About Alessandra:
The only woman in the U.S. and in Italy with 35 years of performing and teaching the ancient healing tradition of Tarantella in folk dances and percussion combined with singing.
- Artistic Director, Founder, and Lead Performer of music, theater, and dance ensemble I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA
- Artist in Residence at New York City's Cathedral of St. John the Divine
- A REMO Signature Series Artist with her own line of Italian tambourines
- Author of the book/DVD Rhythm is the Cure and Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALESSANDRA HERE
DONATE TO THE BLACK MADONNA CENTER TODAY HERE
(All Donations are Tax Deductible)
Trailer for the documentary film by Alessandra Belloni,
Voyage of the Black Madonna:
September 24th 5-8pm ET
In Person Drum and Dance Workshop in New York!
REGSITER NOW!
Selling Fast!
We will learn the traditional ancient healing trance dance of the tarantella, used to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, in use for centuries throughout the Mediterranean as music and dance therapy.
We’ll create a community healing ritual as our bodies move in ways that help us to open the energy points and stay grounded. According to what Alessandra observed in her practice and personal experience in teaching healing workshops around the world, “tarantismo” may be defined as depression or sadness caused by unrequited love or abuse. The Pizzica is an ancient form of music and dance therapy.
We will also learn a unique style of traditional Southern Italian frame drum and tambourine playing, including variations of the 4/4 rhythm of the Tammorriata. These rhythms and movements represent an unbroken chain of inspiration and expression of sound and dance, dating back 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. Empowering women to get in touch with their ancient frame drumming traditions, achieve inner balance and relief of stress while restoring spiritual and physical energy is a major theme of this work.
$75 at the door and $65 in advance for 3 hours
You can pay by paypal: paypal@blackmadonnacenter,
blackmadonnacenter@gmail.com
or Alessandra at:
https://www.everbutton.com/pay/3750
Venmo Alessandra Belloni or Zelle Abelloni@aol.com
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You can pay by paypal: paypal@blackmadonnacenter
blackmadonnacenter@gmail.com
Venmo Alessandra Belloni or
Zelle Abelloni@aol.com or
https://www.everbutton.com/pay/3750
FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW:
CHECK OUT THIS GREAT VIDEO BELOW!
MADONNA DELLA GRAZIA – Traditional devotional Tarantella in Honor of our Lady of Grace from Region of Campania
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeoNUbWMn_A
The South Documentary with Special Guest Alessandra Belloni!
I am thrilled to be a special guest and perform at the October 5th screening at Toronto’s @hotdocs_ . Tickets are on sale now. Click HERE to purchase!
October 22, 2023
1-6pm EST
Italian Charities of America
87th Annual Dinner Dance
Honoring Alessandra Belloni
At our 87th Annual Dinner Dance we will be celebrating our 2023 Honorees
for their outstanding work and achievements in preserving and promoting
Italian & Italian American culture, heritage and pride.
Information On How To Purchase Tickets!
To purchase tickets to our 87th Annual Dinner Dance
please fill out the information below and
send a check or money order.
Annual Rhythm is the Cure Retreat in Hawaii
Healing Dance and Percussion Workshop
from Southern Italy from Hawaii!
February 5 - 12 2024
Accepting waitlist applications, please contact us to be added
For More Information - Click HERE
Rhythm is the Cure is a 6-day, intensive healing workshop featuring Southern Italian ritual music and dance used as therapy for centuries throughout the Mediterranean. This new workshop will blend the Southern Italian musical traditions of the Black Madonna, and the Divine Feminine. Every morning drumming sessions will be held on the beach.
For questions about registration, please contact us!
Workshop Fee: $850
Plus Room Accommodations per person, rooms filled on first come first serve basis:
- Double $425 (1 room available)
- Triple $325 (only 2 triple rooms available),
- Glamping $270 (1 double available) $280 (1 single people per unit)
- Food: $40-50 per day. Final cost TBD (3 meals, catered in) Total for 6 days $300 payable before the retreat.
- Double: $1575
- Triple $1475
- Glamping $1420 double, or $1430 single
Not included: airfare, miscellaneous travel expenses
CONTACT:
COMING SOON! ONLINE EVENT DEDICATED TO THE BLACK MADONNA
Featuring Dr. Rev Matthew Fox
We will be celebrating the Feast of the Black Madonna.
Registration Information Coming Soon
Study ONLINE with Alessandra!
Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, teacher, author Alessandra Belloni - Remo Artist proudly announces two self-paced courses on the Black Madonna:
“The Voyage of the Black Madonna Virtual Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of the Black Madonna in Southern Italy.”
A Virtual Pilgrimage
Immerse Yourself in the Healing Musical Traditions of the Black Madonnas of Southern Italy!
