PIAZZA PIO XXII

9:15 p.m.
PINO INGROSSO in A MIMMO tribute to Domenico Modugno on the 30th anniversary of his death
to follow

LI STRITTULI

On August 6, the journey of the Itinerant Festival La Notte della Taranta, makes a stop in Cursi Piazza Pio XII. This 27th edition of the festival, which runs from Aug. 3 to 22 (extra festival stop on Aug. 25 in Galatina with La Notte delle Ronde), will cross 19 towns in Salento, offering as many as 50 events to explore the richness and beauty of Salento's historic centers. Each stage features two concerts, with the participation of 34 guest bands, as well as three special performances by the Popular Orchestra Notte della Taranta. There will be no shortage of space for dance with the show "Pizzica in Scena" and nine pizzica workshops, which will actively involve the public, allowing them to experience the energy of the Taranta firsthand. By promoting Salento folk music, the festival creates an exciting dialogue between the arts, weaving music and dance into a path of reflection and discovery. Each stage brings us closer and closer to the grand final Concertone, scheduled for August 24 in Melpignano (LE), a special evening directed by Maestro Concertatore Shablo.The Notte della Taranta is not only a celebration of traditional music, but also a stage for sonic innovations, confirming itself as a festival that knows how to renew itself and captivate the audience with its vibrant energy and its ability to unite past and present in a single, extraordinary musical experience.

Opening the evening at 9:15 p.m., the show "A Mimmo," conceived and written by Pino Ingrosso in musical collaboration with guitarist Salvatore Casaluce, pays tribute to the great Domenico Modugno on the 30th anniversary of his death. Pino Ingrosso, a Salento artist known to the general public for his 20-year collaboration with Oscar winner Nicola Piovani, created this show to celebrate the legendary Apulian singer-songwriter. "To Mimmo" sees Pino Ingrosso, (vocals and guitar), Salvatore Casaluce (guitars) and Daniela Guercia (reciting voice and percussion) retracing Modugno's greatest hits, presenting them to the audience with authenticity and simplicity, without frills or special effects. The performance is enriched with anecdotes, stories and trivia about the famous artist's long career. The performance creates a deep connection between Ingrosso and Modugno, linked not only by their common Salento origin, but also by Ingrosso's extraordinary vocal and interpretative talents, who emerges as the natural witness of the great "Mimmo Modugno."

The show promises to be an exciting journey through Modugno's music and life, offering the audience a unique opportunity to relive the most significant moments of the singer-songwriter's career through the heartfelt and genuine interpretations of Pino Ingrosso and the talent of his collaborators.
Next comes the music of Li Strittuli. The Salento folk music troupe, was born in 1996, emerging during a period of great rediscovery of Salento's musical tradition. The members of the group, linked by years of shared musical studies, embarked on a journey of not only instrumental but also cultural exploration, in search of almost forgotten sounds. Using typical instruments such as the violin, accordion, guitar and Salento frame drum, they brought authentic folk music back to life. After a few years of activity, the group decided to focus their research on traditional songs from the Brindisi area, with particular attention to their hometown of San Pancrazio Salentino. This research brought the members of "Li Strittuli" into contact with local elders, who shared with them a valuable musical repertoire that had been shelved for years. From this collaboration emerged some of the most beautiful songs, which today enrich the group's lineup. 

The main goal of "Li Strittuli" is to offer a journey into Salento folk music, through genres such as pizzica pizzica, pizzica tarantata, love stornelli and songs of work and protest. The group has participated in numerous popular music festivals and made several television appearances. Prominent among their awards is winning the memorial dedicated to Luigi Stifani, a famous violinist of the tarantate. In addition, they collaborated with Andrea Sacco, renowned Gargano cantor, and were guests at London's Business Design Centre on the occasion of "Sicily Fest." At a time when musical fashions change rapidly, "Li Strittuli" remain faithful to the Salento tradition, offering a repertoire devoid of modern contamination. Their commitment is clear: to preserve and enhance the authentic beauty of Salento folk music, convinced that it needs no transformation to be appreciated.

The theme of the 2024 edition of the Festival is Responsibility. After the passing of the great masters of popular music Luigi Chiriatti, Daniele Durante, and 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.

The Ragnatela della Taranta continues on: Aug. 7, Zollino with I Tamburellisti di Otranto and Consuelo Alfieri; Aug. 8, Nardò with Tarantarneo and Officina Zoè; Aug. 9, Ugento with Ionica Popolare and the Popular Orchestra Notte della Taranta; August 10 Sant'Andrea - marina di Melendugno with Cesare Dell'Anna, Redi Hasa and Ekland Hasa and Antonio Castrignanò & Taranta Sound; August 11 Sternatia with Mino De Santis and Stella Grande; August 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 ADMISSION

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 environmentally friendly electric cars.