Pizzica is a traditional dance from the region of Apulia or Puglia, the "heel" of the boot of Italy. 

Academically considered one of many "tarantella," the Pizzica has undergone a unique journey, with many waves of both revival and interpretation. Together, we'll explore these unique intertwining layers of tradition, assimilation, and reclamation. 

In addition to exploring the dance itself, we'll examine all of its musical and cultural context: songs, instruments, and social rhythms. 

The small town of Galatina is our home for the week. You're going to have a breakfast spot, a favorite bakery, maybe even get to know some neighbors.

Renowned for the Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul and another of Santa Caterina, Galatina is situated in the heart of Salento in the province of Lecce, almost right in the middle between the two coasts. 

With its rich cultural heritage, the town eagerly collaborates with us to host this gathering, fostering a shared passion for and deep interest in preserving the cherished pizzica traditions of the region.

Being centered in town means a relative ease of access for travelers: Galatina is super walkable, and accessible by bus/train from Lecce. 

⁠Centering Local Artists

The residency offers the opportunity to learn from the perspectives of those who hold these arts, who live this music, and who share it in an oral tradition. We aim to collaborate across generations, professions, and approaches to share a truly holistic picture of the nuances of the traditions, and relationships to it. Engaging respectfully and sincerely with these roots means we open our hearts and minds to a range of stories, sounds, perspectives, and interpretations. 

A Holistic Program

The program is not just a collection of interesting experiences -- we work carefully to craft an experience where each element works together to create layers of understanding and opportunities to engage with the felt experience of these traditions in profound ways.

Striving for Immersion

The residency dives deep! We dream of an immersion into the depth of possibilities — a profound and complex offering to guests to Puglia. We invite the artists to share what they feel called to do, without us directing them to cater to anything in specific. Transformation and understanding can ask big shifts in us, challenging what we maybe thought we knew about cultural practice -- we welcome that.

These days will be filled with profound sensory experiences of  local traditions, facilitated in collaboration with, and out of deep respect for, their land and people.

The program is guided by a full week of daily morning lesson in English with Rosa Voto, from the Melbourne School of Tarantella. 

In the afternoons and evenings, we will follow focus dance, tamburello (traditional frame drum), and music workshops with local artists and teachers, all translated into English by Rosa.

We will spend time in Galatina's important sites of tarantismo, the healing ritual pizzica, specifically the famed well and chapel of Saint Paul. 

We'll also be guided into the Museo Civico Pietro Cavoti, connecting with old records of tarantismo's lineage, as well the paintings of Luigi Caiuli and the photographs of Franco Pinna. 

Live music, together, is a cornerstone of our experience, so you can experience the pizzica in its truest form! 

We'll gather together to share and explore the intricacies of your day's dance discoveries, weaving newfound moves and memories within the community that brings this music to life.