This special evening and performance is a musical journey & conversation about the myths & legends in the South of Italy and around the world, through the ancient sacred sites of the Black Madonna.Singer, percussionist, healer and director Alessandra Belloni, joined by master bansuri flautist Steve Gorn will present this special night in celebration of the Epiphany.Alessandra will speak about her personal healing journey with the Black Madonna, and her unique research that led her to write together with composer John La Barbera the theater and dance piece in 1991 and brought her to be Artist in residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. The evening blends healing chants, dances and drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, created from authentic traditions of Southern Italy and Spain, Brazil and France along with original compositions. Belloni and Steve Gorn will take the audience on 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 with processions, drumming rituals, chanting and sensual dancing in honor of the Black Madonna, who is considered the most important of the seven sisters. She continues to be venerated on a high sacred mountain, which pilgrims still climb barefoot while chanting and drumming in her honor.

Here is a link https://youtu.be/vrXtYQCyAzI from the wonderful presentation  THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 8 at

NYU - CASA ITALIANA    

The voyage of the Black Madonna documentary promo  by Alessandra Belloni about her field research in Southern Italy during the feasts of the Black Madonna filmed  between 1991 and 1997 by Dario Bollini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvmSOI1PEQ