The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ITALIAN FOLK DANCE--LABALLARELLA (THE LITTLE DANCE)

DANCE IS DONE TO A FAST AND RHYTHMIC ACCORDIAN MUSIC.
A LARGE CIRCLE OF DANCERS IS FORMED WHO JOIN HANDS AND
DANCE IN A MOVING CIRCLE, WHICH CHANGES DIRECTIONS AFTER
EVERY COMPLETE TURN OF THE CIRCLE, AND EVENTUALLY THE
CIRCLE WILL STOP AND TWO DANCERS WILL BREAK OFF THE
CIRCLE INTO THE MIDDLE AND DO A MORE ELABORATE DANCE
WHILE THOSE IN THE CIRCLE WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS, AND KICK
THEIR FEET TO THE MUSIC. DANCE ALSO CALLED THE "TARANTELLA."

Submitter comment: THIS IS THE AMERICANIZED VERSION OF THE ITALIAN DANCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): TARANTELLA