Piazza
A CELEBRATION OF ITALIAN CULTURE
SANTA
BARBARA CA
Music & Food Festival
APRIL 10 - 12 2026
SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY
40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Benvenuti!
La Piazza Festival is a celebration of Italian culture and, most importantly, the Italian and European lifestyle. Its mission is to offer and leave a lasting impression of the timeless spirit that has shaped our way of life since Roman times.
La piazza , the town square, is the heart of every Italian community. It is where people gather to exchange ideas, share projects, trade goods, enjoy food and unwind after a long day of work. It is where life unfolds naturally, where spontaneous conversations begin, where art is born and where community is strengthened.
The square is the most visible and natural place where this spontaneous sense of community reveals itself. Yet the true spirit of la Piazza should not exist only within its physical boundaries. It is something we should carry with us into our homes, our streets and our daily interactions.
la Piazza is not just a place. It is a way of life.
WELCOME!
PROGRAM
F RIDAY, A pril 10 th
3:30 pm
O PENING C ONCERT - FAULKNER GALLERY
An inaugural musical performance accompanied by curated projections from iconic Italian ļ¬lms.
S ATURDAY, A pril 11 th
12:00 - 4:30 pm
L A P IAZZA M ARKET - MICHAEL TOW BES LIBRARY PLAZA
Artisans, regional specialties and Italian-inspired goods
12:30 pm
UCSB & Guests Cultural Seminar - FAULKNER GALLERY
3:30 pm
A FTERNOON C ONCERT - FAULKNER GALLERY
S UNDAY, A pril 12 th
12:00 - 4:30 pm
L A P IAZZA M ARKET - MICHAEL TOW BES LIBRARY PLAZA
Artisans, regional specialties and Italian-inspired goods
3:00 pm
C LOSING C ONCERT - FAULKNER GALLERY
/ For more, and updates, click to visit lapiazza . life or @ lapiazzasb /
S UNDAY, A pril 12 th
M. TOWBES LIBRARY PLAZA
12:00 - 4:30 pm
C REATIVE W ORKSHOP
Craft Your O wn Pizza Bookmark. Self-guided, materials provided. Just stop by and have fun! 1:00 - 2:00 pm
P ASTA- M AKING W ORKSHOP
Fresh Pasta Workshop w ith Chef Sergio Chierego of Pasta Santina. A hands-on culinary experience introducing children to the art of traditional Italian pasta-making.
Music Festival
Music has always been a force that brings people together. At our piazza, internationally acclaimed artists share music inspired by italian heritage yet universal in spirit. o ffering moments of reflection, joy and a deeper sense of connection.
Faulkner Gallery
SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Born in Verona, Italy, into a family of pianists and now a Santa Barbara resident, Jacopo has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at major festivals and concert halls across the United States, Europe and Japan. He is the winner of 14 international competitions and Director of the Tramonto Festival in Encinitas, a cherished platform for celebrating artistic excellence and fostering community.
A versatil musician, he began learning violin at age nine but, after graduating in Rome in 2006, chose to focus on his piano studies. Praised by critics for his virtuoso technique and refined musicianship, he has won over 60 national and international competition prizes. Alvise is currently pursuing his DMA at UC Santa Barbara where he has been awarded the prestigious Chancellorās Fellowship.
Winner of the 2017 New York Respighi Prize, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018 and has since built an active international career. A dedicated researcher, he is the author of the first complete recording of Mendelssohnās Trio in D minor, Op. 49 for flute, cello, and piano, brought to light some unknown flute works by Antonio Vivaldi, and edited several of the composerās modern world premieres.
This Santa Barbara native made her solo debut with the Santa Barbara Symphony. Camille has since performed at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl or The Oscars. Her recording credits include major film and television soundtracks, as well as studio and live collaborations with renowned artists including Selena Gomez, Elton John, Billie Eilish, Andrea Bocelli and Michael BublƩ.
A compelling American soloist whose flair combines technical brilliance, wide-ranging imagination, and expressive depth. She serves as Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony and has held numerous orchestral leadership positions. As a longtime recording artist, she has appeared on more than 500 film, TV and video game soundtracks, including Star Wars, La La Land, Oppenheimer and The Simpsons.
J ESSICA G UIDERI Violin
C AMILLE M ILLER Violin
T OMMASO B ENCIOLINI Flute
J ACOPO G IACOPUZZI Piano
A LVISE P ASCUCCI Piano
F RIDAY 10 , 3 : 30 pm
A MORE I TAL IANO :
R OME , C INEMA, AND THE M USIC OF THE H EART
Ottorino Respigh Pines of Rome
CONCERT SCHEDULE
Jacopo Giacopuzzi & Alvise Pascucci, / PIANO 4 HANDS /
Film Music Gabriel`s Oboe - The Mission Camille Miller / VIOLIN /,
An immersive experience enhanced by projections from the iconic ļ¬lms:
Speak Softly Love - Godfather
Tommaso Benciolini / FLUTE /, Main Theme - La Vita Ć Bella Jacopo Giacopuzzi / PIANO / & Love Theme - Cinema Paradiso Alvise Pascucci / PIANO /
Playing Love - The Legend of 1900
Mi Mancherai - Il Postino
S ATURDAY 11 , 3 : 30 pm
R ECOMPOSED:
V IVALDI, V ERDI, AND THE A RT OF R EINVENTION
Max Richter Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
E. Krakamp Fantasy on āTraviataā
Nino Rota Trio
S UNDAY 12 , 3 : 00 pm
D OLCE S WING
Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio
Mediterranean Groove
Jessica Guideri / VIOLIN / & Jacopo Giacopuzzi / PIANO /
Tommaso Benciolini /FLUTE/ & Jacopo Giacopuzzi /PIANO/
Jessica Guideri / VIOLIN /, Tommaso Benciolini / FLUTE / & Jacopo Giacopuzzi / PIANO /
Tommaso Benciolini / FLUTE / & Antonio Artese West Coast Trio: Antonio Artese / PIANO /, Luca Alemanno / BASS / & Mark Ferber / DRUMS /
Antonio Artese / PIANO /, Luca Alemanno / BASS / & Mark Ferber / DRUMS /
ANTONIO ARTESE WEST COAST TRIO
Antonio Artese (IT) bridges the worlds of jazz and classical music through a refined balance of composition and improvisation. In this project, he partners with Luca Alemanno (IT), a solid, virtuosic, and sensitive bassist, and Mark Ferber (CA), a drummer whose refined touch and sense of timbral variety have graced numerous ECM recordings. The trio embodies a jazz that looks both inward and forward, embracing the subtle art of creating new music landscapes.
