Natalie Marrone, adjunct assistant professor of dance, conceived and directed an original Italian Earth Day event titled “Festa Della Terra” at the Barriskill Dance Theatre in Durham, N.C., on April 24.
In “Festa della Terra, ” Marrone wove 13 separate dance, song and video works into a 75-minute movement and music narrative about identity, place and transition.
Marrone’s modern folk-fusion dance troupe, The Dance Cure, performed five original Marrone dance compositions, including her work Strega Stories – Part I which the The Dance Cure premiered in performances throughout the state on the 2009-2010 N.C. Dance Festival tour.
Marrone’s modern dance choreography draws upon her fieldwork in traditional music, song and healing dances in the Campania and Puglia regions of Southern Italy.
“Festa Della Terra” also featured more than a half dozen traditional and contemporary Italian songs performed by the acoustic roots ensemble Mebanella. Larry Vellani, director of corporate and foundation relations, consulted with Marrone in arranging Mebanella’s music for “Festa della Terra.” He also performed with the ensemble. Mebanella’s song segments included lyrics and melodies from the Campania, Emilia, Lazio, Lombardia, Puglia, Sicilia and Toscana regions of Italy.
Mebanella is comprised of members of the roots, rhythm and world music ensemble Mebanesville.
Mebanella is comprised of members of the roots, rhythm and world music ensemble Mebanesville.