Best events in and around Florence, April 28–May 4

Best events in and around Florence, April 28–May 4

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Thu 28 Apr 2016 9:16 AM

PAIR/Pizza Night at SimBIOsi
April 28, 6pm
SimBIOsi, via de’ Ginori 56r, Florence

simbiosi_marcobadiani

Many Italians insist that pizza pairs only with beer, but our wine writer Emily O’Hare begs to differ—and aren’t rules made to be broken? Join The Florentine Wine Club for an evening kindly hosted by organic pizzeria SimBIOsi with wine producer Fattoria San Michele a Torri. Participants will learn strategic, tasty ways to pair pizza with Tuscan wines. There’ll be gourmet pizza tailor-made for the occasion, taglieri of scrumptious salami and cheeses and selected wines to taste. Reserve the special tasting menu now by emailing TF’s Giacomo at wine@theflorentine.net.

 

JAZZ/WE Jazz for International Jazz Day
April 30, from 5.30pm
Villa Medicea di Poggio Imperiale, piazza del Poggio Imperiale, Arcetri, Florence


poggio-imperiale-1

Since 2012, UNESCO has designated April 30 as International Jazz Day, a time to celebrate the expressive genre in all its various forms. Ditch the hustle and bustle of downtown and head to the historic Villa Medicea di Poggio Imperiale for smooth sounds. Plenty of pre-concert fun takes place beginning at 5.30pm: guided visits of the villa will be offered (book ahead by emailing infomuseo@poggio-imperiale.it; maximum 2 people per reservation). The night will continue with a Chianti Classico aperitif and several concerts from regional groups, running until 11.30pm. There will also be street food catered by Panino Tondo. For more information and to check guided visit availability, see the Facebook event

 

LITERARY/La Prima Notte d’Estate: TheFLR Night
April 30, 8pm
ZAP, piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 1, Florence

ZAP courtyard

ZAP courtyard

Revelers take to the streets every year on April 30 during what was once called Notte Bianca, the city’s annual all-night, pre-Labor Day party–this year renamed the “First Night of Summer.” Restaurants, museums and shops across Florence will stay open well into the early hours to welcome the start of the sunny season. This year, many of the events are literature and culture-focused, including TheFLR Night: The Florentine Literary Review–first night of a first issue. It’s a chance to learn about a forthcoming cultural project from The Florentine and Alessandro Raveggi: a beautifully illustrated, bilingual literary review spotlighting Italian authors translated into English.

 

SOCIAL/Digital Invasions
Until May 8
Various venues in Florence and throughout Tuscany

#InvasioniDigitali is a grassroots initiative that began in Italy in 2013, promoting the digital diffusion of culture and challenging the academic, inaccessible image that museums and monuments often carry. Participants “invade” selected museums, institutions and even city streets, collecting photos, fun facts and other tidbits to share with the masses on social media. In recent years, the event went beyond Italian and European borders and this year is continuing to grow. Highlights near Florence include “invasions” of the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci in Fiesole (April 29, 3pm) and the Museo San Gimignano 1300 (April 30). Details are still being finalized for the May 7 “invasions” of several Prato museums: stay tuned!

 

BLOSSOM/Iris Garden
Until May 20
Eastern end of piazzale Michelangelo, Florence

iris

As the city streets get more crowded with the onset of tourist season, enjoy the tranquility of one of Florence’s hidden gardens, a springtime must. Until May 20, visit the iris garden (access it at the eastern end of piazzale Michelangelo). Hours are 10am–12.30pm and 3–7pm each day. Entry is free, though donations to the volunteer-run organization are encouraged. For more information or inquiries about guided visits, call 055/483112.

 

 

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