Balarù (in Piedmontese: those who love to dance) proposes a balfolk repertoire enriched by northwest italian pieces and original tunes, all arranged for a dance concert.
The project started in 2016 when Francesco (hurdy-gurdy) and Andrea (bouzouki, banjo) wanted to add traditional tunes and dances from their region to their well-handled balfolk repertoire, all of that re-visited under the influences of contemporary European folk. So their path started alongside to Ilario (clarinet, bagpipes and flutes) and Andrea (diatonic accordeon): the fields surveys and the listening to old recordings, the arrangement and record of the material they gathered, it all led to the first full-length, entitled Gravure (Engravings), produced by Felmay, historical world music major from Italy.
In 2020 Paolo replaced Andrea at the accordion. Strongly connected to his western Alps roots, but raised among Mazurke Klandestine and festivals, Paolo helps renew the band’s sound to more modern horizons.
The proposed dances come from the vast repertoire from Piedmont, North-Western Italy, (dances of the Occitan and Arpitan Valleys, Roé) and from the balfolk repertoire spread all over Europe (chappelloises, cercles, couples dances, bourrées, etc.).

Balarù played in some of the most important italian and european festival, such as: UFF-Upega folk festival (IT), Venezia Balla (IT), Vertanz (CH), Été trad (IT), Funambals (FR), Reno Folk Festival (IT), Gran Bal Trad di Vialfré (IT).

Artists:
Francesco Cavallero: hurdy-gurdy, vocals
Andrea Lopomo: bouzouki, tenor banjo, vocals
Ilario Olivetti: flutes, bagpipes, clarinets
Paolo Lombardo: diatonic accordion
Maria Soffientino: dance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balaru.trad/