Best events in Florence this week February 22-29, 2024

Materia Prima

The 11th edition of the contemporary theatre festival boasts over a month of shows and new productions, curated by Murmuis. National and international artist make up the calendar that features the Tuscan premier of Frankenstein (a love story), shown with English subtitles.

Danzainfiera

The largest international event dedicated to dance reaches a staggering 400 events with 14 pavilions and 20,000 dancers forming the major dance event that spans classical, jazz, modern and contemporary genres. This year’s slogan is ‘All Beats to Dance’ and sees dancers, teachers, choreographers, international étoiles, schools, academies and beloved brands of dance apparel and accessories gather in Florence.

The Poet and The Libertine: Two Faces of an Era

Werther and Don Giovanni present two contrasting faces of unbridled passion as they come to be undone by the love of one and none. Stage direction by Federico Grazzini and conducted by Jonathon Cole-Swinard. Tickets give access to the Fondazione and the Corsini gardens (weather permitting) from 6pm, including the offer of a glass of wine. The concert begins at 7pm, and has been generously supported by Charles and Caroline Pridgeon.

Banksy murals at the Astra Cinema

Bansky’s murals depicted among the rubble of Kiev are exclusively displayed at the Astra Cinema through video installations. From 1-2pm on February 24, the work will be projected at the Astra in a continuous cycle over the course of an hour, with the seats “disappearing” under the floor so that the room is entirely walkable. Free entry. The work can then be experienced for two works also in virtual reality, with special viewers provided. Free, upon reservation.

Ascoltami

The Virgilio Sieni dance centre perform Ascoltami, as part of the ongoing Democrazia del Corpo series that takes place until May 10. Choreography by Virgilio Sieni is combined with live music by Fabrizio Cammarata on guitar, as pairs of dancers and those with visual impairments explore the origins of poetic gesture and the tactile relationship between bodies. Full price tickets cost 10 euro, with reductions and offers available. T: 055 2280525, email biglietteria@virgiliosieni.it.

ABC Alice Book Club

Libreria Alice brings literary lovers together with the ABC Alice Book Club at 9pm on February 28. This month, it’s Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things, read in the language of your choice and discussed in both Italian and English with a glass of wine. Email: hello.alicelibreria.@gmail.com

Ecowhat?

Artistic exhibitions, performances and interviews explore environmental sensitivity, the value of forests and sustainable entrepreneurship inside the Bio Fashion Lab space.

Festa delle Lanterne

The Muddy Choir

The London-born artist explores expectations and the dynamics of power, with visitors encountering a life-sized deer that upon closer inspection reveals itself to be not all that it seems, with reflections on community, agency, ecology and belief.

Radical Landscapes

Radical Landscapes, a documentary by Elettra Fiumi, is a journey between the United States and the Florence of the Seventies, exploring art, music, design and ecological utopias. Through an extraordinary family archive, Fabrizio Fiumi’s visionary utopia invites us to imagine new radical landscapes. The screening at 5pm on February 25 will be in the presence of the director.

Brunch and show

The Social Hub (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70/72) hosts an all-you-can-eat brunch at its Workcafé with live music and entertainment from 11.30am to 4pm with the sweet and savoury buffet (plus a hot dish of your choice directly from the kitchen!) enhanced by pop covers by Sinedades on February 25. See the menu and book your spot by calling 055 062 1855 or emailing florence@thesocialhub.co.

Musei in Musica at the Deportations Memorial

A performance by musicians from the La Filharmonie orchestra, in collaboration with MUS.E, commemorates the deportations of victims of the Holocaust through music by Mozart. At 10am and 11.30am, free entry with booking required: T: 055 2768224, email: info@musefirenze.it.

Testo [Come si diventa un libro]

Literary lovers come out in droves for the annual event dedicated to reading, writing and drawing. The best of (mainly Italian) publishing is brought to Stazione Leopolda with literary news, international guests and a packed events programme. Tickets cost 7 euro for the entire event if purchased by February 22.

Land In Land Out

16 artists, eight Italian and eight Belgian, have their works placed alongside masterpieces of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, prompting reflections on the evolution of the concept of landscape and the way in which it is observed.

Presidential trivia night

Celebrate George Washington’s birthday with a trivia night, held by Democrats Abroad from 7-9pm. Test your knowledge about presidential trivia, and avail of the voting help that will be on-site.

But First, Coffee

The book by Jordan Michelman will be presented at the Accademia del Caffe Espresso, with drink tastings, light lunch, and a tour of the academy.