PIAZZA DUOMO
9:15 p.m.
JONICA POPOLARE
POPULAR ORCHESTRA "LA NOTTE DELLA TARANTA"
On August 9, the journey of the Itinerant Festival La Notte della Taranta, makes a stop in Ugento in Piazza Duomo. The festival, scheduled from Aug. 3 to 22, will involve 19 towns in Salento, offering 50 events that will allow people to discover the richness and beauty of Salento's historic centers to the pressing rhythm of the pizzica. Two concerts are planned for each stage, with the participation of 34 guest bands and three special concerts by the Popular Orchestra Notte della Taranta. In addition to music, there will also be room for dance with the show "Pizzica in Scena" and nine pizzica workshops, which will actively involve the public. This 27th edition promises to be extraordinary, consolidating La Notte della Taranta as the largest traveling festival in Italy. The festival promotes popular music as an emotional experience born from the encounter between different art forms, interweaving music and dance in a path of reflection and deepening. Each stage is a step toward the big Concertone on Aug. 24 in Melpignano (LE), a special evening marked by the creativity of Maestro Concertatore Shablo.
Opening the evening at 9:15 pm is the group Jonica Popolare. The group carries on a musical project born in 2017 from the idea of Rolli Salvatore, singer and founder of the band. The initial goal of the project was to re-evaluate the ancient songs that resonated in the Salento countryside, bringing to light a valuable part of the local musical tradition. Over time, and responding to the growing demand for more "modern" folk music, Jonica Popolare evolved its style. The group began to integrate nontraditional instruments, such as sax and trumpet, while maintaining rhythms and melodies that recall the old Salento and its rich history. Today, Jonica Popolare is an established and well-known group throughout Puglia. In 2020, they produced their first record, appearing on major television shows and participating in major events such as patronal festivals and festivals throughout Italy. In 2024, the group launched their first single "MaraVita," featuring dancer Laura Boccadamo. This new song represents another step forward in their continuous musical evolution, blending tradition and modernity into a unique sound experience. Jonica Popolare continues to pursue its commitment to promote and innovate Salento folk music, bridging the past and the present and involving an increasingly large and enthusiastic audience.
This is followed by the great show by the Popular Orchestra "La Notte della Taranta" with Alessandro Chiga, Roberto Chiga, Leonardo Cordella, Mario Esposito, Peppo Grassi, Antonio Marra, Alessandro Monteduro, Sergio Pizza, Giuseppe Gallone, Attilio Turrisi, Consuelo Alfieri, Salvatore Galeanda, Ninfa Giannuzzi. Founded in 2004, the Popular Orchestra "La Notte della Taranta" was born thanks to the initiative of Ambrogio Sparagna, an eclectic cultural witness active year-round in our country and around the world. This orchestra has become a formidable instrument of cultural promotion, representing a "world in the world" through its fascinating music. Over the years, the orchestra has grown and evolved, welcoming pizzica and folk music musicians from all over Salento. Today, it is composed of artists who carry on the musical tradition of Salento, mixing it with contemporary and international influences, thus creating a unique and engaging sound. The Popular Orchestra "La Notte della Taranta" not only promotes Salento music in Italy, but also brings its vibrant energy to international stages, captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks to their dedication and the talent of its members, the Orchestra continues to grow and spread the magic of pizzica and Salento folk music around the world.
Theme of the 2024 edition of the Festival is Responsibility. After the passing of the great masters of folk music Luigi Chiriatti, Daniele Durante, Giovanna Marini, the Festival presents the folk revival groups that over the years have inherited the rich heritage of traditional songs and are constantly experimenting with new connections.
Ragnatela della Taranta continues on Aug. 10 Sant'Andrea - marina di Melendugno with Cesare Dell'Anna, Redi Hasa and Ekland Hasa and Antonio Castrignanò & Taranta Sound; Aug. 11 Sternatia with Mino De Santis and Stella Grande; Aug. 12 Carpignano Salentino with Edoardo Zimba and Enzo Petrachi & Folkband; Aug. 13 Galatone with Carmen Greco and Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino & Inude Pulse; Aug. 14 Lecce with Giancarlo Paglialunga's Arneo Tambourine Project and Antonio Amato Ensemble; Aug. 16 Soleto with Antonio Smiriglia and Gli Sciacuddhuzzi; Aug. 17 Galatina with Orchestra Popolare and Corpo di Ballo La Notte della Taranta, Aug. 18 Castrignano de' Greci with Nando Citarella & tamburi del Vesuvio and Salvatore Galeanda, Aug. 19 Alessano with Fonarà and Mascarimirì x 2, Aug. 20 Cutrofiano with Enza Pagliara and Kamafei, Aug. 21 Martignano with I Briganti di Terra d'Otranto and Alla Bua, Aug. 22 Martano with groups from Faeto and Celle San Vito in the province of Foggia: La Corale la nuova Provenza and Terra Nostra Folk, followed by Hysterrae and Ashèblasta. Extra Festival August 25 La Notte delle Ronde in Galatina.
FREE ENTRANCE
The Itinerant Festival is a cultural project of the La Notte della Taranta Foundation supported by the Region of Puglia and the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Unione dei Comuni della Grecìa salentina and the Diego Carpitella Institute.
The festival will travel at zero emissions with the contribution of Mercedes De Mariani Group. Artists and guests will travel in electric cars with respect for the environment.
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