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 this month—and beyond.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL/Fabbrica Europa
May 5–June 18
Stazione Leopolda and various venues in Florence and Tuscany
This annual performing arts showcase always promises an interdisciplinary and contemporary mix. A sampling of the May program includes a concert by Christophe Chassol, a pianist and composer who’s worked with French group Phoenix (May 7, 10.30pm); Dan+Z, a live dance and jazz show from a multicultural mix of performers (May 11, 9pm); and Beytna (Our Home), which brings together four choreographers from different continents in a performance inspired by the daily rituals of hearth and home (May 13 & 14, 9pm). View the full calendar here.
1900s/Women Artists of the 1900s
May 11–June 9
Villa il Palmerino & Villa il Roseto, Florence and Fiesole
Villa il Palmerino
In celebration of the upcoming publication of Pincherle and Pacini: Twentieth-century Woman Painters in Florence, the Advancing Women Artists Foundation is hosting an event series exploring the lives and careers of women artists from the 1900s. Beginning May 12 at 6pm, Villa il Palmerino will host the exhibition Art and Memory. Adriana Pincherle and Eloisa Pacini, open until June 10. On Thursday, May 19, art critic and historian Marilena Mosco will speak on her book Artist Couples: Passion, Complicity and Competition, exploring the lives of such pairs as Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, Pablo Picasso and Dora Maar, and others. For more information, email associazione@palmerino.it.
SIP/Festa del Vino
May 7–8
Eataly, via de Martelli 22r, Florence
A range of wineries from around Tuscany will gather at Eataly for two days of tastings and storytelling. Delight your tastebuds with Nobile di Montepulciano from Il Serraglio, light chardonnay from Il Borro or vin santo from Malenchini. Feeling flushed? You can refuel with crostini, cannoli, sandwiches, focaccia and Tuscan cold cuts, which will all be up for grabs during the degustazioni. One token costs 2 euro and entitles you to one tasting; a package deal of 6 can be purchased for 10 euro. For information, including all participating wineries, see the Facebook event.
ELECTRONIC/Nextech Special
May 14, 8pm
Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi 1, Florence
Nextech is effectively an electronic Woodstock: a world-class showcase of new trends and big names in the ever-expanding genre. Kicking off the night is Florentine duo Wooden Crate, active for six years on the city’s underground scene. Headliners this year are Iranian DJ and producer Dubfire, who’s been nominated for 4 Grammys for his work with remix group Deep Dish; Rødhåd, a DJ known for his Dystopian music label, and whose international star power continues to grow; and Luca Agnelli, who has roots in house music with heavy techno influences. More information and ticketing options here.
BLOSSOM/Garden Fever
Throughout May
Various gardens and courtyards of Florence
As the city streets get more crowded by the day, escape downtown and go exploring in some of Tuscany’s most tranquil spaces. Until May 20, Florence’s iris garden is open daily from 10am–12.30pm and 3–7pm (access it at the eastern end of piazzale Michelangelo). Entry is free, though donations to the volunteer-run organization are encouraged. For more information, call 055/483112. Also mark your calendar for May 22, when the Associazione Dimore Storiche Toscane will open the gardens and courtyards of more than 80 historic homes and villas: the ADSI website will soon publish the full list.
OPERA/The Hunchback of Notre Dame
May 11–16
Mandela Forum, piazza Enrico Berlinguer, Florence
Victor Hugo’s famous novel comes to life in this modern folk opera, with tormented bell-ringer Quasimodo (Giò Di Tonno) and kindhearted Roma girl Esmeralda (Lola Ponce). As you’re swept up in the compelling story, expect to be dazzled by an impressive thirty-strong troupe of dancers and acrobats. There are 8 shows total, including Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4pm. The version being performed is Pasquale Panella’s Italian adaptation of the original show. For ticketing information, call 055.210804 or visit the Mandela Forum website.
MUSEUMS/Amico Museo
May 14–June 5
Various museums in Florence and Tuscany
Piazzale degli Uffizi on Earth Day 2016
The annual Amico Museo is a series of initiatives spotlighting the best of Florence’s and Tuscany’s museums. Family-geared activities, guided visits and hundreds of events take place across the region in both famous and hidden venues. This year there’s a special focus on programming at Tuscany’s memorial museums, or the converted former homes of poets, artists, authors and others with deep connections to Tuscany. The main event is the Europe-wide Night at the Museum on May 21, where participating venues offer free entry and extended evening hours. Further details and individual museum programming can be found here.
