Title: La Danza - Conflict, Passion, and Healing
Author: Anna Harsh
Genre: Memoir
Book Blurb:
La Danza – Conflict, Passion, and Healing is a travel memoir of an adventure that has forever changed the life of this Italian-American dancer. Through experiences and humor, Anna invites you along her dancing journey, exploring villages steeped in tradition and local culture. Take a contemporary look of Italy through the eyes of a dancer and experience first hand the Italian gusto, traditions, history, culture, and family legacy in this exciting read.
Excerpt:
The word “tarantella” awakens images of a frenzied spinning dance traditionally performed at Italian weddings. In southern Italy, this well-known dance has history and myth spanning thousands of years. The Tarantella has several variations, depending on the region. A few versions begin by forming a circle, holding hands, and then breaking off into couples.
Originally viewed as an Italian traditional dance of the lower classes, it has been mythologized as a dance to cure sickness and then later as a courtship dance. In the courtship version of the dance, the woman uses rapid spins and smooth footwork to capture the affection of her partner. In return, the man tries to charm her with his agility by showing off his high kicking and elegance with smooth turns that demonstrate tenderness with the positions of his outstretched arms. The dance is one of unity and separation, which sees dancers flying into each other’s arms with a do-si-do move, interlocking elbows while twirling around, releasing, and then separating again.
Facing each other, the couple hops from one foot to the other with arms up in the air. This interaction of the dance demonstrates the flirty and amorous connection. It is considered unlucky to dance the Tarantella alone, so it is often performed by couples or by two women.
Buy Link:
Amazon https://a.co/d/b018gbh
November is a time to be thankful. What are you most thankful for this year?
I am most thankful for my family in Italy that keeps me connected to my heritage.
Why is your featured book worth snuggling up to?
It’s the perfect book to keep you motivated through the holidays. This book gives you a chance to reflect on what you are passionate about through the journaling questions throughout the book.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card
Open internationally.
Runs November 1 – 30
Drawing will be held on December 1.
Author Biography:
Anna Harsh is an Italian/American born in West Virginia and now living in Pennsylvania with her husband Greg. Her grandparents immigrated from Italy in the early 1920's. Anna honors her Italian heritage through dance and other cultural traditions.
With over three decades of research and teaching experience, Anna offers a unique and refreshing voice in the Italian-American community on how to preserve Italian traditional dances for the next generation.
She holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication from West Virginia University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Slippery Rock University, an RYT200 in yoga, and is also a certified Pilates Instructor. She has traveled extensively throughout Italy to research and study dances from various regions. Her adventurous personality and passion for her Italian heritage has taught her unique life lessons.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.AnnaHarsh.com