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 events in Florence and Tuscany this month—and beyond.
EXHIBITION/ Gherardo delle Notti
February 10–May 24. Uffizi Gallery, piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence
Get a glimpse of the Dutch Golden Age at the Uffizi. Gerard van Honthorst, popularly known as Gherardo delle Notti, was a court painter well-liked by the Medici. In the early years of his career, before moving toward a more characteristically Dutch style, he spent time in Rome and took most of his cues from Caravaggio. This exhibition focuses on his particular variety of genre painting, including his ‘Most Bizarre Paintings and Merry Suppers,’ depicting many convivial scenes, often set at night, which is what earned him his nickname. For details, see www.uffizi.firenze.it/mostre.
MARDI GRAS/ TF Pancake Night
February 17, 6.30–8.30pm. Le Vespe, via Ghibellina 76, Florence.
Carnevale is coming and The Florentine is ready to celebrate! Don your flashiest beads or most mysterious masks for Mardi Gras and prepare for pancakes, one of Le Vespe’s specialties. For just 8 euro, sip on a spritz, stack your plate, mingle with friends and meet some of the TF staff. Beyond celebration, this evening is also about collaboration—it’s your chance to brainstorm with us and share feedback while having some seasonal fun. Come and go or come and stay; there’s no need to book or buy tickets in advance.
CINEMA/ Oscar Week at The Odeon
February 23–March 1, see Odeon website for show times
Odeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi, Florence
For film buffs, February means one thing: Oscar season. After the 87th Academy Awards ceremony airs on Sunday, February 22, spend the week catching up on the most critically acclaimed cinema of 2014. The Odeon will screen some of the most decorated movies of the year, including Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, Morlen Tyldum’s The Imitation Game, James Marsh’s The Theory of Everything and Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, all of which are vying for at least six different awards, including Best Picture. For the full program, see www.odeonfirenze.com.
MAGIC/ Magic Florence
February 21, 4.45 and 8.45pm. Teatro Puccini, via delle Cascine 41, Florence.
Pulling rabbits out of hats is for amateurs. This show features some of the most mind-blowing magicians in the business, all of whom have plenty of memorable tricks up their sleeves. The headliner is Florence-born Mattia Boschi, who earned top honors as Best Young Artist at the 2014 International Magic Festival. Though the performances will be in Italian, magic is a universal language—and these impressive illusions will not disappoint. For more information, see www.teatropuccini.it.
FIRENZE CAPITALE/ A Capital and its Architect
Until June 6. Archivio di Stato, viale della Giovine Italia 6 (piazza Beccaria)
The words ‘Firenze Capitale’ seem to be on everyone’s lips as Florence marks 150 years since King Vittorio Emanuele II rode into the newly declared capital of Italy. Florentine Giuseppe Poggi was the principal architect behind much of modern Florence, giving the city a full-blown makeover and demolishing its medieval walls. Among the dozens of events taking place over the next few months, this exhibition (fittingly located near one of the squares he designed) focuses on his distinctive work, featuring documents, preliminary sketches and more that shed light on the Florence we see today.
SPORTS/ Women’s Rugby—Italy versus Ireland
February 6, kick-off 7pm. Lodigiani stadium, via P. Paoli, Florence.
On your mark, get set, scrum! Expect a rousing evening out at the stadium when the highly anticipated Women’s Six Nations Championship match pits Italy against Ireland. Asked about playing Italy, newly appointed Ireland captain Niamh Briggs expressed nervousness, citing the squad’s consistency over the years and the fact that it has had ‘no big retirements.’ Ireland, on the other hand, has a brand-new coach, captain, team structure and loads of new players—but they just had a big 31-12 win against Wales. All bets are off! For tickets and information, see www.rbs6nations.com.
EAST/ New Chinese Realism
February 6-17, 10am–7pm. Fortezza da Basso, Florence
After last month’s Pitti fashion fever, the Fortezza hosts ‘Constant Change: The New Realism in Chinese Painting.’ A fresh departure for the venue, it features works on display from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, one of China’s most prestigious art schools, making its Italian debut. The paintings reflect not only the evolution of Chinese art, but the drastic, historic, societal changes China is facing as its image changes across the globe. For more information, see www.firenzefiera.it.
GUIDED TOUR/ TF Sparkles + Silver Walk + Visit
February 21, 3pm. Meeting point: Cellini bust on the Ponte Vecchio
Join jeweller Elisa Tozzi Piccini and The Florentine’s editor-at-large and licensed tour guide Alexandra Lawrence for a glittering afternoon of artisan jewellery and historic silverware. Enjoy an exclusive peek at the old-meets-new atelier of Fratelli Piccini jewellery store on the Ponte Vecchio, with romantic views over the Arno, followed by a tour of the Pitti Palace’s Silver Museum. 20 euro + entrance to the Museo degli Argenti (7 euro). Space is limited to 15 people. For more information or to register, email a.lawrence@theflorentine.net.
PARTY/ Swing night
February 14, 10pm. Glue Alternative Concept Space, viale Manfredo Fanti 20, Florence.
No plans for Valentine’s Day? Put on your dancing shoes, grab a partner and head to Glue in Swing, a fun, retro-inspired evening of swing dancing. Enjoy top tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s—all performed live. This is the third edition of Glue in Swing, but this special evening will have a Valentine’s Day twist. No partner? No worries—come alone and let Cupid work his magic.