CRAFTS/Artigianato e Palazzo
May 12–15
Giardino Corsini, via della Scala 115, Florence
A springtime staple in Florence, this annual event spotlights the best in Italian and international craftsmanship. More than 90 exhibitors will come to the lush Corsini Gardens to perform live demonstrations and show off a huge range of wares, from Murano glass pieces to woven baskets. In commemoration of the 1966 Arno flood, the creative and destructive power of water will be the theme for this year’s edition. The H2OmA Education section will host several children’s workshops for ages 6 to 12 in collaboration with the Horne Museum. See the website for additional information.
SPORT/Deejay Ten 2016
May 15
Starting point: Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia
Deejay Ten
Most of us need good music to get in a workout mood, and Deejay Ten’s coordinators have caught on: this city-wide race isn’t just an athletic event, but a chance to jam out to tunes spun by top DJs as you cross through the city decked out in viola. Participants will have 5km and 10km route options, and piazza Santa Croce will be a vibrant “runners’ village” throughout the weekend. Last year’s race was close to 15 thousand runners strong. For registration and route details, see the official website.
ALL’APERTO/Art is in the Square: Made in Florence
All day, May 14
Piazza Santa Maria Novella and various venues in Florence
Art is in the Square, organized by the Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici and now in its tenth year, features an outdoor exhibition of student artwork and fashion designs (11am–6.30pm), a dance performance in the Church of San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini (3pm); a treasure hunt through Florence and more (program details are still to be confirmed; see the LdM website for updates). This year, the institute is also organizing Made in Florence, a series of workshops on film and digital photography, freehanded drawing, graphic design and ceramics. All are offered in English, and entry is free, with reservations required on EventBrite.
MUSIC/Tempo Reale: Progetto Primavera
May 21–28
Limonaia of Villa Strozzi, via Pisana 77, Florence
Evan Parker and Walter Prati
Experimental sound is at the forefront of this spring music festival, which brings together emerging and established players on the international electronic music scene. Two key performances will be “Pulse,” featuring free jazz musician and saxophonist Evan Parker in tandem with electronic guru Walter Prati (May 21, 9.30pm), and the Maggio Elettrico: Open Music #1 event, part of the 79th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival and featuring the Tempo Reale Electroacoustic Ensemble (May 27, 9.30pm). For more information, visit Tempo Reale’s website.
BIZARRE/Jesters, peasants and players at the Medici court
May 19–September 11
Andito degli Angiolini, Palazzo Pitti, piazza Pitti, Florence
Roughly 30 works will be dusted off and taken out of storage for this fascinating glimpse into comical, curious characters that figured heavily into 17th and 18th century court paintings. The focus moves away from the tradition’s staid scenes and figures, instead highlighting those marginalized, bizarre and occasionally monstrous jesters, oddballs and gamblers that make appearances throughout much of the Medici art collections. For additional information, call 055.2388616.
FAMILY/EU Historical Archives: Open Day
May 7, 10am–5.30pm
Villa Salviati, via Bolognese 156, Florence
Villa Salviati
Explore the gardens and grottoes of the enchanting Villa Salviati during a free Open Day, part of the State of the Union conference at the European University Institute. The Scuola Circo En Piste will host children’s circus workshops and will give a 3.30pm performance featuring their daring acrobats and jugglers. The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will liven up the morning with an 11am concert, while the ReMuTo orchestra will close the festivities with a performance at 4.30pm. Artists Fritzi Metzger and Filippo Dobrilla will have sculptures on display throughout the day. For additional information, see the EUI’s State of the Union website; to book guided visits, write to info@cittanascosta.it.
CONCERT/Elvis Costello
May 27, 8.45pm
Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina 99, Florence
British punk and new wave pioneer Elvis Costello, active since the 1970s, comes to Teatro Verdi later this month on his worldwide “Detour” tour. Named one of Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest artists of all time, his hits like “Less than Zero” and “Accidents Will Happen” have influenced major artists from Radiohead to Suzanne Vega. Costello’s Florence concert is one of 7 stops in Italy. Tickets start at around 30 euro and are available via Teatro Verdi’s website.