Dance and drum your way through intoxicatingly beautiful and romantic Southern Italian hilltops and coastal towns where you will encounter seven enchanting and mysterious Black Madonnas. Across eight episodes plus an introduction, this pilgrimage opens a portal into the sacred sites of Southern Italy -- once known as Magna Grecia-- and the worship of the Earth Goddess, the African Mother, the Black Madonna. You will be immersed into a powerful world of ritual and magic. You'll learn chants, drum rhythms, and dances from master folk practitioners dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the Black Madonna. Following the story of Alessandra's best-selling book, "Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna" (Inner Traditions - Bear and Co., 2019)
Read About Alessandra's Best Selling Book:
THE HEALING JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA
Published by Inner Traditions, with a foreword by bestselling author Matthew Fox, Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna is rated 5 stars on Amazon and has been No. 1 best selling in new releases under the categories of "Folk Dancing" and "Suggested Gifts"!
Sharing her more than 35 years of research and fieldwork at sacred sites around the world, Belloni takes you on a mystical pilgrimage of empowerment, initiation, and transformation with the Black Madonna.
An experiential guide to the ancient healing rituals of the Black Madonna:
• Reveals the practices and rites of the still-living cult of the Black Madonna in the remote villages of Southern Italy, including the healing rites of the tarantella dance
• Details shamanic chants, rhythms, and songs and how to use them for self-healing, transformation, and recovery from abuse, trauma, depression, and addiction
• Explores the many sacred sites of the Madonnas and connects them to other Great Goddesses, such as Isis, Aphrodite, Cybeles, and the Orisha Yemanja and Ochun
• Includes access to 12 audio tracks
Order now!
Read Alessandra Belloni's Best Selling Book Healing Journey's with the Black Madonna TODAY!
NOW AVAILABLE IN FRENCH!
Alessandra is proud to announce that her book HEALING JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA published by Inner Traditions Bear & company (a best seller on Amazon under dance) is now being published in France, translated into French by a great Publisher, LE DUC with preface by brilliant writer and teacher Marianne Grasselli.
LA VIERGE NOIRE (The Black Virgin) Rituels de Guerison de la Grande diesse.
https://espritdefemme.ch/les-vierges-noires/
https://www.editionsleduc.com/produit/2577/9791028522278/voies-de-guerison-avec-la-vierge-noire?fbclid=IwAR3T42PStTqqwwAr8_zpxWM5Etj9dPp6VQv1DZL_pY8-PzxMrbxi1Y09MFk
LIVE CLASSES! JOIN US!
Percussion Classes:
We will trace this style of percussion through the ages, from its ancient Greek roots, through the Italian Middle Ages and Renaissance, and its relevance today. We will study and practice basic “tarantella tamburello“ techniques: holding the drum with emphasis on arm movement, hand technique for triplets, and the 6/8 and 4/4 rhythms. Class sessions will be 12 lessons divided in 4 parts, will be held on Zoom weekly (90 minutes) and will be recorded.
You must register and pay in advance. Group space is limited!
Schedule:
Monday 6pm ET: Advanced Rhythm is the Cure Drumming Class
Wednesday 6:30pm ET: Beginner Rhythm is the Cure Drumming Class
Thursday 5:30pm ET: Intermediate/Advanced Rhythm is the Cure Drumming Class
Cost: $50 for 90 min, 4 classes for $160
https://www.everbutton.com/pay/3735
More information and how to register:
Singing Classes:
Each lesson will feature 2 songs from a specific southern Italian region: Campania, Calabria, Puglia, Sicily, and Lazio. We will describe the history, myths and legends that are part of this rich ancient folk tradition. You will receive lyric sheets with translations, and sheet music if available. Class sessions will be 8 lessons and will be held on Zoom twice a month, for 90-120 minutes.
You must register and pay in advance. Group space is limited!
Schedule:
Every other Fridays 6:30pm ET: Singing/Chanting class with John La Barbera
Cost: $60 for 90-120min class
More information and how to register:
"Beginning Italian Frame Drumming in Honor of the Black Madonna"
Pre-requisite for all other self-guided courses
Beginning Italian Frame Drum in Honor of the Black Madonna, is a self-paced exploration of the TAMMORRIATA RHYTHM from the region of Campania. We will trace the Tammorriata’s ancient Greek roots through the Italian Middle Ages and Renaissance, finally exploring its relevance today. You will learn several foundational drumming patterns.
Interwoven with the instructional drumming videos are excerpts from Alessandra's books:
Rhythm is the Cure (Mel Bay Publications) & Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna(Inner Traditions - Bear & Company)
Patreon Announcement
Dear friends:
I hope that you will read my Patreon Page! In this challenging times the WORLD NEEDS HEALING! I hope you will join me in this special healing journey through music and film!
