Musicassette – Culture and Affordable Food

Music and affordable food in Rome's neighborhoods

Musicassette – Culture and Affordable Food is a widespread, itinerant festival that turns Rome's local markets into open-air stages. Amidst crates of fruit and vegetables, produce stalls, and the calls of vendors, DJ sets and concerts arrive, bringing a new community of young people, families, and residents back to neighborhood markets. The idea is simple yet powerful: use music to revitalize these popular spaces while simultaneously drawing attention to the critical issue of food waste.

The Mammagari Youth Association

The project is conceived and organized by the Mammagari Youth Association, a group of young Romans passionate about music and food. Their natural home base is Rome's 5th Municipality, between the Prenestino and Centocelle districts, but their initiatives span the entire city. Mammagari selects artists through open calls on social media and brings its energy to places where culture is rarely found: covered markets, local stalls, and proximity spaces that have always been the social heart of the neighborhoods.

Fighting food waste through music

The common thread is the fight against food waste. During the events, unsold food is recovered and redistributed to those in need, often in collaboration with third-sector organizations. Music thus becomes a tool for awareness: those who arrive for the DJ set also discover good anti-waste practices, the "suspended shopping" initiative, and the value of recovered food. It is a model that combines fun, culture, and social commitment, restoring the role of markets as meeting places rather than just points of purchase.

The 2026 edition among the stalls

In 2026, Musicassette continues to enliven Roman markets. Among the documented events, the Pigneto Local Market hosted the release party for a new EP, with a DJ set immersed among carrots, eggplants, and melons, featuring guests from the Roman singer-songwriter scene. On this occasion, the celebration was once again combined with solidarity, as fresh products donated by the public were delivered to those preparing hot meals for the homeless. The calendar of stops is announced periodically, following the rhythm of the neighborhood markets.

A widespread festival in Lazio

Supported by the "Roma tutto l'anno" (Roma Creativa 365) grant from Roma Capitale, managed by Zètema Progetto Cultura, Musicassette is designed to be distributed throughout the year rather than on a single date. Rooted in the Municipality of Rome and the Lazio region, the project tells the story of a city rediscovering its local markets as vibrant, popular, and supportive spaces capable of bringing together culture, good food, and environmental awareness.

Why participate

• Free DJ sets and concerts among the local market stalls
• An authentic experience in Rome's popular neighborhoods
• Good anti-waste practices and recovered food donated to those in need
• A young, participatory project with social impact
• Music and community in places that rarely become stages