The Tavola Tonda Cultural Association was founded in 2010 in Palermo. Its main objectives include the enhancement and promotion of the cultural heritage of Sicily and the Mediterranean, with a special focus on traditional music and dance. The full instrumental lineup of the Tavola Tonda Orchestra includes tammorre, tambourines, and other frame drums; chromatic and diatonic accordion; transverse flute, ney flute, piccolo, and friscaletto; Arabic lute, guitar, violin, and mandolin; bagpipes (zampogna, gaita), and marranzano (jaw harp). The Orchestra plays at the monthly dance parties of Arci Tavola Tonda and has performed at the April 25th celebrations since 2015 as (P)artigiani Culturali in the event ‘Liberi anche di ballare e cantare’ in Palermo. In June 2017, the Orchestra degli Artigiani Culturali was launched, bringing together Tavola Tonda’s teachers and students. This ensemble had the honor of being conducted by Ambrogio Sparagna in two extraordinary concerts held at Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa in Palermo on October 28th and 29th, 2017.
The Music School organizes instrument courses (guitar, Arabic lute, ney flute, accordions, violin, mandolin, frame drums, and African percussion) along with courses in traditional singing and vocal techniques. It also offers popular dance workshops (from European, Southern Italian, and African traditions) and the now-traditional Fest’a bballu monthly events, which have involved thousands of participants over the years. In the rural tradition of Southern Italy, the Fest’a bballu marked the end of a work cycle: a moment to forget fatigue and prepare for a new season—a symbolic rebirth. Today, the Trio of Arci Tavola Tonda recreates these celebrations as joyful gatherings, where people share ancient yet still vibrant dances and sounds.
On stage, the rhythms of the tambourines intertwine with the melodies of the violin and guitar. The bagpipe and marranzano will tempt even the most reluctant to tap their feet… We will embark on a journey through Sicilian rhythms and sounds with ballitti, contredanses, waltzes, mazurkas, and scòtis (a Sicilian variant of the Scottish dance).

Artists:
Barbara Crescimanno: voice, dance
Michele Piccione: voice, drums, bagpipes (zampogna), marranzano, cajón, loopstation
Jimmy Sciortino: violin, azzarinu (triangle)
Gabriele Bazza: voice,, guitar, tambourine

Website: https://www.tavolatonda.org/