Francesco and Maria met in Rome in 2023—not by swiping right, not through a mutual friend, but by singing together in a traditional songs workshop before they even exchanged names.

In this conversation, we explore their journey from theatre to how they came together to form Nìula—a duo that offers modern reinterpretations of the traditional oral music of Southern Italy and the wider Mediterranean basin.

Drawing from a repertoire of polyvocal songs, they compose original music that bridges the ancient and the contemporary, and connect us across time, place, and language.They lead concerts and singing workshops across Italy & online for both amateurs and professionals, focusing on the connective power of sound, the awareness of breath, and the rediscovery of each person’s unique voice.

🎧 Join us at La Befana’s Table and step into the mystery of Nìula’s music—and the story of two people finding each other through song.

📬 Get in Touch / Learn More🌐 Website: niula-cantidalsud.com/online-workshops-niula📸 Instagram: @niula.trad

✨ Special Discount for La Befana’s Table listeners: Maria & Francesco are offering a discount on their upcoming singing workshops.

6 sessions1st April - 6th May 2026Wednesdays, 10:30 am - PDT / 1:30 pm - EDT / 7:30 pm - CEST

Details are linked below—step into the sound and your own voice!

On this episode of La Befana’s Table, I welcome Chiara Durazzini — Florentine native, actor, director, educator, founder of Boston’s Pazzi Lazzi Troupe, and the beloved (and slightly mischievous) Befana di Boston.

In celebration of Commedia dell’Arte Day (February 25th), Chiara brings us into the vibrant, irreverent, deeply human world of Commedia — a 16th-century Italian theatrical form that gave us archetypes still alive in today’s sitcoms, satire, and street performance.

Together, we explore:

* Why February 25, 1545 marks the birth of professional Western theatre

* How Commedia introduced women performers to the stage

* Archetypes like the Capitano and the clever servants that still show up in modern comedy

* The political satire and improvisational spirit at the heart of Commedia

* Why exaggeration, masks, and “being too much” can be deeply healing

* The evolutionary joy of improvisation and play

* And of course… how La Befana found her way to Boston (and YouTube)

This conversation is about folklore, embodiment, creative courage, and the radical act of not taking ourselves too seriously — especially in absurd times.

🎭 About Chiara Durazzini

Chiara Durazzini (she/her), a native of Florence, Italy, moved to Boston in 2000.

She is the founder of:

* Pazzi Lazzi Troupe — a Boston-based Commedia dell’Arte and Italian Renaissance music troupe for which she performs, teaches, and directs.

* All’italiana – Boston Italian Theatre Company — staging works by Italian playwrights and offering acting labs in Italian for both native and non-native speakers.

Chiara has written, acted in, and directed original works including:

* Isabella Unmasked – The Legacy of an Italian Renaissance Woman (2017)

* Pinocchio – A Commedia Adventure (2020)

She has also staged celebrated plays including:

* Oh These Ghosts by Eduardo De Filippo

* La Giara – The Oil Jar by Luigi Pirandello

Her performance credits include work with Company One Theatre and Apollinaire Theatre Company.

She trained with actors of Odin Teatret and studied extensively Commedia dell’Arte with Master Claudia Contin Arlecchino in Pordenone, Italy.

These days, she also dances with Salmadanse (directed by choreographer Joanie Block), works as an Italian voice-over artist and teacher — and, in secret (or not so secret anymore), she is the renowned Befana di Boston.

She holds a Master’s degree in Art, Music and Theatre from the University of Bologna.

🔗 Connect with Chiara

🌐 www.pazzilazzitroupe.com📘 https://www.facebook.com/PazziLazzi📸 https://www.instagram.com/pazzilazzi/

If you are in the Boston area, look out for upcoming workshops, Commedia labs, and performances

💬 Table Talk

Where might exaggeration, play, or improvisation soften something in your life right now?

Upcoming Happenings

Festa Della Donna is a Variety Show kicking off Women’s History Month celebrating Italian-American Female contributions to the Arts.

It continues its 7th Year Tradition featuring the most talented Donne in Music, Dance, Comedy & Beyond. Don’t miss it!

Doors at 2:30pm. Show at 3

Approx Running Time: 75 MinutesGenre: Classic Music, Italian Heritage, Storytelling

Please Note: The venue has a 2-beverage minimum per person.

#BeBefana

Always be yourself. Unless you can be befana. Then #BeBefana

Epiphanies, don’t arrive all at once. They arrive gently over time. They whisper to us—if we are paying attention.

The #BeBefana campaign was born from listening to that whisper.

Inspired by the ancient Italian legend of La Befana and my real life experience animating a puppet of this folkloric figure through the streets of New York City during the pandemic, the #BeBefana campaign is a quiet signal to ourselves and to others that another way of being—and doing—is possible.

