THE 14TH ANNUAL CORSO ITALIA FESTIVAL DIVERSIFIES
July 2 & 3, 2011, Free Admission - Rain or Shine
Corso Italia welcomes you to this year’s fun-filled family event! Toronto’s leading multicultural fiesta, the 14th Annual Corso Italia Festival, takes over St. Clair Avenue West between Westmount & Lansdowne, Saturday, July 2nd 1-11 p.m. and Sunday, July 3rd 1-8 p.m. for a weekend of delicious food, arts and entertainment. Bring the whole family to revel in old world ambience and amusement for all ages where the Guinness World Record™ for most pizzas made in hour by an individual was set! Eat, drink and enjoy!
Torontonians can thank Corso Italia for bringing outdoor cafés to our summer city life. La Sem Pattiserie & Café, previously located at 1331 St. Clair Avenue West and now the location of Invictus Restaurant And Bar, was the first licensed outdoor café in the city of Toronto. Despite the reluctance of city officials, local Alderman Joseph Picinninni convinced them to license the establishment.
Whilst Corso Italia is recognized as the centre of the Italian community in the City of Toronto, the area has evolved—as Canada has evolved—over recent years to welcome people from many different lands. In addition to the Italians and Portuguese (with the Portuguese now making up 26% of the residential population), the area is a welcome home to many other nationalities including Turks, Africans and South Americans. It is truly a melting pot reflecting the unique population of Canada.
The diverse festival line-up features 30 bands including Claudio Santaluce, Carlo Coppola, Imbayakunas, Toronto All Star Big Band, Cobra Kings, Yiannis Kapoulas, Sambacana, Inner Soul, Puente del Diablo, Luis Rey Band and Havana Express performing a range of music styles from jazz to Latin, Brazilian to Italian, blues, salsa and much more. Catch them on the streets before nightfall, showcased live on street corners, patios and balconies. There are rides for the kids and roaming buskers to entertain for added fun!
