Here’s our round-up for August, 2023.
Don’t miss the chance to see Italian and European films for only 3.50 euro in participating cinemas: until September 16 as part of the Cinema Revolution campaign.
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1 August 2023 - 30 August 2023
It’s been sold out every night, so Cinema Astra are extending the screenings of Barbie into August. Greta Gerwig brings Barbie to the big screen with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling taking on the roles of Barbie and Ken. The screenings are in English, with Italian subtitles.
August 2: 16.40, 19.00, 21.15;August 3: 16.40, 19.00; August 4: 19.00, 21.15; August 5: 14.30, 16.40, 19.00, 21.15; August 6: 16.40, 19.00, 21.15; August 7: 18.15, 20.30; August 9: 11.00, 16.30, 19.00; August 10: 16.30, 21.15; August 11: 14.30, 16.15, 18.30, 21.00; August 12: 16.15, 18.30, 21.00; August 13: 18.30, 21.00; August 16: 16.40, 19.00, 21.15; August 17: 18.20; August 18: 11.00, 16.15, 18.30, 21.00; August 19: 18.30, 21.00; August 20: 16.15, 18.30; August 21: 16.15, 21.00; August 23: 19.00, 21.15; August 24: 19.00; August 25: 19.00; August 26: 18.30; August 27: 11.00, 14.30, 20.30; August 28: 18.15; August 29: 21.00; August 30: 19.00
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At 8.30pm on August 5, Berkshire Choral International will perform Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, conducted by Heinz Ferlesch. The Camerata de’ Bardi will bring the masterpiece to life with Astried Kessler as soprano, mezzo-soprano Michaela Selinger, tenor Robert Bartneck, and bass Felix Speer. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Meyer Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Tickets
See cinema in the relaxed setting of the Anconella Park, with a free-entry film series along the banks of the Arno taking place at 9pm on various dates in August. From science fiction cult classics to Tuscan comedians, the programme also sees book presentations, guided walks and special guests.
Celebrations start to mark the 850th anniversary of the iconic tower of Pisa. The instantly recognizable monument will be honoured with a series of events held over the course of the year, with the programme soon to be announced.
Celebrate the Night of San Lorenzo at Villa Vogel with a carousel and free watermelon from 8.30pm, followed by stargazing from 8.45pm. Finish off with a puppet show by Pupi di Stac at 9.15pm, bound to delight audiences of all ages.
One of Dario Argento’s thriller masterpieces returns to the big screen in a 4K restored version. In Italian with English subtitles.
A psychic medium (Macha Méril) is brutally murdered and musician Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) feels a need to solve the case, since he was the one who discovered the body. Working with him is reporter Gianna Brezzi (Daria Nicolodi), who hopes for a big scoop by solving the case. When one of Marcus’s own friends ends up murdered at the hands of the same killer, the resourceful pair realize they must work fast to uncover the murderer’s identity or they might serve as the maniac’s next victims.
August 17: 16.00; August 20: 21.00; August 21: 18.30; August 29: 16.30
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20th century magazines are the subject of this exhibition at the Uffizi Gallery. Visitors get an overview of the most influential cultural publications of the time such as La Voce by Prezzolini and Tommaso Marinetti’s Poetry.
The Argiano Baroque Music Festival transports attendees to another era with evenings dedicated to the performance of music by great composers by top musicians on the international scene. The spectacular line-up sees five international ensembles who will each perform their own unique Baroque repertoire: Jean Rondeau and Thomas Dunford (preview concert on July 21), L’Archicembalo (August 18), Francesca Aspromonte and L’Arsenale Sonoro (August 20), Marco Mencoboni (August 25) and Ensemble La Tabatière (August 27).
A special evening dedicated to mixology with Martina Bonci, bar manager of Gucci Garden 25. Enjoy Villa San Michele garden bar with unparalleled views over Florence for a unique and entertaining cocktail evening. Special guest Martina Bonci will take over the bar of Villa San Michele for one evening and delight you with a selection of her signature cocktails from aperitivo to after-dinner.