7 Food Festival
From April 6 (Mon) to 12 (Sun), local Italian restaurants around Santa Barbara will be serving up special dishes and wines to enjoy all week long! Food trucks and vendors will also gather at our Market in the Library Plaza on Saturday and Sunday. Come hungry!
7 1
V IA M AESTRA 42
3343 STATE ST
Not your usual gnocchi! Three large gnocchi domes with ricotta. Made without wheat and served with a fresh tomato and basil sauce. Gluten free!
6
C Aā D ARIO
37 E VICTORIA ST
Crespelle alla Trevisana:
Homemade crepes ļ¬lled with braised radicchio and ricotta cheese over creamy bechamel.
5
O LIO E L IMONE
11 W VICTORIA ST
Gemelli con Broccoletti: A Sicilian classic by the chef-owner: gemelli pasta with broccoletti, sweet raisins, pine nuts and toasted breadcrumbs.
TiramisĆ¹ al Pistacchio di Bronte
A silky tiramisĆ¹ with prized Bronte DOP Sicilian pistachios. Rich, nutty and unforgettable!
L A P IAZZA M ARKET
SAT & SUN 12.00 - 4.30 pm
LIBRARY PLAZA 40 E ANAPAMU ST
Eat, sip, and take home some authentic Italian and Italian-influenced goodies at the Piazza Market over the weekend! Click here to discover more about participating restaurants and vendors, or tap a number on the map for directions to each location.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
C OLOMBINI B AKERY
P ASTA S ANTINA
L URETIK O LIVE O IL
B INDI G ELATO
B UON G USTO I CE
SATURDAY 11 th
C ONSIDERED C OFFEE
W OODSTOCK F ARINA
SUNDAY 12 th
C AFĆ O RTEGA
H I- F I P IZZA
6
5
1
2
3
A RNOLDIāS C AFE
600 OLIVE ST
ITALY
3
Santa Barbaraās oldest Italian restaurant will be oļ¬ering Braised Oxtail with Risotto A rustic Northern Italian dish, inspired by the slow-braised traditions of Lombardy and Lake Como. Served over creamy risotto, this recipe embodies the comforting elegance of Northern Italyās mountain-to-lake cuisine.
4
A PERITIVO
7 W HALEY ST
Donāt miss the Porchetta alla Romana Panino, available only April 10-12. Slow-roasted pork with crackling, seasoned the Roman way with rosemary, garlic, cracked black pepper, dried chili, citrus zest, fennel pollen, and other secerts from the exclusive When in Rome spice blend from Chef Dodero for Spiceology. Enjoy it alongside the weekendās featured wine, Nera Buona from Lazio. And for those looking to linger, the newest Italian addition by the duo behind Aperitivo, is just around the corner for an exquisite dining experience: Manifattura, 413 STATE ST
Our mission
āLa Piazza Inc. is a dynamic non-proļ¬t organization dedicated to fostering cultural connections, community engagement, and meaningful social interactions. A cornerstone of its mission is supporting classical music performances, with a focus on showcasing talented Italian and European musicians.
Through festivals, networking opportunities, and local initiatives, La Piazza builds bridges, nurtures creativity, and strengthens the social fabric of the community. Join us as we create spaces where people come together, celebrate diversity, and connect through the universal language of music and the artsā
Jacopo Giacopuzzi Founder & local Real Estate Advisor
DONOR CIRCLE
Diamante ā $5,000+
ProtoStar Group
Santa Barbara County Oļ¬ce of Arts and Culture
Platino ā $2,500+
Oro ā $1,000+
Anne S. Towbes
Barbara & Bill Vollero
Mr. Jonathan Steinberg & Ms. C. Buf Meyer
Lulu Hsu
Argento ā $500+
Joanne J Stoltz
Bronzo ā up to $500
Alessandro Castellarin
Carol Del Cielo
Ester Novo & Chad Gordon
Jean Perloļ¬
Maria Letizia Tedeschi & Mario Mangrella
Shauna Quill
Sonya Rousso
Susie Montpas
Vito Gioiello
In-Kind
Andrea Carlotto
Barbara Hill
Bill Vollero
S PONSORS, D ONORS AND P ARTNERS:
Discover more at www . lapiazza . life ! CLICK
Design by Ester Novo
Dennis and JoAnn Jennings
Gabriele Parma
Joseph Natale
Martina Mattei
Renato Moiso
Tyler Sprague | Figueroa Law Group
Zohe Felici | Felici Events
la Piazza JOIN US TO KEEP BUZZING!
To donate by check, please make it payable to:
La Piazza Inc. 2534 Cliļ¬ Dr Santa Barbara, CA 93109 USA
For a personalized way to support, please donāt hesitate to contact Director Jacopo Giacopuzzi at (805) 335-3519 to learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved.
GRAZIE / THANK YOU !