BIKES/Critical Mass
October
25, 6.30pm
Leaving from piazza Santissima Annunziata, Florence
The
most fun you can have on two wheels: a musical bike party ride through the
city! Critical Mass Firenze is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month and
plans to do it in style. The grassroots cycling organisation holds monthly
group rides to raise awareness of cyclists on the road. See
criticalmassfirenze.blogspot.it for details.
SPEECHES/TEDx Firenze
October
27, 2pm
Salone de’ Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
TED
talks are definitely the most interesting conference speeches you’ll ever hear.
This year, the stars of Florence’s independently organized TED event include
radio and TV host Fabio Volo, artist Dony MacManus and journalist Marco
Pratellesi. The event will be streamed live online. See www.tedxfirenze.net for
details.
BODY ART/Florence Tattoo Convention
November
2 to 4 Fortezza da Basso, Florence
Three
hundred and fifteen world-renowned tattoo artists, body piercers and eclectic
musicians will enchant an audience of the curious and the hip in this
out-of-the-ordinary three-day event. The convention includes an exhibit of
photos by anthropologist Lars Krutak (aka the Tattoo Hunter), who illustrates
the spiritual and magical meaning of tribal tattoos in Papua New Guinea. See www.florencetattooconvention.com for information.
CULTURE/Florens 2012
November
3 to 11 Various places in Florence
The
biennial of cultural and landscape heritage is back with a strong programme of
international conferences held in Palazzo Vecchio, as well as very visible
events around town such as the installations in piazza Santa Croce and piazza
Duomo (see our cover story). Talks run all day, including more casual ones
followed by aperitivo, daily at 6:30pm, and important keynote speeches most
evenings at 9pm. See the programme at www.fondazioneflorens.it; all
events are free with registration.
POLITICS/US Election Night
November
6 Various places in Florence
For
all you Americans who might be pining for your country during this historic
event, don’t fret: Florence is holding a few big events to mark the occasion.
See the news article on page 2 in this edition.
TRADE SHOW/Art and Restoration Fair
November
8 to 10 Fortezza da Basso, Florence
A
fascinating glimpse into the intricate processes and machinery involved in
restoring works of art. Professionals will share experiences, expertise and
skills that are very much alive in Italy today, involving both traditional
methods and advanced equipment. For more information, visit
www.salonerestaurofirenze.org or call 055/217940.
LISTEN/Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Ongoing,
New Florence Opera House, viale Fratelli Rosselli 1, Florence
The
new season of this renowned orchestra has kicked off, and there are some superb
treats in store. Enjoy musical poems by Debussy and Ravel, and stirring choral
works by Rachmaninoff and Brahms before the master himself, Zubin Mehta,
returns on November 9 to conduct Mahler’s grand Symphony number 2, The
Resurrection. See www.maggiofiorentino.com for dates and programs.
LANGUAGE/Let’s Talk About Art
Wednesdays in November,
5.30pm Palazzo Strozzi, piazza degli Strozzi, Florence
Drop-in
Italian/English language exchange at the exhibits of Palazzo Strozzi. Brush up
on your Italian or English while sharing views on art and culture at the
current exhibitions, The Thirties: The Arts in Italy beyond Fascism, and
Francis Bacon and the Existential Condition in Contemporary Art. Events are open
to all and free with a ticket to the exhibit. Reservations are required. Find
out more at www.palazzostrozzi.org or call 055/3917141.
ART/Al Weiwei
October 27 to January 26,
2013 Galleria Continua, via del Castello 11, San Gimigniano
Works
by one of the most important living contemporary artists are coming to San
Gimigniano for an exhibit comprising sculpture, installations, video and
photography. Al Weiwei, from China, has exhibited around the world, and this
show includes many recent works that have never been seen in Italy. Visit www.galleriacontinua.com for
more information.
NERD/Lucca Comics & Games
November
1 to 4, 9am to 7pm Various places in the centre of Lucca
Lovers
of video games, comics and sci-fi will find themselves in paradise for four
days. Among the many events in store: a reenactment of the American War of
Independence on the walls of the city to mark the release of the new chapter of
Assassin’s Creed, and meetings with several of the top international comic and
fantasy book authors. See www.luccacomicsandgames.com for details.
SWEET TOOTH/Dolcemente Pisa
November
3 and 4, 11:30am to 9:30pm Stazione Leopolda, piazza Guerrazzi, Pisa
The
sweetest event of the year is back! The finest pastries, chocolates and cakes
from Tuscany will come to Pisa for this two-day event, including tastings, cake
design classes, a ‘chocolate river,’ a panforte-throwing contest (!) and
a photo competition. Tickets to the event can be combined with those for the
Kandinsky exhibit at Palazzo Blu or guided tours of the city. See www.dolcementepisa.it for the
schedule.
UPCOMING/Always On My Mind
November 10-11, free
Luigi Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art,
Prato
Art meets the neurosciences at this
fascinating symposium, which will address topics of data interpretation and
organisation by the brain. Art, one of the highest expressions of human
complexity, provides important insights into the functioning of the nervous
system, and this in turn means a better understanding of ourselves and our
relationship with the world today. Find out more at www.centropecci.it.
