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.
WHITE TRUFFLES/Sagra del Tartufo Bianco
November 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. Historic centre of San Miniato
White truffles are as revered as gold nuggets, and truffle-hunters guard their locations and the dogs that find them almost as fiercely as they do their children. The area around San Miniato provides 25 percent of Italy’s truffles, and for three weeks every year the centre of this medieval hilltop town hosts gastronomic and cultural events celebrating not only this delicacy, but also all Tuscan specialities and products.
For details, go to www.sanminiatoturismo.it
THINK/Always on My Mind
November 10-11, free entry. L. Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art, Prato
Art meets neuroscience at this fascinating symposium, which will address topics of the brain and data interpretation and organisation. Art, one of the highest expressions of human complexity, provides important insights into the functioning of the nervous system, and thus ourselves and our relationship with the world. This is an English-friendly event.
Find out more at www.centropecci.it
PHOTOGRAPHY/ Tribute to Italo Calvino
Until January 6, 2013. Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia (MNAF), piazza S. M. Novella 14a/r
Rich, varied and beautiful. World-renowned writer and novelist Italo Calvino was the most-translated contemporary Italian writer at the time of his death in 1985 (see TF 67 for a profile on Calvino), and this exhibit draws connections between literature and photography. MNAF houses a rich collection of original prints and negatives, and many of its treasures from the Alinari archives are currently on view during this tribute exhibition to Calvino.
See www.mnaf.it for details
ROCK/The Best of Pink Floyd
November 12, 8:45pm. Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina 101, Florence
Progressive, psychedelic and philosophical, Pink Floyd influenced a generation and changed the course of rock music. The British cover band Brit Floyd brings The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show to Florence’s beautiful Teatro Verdi, with painstakingly faithfully reproductions of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits-a sensory experience that is as shocking, surprising and relaxing as the original.
For more information, see www.teatroverdionline.it
AUCTION/American Presidents
November 9-22. Tethys Gallery, via Maggio 58r, Florence
See images of 11 US presidents up close and personal at this photo exhibit by renowned Scottish photographer Harry Benson, whose work has appeared in such prestigious publications as Vanity Fair, Life and People. Benson has photographed every US president since Dwight Eisenhower, and the 15 photos in the exhibition will be auctioned live on November 24, with proceeds going to the Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights Europe in Florence (see TF 171).
See www.tethysgallery.com for details.
WATCH/Fashion Show on Ice
November 10, 6pm. Barberino designer outlet, Barberino di Mugello
Acrobatics meets shopping at this winter spectacle at the Barberino Designer Outlet, as eight ice skaters perform synchronised routines while wearing fashion items from the new season’s collection. Adding to the truly seasonal atmosphere will be the magical lighting of the huge Christmas tree and festive music from the Large Street Band. The ice rink will remain open until January 6, free to use for visitors to the Outlet. For more information, see http://tinyurl.com/BarbOutlet.
TALENT/Giovanni Allevi
November 15, 8:45pm. Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina 101, Florence
Italian piano sensation Giovanni Allevi has performed at the Italian Senate and opened for Jovanotti, and writes striking compositions that bridge contemporary and classical music. With a presence as powerful and intriguing as his music, his performance at Teatro Verdi is bound to be a hit. Get details at www.teatroverdionline.it
FEAST/Thanksgiving
November 22, various locations
For all those Americans pining for a traditional Thanksgiving there’s lots on offer this year, from restaurants serving feasts with all the trimmings to take-out Thanksgiving meals to enjoy at home.
THANKSGIVING DINNERS (reservations required):
Ristorante Accademia, piazza San Marco 7r, Tel 055/217343
The Diner, via dell’Acqua 2, Tel 055/290748
The ClubHouse, via dei Ginori 6r, Tel 055/211427
THANKSGIVING TAKE-OUT KITS:
American Salad Co. & Mama’s Bakery (order by Monday, November 19) Tel 335/6591939
FUND-RAISER:
Saturday, November 24, RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. A gala dinner accompanied by music from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, part of a Thanksgiving Weekend. See http://tinyurl.com/RFKCentre for details.
UPCOMING/Florence Marathon
November 25, Florence city centre
Up for a challenge? The annual Florence Marathon returns on November 25: 42 km through the historic streets and artistic treasures of Florence, starting in lungarno Pecori Giraldi and finishing in piazza Santa Croce. For those whose lungs or legs aren’t quite up to a marathon, there are several shorter walks or jogs through the centre, including the Guarda Firenze race and the Ginky Family run for kids. To register or to find out more, visit www.firenzemarathon.it or call 055/5522957
