THEATRE/Godspell
April 7-15
Methodist Church (April 7) and St. Mark’s English Church (all other shows), Florence
Come and see Stephen Schwartz’s beloved musical brought to life by FESTA, Florence’s English language theatre group! With its colorful costumes and a cast made up of Florence community faces, Godspell is guaranteed fun for all ages. The show is an on-and-off-Broadway hit based primarily on the Gospel of Matthew, featuring a series of parables interspersed with modern music. After the opening night held at the Methodist Church (via de’ Benci 9) on April 7 at 8.30pm, all other performances will be held at St. Mark’s English Church (via Maggio 16) on April 8 (8.30pm), April 9 (2.30pm), April 14 (7pm) and April 15 (2.30pm). Admission is free, although donations are encouraged. For more information, see FESTA’s Facebook page.
ZOO/Biophilia
April 7-June 18
La Specola, via Romana 17, Florence
Make some time for the magical La Specola museum in your schedule this week. Europe’s oldest scientific museum is hosting “Biophilia 2017,” a dialogue between the contemporary illustrations of Arianna Fioratti Loreto and the eclectic permanent collection. With a background in textile design, children’s furniture and book illustration, Loreto regularly exhibits between New York and Atlanta; in her Florence show, she’ll be highlighting her ink-on-paper drawings of “all creatures great and small,” which grew out of her love for nature, 18th century prints and French explorer-scientist-naval officer Jacques Cousteau. For museum hours, see La Specola’s website.
STYLE/Harakat Sisters Present: Urban Sound from Beirut to Casablanca
April 7, 6.30pm
Boutique Nadine, via dei Benci 32, Florence
Film festival Middle East Now–a multifaceted showcase of movies, art, culinary traditions and culture–is currently underway, with a stylish highlight set for Friday evening. The via dei Benci location of Boutique Nadine will host “Urban Sound from Beirut to Casablanca” in partnership with accessory designers The Harakat Sisters, a sibling duo who divide their time between Beirut, Casablanca and Paris. Their creations are heavily influenced by cinema, pop culture, music and cultural traditions; browse through their pop-up shop and see a special installation made just for Middle East Now at the Friday event. View the full festival program on the website.
VINTAGE/Les Fleurs du MID
April 8-9
Villa Romana, via Senese 68, Florence
Ring in spring in the elegant neoclassical setting of Villa Romana. MID Firenze will host “Les Fleurs du MID”: part-market, part-exhibition, part-charity event and an all-around potpourri of primavera activities. Hunt down vintage treasures; build up your bijoux collection; have your photograph taken on an elaborate set; tote the little ones along and watch them strut their stuff in dance workshops; take part in a perfume-making workshop and much more. Entry is free, but individual activities have varied costs; proceeds will support “Disappearances,” a publishing project at Villa Romana, set to launch in May and held in collaboration with Berlin’s Fehras Publishing Practices. For the full program, see the Facebook event.
RECOVERED/”We Must Make Haste!”
Until July 30
Uffizi Gallery (Aula Magliabechiana), Florence
Italy’s Marche region was rocked by several devastating earthquakes in 2016. With an exhibition titled “We Must Make Haste! Recovered Treasures and Treasures Still in Peril,” the Uffizi showcases a variety of artworks and relics from affected areas, aiming to demonstrate the region’s impressive cultural heritage and the urgency of contributing to recovery efforts. Standout pieces include a Giovanni Angelo d’Antonio Annunciation (pictured) and three bells recovered from damaged towers in the small towns of San Severino and Arquata del Tronto. Closing out the exhibition is the manuscript for L’infinito, one of Giacomo Leopardi’s most famous works. More information here.
