Date: Aug 24, 2011

Benvenuto! Festival Brings Best of Italy to Hofstra

Italian Experience Festival on September 18 Featuring Food, Games, Live Entertainment

Outdoors, Rain or Shine, South Campus; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY ... Celebrate Italy’s cultural and culinary influence on America at one of the largest and most beautiful outdoor festivals on Long Island when Hofstra University hosts the 19th Annual Italian Experience on Sunday, September 18, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will take place outdoors, rain or shine, on the South Campus.

The Italian Experience Festival has grown to be a popular Long Island tradition. As in the past, the Italian Experience features a full itinerary of crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities and food.

Entertainment includes award-winning recording artist Filippo Voltaggio; traditional folk songs and dances performed by I Giullari Di Piazza, led by Alessandra Belloni; the Long Island Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra; The San Remo Duo; “Pop-era” featuring members of The Bronx Opera Company; Katie’s Puppets; The Magic of Maione; and a Poets and Writers Piazza. (Please note: the entertainment schedule is subject to change.)

Admission to the festival is $6 per person; $4 for seniors (over 65 with ID). Children under 12 are admitted free. Free admission for Hofstra students, staff and faculty upon presentation of a current HofstraCard. For more information about the festival, as well as sponsorship opportunities or vendor requests call 516-463-6504 or visit www.hofstra.edu/Festivals.

About Filippo Voltaggio:

As a child Filippo seemed destined for the stage. Standing on his parent’s kitchen table entertaining their Italian guests, long before he was old enough to remember, was a strong indication. But his parents had other ideas for him, and in accordance with their wishes Filippo earned an engineering degree from UC San Diego. His graduation was followed by a coveted job offer from IBM, which he accepted. After years of being decorated as a valued employee and Junior Manager, Filippo unceremoniously left to pursue what he felt was his soul’s journey, singing – a major life and career change.

That journey led him onto the world stage, singing and winning accolades from The New York Times to the Los Angeles Daily News, and awards in prestigious competitions and two celebrated CDs. His singing career quickly led him to appearances on international stages, television, and film. He also experienced success on the radio with the syndicated program Filippo and the Chef, which aired in over 25 cities.

Through all the joys, successes, trials and tribulations, and career changes, Filippo has enjoyed communicating hope, inspiration, positive energy. Feeling a commonality and concern for his fellow human beings, another radio show was born: LIFEChanges With Filippo. Soon after airing on the BBS Radio Network, if became one of the top 10 most popular shows on the network. Though only on air for a short time, Filippo and the show have already received much recognition including a nod of approval from President Obama with a Presidents Call to Service Award.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from 140 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied health services, honors, as well as a School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.


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Related Link: More About the Italian Experience Festival