Ferragosto 2025 Entertainment Schedule
12:00pm: Opening Remarks by Alyssa Tucker, Executive Director of the Belmont Business Improvement District
Italian National Anthem Performed by Vanessa Racci
American National Anthem Performed by Nick Vero
12:15pm – 12:45pm: Nick Vero
12:45pm – 4:45pm: Department of Fools (performing on festival route)
1:00pm – 2:15pm: Vanessa Racci
2:30pm – 4:15pm: RockSteady
4:30pm – 6:00pm: Gian Faraone
The stage is located on East 186th St between Arthur Ave and Hughes Ave
Learn more about our Ferragosto Performers
Nick Vero:Nick Vero was born and raised in the Bronx and has been performing the duties of Master of Ceremonies for eleven Ferragosto Festivals, and is delighted to be back again. Nick worked for the City of New York as a Deputy Chief for the DSNY, and served proudly in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2001-2004), as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force. He keeps the momentum going during the entertainment portion of the feast by telling animated stories about his childhood in the Bronx, and singing American and Italian standards.
Vanessa Racci: Vanessa Racci is a touring Jazz/Pop vocalist with a passion for retro Jazz and music made famous by Italian Americans. She grew up living with her Barese grandfather, who played Jazz and Italian classics throughout the house. This inspired her to combine her two loves (Jazz and Italian heritage) in her first album, Italiana Fresca. After touring her album around the country (and in New Orleans in particular) Vanessa was inspired to record her second album, Jazzy Italian (Zoho Jazz Label), celebrating Italian Americans in Jazz from Louis Prima to Chick Corea. Produced and arranged by Grammy winner, Steven Feifke, Jazzy Italian made the top 10 Jazz albums of 2022 on the RMR chart and is programmed on Siriusly Sinatra, NPR and network television in addition to 150+ radio stations globally. Her music also recently made the coveted Spotify playlist, Italian Dinner Party. Vanessa also produces and stars in several other “edu-tainment” shows including Hot Speakeasy Nights, a Tribute to Harry Warren and Forbidden Love: the love story of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis. Vanessa performs at over 50 venues and festivals annually with a social media following of 15K+. When she isn’t performing, she teaches voice and is building her non-profit, Italian Americans in Music, devoted to preserving the history and promoting the future of Italian Americans in the music industry. To learn more or subscribe to her mailing list, go to www.vanessaracci.com or follow on Instagram @VanessaRacci. To learn more about Italian Americans in Music, go to: italianamericansinmusic.org or follow on Instagram @ItalianAmericansinMusic
RockSteady: RockSteady delivers an unparalleled musical experience, showcasing the incredible talent on vocals of Emily Denham, Jennie Colabatistto, Joseph Tribuzio, Chris RemedianI (guitar and vocals), Rich O’Neill (keyboards and vocals), Rob Micucci (bass guitar and vocals), Frank Cifali (guitar and vocals), and Mark Veralli (drums and vocals). Celebrated for their ability to energize dance floors and concert venues, they expertly bring timeless songs to life, igniting fond memories for their audience. With a deep heritage rooted in Italy and Sicily, many members trace their lineage through Ellis Island to New York, especially the vibrant Arthur Avenue. RockSteady is truly the best in the business!
Gian Faraone: Gian Faraone is a critically-acclaimed singer and recording artist based in NYC who considers himself an old-fashioned entertainer. A Berklee College of Music graduate with a multi-cultural upbringing and fluency in three languages (English, Italian and Spanish), has given Faraone a worldwide appeal. Incorporating the signature sounds of the great voices from the big band era combined with the romantic style from his Latin-Italian roots, this talented and charismatic crooner delivers a heartfelt modern throwback to the timeless classics. Faraone grew up in Caracas, moved to the U.S. in his late teens to pursue a career in music, and graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. The Italian-Venezuelan crooner has performed to sold-out crowds across the nation, and has performed for numerous well-respected audiences, including Maestro Gustavo Dudamel at Lincoln Center, The New York Friars Club, Birdland Jazz Club, The Boston Symphony Hall, among many other venues. He has performed for personalities such as: Kris Jenner, Domenico Dolce, Carolina Herrera, and Calvin Klein and been featured on FOX News, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, and RAI Italia. Faraone has performed alongside great artists like Wayne Newton, Al Martino, Connie Francis, Patti Austin, Tony Orlando, among others. He is currently working on his self-titled first LP GIAN FARAONE. The great classics from the golden era come to life in Faraone’s unique voice, who lives through each song his own story, as he continues the legacy of an art form that transcends generations.
Department of Fools: The Department of Fools brings Renaissance-style street theater to NYC. The Fools have performed at venues around NYC, including at the New York International Fringe Festival and at the Peoples Improv Theater. The company members share a love of pure unadulterated play and a commitment to promoting the traditions of Commedia dell’Arte. Through the Fools’ unique brand of masked mayhem, they bring Commedia dell’Arte alive for 21st century audiences. Learn more about the Fools at https://departmentoffools.wordpress.com/.
Schedule subject to change.
Interested in performing at Ferragosto? Contact us.
