Consider that magical moment when two cultures meet — when Irish spirit and Italian passion converse in the language of improvisation. That’s what awaits Dubliners on Saturday, 15 November 2025, when the 8th Italian Fusion Festival – Jazz Edition takes over the cozy and elegant stage of the United Arts Club.
If you love music that surprises, art that speaks between lines, and evenings rich with connection — this is one you’ll want to mark in your diary.
What is the Italian Fusion Festival?
The Italian Fusion Festival, organised by Radio Dublino, is a beautifully ambitious celebration of what happens when Italian and Irish artistry combine. It is not just a concert series, but a multidisciplinary festival, weaving together music, visual art, film, hospitality and cultural exchange.
Now in its eighth edition, the Jazz Edition continues a tradition: bringing international talent to Dublin, spotlighting the creative energy of artists in Ireland with Italian roots or connections, and inviting dialogue across art forms.
Backed by the Italian Institute of Culture and RTÉ, it has become a fixture in Dublin’s cultural calendar — one that promises to surprise, enchant, and linger in the imagination.
Event Snapshot
- Date: Saturday, 15 November 2025
- Doors Open: 6:00 PM
- Venue: United Arts Club, 3 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2
- Tickets: Available via Eventbrite
Expect more than just performances: the festival will welcome guests with Prosecco and Italian-inspired canapés, will host a visual art exhibition by Ishmael Claxton, and will reveal the results of the Short Video Competition 2025 — spotlighting emerging filmmakers exploring identity, culture, and exchange.
Italian Fusion Festival 2025 - 8th Edition | Trailer
Headline Act: Simone Zanchini
For many, the big draw of the evening is Simone Zanchini, a musical alchemist whose accordion defies conventions. Widely regarded as one of Europe's most innovative jazz accordionists, Zanchini’s musical journey spans classical technique, free improvisation, electronics, and adventurous sound worlds.
His solo set promises a tapestry of genres: from Gershwin and Piazzolla to original meditations across jazz, contemporary, and experimental hues.
Zanchini studied classical accordion at the Conservatory “G. Rossini” in Pesaro and over time embraced improvisation, electronics, and sonic exploration. His collaborations with luminaries in jazz and contemporary music testify to his restless curiosity.
To see and hear him live is to sense what lies between precision and freedom — what an instrument can become in the hands (and ears) of a bold artist.
Supporting Acts to Watch
The night will be rich with contrast and synergy, thanks to a lineup blending homegrown talent and Italian flair:
- Luisa Annibali Quintet
One of Dublin’s freshest jazz voices, Annibali will lead a set that draws from the Italian songbook — from Neapolitan melodies to modern originals. - Julyo Trio
A trio that promises intimate interaction, improvisation, and surprises (though specific details are being kept under wraps). - Matilde Lotti Strings Quartet
Adding a graceful and lyrical dimension, their strings will weave texture and emotional color into the evening’s tapestry. - Special Guest Surprise
One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the element of mystery — the late-night reveal of a guest artist, whose identity is being held under wraps.
It’s this balance — between the known and the unexpected, the familiar and the experimental — that gives the festival its unique pulse.
Beyond the Music: Art, Film & Connection
What makes the Italian Fusion Festival especially compelling is that it doesn’t stop at sound.
- Visual Art: Irish artist Ishmael Claxton will present a solo exhibition at the venue. Expect works that reflect on identity, space, or emotional resonance — a visual echo of the musical conversations taking place.
- Short Video Competition 2025: Now a beloved festival tradition, this competition spotlights emerging filmmakers (Irish, Italian, or diasporic) exploring cultural connection, identity, and belonging. Past editions have revealed insightful, poetic, and incisive works that stay with audiences.
- Italian Hospitality: The evening’s atmosphere is carefully curated — guests will be welcomed with prosecco, canapés, and that intangible warmth that comes from sharing food, drink and music across borders.
Together, these elements transform the event from a concert into a cultural salon — a night of conversation in sound, sight, and spirit.
In a world that sometimes feels fragmented, festivals like this remind us how art can reconnect. On 15 November, for one evening in Dublin, Irish and Italian rhythms will converse. Lives will touch through strings and keys, images and film, prosecco and laughter.