From 6:00 pm. Price: upon consumption
From July 26 to August 27, free-entry cinema returns to Manifattura Tabacchi every evening at 9.15pm with a fascinating film series curated by Fondazione Stensen. For an even more immersive experience, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy the selection that varies from blockbusters to new discoveries and daring documentaries. Check out the full programme.
Sunset at Ruffino every Thursday + Friday, starting July 6 through August 10. Savor a sunset aperitivo in the new gardens at Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano estate, near Florence, paired with live music.
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One of the most beautiful city spots opens up for the perfect summer night hideaway. The Cinema in Villa program offers film screenings enjoyed in the great outdoors of Villa Bardini. Classic 90s blockbusters to Oscar award-winning new hits will be screened throughout the summer, with free screenings for families on Thursdays.
Light up your summer nights with an outdoor cinema in the piazza of the Uffizi Galleries. Night after night, films will be screened in original languages with Italian or English subtitles. Entry is free and subject to availability.
More than 50 works connected to the Gallery of Mirrors and Biblioteca Riccardiana will make up this major exhibition at Palazzo Medici Riccardi on Baroque master Luca Giordano (1634-1705). Expect a series of sketches on loan from the National Gallery in London as well as other important artworks from private collections in Europe and the United States, the Uffizi and the Opera del Duomo Museum in Siena, among others.
Arizona-born artist Rachel Feinstein opens an exhibition of her works in a tripartite show at Museo Stefano Bardini, Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Museo Marino Marini. Ranging from painting to sculpture inspired by classical and Renaissance art as much as from modern cartoons and fairytales, the works contrast with the masterpieces in situ by Donatello, Michelozzo and Marino Marini.
Through September
The jackets are being shed and umbrellas are opening up as summertime heat is just around the corner. The Cascine Park transforms into a warm weather hotspot once again with the return of the Ultravox Festival. Guests can enjoy a range of themed festivals featuring music concerts, film and sports screenings, entertainment for the little ones and delicious catering. All Ultravox Festival events are free with a reserved parking lot on viale dell’Aeronautica for those arriving by car.
This exhibition dedicated to childhood sees American photographer Steve McCurry’s iconic captures line the halls of the Istituto degli Innocenti. Curated by Sudest57, the show features 100 or so photographs of children from Afghanistan, India, Mexico, Lebanon and many other places, all displaying joy despite the difficulties of their circumstances.
Lisetta Carmi was a renowned female photographer of the 1960s who explored the lives of workers and the transgender community in Genoa. Villa Bardini presents a body of her work, which also includes previously unpublished photos of the Florence flood in 1966.
Palazzo Strozzi presents the largest exhibition in Italy dedicated to the French-Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming. Combining historical and contemporary concepts, Yan Pei-Ming explores portrait, landscape, still life and historical themes through his paintings. His research on the relationship between images and reality reflects the culture and history between the East and West. The 30+ works in the exhibition are curated by Arturo Galansino and will be on display until September 3. Read our exhibition review.
The perfect summer occasion combining fine wines and toe-tapping jazz music in various locations. Enjoy sunset performances provided by talented jazz musicians and pair it with a glass (or few) of Chianti Rufina. Entrance for the concerts are free and wine tastings cost 15 euro. Tastings begin at 7pm and are followed by the concert. with performances going on until September.
Kraczyna 50 Years in Barga
The Santa Elisabetta Conservatory in Barga (LU) pays homage to Swietlan Nicholas Kraczyna, the internationally appreciated master printmaker who lived in Barga during the summer since 1973 with an exhibition called Kraczyna 50 years in Barga. The exhibition includes over 80 works completed between 1973 and 2023, all dedicated to Barga and the Mid Serchio Valley. The exhibition will feature primarily etchings along with oil paintings on canvas and the themes in his works usually relate to mythology, music and folklore.