In celebration of the Month of Mary & Feast of the Black Madonna, join us Sunday, May 17th and learn LA MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE, Featuring Master Folk Dancer Peter Di Geronimo.

Questions and registration

Email alessandrabelloni@gmail.com
blackmadonnacenter@gmail.com
Participants will learn the unique Southern Italian style of tambourine playing and the ancient devotional dance of the tarantella for the Madonna from Calabria and Naples.

These rhythms and movements represent an unbroken chain of inspiration and expression of sound and dance, dating back centuries to the rites of the Mother Earth Goddess Cybele, and kept alive into the present. We will learn the history of this powerful tambourine style, traditionally done by women.

What you will learn in this workshop:

• The variations of the basic 6/8 rhythm of the Tarantella Calabrese, played on the Southern Italian tambourine, that originated as devotional dance & rhythms for the Madonna played during processions.
• Chants and songs of devotion to the Black Madonna MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE.
• THE RITUAL CALABRESE DANCE FOR LA MADONNA: Students will learn very intricate and energetic steps of the typical TARANTELLA CALABRESE. This wild rhythm, played on medium-size tambourines with a double row of jingles, create an hypnotic state of mind. The devotees in Calabria and Campania dance for many hours, carrying baskets and offering in a trance, asking for miracles. Originally these were the ancient Greek rites for the God Dionysus and Cybele, as Calabria was part of Greece and was called Magna Graecia.

Students are encouraged to wear white and red, and to bring baskets and offerings of flowers to use in the dance.

Participants need to have a tambourine or frame drum, at least 12 inches wide.

Alessandra’s own design is available for purchase, made in collaboration with REMO for the Southern Italian tambourine technique. https://www.alessandrabelloni.com/store

$75 at the door and $65 in advance

You can pay by Paypal: @blackmadonnacenter
blackmadonnacenter@gmail.com
OR DIRECTLY TO Alessandra —
Venmo Alessandra Belloni or
Zelle (646) 322-4637