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.
WOMEN/One Billion Rising
February 14, 3pm, Piazza della Repubblica, Florence
Violence against women is a serious problem in Italy and all over the world. To raise awareness and money to help combat this violence, the campaign One Billion Rising is organising a global flash-mob dance across the globe, and there will also be one in Florence. Learn the steps by watching the video at http://tinyurl.com/apoylwq, or simply come along to show your support. See www.onebillionrising.org or our article in TF 176 for details of the campaign.
HIKE/Social Trekking
February 15-17, various places in Florence and Scandicci
Discover Florence and Scandicci on these walking tours: explore areas you didn’t know about and get to know better those you do. Make new friends as you get out and walk. Choose from a variety of walks and routes for all abilities and interests, including some with added activities, such as book swaps and dining. The walks are free but you must reserve your place at info@waldenviaggiapiedi.it. English-speaking guides are available upon request. See http://socialtrekkinginfesta.wordpress.com for more information.
MUSEUM/Freebies and tours
February 14, 17 and 18, various museums in Florence
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, state museums are offering a two-for-one ticket deal all day (see www.polomuseale.firenze.it). Four days later, on February 18, you can enjoy free entrance to Palazzo Vecchio, the Brancacci Chapel, Museo Bardini and more as part of a two-day celebration in honour of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici on the anniversary of her death.
Every year the last member of the house of Medici, who bequeathed the Medici’s large art collection, including the contents of the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace, to Tuscany, is remembered with a historic procession (February 17, starts 10:40am) at the Medici Chapels of San Lorenzo, where a wreath is laid on her tomb. On February 18, Florence’s civic museums are not only free to visitors but also offer free guided tours (in Italian): call 055/2616056 to book, or see www.comune.fi.it for details of the two days. Also on February 18, TF’s editor-at-large and licensed tour guide, Alexandra Lawrence is leading a visit to the secret rooms of Palazzo Vecchio. See http://tinyurl.com/a5guy85 for a full list of TF’s February walks+visits and how to book.
ART/From Boldini to De Pisis
February 19-May 19, Gallery of Modern Art in Palazzo Pitti, and Villa Bardini, Florence
Florence has extended a hand to Ferrara, providing help and a refuge for works of art after the damage caused by last year’s earthquake to the city’s Filippo De Pisis Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Among the 60-plus works on display are paintings and sculptures from the literary symbolism of Giovanni Muzzioli and Gaetano Previati, as well as still lifes, portraits and views of Paris by Filippo De Pisis. See www.polomuseale.firenze.it and www.bardinipeyron.it for details.
MOVE/Danza in Fiera
February 21-24, Fortezza da Basso, Florence
From classic to contemporary, tango to waltz, hip-hop to Latin, country to ethnic, burlesque to zumba: dancers and dance lovers alike will be entranced by this energy-filled international event. Among the treats on offer are a host of performances by top national and international groups, such as MaggioDanza, the Milan Ballet Company and the Russian Ballet Society. With dozens of free dance classes to choose from, you can try out your tango, break dancing or lindy hop skills for no extra cost. See www.danzainfiera.it for more.
ROCK/Pete Doherty
February 23, 11pm, Le Mirage Club, Monte San Savino (Arezzo)
‘Don’t look back into the sun, now you know that the time has come’ … for Pete Doherty! The founder of Babyshambles, co-frontman of The Libertines and topic of the tabloids (due to his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss and escapades on the London clubbing scene), is coming to Tuscany. Doherty is predicted to perform his solo guitar repertoire, as well as some of his chart-topping hits from his Babyshambles and Libertines days, with some musical and choreographic surprises promised. Tickets are available at www.ticketone.it.
TAP AND PIANO/Free concert
February 24, 11am, Museum of Natural History, Florence
A great young pianist meets an indomitable American tap dancer, creating a magical symbiosis between jazz and tap and taking the audience on a journey of swing music and dance from the 30s to the 50s-and beyond. An unusual combination in an unusual setting-the historical rooms of this great zoology museum-the performance starring Piergiorgio Pirro and Ernesto Tacco promises to be a truly novel experience. The show, Tacco and Pirro: Tapping on the Right Stride, is free and part of a Sunday concert series at La Specola uniting music lovers and natural-history enthusiasts. See www.msn.unifi.it for details.
FUNDRAISER/Gino Paoli
March 2, 9pm, Teatro Moderno, Grosseto
Chart-topping Italian singer-songwriter Gino Paoli is giving a benefit concert to raise money for flood victims in Maremma, particularly the hard-hit village of Albinia. Jazz musician Danilo Rea will perform with him in a piano/voice concert entitled Due come noi che … See www.teatromodernogrosseto.it to book tickets.
