Get Caught in a Web of Ancient Southern Italian Dance, Music and Culture at Tarantella Festival 2024

The Segmento Foundation, supported by the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the City of Shepparton, is proud to present the Segmento Tarantella Festival this September and October. The festival is presented under the patronage of the Calabria Region and Comites Victoria & Tasmania, along with the backing of the Calabria Club and numerous Italian clubs in Melbourne. The Segmento Tarantella Festivalcelebrates the vibrant music and captivating dances originating from the southern regions of Italy.

The festival offers a diverse array of free public events, beginning with an opening ceremony to welcome international musicians to Melbourne. This event is followed by a series of dinner concerts and day-long festivities at various locations including Club Italia in Sunshine, Freccia Azzurra in Braeside, Shepparton Showgrounds and the Grand Finale at the Calabria Club in Bulla, Melbourne.

The festival’s opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 20th September, at the Sala Cosenza of the Calabria Club, setting the stage for a spectacular celebration of dance, music, fashion shows, storytelling, and a captivating multimedia exhibition.

“The festival brings together Australian, Italian and Greek creatives to provide an original and immersive experience of traditional Italian music and dance.” Said Dr Giovanni Butera, Festival Director. “Participants and facilitators, including dancers, musicians, writers, poets, and visual artists, are committed to promoting Southern Italian and Southern European culture in the spirit of social cohesion. Workshops are thoughtfully organised for local primary schools, Italian Clubs and Associations, as well as elderly care centres, aiming to pass on knowledge, values, and a sense of identity across generations.” 

Artistic Director, Ciccio Nucera is widely recognised as the “King” of the Calabrian Tarantella, with a distinguished career spanning over 40 years, including successful tours worldwide. Serving as Co-Director is Amy Vaccari, the lead dancer of “Le Muse del Mediterraneo,” as well as a vocalist and percussionist with a vibrant personality. A Master of Dance and teacher of traditional Tarantella, she is one of the foremost experts in Calabrian folklore and musical traditions.

The festival’s Special Guest is Kavisha Paola Mazzella, an Australian composer of Italian heritage. Mazella is a singer-songwriter, folklorist, activist, and choir leader with her style blending Mediterranean, Gypsy, and Celtic influences. In 1998, she won an ARIA Award for Best World Music Album for Fisherman’s Daughter, produced by Mick Thomas.

Unity, Inclusiveness, and Mutual Respect

The core objective of the Segmento Tarantella Festival is to serve as a platform for promoting Southern Italian and Southern European traditional music and dance, fostering connections, encouraging communication, and sparking curiosity among diverse communities. The festival also seeks to raise cultural awareness across all generations.

The Segemento Tarantella Festival aims to empower all Australians to maintain a connection with their cultural heritage, transcending language barriers and established cultural practices. It also offers a unique opportunity to share aspects of Southern European traditions with other communities, highlighting both differences and similarities to foster intercultural awareness and appreciation. We believe that understanding various cultures and traditions is essential for the harmonious and peaceful development of all communities in a globalized and multi-ethnic society.

To further this mission and encourage multi-ethnic participation, Segmento has organized a social media campaign in five languages: Italian, Greek, Hindi, Chinese, and Arabic.

The Segmento Tarantella Festival is a welcoming series of events, open to all, regardless of age, gender, culture, background, religion, or political affiliation. It invites everyone passionate, interested in, or simply curious about Southern European culture and traditions. This all-inclusive event caters to families, young couples, singles, children, and teenagers, offering them the chance to spend time in a picturesque outer-city courtyard or dine indoors while enjoying live music and interactive performances, all while embracing the rich tapestry of Southern European folklore.

For more details visit https://www.segmentotarantellafestival.com.au/