ART/Jan Fabre
April 15–October 2
Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Forte di Belvedere, Florence
Fresh on the heels of Jeff Koons fever, Belgian artist Jan Fabre’s contemporary pieces will stir up conversation as they’re installed in piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio on April 15. Spiritual Guards will feature bronze sculptures, wax works, self-portraits, Fabre’s signature beetle shell compositions and films of his theatrical performances. Two monumental works,Searching for Utopia and The man who measures the clouds (American version, 18 years older), will dialogue with the statues of piazza della Signoria for the duration of high tourist season. (Note: the Forte di Belvedere portion of the show opens on May 14).
POP/Levante
April 16, 9.30pm
Viper, via Pistoiese (corner of via Lombardia), Florence
Italian pop icon Levante rose to superstardom with her infectious hit “Alfonso,” a generational anthem that’s both catchy and uncomfortably close to home. Her sound is a fun fusion of Italian folk and American-style indie-rock, with her tunes infiltrating international airwaves. Currently at work on her next album, Levante will bring her bubbly brand of pop poetry to Viper mid-month: tickets start at 15 euro. Tickets are available via Le Nozze di Figaro.
CYCLE/Florence Bike Festival
April 15–17
Cascine Park, Florence
Whether you’re a seasoned biker or barely rid of your training wheels, the Florence Bike Festival has something to offer you. Some 3,500 cyclists will compete in a long-distance road race on Sunday, April 17: the Granfondo Firenze De Rosa, winding through the most scenic parts of the city. Out at the Cascine, an expo area will highlight hot cycling trends and destinations around the world. Finally, the Sunrisebike Ride on April 16 will be a family-friendly highlight and a chance to experience the city as it wakes up (the group will gather at 6am for a 6.30am departure from the Cascine; the meeting point is at the park’s via del Galoppo entrance). For more information, see the website.
LITERARY/Shakespeare Week
April 18–23
Harold Acton Library at the British Institute
Shakespeare Week is the British Institute’s annual celebration of the premier English playwright. Studio Art Centers International kicks off the festivities with “Shakespeare and Italy,” an exhibition of student work inspired by the relationship between the Bard and the Boot (opens in the Harold Acton Library on April 18, 6pm). Another highlight will be a public reading of Much Ado About Nothing in the Harold Acton Library (April 19, 3pm), with a screening of the 1993 film adaptation to follow at 8pm. Lectures, conferences and films continue throughout the week, and are open to library members (a special Shakespeare Week membership can be purchased for 15 euro). View the full program on the British Institute’s website.
MARKET/Mid e’20 di moda _ due giorni ruggenti
April 16–17
Villa Montalto, via del Salviatino 6, Florence
MID Firenze is hosting its standard spring marketplace featuring a mix of vintage wares, handmade bijoux, children’s clothing, collectors’ items and artisan crafts. Villa Montalto will take on a retro aesthetic for the weekend: enjoy jazz music, flappers in full costume and other trademarks of the roaring twenties. Shopping is only one part of the program: the event will also feature guided visits of the villa (Saturday beginning at 3.30pm; visitavillamontalto@gmail.com to book), children’s activities, DJ sets, live music, aperitivo (Saturday from 7–10pm) and an open-air yoga lesson (Sunday at 11am; firenze@oxfam.it to book). Established photographer and Florence resident Nancy Rica Schiff will also be on hand to capture Mona Lisa-style portraits of visitors that will then be entered in the ‘i-Lisa Shooting’ competition: the winning portrait will end up on the label of a new limited-edition wine, ‘Ippocrasso,’ which will be placed on display at the Museo Ideale di Leonardo da Vinci. Follow the Facebook event for program additions or changes.
