Dancing The Tarantella Napoletana with Toddlers
The Tarantella is a style of upbeat Italian song and dance characterized by light, quick steps and tambourine-playing (note how we use wrist bells in The Music Class to mimic this!) The name “Tarantella" is believed to come from the disease “Tarantism” – a form of hysteria induced by the bite of a Tarantula spider. On the island of Taranto. And the only way to cure the disease is frenzied dancing. You read that right. Tarantella comes from Tarantism, where a Tarantula bites you on the island of Taranto, and then you have to dance with Tambourines.
This folklore seems to be not only a hilarious situation to imagine, and some A+ alliteration, but also a positive prescription for entertaining toddlers. How about some fun, frenzied dancing to tucker everyone out and learn a little about traditional Italian music and dance at the same time!?
"Tarantella Napoletana", also known as the Italian Wedding Tarantella, is the most famous and recognizable piece of Tarantella music. It is also what The Music Class's recording on The Elephant Collection is based on!
So gather your kids, watch the video below, and sing and dance along with Ms. Raina! If you're not enrolled in TMC classes this Spring, there's still time to join the session! If you're in Atlanta, go to our ATL homepage to find your closest studio. If you're outside of Atlanta, go here to find a center offering TMC classes near you!