Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, teacher/author 
ALESSANDRA BELLONI – REMO artist 
Presents her first LIVE HEALING DANCE & DRUMMING WORKSHOP from 
Southern Italy! 

TARANTELLA & THE BLACK MADONNA
Drumming & Dance Workshop


Saturday October 29th , from 3:30pm to 6:00pm 

 Center for Modern Dance Studio
84 Euclide Avenue Hackensack NJ 07601 
(201) 342-2989 


Featuring Artists:
ALESSANDRA BELLONI- vocals, percussion 
FRANCESCA SILVANO- Dancer

Experience the healing power of Southern Italian tarantella rhythms and dance with internationally renowned singer, percussionist, and teacher, Alessandra Belloni author of the book HEALING JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA published by Inner traditions with foreword by bestselling author Rev Dr Matthew Fox. 

We will also celebrate All Hallows Eve & Saints Day as it is done in southern Italy-- honoring the Earth Mother and the Black Madonna. 

We’ll 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. In modern day music therapy the tarantella rhythm targets especially women. 

We will also learn a unique style of traditional Southern Italian frame drum & 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. 

Tambourine and frame drum - Put into practice with frame drum technique. Alessandra as facilitator embraces the Tammorriata- 4/4 rhythm in honor of the Black Madonna with African origins– making a circle of frame drum players. The focus is to give the participants a practical tool to use in their practices, using small percussion instruments such as tambourines together with movement and exercises for grounding and opening the heart chakra. 

Alessandra will also speak about her book: growing up with the Black Madonna; the universal Mother is everywhere; the hidden continuity, from Cybele and Isis to the Black Madonna; 

You will learn:

  • Sacred chants of the Divine Feminine now knonw as Mama Schiavona and the sacred mountain of Montevergine;
  • The ancient tradition of the femminielli - gay and transgender devotees 
  • Tammoriata: the erotic dancing and singing rituals of the Black Mother in Southern Italy, the wild communion with the Divine Mother, Black Madonna, revering Mother Earth as a Living Being 
  • The healing trance dance of the Pizzica Tarantata- or Spider Dance 

Participants need to have a tambourine or frame drum, at least 12 inches wide, also avaialble for purchase here especially desgined by Alessandra with REMO for the Southern Italian tambourine technique.

Alessandra may have a couple of tambourines for sale the day of the workshop. 

**Please wear white or clothing with red**

Registration and Cost of Workshop:

Admission: $60 in advance, $70 day of

Payment must be received prior to the start of class. 
You can pay using VENMO, ZELLE (abelloni@aol.com) or this link: https://www.everbutton.com/pay/6349