Alessandra Belloni

Saturday, Nov. 9th and 23rd. 6-9pmChurch Street School of Music74 Warren St. NYC$60 for one workshop or $100 for both datesRSVP by email to ABelloni@aol.com if you want to attend. You can also mail a check c/o Alessandra Belloni to 1111 River Road Apt G33 Edgewater NJ 07020 to pre-register.   Each class is designed to follow the method described in her book/dvd Rhythm is the Cure. This enables students to continue their studies independently after the course is complete. The course consists of four two-hour classes.Students shall begin each session with an hour of drumming followed by an hour of dance. Students will learn the variations of the basic 6/8 rhythm of the Tarantella that originated as music and dance therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula. The dance movements represent an unbroken chain of inspiration from pre-Christian times to the present.They embody and culminate the different dance traditions that we know today as Flamenco, Belly Dance, and Tribal Dance.Students will learn the Tammorriata, an elegant and sensual dance from Naples performed by couples playing castanets to the rhythm of a large drum, called the Tammorra. The Tammorriata is based upon an improvisational style of drumming and singing usually enacted during the summer rituals in honor of the ancient Earth Goddess Cybele, and now worshipped as the Black Madonna.STUDENTS WILL ALSO LEARN:THE PIZZICA TARANTATA - The wild 6/8 rhythm of the Pizzica, played on medium size tambourines and accompanied by dance and song, a haling trance dance for many mental-health disorders and imbalances., done mainly by women, who suffered from depression known as tarantismo. As part of a re-enactment of this healing ritual, Alessandra will lead the participants in a circle dance where they'll create "spider-like" movements on the ground, releasing stress and blockages of sexual energy.RITMO E DANZA DI SAN ROCCO (SPINNING DANCE) - This dance, originating in Calabria during the Middle Ages. It was danced during the time of the plague to help people release the overpowering fear of death. Due to the trance-inducing movements and incessant spinning, many people enter ecstatic states during this dance, similar to the Whirling Dervish ceremonies.TARANTELLA ALLA MONTEMARANESE - A fun Carnevale dance in honor of Baccus, god of wine and ecstasy, the Tarantella alla Montemaranese is danced in a circle to a very syncopated 6/8 rhythm while wearing masks and playing castanets. Alessandra ends the sessions ends using the ocean creating the sound of waves in a final relaxation invoking the healing power of the water.Alessandra Belloni’s links to TV appearances:Alessandra Belloni Live Appearance on ABC-TV7 Chicago http://youtu.be/3J9ZlzKLzPwAlessandra Belloni featured on CNN Worldbeat http://youtu.be/IkOqBrpcB9QAlessandra Belloni "Spider Sex documentary " on National Geographichttp://youtu.be/vp8dE3jJnq0BARE FEET TV PROGRAM – DANCE AND PERCUSSION WORKSHOPhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mR410cTt4Y&feature=share&list=PL90C87419399B6C55https://vimeo.com/597866281.Alessandra Belloni LESSON 3: Pizzica srhythm and lesson on tambourinehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfCWGQ6URds2.Alessandra Belloni LESSON 3: TAMMORRIATA RHYTHM for the Black Madonnahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_RPEG4Ae9wTambourine virtuoso/singer/dancer/actress Alessandra Belloni is renowned in her field and travels worldwide to perform group and solo concerts in theaters, universities, and international percussion festivals. Belloni began her career in her native Rome with the great actress Anna Magnani in "La Lupa," and with legendary film director Federico Fellini in "Casanova." She is Artistic Director/Leading Performer of I Giullari di Piazza, an ensemble of musicians/vocalists/dancers that specializes in authentic Southern Italian music and theater events, dating back to the 13th century. Belloni is a REMO artist and designer of her signature series of Italian tambourines; she is also author of the book & DVD "Rhythm is the Cure," published by Mel Bay. The only artist in the world who specializes in Southern Italian tambourines combined with singing and dance, Belloni was selected as one of the best percussionists in the world by DRUM! Magazine, and has been acclaimed in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, featured in Modern Drummer and PercussiveShe has been invited to appear in percussion festivals in London, Brazil, Poland, France, Italy, Australia, Rome, and throughout the U.S.Don Hackman, writing in the Los Angeles Times, found that "Alessandra Belloni and "Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider" is a revelation, utterly fascinating."Drum Magazine noted that "Italian-born virtuoso Alessandra Belloni is established as a unique phenomenon, not just a percussionist, but also an actress, lecturer, entertainer, and healer."Jon Pareles of The New York Times, reviewing an I Giullari di Piazza show, remarked that "Ms. Belloni sang in an exultant voice. The songs blazed with an age-old momentum."