Alessandra Belloni

Rhythm is the Cure with Alessandra Belloni – Concert Feb. 7, 8-10pm; Workshop Feb. 8, 3-7pm Golden Drum is proud to present a concert and workshop with renowned tambourine virtuoso/singer/dancer/actress ALESSANDRA BELLONI. Ms. Belloni will offer songs accompanied by tambourine on Friday, Feb. 7 and will then offer a participatory workshop on Saturday, Feb. 8. The workshop shall give people the means to fortify themselves against daily stresses. Students shall become empowered through discovery of the ancient art of frame drumming and a technique of music and dance therapy that shall enable them to discover the means to achieve homeostatic balance and inner relief of stress, while restoring spiritual and physical energy. Check out Alessandra in this video:   Each class is designed to follow the method described in Ms. Belloni’s 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 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. Admission Cost: Friday night concert $20, Saturday workshop (4 hours) $65 in advance/$75 at the door; $80 for both Bio: Tambourine 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 Percussive She 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.