Bella Tarantella

Today, the tarantella (shown in this painting) is still alive and danced and played socially in many parts of southern Italy. In modern-day Sicily, however, it’s danced most often by organized folk music and dance ensembles at feasts and festivals. There remains a very strong folk music culture throughout the island, where you’ll find musicians…

Bloom and Song

From February 12-22, 2015 the city of Agrigento celebrates the 70th Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore (The Festival of the Blooming Almond Trees) and the 60th International Festival of Folklore. The “in Fiore” festival marks that spring is arriving and the almond trees are in bloom, while the folklore festival features performances of not only…

Abballati! Abballati! A Traditional Tarantella

“Abballati, abballati, Fimmini schetti e maritati, E si n’abballati bonu, Non vi cantu e non vi sonu…” “Abballati Abballati!” is a traditional Sicilian tarantella. “Abballati” is an invitation to dance… “Single and married women (next verse: single and married men), and if you don’t dance well, I’m not going to sing or play for you!”…