MICHAEL STANLEY & THE RESONATORS
Main Stage - Saturday 9:00 PM    **FREE**

The last time that we were able to contract MICHAEL STANLEY for our Festa was in the year 2000. Performing before a record crowd, he was an overwhelming favorite. His music & style mesmerized the enthusiastic crowd to a number of standing ovations.

We are thrilled to welcome back Northeast Ohio's favorite recording artist. His return appearance is anticipated by his loyal and ever increasing fan base. Michael Stanley & The Resonators are bound to please any rock and roll music fan.

Headlining our Main Stage on Saturday with a 9:00 PM concert, all seats in the Grandstand arena are FREE on a first come, first served basis. The grandstand gates will open at 7:30 PM.

More on Michael Stanley & The Resonators at www.michaelstanley.com

LINE DANCEY PARTY with FRANK TRACE
Club Italia Stage - Saturday 7:00 PM    **FREE**

Frank Trace has made quite a name for himself in the world of line dancing. He has been teaching line dancing in the Canton/Stark County area for the past 8 years. He has choreographed several widely successful dances including Adaptable and Happy Radio, which are currently being taught all over the world. His local Line Dance Classes are very popular offerings at several area School District Adult Education Programs.

Frank hosts monthly Line Dance Parties at the Richville Community Park Hall in Massillon and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Canton. These Dance Parties are open to the public and attract a large following of Line Dance enthusiasts. Frank's Line Dance Party has become one of our most popular events at the Italian American Festival.

More on Frank at www.traceofcountry.com

FRANK PALOMBI
Roma Stage - Saturday 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 PM    **FREE**

The Frank Palombi Orchestra from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has released several new albums. They have been performing in Maryland, West Virginia, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Canada. They have also performed with Grammy Award winners Jimmy Sturr Walter Ostanak and Eddie Blazonchak.

Frank also hosts the radio show "Saturday Polka Showcase" Saturday mornings on station WZUM 1590 AM, Carnegie / Pittsburgh.

FRED ZIWICH
Club Italia Stage - Saturday 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 PM    **FREE**

Fred Ziwich and his "International Sound Machine" have been Cleveland area's most active and poplar Polka and Dance Band in the past 15 years. They have been involved in the most nominations and awards given by the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame. Among the most notable was the "Recording of the Year" for their CD called What A Little Polka Can Do. In 2003, for the first time ever, all three side men were finalists for category of "Side Men of the Year".

Fred's virtuosity on the accordion and button accordion have allowed him to win the award for "Musician of the Year" three times and "Button Accordion Individual of the Year" three times.

JIM FRANK TRIO
Italian Pavilion - Saturday 2:00 PM    **FREE**

Based out of Youngstown, Ohio, the JIM FRANK TRIO is a group of professional musicians who perform a wide variety of musical entertainment for your listening and dancing pleasure. The trio has performed at many Italian festivals in Ohio as well as West Virginia. They have been entertaining audiences for 27 years. Jim, the band leader, recently returned from New York City where he played at the San Gennaro Restaurant in Little Italy as well as the Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant in TIMES SQUARE. The band also performs at various supper cubs as well as ballroom dancing on a weekly basis.

Jim ordered his accordion direct from Italy. He has been playing his accordion since the age of six. The band members are graduates of the Dana School of Music and teach music in the public schools in Ohio. The trio plans to release a CD in the fall. The instruments are composed of Jim Frank on the Accordion, Pat Russo on the Drums and Joe Commarata on the trumpet.

I GAGLIARDI ITALIANI
Italian Pavilion - Saturday 4:30 PM & Sunday 5:30 PM    **FREE**

I Gagliardi Italiani from Canton, Ohio, was formed to keep the Italian culture alive and bring you songs and dances from all parts of Italy. They have performed at Italian Festivals in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Niagara Falls, Canada. The name I Gagliardi Italiani, means "The Vivacious Italians". The company's performers are, for the most part, non-professionals from every walk of life. Their performances are enthusiastic and exciting, sure to touch your heart and bring you to your feet.

FRANK GALLO
Italian Pavilion - Saturday 6:00 & 8:00 PM    **FREE**

Frank Gallo was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. He plays both trumpet and trombone, as well as doing vocals and comedy routines. Noted for versatility in blending Italian and American music, Frank has performed in many of the tri-state ballrooms, as well as Italian Festivals and dances in Pittsburgh, Warren, Youngstown, Wheeling and Indiana, working with performers such as The Gaylords and Johnny Desmond. The Frank Gallo Band gives you a unique blend of Italian music and comedy.

AARON CARUSO
Italian Pavilion - Saturday 7:00 & 9:30 PM    **FREE**

This Detroit area native has been performing on the stage since he was six years old. He has entertained audiences throughout North America and has opened for such names as The Smothers Brothers, Gary Puckett, The Gaylords, Don Rickles and Johnny Maestro. Aaron has delighted audiences in places such as New York, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, as well as aboard cruise ships. In addition to extensive vocal training, Aaron has also studied piano for ten years and trombone for six. Aaron has performed for Tony Bennett who said to him "You sing like Mario Lanza". Don't miss the passion and romance of Aaron Caruso on stage at our festival.

More info on Aaron Caruso at www.aaroncaruso.com

MATT SCHAFER
Piazza Stage - Friday 4:30 & 7:00 PM    **FREE**
Piazza Stage - Saturday 2:30 PM    **FREE**
Piazza Stage - Sunday 2:00 PM    **FREE**

Matt Schafer began playing the accordion at age seven and at thirteen began playing professionally with his father's band in the greater Akron area. At age twenty-six, Matt joined America's Polka King, Frank Yankovic, traveling throughout the United States and Canada.

In 1977, he formed his own band, and has been performing in the greater Akron-Canton area. Matt has served as president of the A.B.C. Polka Association and hosts a Saturday morning radio program on WZIP FM Akron, Ohio.

ANGELO FORCHIONE
Piazza Stage - Friday 4:30 & 7:00 PM    **FREE**
Piazza Stage - Saturday 2:30 PM    **FREE**

Angelo Forchione performed with his own dance band for 30 years before retiring in 1976. Retirement, however, was not for Angelo and he soon returned to the musical scene as a soloist, performing on the Electronic Accordion. In addition to performing on the Piazza stage Friday and Saturday during the festival, Angelo will also be performing at the Mayor's Breakfast which kicks off our festival on Friday morning.

JIMMY CHESTERFIELD
Piazza Stage - Saturday 8:00 PM    **FREE**

Jimmy Chesterfield has been involved with music for most of his life and studied Music Composition at The University of Akron. In 2003 he won the "Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award in Theory and Composition" and also 1st place in two local talent contests.

Jimmy is a very dedicated singer songwriter and has built his own home recording studio where he concocts his unique pop/rock, homegrown sounds.

More at www.garageband.com/artist/JimmyChesterfield
and www.myspace.com/jimmychesterfield