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.
MEDICI/Alchemy and the Arts
Until February 3 Uffizi Gallery, piazzale degli Uffizi 6, Florence
The discovery of pharmaceutical secrets, the fusing of crystal, brewing of potions and attempts to forge gold from base metals: all this used to take place in a foundry in Palazzo Vecchio, fuelled by the Medici passion for the magic of alchemy. More than 60 paintings, sculptures, engravings, manuscripts, ancient remedies and printed pharmaceutical texts displayed in this exhibit bring this extraordinary passion to life. Entry is free; see www.polomuseale.firenze.it for more information.
DANCE/Tango Macho
January 22, 8:45pm Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina 99, Florence
Two of the most talented stars of the international tango world, the Argentine brothers Enrique and Guillermo De Fazio, come to Teatro Verdi with their unique interpretations. Surprising, dynamic, and above all powerfully masculine, the De Fazio brothers never fail to captivate their audience. Visit the theatre’s website at www.teatroverdionline.it for details.
CHIC/Vintage Selection
January 23-27 Stazione Leopolda, viale F.lli Rosselli 5, Florence
Fashionistas, vintage lovers and anyone looking for original outfits to create a unique look won’t want to miss this eclectic event, a combination of trade show, exhibition and market. This year’s theme, Future Mission: Science Fiction and Retro-Futurism, explores ideas of an imagined future, which took off in the fashion world during the 60s and 70s. The photo exhibit I.LOVE.ARCHIVE3, consisting of photos from the Pitti archives, will explore the most innovative sides of past fashions, and the five days will also include workshops, concerts and DJ sets. See www.stazione-leopolda.com for more.
TRADITION/San Zanobi
January 26, 9am Column of San Zanobi, piazza del Duomo, Florence
Tradition has it that as the remains of San Zanobi, Florence’s first bishop, were being transferred to the old church of Santa Reparata, his coffin touched a dead tree, which immediately sprang to life. Today a column marks the spot (see TF 169), and every year the saint and his legend are commemorated with a procession and the laying of wreaths of flowers at the base of the column. Events begin at 9am. See www.comune.fi.it for details.
WHEELS/World Roller Skating Grand Prix
January 26 (9pm) and 27 (4.30pm) Mandela Forum, viale Paoli 3, Florence
The biggest event in the skating world returns to Florence for what looks to be a breathtaking display of acrobatics and choreography. The best of the world’s figure skaters on four wheels will battle it out, combining beauty and technical skill, dance and innovation, in the singles and couples dance categories. For details, times and tickets, see www.mandelaforum.it.
ART/Cindy Sherman
Until June 9 Gucci Museum, piazza della Signoria 10, Florence
A pioneer of photography as art, for more than 35 years Cindy Sherman has challenged and raised crucial questions about the representation and role of women. Both actor and director, subject and photographer, Sherman uses make-up, costumes, wigs and facial expressions to transform her identity, producing a variety of characters and very direct photographs that draw links between photography and film. The exhibit, Cindy Sherman: Early Works, presents three bodies of work from her formative years. See www.gucci.com for more.
PHOTO/A Message For You
Until March 10 Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia (MNAF), piazza Santa Maria Novella 14a, Florence
Provocative, imaginative and innovative, Guy Bourdin is considered one of the most interesting photographers of the twentieth century. The exhibit comprises 75 images, originally published in magazines such as Vogue France and advertising campaigns from such designers as Charles Jourdan and Versace, made in the 70s, when he was at the height of artistic maturity. Visit www.mnaf.it for details.
PRESIDENT/Inaugural speech
January 21, 5:30pm – The Fiddler’s Elbow, P.za S. M. Novella 7r, Florence
Obama’s back! His inauguration speech for second term as president will be shown on a live feed at the Irish pub in piazza Santa Maria Novella, The Fiddler’s Elbow, in collaboration with Democrats Abroad Tuscany. For details, see http://tinyurl.com/a8ckfoq.
TUNES/Upcoming concerts
A host of international and Italian stars are coming to Florence this spring. These concerts are bound to sell out early, so book your tickets soon and start counting down the days.
Clannad: February 18, 9pm, Obihall, via Fabrizio De André, www.obihall.it
This successful Irish band bridges traditional Celtic music with pop, folk, rock and jazz and has won both a Grammy and a BAFTA.
Franco Battiato: March 3 and 4, 9pm, Teatro Comunale, Corso Italia 16, http://tinyurl.com/9wfudd3
One of the most influential and innovative Italian songwriters and filmmakers returns to Florence after many years with his new tour, Open Sesame.
Negrita: March 7, 9pm, Obihall, via Fabrizio De André, www.obihall.it
Negrita, from near Arezzo, has been topping the Italian rock music charts since the early 90s.
Mumford and Sons: March 15, Nelson Mandela Forum, viale Paoli 3, www.mandelaforum.it
Babel, the latest album from this chart-topping English folk-rock band, was the fastest-selling album of 2012 in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Eros Ramazzotti: March 24, Nelson Mandela Forum, via le Paoli 3, www.mandelaforum.it
Enjoying huge international success since 1993, Ramazzotti has sold over 55 million records in his 25-year career.
Joe Satriani: May 32, Obihall, via Fabrizio De André, www.obihall.it
Lead guitarist for Deep Purple and Mick Jagger, the American virtuoso rock guitarist has also collaborated with Brian May and Eric Johnson.
Jovanotti: June 23, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viale Manfredo Fanti 4a, www.soleluna.com/tour
Does he even need an introduction? Tickets to see one of the best-loved Italian singer-songwriters certainly won’t last long.
