Our events listing keeps you up to date on the latest and greatest in culture, music and other English-friendly entertainment. This is a selection of the best events in Florence and Tuscany in April—and beyond.
FOOD/ StreEAT
April 10–12
Cascine Park, piazzale delle Cascine, Florence
Prepare your palate for the most delicious weekend of the month! Whether you crave salty treats or have a sweet tooth, you can snack on suppli, spring rolls and other tempting street treats from Italy and beyond at the StreEAT Food Truck Festival. Admission is free. For more information, visit streeatfoodtruckfestival.com.
CONCERTS/ James Taylor
April 21, 9pm
Teatro Obihall, via Fabrizio de Andre (lungarno Aldo Moro), Florence
One of the world’s top singer-songwriters, James Taylor now brings his signature rock-folk sounds to Florence. Taylor’s lyrics and tunes have earned him five Grammy Awards and sold 100 million albums over his 40 year career. His performance at the Obihall is one of six in Italy during his 2015 tour. To buy tickets, visit obihall.it.
EXHIBITIONS/ On the Road
Until June 21 Museo Nazionale del Bargello, via del Proconsolo 4, Florence Mass movement was a major element of medieval civilization—from travel and trade to pilgrimage. With this exhibition, ‘The Middle Ages on the Road,’ the Bargello celebrates its 150th anniversary as a museum. Exploring the theme of movement through maps, artworks, travel items and everyday objects, the show sheds light on the impact of war, the centrality of faith and the prevailing worldviews during the Middle Ages. CINEMA/ Tuesday at the Movies
April 14 + 28, 8.30pm
Odeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi, Florence
Starting April 14 and continuing on selected Tuesdays throughout April and May, Palazzo Strozzi is partnering with the Odeon for an exciting cinematic series. In keeping with the themes explored in the ‘Power and Pathos’ exhibition, Palazzo Strozzi’s Tuesdays at the Movies will focus on the unlikely relationship between classical civilization and twentieth-century filmmaking: directors Oliver Stone, Federico Fellini, Stanley Kubrick and others turned to the ancient Greeks as a model for constructing myths and making observations about the modern world. The first two films in the series are Stone’s Alexander (April 14, 8.30pm) and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Medea (April 28, 8.30pm). Entry is free, but arrive early!
BIKE/ Tweed Ride
April 19, 10am–3pm
Cascine Park, piazzale delle Cascine, Florence
Bikers: when shopping for gear, have you ever wished it had a little more… character? For your next big ride, ditch the cycling shoes and ho-hum helmets in favour of vintage footwear, professor coats and grandpa cardigans. Part of the Florence Bike Festival (April 17–19), the Tweed Ride will bring together an unlikely group, from thrift-shopping fashion fiends to biking enthusiasts, all dressed in styles spanning the 1900s to the 1990s. A portion of the proceeds from registration fees will benefit Florence’s Meyer Children’s Hospital. To sign up (and get the essential dress-code details), see tweedride.it/booking/tweed-ride-firenze.
CULTURE/ Digital Invasions
April 24–May 3 Various venues in Florence and Tuscany
#InvasioniDigitali is a grassroots initiative that began in Italy in 2013, promoting the digital diffusion of culture and challenging the academic, inaccessible image that museums and monuments often carry. Participants ‘invade’ selected museums, institutions and even city streets, collecting photos, fun facts and other tidbits to share with the masses on social media. Last year, the event went beyond Italian and European borders and this year will likely continue to grow. As we went to press, the first Florence ‘invasion’ on the calendar was set for Bagno a Ripoli—but it’s up to YOU to organize more of them and plan your ‘attack!’ Visit invasionidigitali.it/en.
SPRING/Florentine Easter weekend
All day on April 5 + beyond
The Easter season is a particularly special time in Florence. In addition to religious observances, it unofficially launches spring and the tourist season. During Holy Week, there are numerous concerts and church services, among them the English church of Saint Mark’s programme (see theflr.net/stmarks). On Easter Sunday, April 5, hordes will huddle in piazza del Duomo for the famous Scoppio del Carro, the centuries-old fireworks spectacle, accompanied by a flag-throwing performance from the Bandierai degli Uffizi. The sparks fly at 11am, but the cart will arrive in the square at around 10am. Arrive early to stake out a spot—expect crowds! Many state and civic museums will still be participating in #Domenicalmuseo, offering free entrance all day long even on Easter Sunday. For a full list of special Easter openings, head to theflr.net/easter2015.
SPORT/Florence Half Marathon
April 12
piazza Santa Croce
Serious runners, casual joggers and sideline cheerleaders will take to the streets on April 12 for the 32nd Florence Half Marathon. Does the 21,097km distance sound daunting? Never fear: if you just want to join in the fresh-air fun, you can stake out a spot on the lungarno, sign up for the 5km walk or run in the 10km non-competitive race. For little ones there is the ‘Tommasino,’ a free 1.5km fun run. Registration deadlines and rules differ for each event: for details, see halfmarathonfirenze.it.
CONTEMPORARY/Maurizio Donzelli: Diramante
April 3–May 30
Eduardo Secci contemporary gallery, via Maggio 51r
This chic venue in via Maggio is hosting ‘Diramante,’ the first of a two-part showcase of works by Maurizio Donzelli. This thoroughly of-the-moment exhibition explores how beauty is making a comeback in contemporary art—Donzelli’s recent work figures prominently in this international conversation. Curated by Bartholomew F. Bland, who was behind the much-lauded American Dreamers show at the CCC Strozzina in 2012, the show at Eduardo Secci is the first part of the exhibition: in June, the gallery’s Pietrasanta location will host part two. For more information, call 055/283506 or visit eduardosecci.com.
