs from Italy's current pop charts like "Mai Piu Sola" to great Italian hits of all styles from the 50's to 80's like "A Chi" and "Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano." They even have their own Italian version of "Hang on Sloopy." These great songs are intertwined with ever-popular Italian-American favorites like Louie Prima's "Zooma Zooma Baccala," traditional songs like "That's Amore," polkas, waltzes, and more! Ray Massa's Eurorhythms will take the stage on Friday, September 19, from 8:45pm-10:15 and Saturday, September 20, from Noon-1:30pm.

On Saturday night, September 20, from 8:45pm-10:15pm, dance to the music of the Chicago Rat Pack! With Tony Ocean as Dean Martin, Jack D'Amico as Frank Sinatra, and Lonnie Parlor as Sammy David, Jr., this tribute show reminds us of the days when swing was the thing, "broads" were "ring-a-ding-ding," and nothing compared to the Copa Room at the Sands in Vegas. Take a trip back in time and hear the greatest songs of our time performed as the greatest entertainers of our time, the Rat Pack, did them!

Italian dance troupe Cuor d'Italia will perform on Saturday, September 20, at 2:45pm and 7:00pm. A family group, the dance ensemble was formed for the purpose of sharing the rich tradition of the Italian culture through dance and song. The traditional dances of Italy vary from region to region due to the many influences of different cultures over the span of three thousand years. Based in Connecticut, Cuor d'Italia shares with enthusiastic audiences various dances from throughout Italy.

Virginia Beach Festa Italiana is proud to present the returning World Pizza Champions. This group of pizza industry professionals amazes audiences with a pizza-tossing "acrobatic show!" Their show consists of an acrobatic pizza tossing routine set to music and incorporating tricks like across the shoulders, through the legs, two at a time, and floor movements. Audience members are even brought into the act when they find themselves on stage getting pizza-tossing lessons from the pros! The World Pizza Champions have appeared on The Today Show, Tony Danza Show, The Tonight Show, The Ellen Show, ESPN, Good Morning America, and have been featured numerous times on the Food Network. Their shows will be at 6:00pm on Friday, September 19, and at 1:45pm and 4:00pm on Saturday, September 20.

Festa Italiana is proudly presented by our radio partners 93.7 BOB FM, WNIS, Budweiser, the City of Virginia Beach, Live Nation, and Beachevents.