The Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles pressnts:INTERNATIONALLY RENOUWED SINGER, PERCUSSIONIST DANCER ALESSANDRA BELLONI REMO Signature Series Artist – presents: TARANTELLA Rhythms and steps Healing Dance and Percussion Workshop Monday July 14 6:00pm at the Italian Cultural Institute 1023 Hildgard Avenue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mR410cTt4Y&feature=share&list=PL90C87419399B6C55
by Alessandra Belloni REMO Signature Series Artist From the Ancient Mediterranean to today, Alessandra Belloni conducts this world renowned workshop for Women…( New York Open Center, Findhorn Foundation, Scotland , Glastonbury Goddess Festival, Annual Workshop in Tuscany, Italy, and in California, Brazil, Australia, always transforming the lives of many women… In this workshop featuring Southern Italian folk dances and rituals we will learn chants used to invoke the healing power of the sun and moon, as well as a repertoire of therapeutic dances, accompanied by the beat of Frame drums and tambourines. Alessandra presents these unique dance movements which trace their roots from Southern Italy back to ancient Greece. Students Should Expect to Learn the Following Dances: TAMMORRIATA - This elegant and sensual dance from Naples is performed by couples playing castanets to the rhythm of the large drum, called the Tammorra. The dance movements have a strong Spanish and Middle Eastern flourish, with many recognizable movements of the Flamenco and Belly Dance traditions. These movements are set to the beat of African 4/4 rhythms. 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 later, the Black Madonna. TARANTELLA DE’ 600 – This is a Renaissance folk dance which is done in pairs which is very popular in Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. It contains both fast, energetic steps and combined arm and leg movements which improve coordination. This invigorating dance had been called by Alessandra’s students ‘Italian Aerobics”.
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Workshop filmed by BAREFEET internet TV channel :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mR410cTt4Y&feature=share&list=PL90C87419399B6C55
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."
About Alessandra Belloni
Award winner percussionist/singer/dancer/actress/ teacher Alessandra Belloni is also an author, and 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, Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine , 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 Notes among others.
She has been invited to appear in percussion festivals in England, Brazil, Poland, France, Italy, Australia, Egypt, Israel, and throughout the U.S. and Hawaii.