DANCE/Shame
9pm, November 14
Teatro Puccini, via delle Cascine 41, Florence
Just after Tuscany hosts its first-ever “Take Back the Night” event against sexual assault, and just ahead of the UN-declared International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), Teatro Puccini will host “Shame”, an eight-piece dance performance shedding light on gender-based violence and the challenges involved in coming forward about it. Choreographed by Alberto Canestro, the show is inspired by the figure of Artemisia Gentileschi, an enduring emblem of both sexual assault survival and artistic genius. Through their unfiltered, untempered movements, the dancers will take audiences on a provocative and exciting trip through the painter’s personal history. For information, see teatropuccini.it; for tickets, visit BoxOffice Toscana locations or ticketone.it.
CANNABUSINESS/Firenze Canapa
November 10-11
Sala delle Nazioni, Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, Florence
With the cheeky slogan “the new Renaissance”, Firenze Canapa (Florence Hemp) is a heady new festival happening against the backdrop of a growing “cannabusiness” trend in Italy (see our article in TF issue 246). The legal weed expo—let’s call a spade a spade—will feature talks on a range of industry themes, including medical and scientific uses of cannabis. Of interest to most attendees, however, will be the at least 50 stands where cultivators, producers and distributors of the plant offer up their goods. For more information, see www.firenzecanapa.it.
LIT/TheFLR Party
6-8pm, November 8
IBS Bookshop, via de’ Cerretani 16r, Florence
Come “get lit” at the local debut of Issue 4 of The FLR. The Florentine Literary Review, our bilingual Italian-English literary magazine featuring literature and poetry from contemporary Italian authors alongside English translations. This issue’s theme is “Paesaggio / Landscape,” and its pages beautifully illustrated in full Fauvist-like color. In attendance at the presentation-party will be members of The FLR’s editorial board; Simona Baldanzi, author; Alessandro Raveggi, editor; Fulvio Paloscia, journalist at La Repubblica; and numerous supporters of the Florentine and broader Italian literary scene. Check out www.facebook.com/TheFLR for more details.
DESIGN/WHY Graphic Design Festival
November 10-11
The Student Hotel, viale Lavagnini 70-72, Florence
Graphic design students and enthusiasts from around the world are gearing up for a big weekend at The Student Hotel. The second edition of WHY Generation Y Graphic Design Festival, organized by Nvard Yerkanyan and Laura Ottina, will feature a series of workshops, talks, masterclasses, markets, exhibitions and more, all aimed at bringing together Florence’s vibrant community of visual communication students and professionals. A design market will run all weekend (11am-7.30pm Saturday; 11am-7pm Sunday); a marathon calligraphy live painting session will take place on Sunday (3-7pm); and a free workshop will be held in collaboration with Moleskine (Saturday 2-4pm), among the many other initiatives on the program. Events are free (except most workshops); see the full program on the Facebook event.
