Going strong since 1997, Festivalissimo has become the largest festival celebrating Latin, Spanish and Portuguese art and culture in North America. Festivalissimo is divided into three main branches – film, art and music. This is a festival that people of all backgrounds have grown to appreciate more and more with each passing year.
For the first time this year the film portion of the festival will be held in the beautiful confines of Ex-Centris. Films from 28 different countries are going to be screened. Amongst the countries with films are Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. This year's featured country is Chili. The film section is divided up into several sub-categories including documentaries, Les Latinos du Nord, Official Selection, and Vox Populi. Come see films starring and/or made by some of the biggest stars in the Latino, Spanish and Portuguese cultures, such as America Ferrera (from TVs Ugly Betty), Elizabeth Pena and director Bráulio Mantovani (City of God).
Once again Festivalissimo is working in conjunction with Plaza Alexis Nihon for the Artferia and Les Midis de Festivalissimo. Artferia, presented in the Xerox tower of Plaza Alexis Nihon, features the artist Yannick Sasseville. Pack your lunch or buy it in Alexis Nihon's food court and make it a point to spend your lunch hours with Festivalissimo. The metro level of Plaza Alexis Nihon will be abuzz March 24-27 between 12:00 and 2:00 as there will be a Salsa and Cinema show, a flamenco show, Salsa, and the music of Damian Nisenson.
There are several other shows which you can buy tickets to. Alicia Borisonik and the Argentina Project are performing at Sala Rossa on March 21st, Passion in Black and Red featuring Christian Gort and his orchestra will perform at Salle Oscar Peterson on March 21st, for the dance fans La Vitrina featuring 4 up and coming choreographers is on March 25th at Le National and Urban Gypsies are at Le National on March 27th, a big party called Noche Loca on March 28th at Club Lambi features DJs, dancers and entertainers, and finally La Movida de la Nuit Blanche will go all night and into the wee hours of the morning on March 28th at Club Espagnol du Quebec. Hot, hot, hot!
Be sure to attend as you too will be swept up in the song, music, food, art, literature, dance, and film of these rich cultures.
Additional Information:
-Website: www.festivalissimo.ca
-Venues: Ex-Centris – 3536 St. Laurent
Sala Rossa – 4848 St. Laurent
Club Espagnol du Quebec – 4388 St. Laurent
Salle Oscar Peterson – 7141 Sherbrooke West
Le National – 1220 Ste. Catherine Est
Club Lambi – 4465 St. Laurent
Plaza Alexis Nihon – 3400 de Maisonneuve West
-Ticket Purchase: festivalissimo.ticketacces.net or Ex-Centris box office
-Ticket Prices: Films: Ticket – $10.00
Passport – 5 films for $40.00
Alicia Borisonik – $20.00
Passion Rouge et Noir – $20.00
La Vitrina – $20.00
Noche Loca – $15.00