To #BeBefana is to believe that small, faithful acts matter. To sweep the floor, light the fire, offer welcome, leave a gift—and trust that in the darkest of days love persists, that our stories are never fully written, and that there is always room for a whimsical & wondrous plot twist.

10 percent of profits will be donated to the Young Center For Immigrant Children’s Rights.

La Befana's Table is a reader/listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the work of La Befana’s Table consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dina sits down with Dr. Derrick León Washington—cultural anthropologist, curator, dancer, and human-rights advocate—to explore how Dr. King’s dream for humanity can be felt on the dance floor.

Dr. Washington is the curator of Urban Stomp: Dreams & Defiance on the Dance Floor at the Museum of the City of New York, a groundbreaking exhibition tracing more than 200 years of social dance history and expanding who—and what—belongs in museum spaces.

Together, Dina and Derrick reflect on the transformative power of movement, the cultural stories held within social dance, and how dancing can connect communities, transcend barriers, and affirm human dignity.

Pull up a chair at La Befana’s Table for a conversation about freedom, joy, and belonging—expressed through the body in motion.

This week at La Befana’s Table, Dina is joined by Mario the Maker Magician—a world-touring performer celebrated for his one-of-a-kind family theater show bursting with handmade robotics, art, invention, and a big dose of hilarity. Mario has appeared on The Tonight Show, Sesame Street, and recently returned from a sold-out run at the Sydney Opera House. This month, his show lights up New York City’s New Victory Theater.

In this episode:

* Mario shares his journey as a first-generation Italian American, reflecting on family traditions, the importance of roots, and how his heritage shapes his work and life.

* Heartfelt stories about growing up in New York, Sunday family meals, and the sacredness of food and togetherness.

* The influence of Mario’s grandfather—a tailor in Italy—on his creative, “maker” identity, and the magic of using what you have to create something special.

* Mario’s path from struggling student to artist, musician, and ultimately, magician, including the pivotal moments and mentors who inspired him.

* The evolution of his family business with his wife, Katie, and the leap of faith that led them to build a unique, joyful show for kids and families.

* Reflections on creativity, surrendering to the journey, and the importance of doing what you love, using what you have, and having fun.

* Insights into the creative process, the value of storytelling, and the power of focusing on the good in a noisy world.

Where to Catch Mario the Maker Magician

* Catch Mario at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street, NYC. November 15th-30th

* London listeners: Mario will be performing at Underbelly Boulevard in December and January.

Upcoming Happenings

December 26th -January 6th

The 12 Days of Befana is a series of personal stories from guest contributors exploring the themes of kindness, welcome, tradition, belonging, and the sacred in everyday life. Inspired by the legend of Italy’s legendary La Befana—and by my own experience bringing this folkloric character to life in the streets of New York during the pandemic—the 12 Days of Befana is a celebration of a living legend, woven from the true stories of our lives.

The deadline to submit is December 10th.

This week at La Befana’s Table, Dina is joined by Mario the Maker Magician—a world-touring performer celebrated for his one-of-a-kind family theater show bursting with handmade robotics, art, invention, and a big dose of hilarity. Mario has appeared on The Tonight Show, Sesame Street, and recently returned from a sold-out run at the Sydney Opera House. This month, his show lights up New York City’s New Victory Theater.

In this episode:

* Mario shares his journey as a first-generation Italian American, reflecting on family traditions, the importance of roots, and how his heritage shapes his work and life.

* Heartfelt stories about growing up in New York, Sunday family meals, and the sacredness of food and togetherness.

* The influence of Mario’s grandfather—a tailor in Italy—on his creative, “maker” identity, and the magic of using what you have to create something special.

* Mario’s path from struggling student to artist, musician, and ultimately, magician, including the pivotal moments and mentors who inspired him.

* The evolution of his family business with his wife, Katie, and the leap of faith that led them to build a unique, joyful show for kids and families.

* Reflections on creativity, surrendering to the journey, and the importance of doing what you love, using what you have, and having fun.

* Insights into the creative process, the value of storytelling, and the power of focusing on the good in a noisy world.

Where to Catch Mario the Maker Magician

* Catch Mario at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street, NYC. November 15th-30th

* London listeners: Mario will be performing at Underbelly Boulevard in December and January.

Upcoming Happenings

December 25-January 5th

The 12 Days of Befana is a series of women’s stories exploring kindness, welcome, tradition, longing, belonging, and the sacred in everyday life. Inspired by the legend of Italy’s legendary La Befana—and by my own experience bringing this folkloric character to life in the streets of New York during the pandemic—the 12 Days of Befana is a celebration of a living legend, woven from the true stories of our lives.

The deadline to submit is December 10th.

This week at La Befana’s Table, we’re joined by the brilliant Steve Cerulli—PhD student at Fordham University and Italian American diaspora specialist, and myth-buster extraordinaire.

