The Art of Danza Ritmica

Giulia Palmitesa dedicated a good part of her life to what the Italian community refers to as “danza ritmica” or “rhythmic dance” – a combination of dance styles that involves ribbons or streamers, the “circle” (although it is really the same as a hula hoop) and a small bouncing ball. As a youngster, Giulia had her heart set on competing in the Olympics, but two things derailed her efforts: she started to grow and she tore a ligament in her knee. Not necessarily in that order. So, Giulia decided on the next best thing – – she majored in dance theory and performance art when she attended college and when not teaching as much at the middle school where she works, she can found at a local youth center, the center attraction for 20 young girls – – all of whom dream of competing in rhythmic dance at a national or regional level.

While most young girls in the United States busy themselves with activities ranging from cheerleading to volleyball, their youthful counterparts in Southern Italy involve themselves with a range of equally-fun-but-completely-different sports activities like gymnastics, tumbling, and rhythmic dance.

Giulia’s girls practice and compete against other dance schools year round, and her kids are all at different levels of expertise. But they all share a dream and a joy of dancing. Each girl is required to learn a routine in each of the rhythmic disciplines.

Says Giulia, “âÂ?¦This type of dance is completely different from anything most of these kids have ever done and has more of a foundation in gymnastics than actual dance..”

On this particular afternoon – dancing with streamers is the order of business. An instrumental tune that I can’t quite put my finger on is playing in the back round. One of those lively, non-descript numbers that you seem to always here during the Olympic Games. Out in the middle of the dance floor stands Paola – – primed and ready with two red streamers attached to small rods she holds in each hand. The ribbons unfold to a length of 15 feet each, and lest you think it’s easy to twist and jump and preen in step with the music and NOT fall over these ever-present ribbons, wellâÂ?¦.just try it some time and see for yourself.

During actual competition, explains Giulia, the girls have a list of required movements to accomplish for the judges. For example when performing with the ribbons the girls must demonstrate proficiency in spinning, leaping and a front leg extension. Each movement has a degree-of-difficulty that gets graded accordingly. The points are added up to see who receives first, second or third place.

In order to be well-rounded competitors, the girls participate in all events. If for no other reason than to keep their egos in check. “Nobody is going to excel in EVERYTHING” stresses Giulia. “This way they always have something to strive for”. One of the more difficult dancing disciplines involves the “hoop” or ring.

To that end, the girls practice twice a week for two to three hours at a time. Before competitions it’s not unknown for the kids to pull marathon session on the dance floor lasting 3 to 4 hours. Comments one young girl named Jasmin, “Giulia is tough! The other day we did nothing but sit-ups and running!”

During competition, many of the parents on hand seem more caught up in it all than their children are. Like any sport there’s a certain status for parents to bask in – if their children happen to be top performers.

For Giulia though the satisfaction is in seeing each girl progress. “It would be easy to say that out of this group we have a few potential champions. But that’s silly. I’d be happy just knowing that the work-ethic they develop here can impact them in other areas of their life”.