IAP 65: The Southern Italian Tradition of Tarantism with Alessandra Belloni

This is the Italian American Podcast and, in this episode, we're talking to the very talented singer, dancer, percussionist, director and author, Alessandra Belloni. We talk about really interesting topics focused around some of the Southern Italian tradition of tarantism. "The "bite of the tarantula" was a myth applied to a condition familiar to women through the centuries who experienced abuse, repressed sexuality, powerlessness, and the feeling of being "caught in a web that binds them." Sufferers, known as "tarantate," endure "tarantismo," a lethal mixture of depression, loneliness, and oppression." - Alessandra Belloni, Facebook About our Guest Alessandra Belloni Alessandra Belloni is the Artistic Director, Founder and Lead Performer of "I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA", an Italian Music, Theatre and Dance Ensemble, she is also Artists-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in New York City. She is also the designer of a line of signature series Italian tambourines made by Remo. She is the only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in traditional Southern Italian folk dances and percussion combined with singing that she learned in Southern Italy. Episode Sponsors DirecTV Enjoy your favorite shows from channels Canale 5, Italia 1 and Rete 4 with Mediaset Italia for $10/month. Plus taxes. Plus, get a $100 AT&T Visa® Reward Card when you sign up with qualifying DIRECTV® service, WITH 24-MO. AGMT. REDEEM W/IN 75 DAYS (CARD W/IN 4 WKS). Ends 6/30/18. Call 877.778.4794 today.