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.
Music/Dissonant Live
November 11, December 23, January 13, Auditorium Flog, via Michele Mercati 24b, Florence
This concert series organized by Switch Creative Network promotes international electronic musicians whose tunes reveal influence from other genres like jazz, dubstep and dance. The opening concert, on November 11, features the French techno group Signal Electrique. Entrance 5 euro. For more information, see www.switchproject.net.
Photo+Video/Ex3 Bric News
November 10 to January 6, 2012, Ex3, viale Giannotti 81, Florence
Ten years after the term BRIC was coined to define the emerging economies of Brasil, Russia, India and China, the Ex3 contemporary art center is featuring a series of solo exhibits to artists from these countries. The first exhibit focuses on the Chinese photography duo Song Tao and Ji Weiyu, known as Birdhead, presenting New Village, which documents the changing face of Shanghai. On November 11, the 2010 video Vot by Russian artist Victor Alimpiev will make its Italian premiere; the language spoken in the video is French, with French actors, whose dialogue includes the Russian word vot, unaware of the siginficance: variable, meaning ‘here,’ but also ‘thus’ and ‘so.’ See www.ex3.it for details.
Art/Vasari, live
Exhibit until November 30, 2011; restoration until March 2012, Ente Cassa di Risparmio, via Bufalini 6, Florence
A large altarpiece by Vasari from the church of the Carmine is being restored by the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, and you can see restorers at work on it, live. The 1560 Crucifixion with Madonna and Saints is on display through March, when restorers are expected to finish. Until the end of November, the bank is exhibiting six other works by Vasari, Omaggio al Vasari, as part of the Tuscany-wide celebration of the 500th anniversary of the artist’s birth.
For information and hours, call 055/5384503; free entrance.
Visit/Firenze Insolita
November 4 to December 27, various locations in Florence
Firenze Insolita encourages Florentines young and old to appreciate and rediscover the cultural vitality of the city. Festival events focus on five different aspects of Florence: history, spirituality, activities for children, artisans and local festivals. Activities include a guided visit and a children’s treasure hunt in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore on November 12 at 2:30pm. Another activity, running to November 26, is the 10am guided tour ‘Florence and the cinema,’ which examines the city through its cinematic history. Reservations are required for most events; consult www.firenzeinsolita.it.
Run/Firenze Marathon 2011
November 27,Florence’s classic road race, 41km and 195 meters.
Last year’s marathon had 10,200 participants from 62 countries, making it the second most important marathon in Italy. The flat route takes runners through some of the most beautiful historic spots in the city, including piazza Duomo, piazza Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio and more. Sign up online or in person; see www.firenzemarathon.it.
LGBTI/Florence Queer Festival
November 12 to December 7, various locations in Florence
While the best-known event of the Florence Queer Festival is the film festival (November 25 to December 1; see TF 151), other activities fill the roster of this month-long celebration of LGBTI. Queer Book, opening on November 13, includes book presentations, readings, and author talks. Queer Art presents the exhibit Copertine Impazzite, vinyl covers from private collections that explore the image of LGBTI in music from the 1960s to the present day (November 12 to December 15 at Ireos headquarters, via de’ Serragli 3). At Teatro di Rifredi, Queer Theatre features two theatre pieces (December 3 and 7). See www.florencequeerfestival.it for details.
Out of Town/Lucca Photo Fest
November 19 to December 11, various locations in Lucca
Defined by the Corriere della Sera as ‘the most prestigious festival of photography and video art in Italy,’ this year’s theme is Looking East. The entire historic center is animated with portfolio displays, lectures, workshops with world-renowned photographers, seminars, projections, awards and more. Don’t miss the exhibit of works by Jodi Bieber, winner of the World Press Photo of the Year 2010. For more information, see www.lupf.it
Eat/Sagra del Cinghiale di Chianni
November 10 to 13; 17 to 20, Chianni (Pisa)
If a local food fair has been going strong since 1976 and has more than 1,200 fans on Facebook, you know it’s a good thing. On the outskirts of Pisa, the Chianni Sagra del Cinghiale satisfies
carnivorous palates with cinghiale in umido, polenta, cured meats, and new Tuscan olive oil and wine. Worth a day trip. See www.sagradelcinghialechianni.it.
Thanksgiving/Traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner
November 24 at 8pm, St. James Church, via Rucellai 9, Florence
The annual American community’s Thanksgiving dinner is the real thing: a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trimmings, including vegetarian options. 45 euro per person, all inclusive. For information, please contact Nina at info@americansaladco.com or call 335/6591939.
Don’t forget…
Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler perform at Mandela Forum on November 11; a few tickets are still available at www.ticketone.it.
TEDx Firenze is on November 12 at Palazzo Vecchio (see article page 12).
‘Tis the season to eat truffles and taste newly pressed olive oil. See page 19 for the San Miniato truffle festival.
