June 19th, 7.30pm, Maldon Town Hall

Essex County Council’s One Essex, One World festival and sponsorship from Intimo Italian restaujjrant has enabled us to fly this fabulous group over from Puglia in the heel of Italy. This is their only performance in the UK and is a unique opportunity to hear this exotic music in your own county.

The healing tarantolati ritual is an important part of Puglian folk culture. The ritual is centred around Saint Paul and women (tarantolati) who are said to have been bitten by a tarantula. The poison from the bite is said to be healed by dancing, sometimes for hours or even days. The dances include the tarantella and tarantata, which are both notable for the way in which they gradually work up to a frenzy of movement and excitement. We will be surprised if you can stay still.