Virtual dance meet-ups | In-person practices | Mutual Aid

I'm an amateur pizzica dancer, a social practitioner, a tamburello player and learner, a Sud Italian and Sicilian arts nerd, and an ongoing learner of various regional tarantelle. 

I'm a grandaughter of the southern Italian diaspora.

Currently putting together un collettivo di danza (a movement, percussion, and cultural context skill share and collective) in San Francisco. Into it? Reach out.

I hosted a weekly virtual pizzica dance ronda (circle) from June 2022 to December 2024. We're revamping for 2025. Stay tuned.

What?
A weekly social dance get together
Not a class! Though I teach in other dance styles, when it comes to these styles, I am a fellow learner and longtime social practitioner.
 

Where?
Zoom

When?
Used to be every Tuesday, but TBD for 2025
 

Why?
It's fun!
 

Who?
You. Me. Us. We. Whoever shows up.
 

How?

• Join the zoom a little before 6pm PST
• Say hi
• Mute yourself
• We'll do a movement warm-up and go  over a basic step to get everyone on the same page
• I'll play a song, we'll all dance
• The song will end, we'll say goodbye, and then we'll do it all again the following week
   

Miscellany

• Come as you are. No special outfits or equipment needed
• You can have your camera on or off
• You can drum, sing, or clap along instead (muted, please!)
• You can do crafts and bop along to the music
• No recording (of others or of the screen, please — you can record yourself in your space if you want!)
• No pressure
• No prerequisites
• All bodies are dancing bodies
• It will be more fun if you are there

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Mutual Aid

This  is not a class. I am a social practitioner and a fellow ongoing learner, not an expert. There is no charge.

That said, I do know one or two things and I put many of my personal resources into ongoing learning from my amazing teachers. I can share basic moves to get everyone started. To keep it community-minded, I will pick a spot for us to donate some mutual aid to each season. If you are able to donate, great, if not, no worries. Honor system. We can community source spots as we go, as well.

2024 donations & mutual aid: 

Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA)
Providing direct aid to Gazans

2023 donations & mutual aid went to: 

Mediterranea Rescue.
Saving lives and bearing witness on the Mediterranean Sea

2022 mutual aid/donations went to:

UAW-UC Academic Workers Strike Support and Hardship Fund

In solidarity with the 48,000 academic workers currently striking over unfair labor practices.

​

National Indian Child Welfare Association.  I believe it is vital for Italian-Americans to actively support native  peoples in the Americas (and am happy to chat about why anytime). You  can read more about the threat to ICWA here: https://linktr.ee/protecticwa​

Your local food bank. They do crucial work. (My local food bank is here. You can find yours at this link.)
 

Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition - Water Fund

No Más Muertes / No More Deaths
 

These are designed as in-person gatherings of interested people with a variety of  experiences who want to learn more and perhaps work on related projects together. The plan is generally to go over basic steps, dance together, watch  videos for inspiration, and train our eyes and ears to see differences in styles — and then of course to dance some more.  I will also be sharing a short reading passage with people ahead of time that we can discuss to keep our work contextualized.

Specifically:

• We will learn some basic pizzica steps and do a lot of dancing. 
• We can drum a bit if people are up for it.
• We'll watch some videos and get inspired.
• We'll discuss a passage from a book or article.
• We'll think about our place in this art form.
• We'll dance some more!

This is a bit of an experiment - not quite a class (but we will all learn) , not quite a salon (but we will all think and chat), not quite a festa (but we will all have a meaningful blast). Monica usually facilitates, though there are guests, and if you are reading this and interested in leading a section, please reach out.

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Note that though I am a decades long dancer and teacher in another style, I very  purposely use the term 'facilitator' for this work! I have vast and varied learning experiences around tarantelle, and continued study is how I hope to spend many more of my days and years, but I am a learner and social practitioner myself.

Spoiler alert: Part of my larger thinking is that we can nurture a San Francisco Bay Area scene where pros will want to come teach us knowing there is interest! 

People of all experience levels are welcome. Folk dance, after all, is done, learned, and taught by folks. 

Note: We need at least 5 to 7 people to make these happen. We need YOU!