After the Greeks came the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards… the list of Calabria's, and Capo Rizzuto's conquerors is a long one. Modern culture therefore is an amalgamation of many disparate traditions, absorbed by the local population over the centuries. Perhaps the neatest expression of the region's diverse cultural background may be seen in its folkloric traditions. The popular dance is particularly fascinating - one can identify the region's history through these ballads. In recent years there has been a revival in popular dance and folklore, in an attempt to safeguard and pass on these wonderful local traditions of the area.

The Isola dei Dioscuri Folklore Group of Isola Capo Rizzuto promotes and revalues popular culture through study and research collected from written and oral sources, in order to bring back to life the customs, costumes and ceremonies of past times. The name of the group itself is tied to the Greek period. Recognized by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions (F.I.T.P.), the group has importantly developed a youth section called the Piccoli dei Dioscuri, so that the next generation can cultivate and spread their love for their homeland's popular culture. Indeed the youth group is thriving, as it seems the popular dance in particular has proved very attractive. One need only see them in action to understand why - the animated dance no doubt appeals to today's youth as much as did their young predecessors in centuries past.

Though dance was never just for kids. Rather, it was a part of everyday life, an integral part of local culture and ceremony: even duels began as highly formal dances. One of the most well known dances, the Tarantella, began as a prescribed cure for bites of the Tarantula. The Tarantella was usually danced in couples, a man and a woman, but it also occurred that men danced with men and women with women. Only a certain number of pairs were allowed to dance: the highly respected master of ceremonies decided who would be on the floor and who not. During the dance itself, dancers turn themselves around a circle that is never crossed in the center, for it is considered holy, at times partners stopping in front of each other to perform particular moves. There exist several variations of the dance, including one with scarves: here there is no master of ceremonies and women choose who they wish to dance with by waving their scarves at the target. Under no circumstances may the man make contact with the woman during the dance, the woman using the scarf (which this too the man may not touch) to mark her space throughout.

Isola dei Dioscuri holds dances and costume performances for adults and youth, and is also involved in an on-going study and research of local culture. The historic Isola Capo Rizzuto traditions are most interesting to uncover: for example, that of the "Pupo". The Pupo was a puppet made of sweet-herbs and flowers, given by mothers to the woman they wished to be godmother to their son or daughter. Pupo day was the 24th of June. When a woman asked her friend to be her son or daughter's godmother, the first answer was always no; she had to try again before the other would say yes. The one who gave the Pupo kissed it on the head, on the breast and on the foot, while the one who received the Pupo did the same three times. On the 29th of June, St. Peter's day, the godmother prepared another Pupo, made up of white cotton strips and bearing keys (symbol of St. Peter) and took it to the mother asking if she would like to receive it; the mother answered "Cchiu subba" (higher). And then the godmother and the mother kissed the Pupo as before. The following Sunday they gave a party for their friends and relatives and they ate, drank and danced together.

Still a very important holiday today is Isola Capo Rizzuto's patron saint celebration, which takes place during the second week of May. The patron saint of town is the "Greek Madonna", the Holy Mother represented in an 8th century icon. The festival itself has existed since the 11th century. Capo Rizzuto ancestors would begin the celebration with a dance, the "Ballu da festa". They used to organize games, one of the most famous being "U palu da 'ntinna' (the greasy pole), for the winner of which was dedicated a dance, the "U ballu da 'ntinna". They would pass nights away dancing and singing, giving birth to song-Tarantellas, the most famous of which are "Ballati ballati" (dance dance) and "U zzu monacu" (uncle monk) which have satirical lyrics. Present day festivities have remained every bit as spirited; one should plan to visit Isola Capo Rizzuto during the holiday.