If you join my Patreon page you will support my work and help me raise the money to create very crucial and needed artistic and educational projects, you will not only be supporting me, but you will be supporting a global healing community. As a Patreon you will have access to: parts of virtual mystical pilgrimage of empowerment, initiation, and transformation through the beauty and tradition of Italian folk music, chants, rhythms, and sacred songs from various regions of Southern Italy and much more ! CLICK BELOW!
Please support the work of Alessandra Belloni and
I Giullari Di Piazza! Grazie!
Black Madonna Pilgrimage & Workshop in Sicily:
Summer Solstice 2024
Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, teacher
Alessandra Belloni, Remo Artist,
Author of "HEALNG JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA” by Inner traditions
Proudly announces her
Black Madonna Pilgrimage & Ritual Drumming & Chants workshop
in Sicily for the Summer Solstice
Join us for a MUSICAL JOURNEY TO THE BLACK MADONNA IN SICILY
& THE SUMMER SOLSTICE at the MEGALYTHS OF ARGIMUSCO
Register now! Dates Forthcoming!
This Pilgrimage is dedicated to the ancient traditions of the Black Madonna in Sicily and learning special Sicilian Folk Music, including drumming, chanting & dance at amazing locations by the sea and in the hills near the Black Madonna of Tindari & Mount Etna
/
Special Features:
The Sicilian Folk Music Group SudCantica (https://www.facebook.com/Sudcantica)
with Federico Chiofalo - accordion, tambourine, guitar, Sebastiano Pietrini - vocals, guitar, tambouirne, Santino Scordino - bagpipe, tamboruine, Jaw’s hap
Special musical presentation by the renowned Sicilian Folk Musician, Giorgio Maltese, from Catania.
Special Lectures about Argimusco, by Philosopher writer Peppe Piscuneri
Ritual drumming and chants led by Alessandra Belloni in various sacred sites & Mount Etna
Yoga Sessions on the beach with Maria Christina Amore
Coordinated by Davide Iosia & Alessandra Belloni
Description:
This workshop/pilgrimage will be a deep immersion in the ancient devotion to the Black Madonna of Tindari and other Black Madonnas to be fully experienced with drumming, singing and dance in the sacred mountains and healing waters of the Sicilian Mother Land.
As featured in Alessandra's book "Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna ",
This new workshop & pilgrimage will blend the Southern Italian musical tradition of the Black Madonna and the Divine Feminine with sacred locations in Sicily at The Megalith Stones of Argimusco, the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, and the Temple of the Goddess Cybele in Tindari.
We will also feature the participation of special Sicilian Artists who will join us for wonderful jam sessions of Southern Italian Folk Music in great locations.
Drumming classes will be done at different powerful locations invoking the healing powers of the volcanic earth of Sicily combined with sacred chants of the Black Madonna.
Participants will learn the unique style of southern Italian tambourine playing and the ancient healing dance of the tarantella.
Special yoga session on the beach with Maria Christina Amore, expert yoga instructor.
During the Pilgrimage we will visit:
- Black Madonna of Tindari on Beautiful Hill overlooking the sea
- Megalyths of Argimusco
- Feast of St. John and Festa du muzzuni
- Black Madonna of Paterno, Catania
- Black Madonna of Montalto
Alessandra Belloni - Remo Artist
IN SOUTHERN ITALY 2024
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Total Cost (Subject to Change for 2024)$ 2,500 for single room (if you register by April 30th you will get $100 off from the actual price $ 2,600)
$ 2,400 for double room ($ 2,500 after april 30 )Registration fee due: immediately $200 (non-refundable, applied to final payment)Please pay registration fee here: https://www.everbutton.com/flow/options/4834/?origin_url=Or VENMO & ZELLE also accepted. (Contact Alessandra for these options)
and notify Alessandra that you have paid at alessandrabelloni@gmail.com
Please specify that you are coming to the tour in Naples, Campania when you make a payment
Read about our Tarantata Performance and Dinner Fundraiser 2022
During this holiday end-of-year fundraiser, we honored Emmy Award winning actor Armand Assante; actress, TV host and Ambassador of Made in Italy, Eleonora Pieroni; as well as philanthropist and founder of Soul De Cuba Cafe, Jesus Puerto.
There was a performance featuring the South Italian Tarantella healing trance dances and ritual drumming chants and dance for the Black Madonna.
This was a special celebration of over four decades of work for I Giullari di Piazza who are artists in residence at the Cathedral of St. John Divine and who have also performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Symphony Space, to name but a few.
PAST EVENTS
2022-2023
Join Italian Charities of America and Arba Sicula
on Saturday, May 13th, 2023
for a
Southern Italian Concert by
Alessandra Belloni & I Giullari Di Piazza
Refreshments at 6:30pm & Event at 7:30pm
Doors Open at 6:15pm!
