Maria Messana. It has a very varied repertory: arias from operettas, opera melodies, church music, Sicilian popular tunes and Neapolitan songs. Dance There are different school dances in Alcamo, such as: Whisky a Gogò: it has organized for 20 years the Concorso Nazionale coreografico Danzalcamo: Sara Renda, the ètoile at the Opéra National de Bordeaux, started his career as a dancer in this school. Religious traditions and folklore 19 March: celebration in honour of Saint Joseph (novena and procession) Good Friday: procession of the Dead Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrow. First Sunday after Easter: Feast of Jesus Christ the Redeemer (cultural and religious event). Second Sunday after Easter: celebration in honour of Saint Francis of Paola (cultural and religious event). Third Sunday after Easter: Feast of Patrocinio in honour of the Holy Family (procession and lunch with the Holy Family). 1 May: celebration in honour of Saint Joseph the Worker (novena and procession) 13 June: celebration in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua (novena and procession) 19–21 June: Celebration in honour of Maria Santissima dei Miracoli (Saint Mary of Miracles, the patron saint of Alcamo): cultural and religious events. During the feast there are a solemn procession of the Madonna's simulacrum, fireworks from the "bastione" in Piazza Bagolino and the descent of civil and political authorities to the Sanctuary of Madonna of Miracles. In the past (until 8–10 years ago) there were horse races along Corso 6 Aprile; the last two times they took place in Viale Italia. End of July: Saint Anne's feast with novena, procession and cultural-recreational activities. 8 September (Nativity of Mary): celebrations at the Sanctuary of Most Holy Mary of the Height (Madonna dell'Alto) on the top of Mount Bonifato with dialect poems recitation and procession. 7–8 December: celebration in honour of Immacolata Concezione (the Immaculate Conception): novena, pastoral melodies and procession. Alcamo Christmas (concerts, outdoor performances, preparation of traditional Christmas cribs and pipers' passing). Recreational activities July–August: Alcamo Estate ("sagras" or festivals, "Calici di Stelle", "Blues Festival", "Festival di Nuove Impressioni") July–August: Concorso Nazionale Coreografico Danzalcamo Second half of August: "Alcart – legalità e cultura" (Legality and Culture) a series of events (exhibitions, seminars, music, theatre etc.). October: Concorso Internazionale per Cantanti Lirici “Città di Alcamo”, organized since 1998 by the Associazione Amici della Musica of Alcamo. Second or third week-end of December: Cortiamo – International Contest of short films organized since 2006 by