A rare Italian treat is in store for you on Friday, July 7, 2023, and it does not involve frozen dessert, pasta, or pizza pie. On a venture to Colorado from their home in Vermont, Celest DiPietropaolo and Marie DiCocco will come to Fort Collins to present an evening workshop of Italian traditional, non-performance dances found in villages and danced by real folks at community rituals and events. These are circle dances, line dances, game dances, couple dances – tarantellas, saltarellos, gigs, and much more. Celest & Marie don’t go on the road too far from Vermont very often, so this opportunity to learn non-Balkan, non-ballroom Italian traditional dances is indeed rare.
Celest & Marie have a passion for the traditional dances of the Italian mountain villages that have not been transformed by tourism and television. They have been researching and teaching Italian traditional dances since 1983, including a stint of field research living in Italy from 1995 to 1998. Their goal is to have groups continue to dance Italian traditional dances.
Pricing:
Because this event is of short notice during a holiday week and we want to encourage as much attendances as possible, we are asking for a $12 minimum donation at the door. All proceeds go directly to Celest & Marie for their time and talents. Please give more if you are able and if you find them amazing! If you are unable to afford $12, please come regardless and give what you can. Please RSVP (no registration) so we can plan accordingly:
Tentative Evening Schedule:
| 6:15-6:30 | Arrival, shoe changing, milling, mingling, situating, etc. |
| 6:30-7:30 | Lecture on folklore vs tradition accompanied by video examples of dances taught that evening (an event for those who consider dance as more than just aerobics) |
| 7:30-8:15 | Teach dances from Northern Italy and the island of Sardinia |
| 8:15-8:30 | Break and a light snacks (please bring your own beverage) |
| 8:30-9:45 | Teach dances from Southern Italy and Central Italy |
| 9:45-10:30 | Review of dances taught and answer questions, resolve problems, etc. |
More Info:
- Please RSVP (no registration), so we can plan accordingly:
- Please arrive between 6:15-6:25 PM, so that we may start promptly at 6:30 PM
- Location: Empire Grange Hall, 2306 W Mulberry St, Fort Collins, CO 80521
- Light snacks will be provided
- Bring your own beverage, including water (or you can navigate the water fountain). Alcohol is allowed, if you so desire for a workshop, but will not be provided.
- No COVID restrictions. Please do not attend if you are sick, wash hands, control your sneeze, etc…
- Check back here for updated information:
You can find more information about Celest & Marie on these sites:
- https://www.italianvillagedance.com/
- https://sfdh.us/encyclopedia/dipietropaolo_c.html
- https://socalfolkdance.org/master_teachers/dipietropaolo_c.htm
Tentative dances that Celest & Marie will teach (with video links):
SARDEGNA (Sardinia):
Ballo Campidanese (South Sardegna)
SSA Danza (most of Sardegna)
ITALIA SETTENTRIONALE (Northern Italy):
Patrioti (a Manfrone) (Bologna)
Balli Resiani (Udine)
ITALIA MERIDIONALE (Southern Italy):
Tarantella Pastorale (Calabria-Lucania); alternative video
Tarantella Montemaranese (Avellino); alternative video
ITALIA CENTRALE (Central Italy):
Saltarello Teramano (Teramo); alternate video
Spallata (Area of the Sannio)
