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 of them.
CIRCUS/Cirk Fantastik!
Until September 30, Parco dell’Anconella, via
Villamagna, Florence
Flying dancers, contortionists, balancing acts,
magicians, music and madness: the El Grito Contemporary Circus has come to
Florence! The travelling circus comprising performers from Italy, Belgium and
Uruguay never fails to amuse and astonish. For details and bookings, visit www.lacitelibreria.info or call 349/1723770.
TRANSITIONS/Festival
Costante Cambiamento
Until October 6, Le Murate SUC, entrance on via
dell’Agnolo, Florence
The colours and sounds of the Middle East light up Le
Murate. Following the Arab Spring of last year, the festival confronts themes
of domination, loss, rights obtained and stifled freedoms. The events include
design from Palestine, DJs from Tunisia, photography from Syria and dance from
Iraq. For details, see www.omfrhida.it.
NATURE/Tuscany Walking
Festival
Nat. Parks in Tuscany, until November 4
History, nature and food are the themes of a series of
walks through the most beautiful parks in Tuscany. Six national parks offer
guided trails for all ages and abilities, with the chance to take in Etruscan
sites, enjoy breathtaking vistas and sample local dishes. For trails and dates,
see www.tuscanywalkingfestival.it.
CONTEMPORARY/ Contemporanea Festival
Until October 2, various locations in Prato
Adventurous, unsettling, fantastical, challenging and
above all creative, the 10th annual Prato festival of contemporary art includes
physical theatre, video installations, photo exhibits, aperitivi, tastings, orchestral performances, sound ‘experiments’
and workshops with Italian and international artists. For details, see www.metastasio.it.
NEOREALISM/ Cesare Zavattini
Until January 18, 2013, Museo Archeologico di Fiesole,
via Portigiani 1, Fiesole
To pay homage to the great writer, designer, poet,
painter and exponent of neorealist cinema, Cesare Zavattini, 110 years after
his birth, the exhibit Dove sta Za? [Where is Za?] features 110 ‘mini
installations’ of 8-10cm, an art form loved by Zavattini, by 110 artists.
For more information, see www.museidifiesole.it
FILM/Light and Silver: The
Photographic Life of George Tatge
October 10, 3pm, Odeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi,
Florence, free entry
This 25-minute documentary by TF columnist David
Battistella explores the life and work of George Tatge. See page 20 this issue
and call 055/214068 or visit www.odeon.intoscana.it for more information.
TRADITION/ Bacco Artigiano Carro Matto
September 29, starts at 3:30pm, Florence city centre
History will come alive before your eyes at this
re-enactment of the traditional Florentine post-harvest ceremony. The carro matto (‘fool’s wagon’) is the star
of the show: a cart pulled by white oxen through the city centre and piled high
with wine flasks, surrounded by a medieval medley of flag throwers, musicians
and city delegates. For more on the festival, see www.comune.fi.it
CULTURE/European Heritage
Day
September 29 to 30, various places throughout Tuscany
Italy: The Treasure of Europe is the theme of European
Heritage Day, and to celebrate the artistic, architectural and natural beauty of
this country, state museums will be free for the day, along with exhibits,
one-time viewings and tours, and a display about early Italian dictionaries at
the Villa Medicea di Castello in Florence. See www.beniculturali.it for details
CHARITY/Corri La Vita
September 30, Florence city centre
Raise money for breast cancer! Registration is open
until the day of the event: call 055/223907 or e-mail esterdileo@gmail.com.
More details at www.corrilavita.it
TEE-OFF/Audi in City Golf
October 6, Florence city centre
Florence becomes a giant golf course, with 18 holes
and 72 players, including some celebrities, competing among the historic
landmarks and gardens of the city centre. Tee-off is at 11am, simultaneously at
all holes. For details, see www.comune.firenze.it
CHESTNUTS/Sagra delle
Castagne
Sundays in October, Marradi (FI)
A sagra and a steam train makes for a perfect fall
family day out. Hop aboard the chestnut express at Florence’s Campo di Marte
station at 8:30am and ride through the glorious scenery of the Apennines.
Discover the many different ways to eat and enjoy chestnuts and breathe
invigorating mountain air before catching the historic steam train back to
Florence. For train schedules and other information, see
www.pro-marradi.it or call 055/8042363.
ART/The Thirties: The Arts
in Italy Beyond Fascism
Until January 27, 2013, Palazzo Strozzi, piazza
Strozzi, Florence
Fascist Italy saw not only political upheavals but
also struggles between contrasting artistic styles and creative tendencies.
This exhibit’s more than 100 paintings, sculptures and design objects by many
of the most significant artists of the time, tell the story of this crucial
period and its vibrant and innovative arts scene. The exhibit includes a series
of interactive activities for kids in English and Italian, as well as guides in
both languages.
For details, visit www.palazzostrozzi.org
UPCOMING/Wilco in concert
October 11, Obihall Theatre, via F. De Andrè, Florence
Alternative rock from one of the most popular and
influential American bands of the last 15 years. With music that blends rock,
folk and country, the concert promises to be intense and powerful. For details
and tickets, go to www.obihall.it
