Posts Tagged ‘italy’

I’m in Italy right now. I taught last weekend in a place called Sasso Marconi outside of Bologna, and now I’m relaxing for a few days with my friends Silvia and Bruno in Genova. Though I’m not really taking advantage of being in wonderful Italy (I’m taking the downtime to try to get my business in order, so I’m spending most of my time on my laptop), still it’s always so great to be here! The Italians are wonderful (and crazy!), the pesto is so good here in Genova, and when we watched the first Italian World Cup match the other night, we could hear the crowds roaring outside. Viva Italia!

A lovely shot of a bystander at the Summer Jamboree Festival in Senigallia, Italy. It’s one of the biggest rock and roll and retro-themed festivals in Europe, and it’s based in a gorgeous Italian seaside town, on the Adriatic coast. I was there a few years ago as a swing dance instructor for the dance camp that is part of the festival, and I’d love to go again just for fun.

The tiny town was packed with retro enthusiasts from across Europe and the globe, many of whom drove their retro cars, motorcycles and scooters into town. There was an enormous vintage market that just about destroyed my bank balance, and everyone was dressed vintage style head to toe (mostly 1950s), every moment of the day. Dita Von Teese was there that year, and I had the pleasure of meeting her backstage (she’s really tiny) and seeing her live show, as well as watching the myriad of rock and roll music legends that the festival brings in (Jerry Lee Lewis was there that year).

Recommended if you’re a fan of 1940s/50′s and rock ‘n roll. The dance camp teaches Lindy Hop, but it’s not really a swing event overall – more rock ‘n roll, rockabilly and boogie woogie. Anyway, everywhere you turned was a glamorous sight like the lady above. Drop me a line if you know who she is…