Tag Archives: Italy

Aug17

I’d Rather Be Dancing Italian Folk Dances

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

The people of Italy are very musical and love to dance. Here are some beautiful dances from the Big Boot.

Chi Balla is one of the dances we do at Phoenix International Folk Dancers. It was choreographed by the American, Ira Weisburd:

I don’t know what this dance is; I found it on YouTube, and the notes say it was filmed in Tuscany:

Neapolitan Tarantella is the music (and dance) I most associate with Italy:

Mazurca di Sant’ Andieu:

Gatij Ed Goj is a dance attributed to Occitania/Italy. I didn’t know what Occitania is, so I looked it up. It’s a region in southern Europe where the language Occitan was the original language (an area that is made up mostly of current day southern France). I don’t understand how a dance could be Occitan and Italian; maybe the music is from Occitania. It is lovely music, though, and a lovely dance:

Il Cantico delle creature:

Passu Torrau is a simple dance, and there are many different versions:

Graziella Mazurca:

Bomba Latina is a line dance choreographed by Italian Joey di Stefano, shown leading the dance, based on Latin steps:

Tarantella Montevergine is one more Italian tarantella, beautifully danced by the Tucson International Folk Dancers at the Phoenix Folk Dance Festival in 2017:

Sep6

Creative Juice #154

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Priceless treasures waiting to be discovered by you:

Prize-winning dog portrait photography.
Mini barn quilts.
Jagged fingers of sky.
How to enjoy life.
Zentangle patterns and drawings to try.
An artist’s path: abandoning art, and reembracing it.
A surprising list of books that entrepreneurs found life-changing.
When I was taking tennis lessons in the 1960s, the balls were white.
County Fair quilts.
Rock sculptures.
Sketching in Italy.
Beautiful, intricate embroidery.

Feb15

Creative Juice #128

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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May you be full of wonder this weekend.

Talk about a man cave . . .
How to set up a painting studio.
“Even the places you visit thousands of times become new to you the moment you have a camera in your hand.”
Ideas for personalizing your Bible.
It’s hard to dislike graffiti as beautiful as this.
Beautiful photographs of Frida Kahlo.
Help save this magnificent church organ.
Some red-and-white quilts, not just for Valentine’s Day.
Expressive sculptured faces.
A designer of bridal veils.
Old abandoned palaces.
What happens if you don’t wash your car.

Feb8

Creative Juice #126

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Oops! I neglected to post some Creative Juice last Friday. I hope this wonderful batch more than makes up for it.

Plan a quilt show road trip this spring.
Snug little places to curl up with a book.
What happens when polar bear meets camera?
This might be my dream job.
Creative household hacks.
I’ve done this choral trick at church and with my students.
Lovely tangles.
Wonderful sketches of one of my favorite subjects: young musicians.
Metro, the painting horse.
The author of this article suggests replacing some of the classic literature high schoolers are required to read with some more modern future-classics. I agree with some of the substitutions, but totally disagree with others.
Creative ideas for kids of all ages.
Mary Oliver from a student’s point of view.

Aug25

Creative Juice #56

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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This very special edition of Creative Juice features posts from My OBT, one of my very favorite blogs. Every day, Donna shares something beautiful—or not so beautiful. I include at least one of her posts in CJ each week, but I have so many in reserve I thought I’d bless you with a whole bunch today. If you enjoy them, you might want to subscribe to My OBT so you never miss a single one.

Taxidermy with a twist.
Reminiscent of the old masters.
Balloons and more.
Designer cookies.
Some of these tile floors remind me of quilts.
Wielding the palette knife.
Colorful Burano, Italy.
Architectural images in watercolor.
Wooden boxes like you’ve never seen before.
Blowing glass.
Photographs from on high.
This guy includes his dog in his art.
Fun with food.

Aug3

Video of the Week #109: Piazza, Please

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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This is why I think I was meant to live in Italy. #BucketList

Sep30

Creative Juice #9

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Selected to refresh your soul:

Off the beaten path in Italy.
Are you brave enough to write a poem a day in October?
An infusion of this elixir can make you a better writer.
How writing can help you deal with depression.
Using knitting and crocheting to illustrate mathematical concepts.
Whimsical fused quilts.
They’re making a movie of A Wrinkle in Time. (Wasn’t there a movie already? Maybe an animated one?)
Sunset photography.
What if music videos had no instrumental accompaniment? (They’re even funnier if you know the originals.)
Ian Simmons illustrated a movie quote every day for a year.
Read like an Emmy nominee.
Are you in a Top Gun mood? Gorgeous photographs of fighter planes.
Adorable children’s Halloween costumes, courtesy of Etsy.

Sep16

Creative Juice #7

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Stuff I found this week that might tickle your fancy:

Looking a painting from a distance vs. up close.
Breathtaking photographs.
So many books. So little time. The challenges of being a book lover.
Five hours of great music to listen to while you’re creating.
Cross-stitch and introverts.
Quotes about creativity.
A quick tour of Italy in sketches.
Wherever you are, grab a partner and dance.
I don’t know whether I am regretful or thankful that U.S. trains are not like Spanish trains.
Murals of Francesco Camillo Giogino.
Writing advice from Stephen King.
Give your brain a break. Multitasking kills creativity.