DANCE/Sleeping Beauty
January 5, 2016, 8.45pm
Teatro della Pergola, via della Pergola 24, Florence
Kick off the new year with a classic fairytale: see Sleeping Beauty performed by the prestigious Moscow Ballet. Choreographed by Marius Petipa and featuring famous music from Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, call this nineteenth century masterpiece the ‘dance that launched a thousand Disney archetypes.’ Featured soloists include Stetlitsa Evgenii and Olga Kifiak, both of the leading Kiev Ballet company. Brace yourself for the sweetly sentimental closing scene, when key characters from various fairytales all meet and celebrate Princess Aurora’s awakening. Tickets are available in Box Office Toscana locations or by calling 334/1891173.
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ph. via AILO Florence
MERRY/AILO Christmas BazaarDecember 8, 10am–5pm
Le Pagliere, viale Machiavelli 24, Florence
For forty years running, the American International League Onlus of Florence has hosted a volunteer-run fundraising bazaar, a calendar fixture during the Florentine fesetive season. The club has spent the entire year collecting donations of clothing, Christmas decorations, accessories, handmade goods, books, toys and more, and proceeds will go to carefully chosen charities spread throughout Tuscany. Get your fill of delicious baked goods, jams and other holiday treats, including decadent American-style brownies. Christmas carols from a local choir will help get everyone in the holiday mood, and the littlest ones can meet Santa, making sure to stay in his good graces.
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HERCULEAN/Never Seen BeforeDecember 19–January 31, 2016Reali Poste degli Uffizi, piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence
Things get mythical this month at the Uffizi in an exhibition dedicated to none other than Hercules himself. This is the fifteenth edition of the gallery’s famous I Mai Visti series, which takes place each winter and brings forth works that are generally kept in storage. Curated by Francesca De Luca, this year’s show is a must for mythology fiends: check out archaeological finds, paintings, drawings and a range of other depictions of the ultimate ‘Alpha male’ over time. The show is open Tuesday–Sunday from 10am–5pm.
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CHINA/Abstraction and Reality
December 9–30
Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, via Ricasoli 68, Florence
Continuing the recent pattern of China-focused exhibitions in Florence, the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno will host Abstraction and Reality, a solo show by contemporary painter Wang Hongjian, praised for his photo-sharp productions and noted for his keenly humanistic sensibility. Hongjian’s self-professed goal is to ‘insert the principles and beautiful spirit of Chinese traditions into the techniques of Western painting.’ Hongjian’s art is best known for its socially conscious nature—his paintings show workers feeling the weight of their long days; men and women at their most vulnerable; and dramatic events that have altered China’s history. The exhibition is open Tuesday–Sunday and entry is free. Call 055/4684478 for more information.
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EXPERIMENTAL/Musica Blu
December 16–18
French Institute, piazza Ognissanti 2, Florence
Coming fresh on the heels of the super-successful Tempo Reale Festival back in October, Musica Bluis a new Florentine initiative aimed at supporting emerging stars on the electronic music scene. The three-day event will host a presentation by French sound artist Gilbert Nouno, featuring Françoise Berlanger and actress Anna Romana (December 16), a heady piano performance from Caterina Poggesi and Oumoulkhairy Carroy (December 17) and a series of concerts by Andrea Borghi, Giovanni Lami and Francesco Brasini (all on December 18). For more information and to purchase tickets, call 055/717270 or visit Tempo Reale’s website.
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TRADITION/Christmas Tree Lighting
December 8, 5pm
Piazza del Duomo, Florence
Florence marks the Day of the Immaculate Conception with the ceremonial lighting of the city’s giant Christmas tree. Tempted to skip this annual tradition and stay cozy inside? This year’s ceremony is sure to stun, given the awe-inspiring backdrop of the newly restored baptistery. Arrive early to stake out a spot in the crowd, and take a winter passeggiata to the Weihnachtsmarkt in piazza Santa Croce afterward to warm up with mulled wine. Watch the Comune di Firenze website for any possible changes to the program.
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STYLE/Pitti Uomo 89
January 12–15, 2016
Fortezza da Basso and about town
It’s that time of year again! Who cares if Santa Claus is coming to town—once the tree is down and the gifts unwrapped, the world’s male tastemakers will descend on Florence for the winter edition of Pitti Uomo, the renowned menswear and accessories showcase. Parties and shows are strictly for the VIP set, but prepare for outrageous people-watching, fashion star sightings and countless opportunities to land on international street style blogs. As we go to press with this issue, few details about this edition have been released, but stay tuned to The Florentine for any announcements about rare public events.
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INDIA/Bollywood Talkies
December 5–January 31, 2016
Fondazione Studio Marangoni, via San Zanobi 19r, Florence
Part of River to River, the only film festival in Italy dedicated entirely to Indian cinema (see page 22), Bollywood Talkiesis a high-impact photography exhibition from Turin-based photographer Vanessa Vettorello. Thirty striking images take viewers on a visual journey through cinemas in Bombay and Pune, which are facing economic difficulties that will likely wipe them out over the next decade. The spotlight shines mainly on moviegoers and cinema workers rather than the spaces themselves, however. Photographs are further contextualized through video and audio interviews. Bollywood Talkies is open Monday–Saturday from 3–7pm (with a break for the holidays), and entry is free.