In the heart of every Italian celebration, there is usually a moment where the chairs are pushed back, the music swells, and the room erupts into the rhythmic chaos of the Tarantella. But according to Anna Harsh, the visionary director of Allegro Dance Company, these dances are much more than just wedding reception staples—they are ancient rituals of healing, community, and prayer.
On a recent episode of the Pizza Story Podcast, Erica D’Arcangelo sat down with Anna to discuss her 33-year journey of preserving Italian heritage through dance and why it’s vital to keep these “living traditions” moving for the next generation.
From Family Dinners to a College Thesis
Anna’s relationship with dance began “at the womb.” Growing up in an artistic Italian family, traditional steps were passed down orally during post-dinner celebrations. However, when Anna decided to focus on Italian dance for her college thesis, she hit a surprising roadblock: it wasn’t in the history books.
Because these traditions were passed down person-to-person rather than through written text, Anna had to embark on a lifelong “quest” to document them. Since then, she has toured the United States, researched in all 20 regions of Italy, and even performed for Pope John Paul II.
The “Bite” of the Tarantella: More Than Just a Dance
The most famous Italian dance, the Tarantella, dates back over 2,000 years. While we see it as a joyful celebration today, Anna explains its roots are far more profound. Pinpointed to the region of Puglia (specifically the city of Taranto), the dance was originally a ritual for healing.
The “Tarantella” refers to the bite of the tarantula spider. Traditionally, if someone was suffering from a “bite” – which Anna interprets as a metaphor for grief, anxiety, or trauma – the community would surround them.
“They would shake and tremble to get the nervous system moving,” Anna explains. “It was therapy. The community would play and chant to heal one another.”
Every movement in these dances carries weight. For instance, the constant spinning in a Tarantella represents sending prayers up to the heavens to be cured. In contrast, the dances of the North, like waltzes and polkas, are more choreographed and calculated. This reflects a different historical evolution.
A Journey Across the 20 Regions
Anna Harsh is nearly finished with her goal of documenting dances from all 20 regions of Italy. Each area tells a unique story about its people:
- Abruzzo: The Bolo de la Conca (Dance of the Basin) features women balancing water basins on their heads. It tells the story of the strength and elegance of the hardworking women going to the well.
- Calabria: The specific blue of the dance capes matches the Ionian Sea, a visual connection to the geography of the land.
- Northern Italy: Refined circle dances that reflect the elegance of the Renaissance period.
Passing the Tambourine to the Next Generation
To ensure these stories don’t fade, Anna has authored several books, including a children’s series featuring a girl named Alessia who learns steps from a spider. She also hosts workshops across the U.S.—from vineyard tastings in North Carolina to museum presentations in Pittsburgh.
Anna’s message is simple: you don’t have to be a professional to practice your heritage. Whether it’s making pizza, learning a few words of the language, or practicing a dance step after dinner, these traditions must be lived every day.
“If you can walk, you can do these dances,” Anna says. “Know your region, know where you come from, and do your dances. Celebrate every day.”
Follow Anna Harsh on Instagram @tambourinechronicles
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