Sold Out Shows, Electrifying Atmosphere, World Class Food: Welcome To Folklorama’s Italian Pavilion

By: Donovan Martin Sr, Editor in Chief

Don Woodstock – Contributor

There are experiences that simply wash over you, demanding every single one of your senses, and then there are phenomena like the Italian Pavilion at the Caboto Centre. Stepping into this vibrant celebration during Folklorama feels less like visiting a cultural showcase and more like being immediately welcomed into a massive, exuberant, and deeply connected community. This year, the pavilion embraced a theme that captured the very essence of passion, history, and community spirit: the legendary Palio di Siena. To understand the sheer gravity of this theme is to understand the beating heart of Tuscany itself.

The Palio di Siena is a historic competition that has been run twice every summer in Siena, Italy, since the Middle Ages. It is an event steeped in fierce pride, pageantry, and unbridled emotion, pitting the city’s individual contrade, or neighbourhoods, against one another in a legendary display of civic identity. Each contrada represents a distinct district, bearing names like the Panther, the Eagle, the Tortoise, and the Goose, complete with their own historic emblems, colours, and rivalries. Applying this intense, historic energy to the Italian Pavilion was an absolute stroke of genius. It transformed a cultural showcase into an authentic living arena where the historic spirit of Siena’s neighbourhoods was reborn right here in Winnipeg.

Guiding the pavilion is Tony Pesce, President of the Italian Canadian League of Manitoba and the steady hand heading the management team of the Caboto Centre. Pesce often notes that when you walk through these doors, you are treated like family, just as if you were walking into someone’s private home, and visitors truly feel that warmth firsthand. You can routinely spot the president pitching in wherever he is needed, whether that means helping out operationally behind the scenes or greeting guests at the door with genuine enthusiasm. When someone has been a dedicated pillar of Folklorama and the local community for decades, this level of sleeves-rolled-up commitment is a powerful reminder of why this remains one of the festival’s most beloved pavilions.

That genuine hospitality sets a standard that resonates long after the final dance concludes. It is this authentic, community-driven spirit that turns first-time visitors into lifelong annual regulars and perennial visitors into family members.

Inside the hall, the room was electric, split into competing seas of red and blue, with flags waving, towels twirling, and an atmosphere so intensely alive it defied description. It was as close as you could possibly feel to standing in a World Cup match with 100,000 screaming fans in Italy right after their national team scores the goal to win. The atmosphere was so powerful, so raw, that it felt like nothing you have ever experienced in your life. It was precisely like having front row seats to the greatest soccer match in the world. If you turned around and looked from the stage out toward the audience, every single person was cheering, whistling, and roaring with joy. It was a sensation that made you wish the moment would never, ever stop. The collective euphoria went on for minutes and minutes during the songs and long after the final notes faded.

When the dancers and volunteers joined the fray, it redefined the very concept of community engagement. If anybody ever wants to know what true, unscripted audience participation is like, they need to come directly to the Italian Pavilion. It is an experience that, in almost four decades of Folklorama history, many veterans have never, ever witnessed before. The professional polish of the dance groups was simply breathtaking. Featuring the remarkable talents of Stelle di Calabria and the Splendori dance group, the stage came alive with intricate weaving, the rhythmic and hypnotic playing of tambourines, and vibrant cultural attire completely draped in the striking colours of Italy. The sheer synchronism of the dancers was mesmerizing, highlighted by the intricate layers, dynamic formations, shifting lines, and vertical levels that are precisely what you see and expect from all high-calibre dance groups.

The cultural attire was stunning, and looking at the pipeline of young dancers, it is clear that the future of this tradition is secure for generations to come. Yet behind this incredible showcase of culture is a masterclass in logistics and coordination, driven by an astronomical army of 160 volunteers daily. At the center of keeping this massive operation running seamlessly is Samantha Duff Houzon, the pavilion coordinator extraordinary whose dedication defines the venue’s success. From her early days dancing on stage to orchestrating the massive flow of the event today, Samantha’s impact is profound. As she aptly puts it, the atmosphere is purely electric, driven entirely by the pure, unadulterated love of the culture and the people.

That relentless dedication is precisely what transforms a cultural showcase into an unforgettable community experience. It takes an extraordinary amount of heart to keep such a massive operation running without missing a beat. Ultimately, that tireless effort ensures every guest leaves with a deep appreciation for the heritage on display.

That strong family spirit carries right down through the generations, as Samantha’s son, Michael, proves day in and day out. Working a demanding full-time job during the day, he spends his nights from the moment the doors open until they close, volunteering tirelessly, running food out to guests, and doing whatever is required to keep the magic alive. This energy is matched by an incredible group of up-and-coming junior pavilion coordinators and ambassadors who work hand in hand to shape the future of the festival. Seeing youth so harmoniously integrated into the daily operations highlights a vibrant culture of mentorship and mutual respect that keeps the pavilion thriving.

No discussion of the Italian Pavilion would be complete without talking about the food, and oh, what food it is. What would a Folklorama stop be without world-class cuisine? This is not just anyone cooking up standard fare; this is the domain of a master culinary artist who has perfected his craft for over five decades. Chef Gerardo Lomonaco, owner of the original Sorrentos, has been feeding and serving Winnipeg for generations. Now bringing his legendary talents to the Caboto Centre on an even grander stage, he delivers exactly what people expect: the finest ingredients sourced from across Italy and Canada, prepared fresh every single day from scratch. The pizza dough is fresh, the sauce is fresh, the cheese is fresh, and the toppings are fresh. Eating here feels less like dining out and more like being whisked away directly into the heart of Italy, yet it feels entirely like coming home.

The Caboto Centre itself stands out as a phenomenal venue, providing the sheer space, welcoming atmosphere, and professional oversight required to manage massive crowds smoothly. The relentless hospitality explains why this show is sold out day after day, show after show. It explains why there are endless lineups winding around the block and onto the streets, why the courtyard is packed with lingering guests long after the music stops, and why the food counters are perpetually surrounded by eager patrons.

As noted throughout the venue, it comes down to a simple truth: when you are here, you are treated like family. That sentiment resonates deeply through the entire space, creating an atmosphere that is so palpable and comforting that you simply refuse to want the night to end. And what would an Italian celebration be without the power of music? The inclusion of a live band elevates the entire experience, laying down rich, organic grooves that make your soul sway. Then comes the soaring, unmistakable sound of a world-class opera singer, whose voice needs no translation because the sheer power and emotion communicate everything. Adding a brilliant modern rock twist to traditional opera numbers was an inspired touch that caught everyone by surprise and delighted the crowds.

The musical journey blended rhythmic sway with vibrant energy, anchored by the legendary vocals of Tonina Fiorentino. Having sung for almost six decades since she was just eleven years old, she brought the house down during the grand finale. Her powerful melodic tribute filled the room, bringing every single dancer, performer, and volunteer back onto the stage for a breathtaking climax that once again invited total audience participation. This is, without question, an immersive, emotionally charged pavilion experience you will find in your Folklorama journey, and the deafening roar of the audience’s final ovation said it all. With only two more days left in this year’s festival, missing the Italian Pavilion is simply not an option. It is a masterclass in culture, community, and heart that stays with you long after you walk out the door.