Ferragosto is upon us! And that means throughout Sicily (and Italy) there are feasts, music festivals, and gatherings of all sorts, like Ypsigrock (pictured) that took place over the weekend in Castelbuono, Palermo province. My cousin Filippo attended, and he sent me this photo of one of my musician heros, Alfio Antico, who performed on Saturday night in the town’s castle.

Ferragosto is the more common name for the Catholic Feast of the Assumption. August 15 is the actual holiday; however, most Italians take the day off as the centerpiece of a longer vacation, returning to their hometowns in Sicily and the south from northern Italy and abroad.