Schedule & Special Guests

See Schedule in Ferragosto Booklet

• Commedia dell’Arte – Street Performers
All Day

Commedia dell’Arte means “the art of comedy” and refers to a classic style of comedic entertainment that originated in Italy back in the 14th century and is still popular today. The classically trained actors that appear for us annually base their characters on the version used by actors throughout Italy in the 16th century.

• Invocation by Fr. Eric Rapaglia

11:30 AM

• Italian & American National Anthems

12:00-12:30

by Alta Classe Entertainment & The Bronx Wanderers.

• Alta Classe Entertainment – Singer / DJ

12:45-1:15

Alta Classe Entertainment, formally known as GM Music Entertainment, was founded in 2004 by Gaetano Fava. Gaetano has over 14 years of performing experience, including numerous solo gigs in the USA and Italy, and over 10 years experience as a lead wedding band singer in New York.

• Christopher Macchio – Tenor

1:30-2:15

Inspired by the legendary tenor Mario Lanza, this local boy from Long Island began his serious operatic training at the age of 15 from the Munich State Opera legend John Kuhn. Since then he has trained with Metropolitan Opera greats Theodor Uppman and Elizabeth Roberts. In 2000 he had the principal tenor role in Bellini’s I Puritani at the New York City Opera. He has also performed at countless public and private venues including performances for the Vice-President of the United States, members of the United Nations, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and many other local celebrities and politicians.

• Kaymus – Band / Singers
2:30-2:45

Having recently begun touring, Kaymus is a new progressive teen rock band from New York. Band mates Dante Palminter, David Batten, Evan Schwartzman and Bret Marks met while in music school and began forming their sound by writing original songs. Performing in venues in NYC and in the Hamptons, their single “Dishwasher Fairy” has quickly become a favorite..

• The Bronx Wanderers – Band / Singers
3:00-4:00

A true family affair, the Bronx Wanderers are led by lead vocalist “Yo Vinny” and his sons, Vinny “the kid” and Nicky Stix. Rounding it off is close friend Jimmy Fracasi, former member of “Larry Chance and the Earls”, and Johnny “JT” Tutino. Inspired by the neighborhood legend and Rock&Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci, the Wanderers have appeared off-Broadway, on the big screen and at venues around the world. Their talents range from Doo Wop to Sinatra, from the Four Seasons to Bobby Darin and more. Born in the Bronx, they have always been here to support Ferragosto and the entire Belmont community. Don’t forget to check out their latest CD, ‘Not Afraid to Dream’ available online at www.TheBronxWanderers.com.

• Jim Altamore – Singer
4:15-4:45

Jim Altamore is a versatile jazz singer of popular standards from what is known today as the Great American Songbook. His debut CD, “License to Swing”, is a collection of American standards set to a swing tempo. Inspired by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin, he stays true to their fashion and keeps the finger snapping, swing feel in songs like “Learnin’ The Blues”, “Route 66” and “Beyond The Sea.” Currently, Jim’s version of “Fly Me To The Moon” is being featured in Chazz Palminteri’s Broadway play “A Bronx Tale”. Jim has performed several times at the world famous Supper Club in NYC, and one of the highlights of Jim’s career was having the honor to speak and perform at a 3 day conference on Frank Sinatra held at Hofstra University.

• Raquel Castro (the voice) – Singer
5:00-5:30

While still in her teens, Raquel Castro is already a veteran of film, theater and television. At the tender age of ten, she starred in the movie “Jersey Girl” with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and George Carlin. Since then she has numerous appearances in hit shows like “Law & Order:SVU” and “Third Watch”. This will mark her first appearance at Ferragosto and for those of you who caught her recent performance on NBC’s “The Voice”, well, need I say more? Watch her video from the voice.

• Moreno Fruzzetti – Singer
5:45-6:30

A native of Pisa, in the region of Tuscany, Moreno Fruzzetti has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over 30 years. His international career goes back to the early 70’s with the formation of the band “I Rogers” and the No.1 hit “Guarda.” Since then his repertoire has expanded to include music from the 40’s to the present along with classic and popular music from centuries past. With 18 albums recorded to date, he has fans from America to Australia.

• Alta Classe Entertainment – Singer / DJ

6:30-7:00

• Chazz Palminteri – Special Guest Appearance

• Linda Ruth Tosetti – Special Guest Appearance

Babe Ruth’s Granddaughter.

• Federico Castelluccino &

Yvonne Marie Schaefer – Special Guest Appearance

Valerie Smaldone – Special Guest Appearance