In honor of Italian American Heritage Month, Steve takes us on a whirlwind tour through the history of Italian migration to the Americas, from the earliest explorers to the waves of Southern Italians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We talk about how “Italian-American” identity was forged abroad, the realities of assimilation (or lack thereof), and why so many of the stories we tell ourselves are, well, a little bit of fiction.

Key Themes:

* Who Counts as Italian-American?Steve explains how early migrants identified more with their regions (Sicilian, Neapolitan, etc.) than with a unified “Italy”—and how the diaspora itself helped create a new identity.

* The “We Came Here Legally” Myth:Spoiler: It was basically open borders for much of Italian migration history. Steve breaks down why this narrative is both inaccurate and often weaponized against today’s immigrants.

* Assimilation & Return Migration:Did Italian immigrants really “become American” overnight? Not so fast. Steve shares stats and stories about return migration, language barriers, and the complex reality of assimilation.

* Organized Crime, Radicalism, and Respectability:From bootleggers to labor organizers, Steve unpacks the real (and sometimes uncomfortable) history of Italian-American communities—beyond the sanitized “good immigrant” myth.

* Columbus Day & Its True Origins:Think Columbus Day was created to honor Italian-Americans after the New Orleans lynching? Think again. Steve traces the holiday’s roots

* Education & Breaking Stereotypes:Steve shares his latest research on Italian-American educators, busting the myth that Italian-Americans don’t value education.

Share this episode with anyone who loves history, heritage, and a good conversation over a strong espresso.

Comment below: What’s a myth about your heritage you wish more people would question?

Show Your Support: Become a monthly Gift Giver or buy us a virtual espresso to keep the conversations & stories flowing.

❤️ Much love and many blessings from La Befana’s Table to yours! ❤️

In this mini episode, I share the story of the Marigold Effect—a reminder that who we surround ourselves with shapes how we grow. When life feels full of “walnut trees,” the invitation is to dig into the soil of your own soul, do the hard inner work, and discover the grace that helps us become marigolds for others.

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

In today’s edition of Espresso Yourself I share some of what is coming up for me in light of the passing of Pope Francis, a little bit about my own spiritual journey, and what I’ve learned about showing up

🎙️Episode References

Revolution of Tenderness Clip from my Tedx “Heroines Show Up”

And what is tenderness? It is the love that comes close and becomes real. It is a movement that starts from our heart and reaches the eyes, the ears and the hands. Tenderness means to use our eyes to see the other, our ears to hear the other, to listen to the children, the poor, those who are afraid of the future.To listen also to the silent cry of our common home, of our sick and polluted earth. Tenderness means to use our hands and our heart to comfort the other, to take care of those in need. Pope Francis 2017 Ted Talk

Pope Francis 2017 Ted Talk

My Books

📚Love at the Threshold

“This memoir, studded with poetry and insights, carries the reader through several tumultuous years of the author's life, the people she met and the groups she was in who helped her along the way, her setbacks and breakthroughs, and documents her incredible perseverance in the face of a series of obstacles” G. R. Elmendorf - Amazon Customer Review

📚A Little Book of Questions

In a world that demands immediate answers, sometimes the greatest joy in life is to linger in the questions and let the answers reveal themselves. In A Little Book of Questions Dina has gathered 40 of the questions that have transformed her heart and invites you to linger in them too.

Curious about the journey that inspired the creation of La Befana’s Table?

Check out my 2022 Speaker Salon performance where I first shared story of how a puppet from ancient Italian folklore transformed my story into a living legend.

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself Monday — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

In today’s edition of Espresso Yourself I share the story of an ornament of a black sheep that I’ve been holding onto for years, an excerpt from Toka Pa Turner’s book Belong, and why I think now more than ever the so called “black sheep” of the family are being called to leads us into new ways of being, doing, and relating.

References

Excerpt from Toko Pa’s book Belong

My self published memoir Love at the Threshold

Greetings from La Befana’s Table and welcome to another edition of Espresso Yourself Monday — Unfiltered musings meant to warm the heart and stir the Soul.

What do a 2,000-year-old redwood, a fourth grader’s question, and a virtual Italian folk dance have in common?

This week, I share a story from my teaching days that’s been echoing lately—about a student who once asked, “What’s the difference between revolution and evolution?” and another who blurted out the phrase “innovative resistance.” I didn’t have an answer then, but I knew it mattered.

Now, years later, in a world on fire and a body in motion, I think I’m starting to understand.

Tune in for a reflection on what it means to bear witness, hold on to cultural traditions and practices, and keep dreaming of a future rooted in beauty, justice, and joy.

And if you’re craving movement and connection, join us this Friday, April 11th for a virtual Tarantella class with Anna Harsh (yes, from Episode 29!) followed by a free community gathering.

More details below For now—press play. 💫

www.labefanastable.com

#LaBefanasTable #InnovativeResistance #EnergyDemocracy #Tarantella #TheEverlivingTree #DanceAsMedicine