Italian Charities of America and Arba Sicula have collaborated
to bring you a Southern Italian musical concert featuring
award-winning tambourine virtuoso, singer, dancer and actress, Alessandra Belloni and I Giullari Di Piazza, an Italian music & theater ensemble featuring internationally renowned music director, guitarist and composer, John La Barbera.
This musical concert will feature both
traditional and ancient Southern Italian music.
This extraordinary event will include the internationally
renowned Healing Dance of the Pizzica (Spider Dance)
from the region of Puglia and tarantella's and love songs
from the regions of Campania, Sicily and Calabria.
Seating is limited, please click HERE register.
Location of event is at Italian Charities of America's
non-profit building at 83-20 Queens Blvd. Elmhurst NY 11373.
Sponsored by Arba Sicula and Italian Charities of America
The Cathedral of St John the Divine presents: ALESSANDRA BELLONI with I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA
Artists in Residence in a special concert:
SACRED DRUMMING & CHANTS FOR THE SEVEN BLACK MADONNAS & ORISHAS
based on Alessandra’s Book: Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna Featuring foreword by bestselling author Matthew Fox
Published by Inner Traditions - Bear & Company
THURSDAY MAY 11TH – 7:30 pm CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE
1047 Amsterdam Avenue & 112 Street, tickets $ 35
BUY TICKETS HERE
www.alessandrabelloni.com email Alessandrabelloni@gmail.com or blackmadonnacenter@gmail.com for more information
The concert will feature: Alessandra Belloni - Artistic Director, Percussions and Vocals-
John La Barbera - Music Director, Composer, Guitar, Mandolin, Chitarra Battente
Joe Deninzon: Violin, mandolin and vocals
Wilson Montuori - Guitar
Steve Gorn - Bansuri Flutes, Saxophones, Clarinet
DANCERS: Francesca Silvano, Peter De Geronimo, Mark Mindek - Stilt Dancer
Join Alessandra Belloni, John La Barbera and I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA with the Black Madonna Center as they open a portal into the sacred sites of the mysterious Black Madonna in Italy and around the world. The concert is an enchanting journey of discovery of the seven Black Madonnas, following the ancient Neapolitan legend, known as the "Seven Sisters" in Southern Italy. This trip into traditional legends, miracles and history, transports audiences to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues today.
The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere Presents a
Live Performance and Special Event:
The Healing Ritual of the Tarantella Dance
Tuesday, April 25 at 7 pm in the Galleria
More Details to Follow Soon!
Learn about the Healing Ritual Tradition of the Tarantella, Pizzicarella and Tammorriata folk dances from the Italian region of Puglia, Campania Sicily and Calabria. This special live performance will feature excerpts from the production Tarantella Spider Dance, Italian Tarantella trance dances, ritual drumming, and healing chants for the Black Madonna.
The event features artistic director, vocalist and percussionist Alessandra Belloni, John La Barbera on guitar and mandolin; and dancers Francesca Silvano and Peter De Geronimo. Belloni will also discuss her book “Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna,” detailing decades-worth of field research from many regions in Southern Italy.
PAST EVENT: SACRED DRUMMING & CHANTS FOR THE BLACK MADONNA & THE ORISHAS FROM ITALY & BRAZIL
SUNDAY JANUARY 29 – 7:00pm – at CORAZON PERFORMING ARTS 125 S Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
This powerful musical journey will introduce and transport the audience to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues today with folk music, processions, devotional drumming, and dance.
The concert is inspired by two geographically distant but thematically parallel traditions. Southern Italian and Brazilian purification rites and procession performed in the summer to honor the archetypical sea goddess. In Brazil she comes from the West African Yoruba culture and is called Yemanja , in Italy she is called the Black Madonna of the Sea (once called Aphrodite). Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, dancer and REMO Artist Alessandra Belloni will be playing the ocean drum, recreating the sound of the waves of the ocean , her Yemanja drum made by Remo that combines the sound of the water with the drum, her line of Southern Italian tambourines and frame drums accompanied by a small ensemble of singers and percussionists.
Vida Vierra will sing the traditional Afro Brazilian Chants for Yemanja and Ochun, Goddess of Love, the Sea, the Rivers accompanied by djembes, congas, pandeiro & bells.
Southern Italy and Brazil share their common roots in Africa and worship of the Black Madonna as African Mother.
PAST EVENT: RAINBOW BODY MATRIX presents: A Celebration of the Black Madonna & Iemanjá.
Join Vida Vierra & Dani Lunn as they host Guest Artist: Alessandra Belloni ~ An embodied journey into the mysteries of the Black Madonna and an honoring of the Feast of Iemanjá! Together we evoked the many faces of the Divine Mother through the power of sacred song and movement.