The ancient traditions of Sicily are onstage at Casa Italia Zerilli-Marimò-NYU on Wednesday December 12 with a short movie edited and directed by Francesco Piccolo, narrating the mystical journey pilgrims take to the Black Madonna every summer. The evening will also feature a Santa Lucia musical performance and the traditional Christmas celebration with refreshments.
Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, teacher Alessandra Belloni will be at the Istituto to present the documentary with the Italian Music and Dance Company I Giullari di Piazza. Black Madonna Pilgrimage & Summer Solstice Musical Celebration in Sicily was produced by Alessandra Belloni & The Black Madonna Center.
Embark on a journey of initiation, transformation, and empowerment with award-winning musician and author Alessandra Belloni as she unveils the powers of the Black Madonna and the music traditions of Sicily in stunning locations by the sea and on sacred mountains with ancient Megaliths and giant sculptures of the Earth Mother. Based on Belloni’s book Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna, published by Inner Traditions, the 23-minute-long documentary opens a portal into the sacred sites of the Island of Sicily known as the Island of Demeter and Persephone – and the ongoing worship of the Earth Goddess and the African Mother as the Black Madonna. Through footage of ancient rituals never seen outside of Italy, Belloni reveals the raditions from Magna Grecia (ancient Sicily) that are still alive today, among stunning locations by the sea and on sacred mountains with ancient Megaliths and giant sculptures of the Earth Mother.
This powerful journey will transport the audience to a time and place where an unbroken tradition continues today with folk music, processions, devotional drumming, and dance, sharing the field research by Belloni recorded during the most recent pilgrimage in Sicily in June 2023. Pilgrims and students from different parts of the world learned the unique Sicilian tambourine technique combined with sacred chants of the Black Madonna, and let go into the ecstatic dace of the tarantella. The film presentation blends Sicilian musical traditions with sacred locations in Sicily.
The screening will be followed by a Santa Lucia celebration performance of Sicilian folk music, featuring Belloni as artistic director, vocals & percussion, John La Barbera, music director, guitarist & composer, chitarra battente & mandolin, Steve Gorn, bansuri flutes, saxophone & clarinet, Wilson Montuori, guitar, Joe Deninzon, violin, and special guests from the Sicilian group Sudcantica.
After the Santa Lucia performance all attendees are invited to the Casa Italiana Christmas celebration with refreshments.
