Keep it cool this week at the heat sets in. The calendar is full with exciting new festivals, musical performances and museum visits to enjoy while the city welcomes in its first round of seasonal guests.
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Here’s our round-up for June 1-8 2023.
Keep it cool this week at the heat sets in. The calendar is full with exciting new festivals, musical performances and museum visits to enjoy while the city welcomes in its first round of seasonal guests.
Beyond the Walls of Sant’Orsola is the inaugural exhibition of the future Museo Sant’Orsola as the long-derelict former religious complex reopens temporarily. Believed to be the final resting place of Lisa Gherardini, supposedly Leonardo da Vinci’s model for his Mona Lisa, the 14th-century nunnery welcomes site-specific art by London-born Sophia Kisielewska-Dunbar, the first artist-in-residence at Sant’Orsola, and Alberto Ruce, a Sicilian urban artist living in Marseille. French company Artex is investing over 30 million euro to develop Sant’Orsola and the urban renewal project is expected to be completed in 2025.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kent State University Florence program, KSU-Florence is hosting a special speaker series with Hollywood legend Don Reo, creator of Netflix’s The Ranch, Two and a Half Men, Everybody Hates Chris, M*A*S*H and The Golden Girls. During these eight seminars, guests will learn about the craft of storytelling, screenwriting for TV, working with actors, showbusiness, and how to pitch ideas for American TV streaming services. Several guests will be joining Reo for these events, including Mayim Bialik, host of Jeopardy and Big Bang Theory star. Everyone is welcome to attend these free seminars every Monday and Wednesday from May 29 to June 21 (6-7:30 pm) in the main lecture hall at Palazzo Vettori (via Cavour 26). Advanced registration is required and seating is limited, so register now for all events: Miriam Daquino mdaquino@kent.edu
UK electronic music artist Nathan Fake comes to Manifattura Tabacchi for part of his Crystal Vision tour. The night will continue on with a set by DJ O. Flex as he mixes together a myriad of musical genres. Tickets costs 11.50 euro and the show starts at 10pm.
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Calling all cosplayers! Cascine park hosts the first edition of the Firenze Cosplay Festival. Expect competitions, photo sets, exhibitors, and even an area dedicated to the most famous cars in cinema. Fans of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter will be delighted to see all of the fun attractions in store. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome to come dressed in their favorite characters.
The first Sunday of the month returns, allowing residents of Florence to enter the city’s museums free of charge as well as a series of tours and activities.
This exciting festival combines art, cinema, dance and music. Many of the events are internationally leaning, such as a film series about American composer John Zorn directed by Frenchman Mathieu Amalric (June 5, Cinema La Compagnia); a concert by Dutch cellist Ernst Reijseger (June 6, cloister at the Convent of Carmine); and experimental open-air concerts at Piazzale del Torrino (June 14-15, Villa Strozzi Park) with German composer Heiner Goebbels. The festival ends at Tenax on June 16 with the Still Lives: Florence performance/installation by Singaporean Daniel Kok and Australian Luke George inspired by Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines.
June 6
Visit Hotel Savoy to witness Francesco Maccapani Missoni’s newest contemporary art exhibition Intrecci. The exhibition aims to celebrate the rich history of Italian textile traditions. Missoni’s works will line the walls of the communal areas and four Artist Suites in the hotel. Expect cocktails and live music in the Salotto lounge followed by a “Dinner with the artist” upon reservation.
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Head Conservator for the Artemisia UpClose project Elizabeth Wicks reveals the ins and outs of restoring Artemisia Gentileschi’s Allegory of Inclination at Casa Buonarroti in full view of the public. The registration fee is 10 Euro per person.
Bookworms, make sure to mark this literary festival on your calendar. Guests can expect a packed program of events, presentations and readings from some of the biggest names in contemporary literature. With events dedicated to children’s books, this is the perfect festival for all ages.
The Scuola di Musica di Fiesole comes to Villa San Michele for a jazz concert. The ensemble led by Stefania Scarinzi will illuminate the terrace garden of the villa for a lovely night of music. Apertivo will follow served in the garden. The cost for this event is 50 euro and subject to availability. To book your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055-5678200.
Reservations
Busoni Competition winner pianist Chloe Jiyeong Mun will perform a piano recital at The British Institute of Florence. Her repertoire is comprised of the eight Schubert Impromptus.
Calligrapher Betty Soldi hosts an “inksperience” at Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel. Guests can enjoy a first-hand experience of the art of calligraphy and create something beautiful. Inspired by the blooming gardens and stunning views of Florence, the workshop will be inspired by the surrounding botanicals. 70 euro per person and subject to availability; held in both English and Italian. To reserve your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055-5678200.
New York University Florence (via Bolognese 120) is planning a busy program for the 17th edition of The Season. The events at Villa La Pietra will explore the wider currents of history, art, literature and music. Guests can enjoy lectures from artists, theatrical performances and concerts. To RSVP, please send an email to lapietra.reply@nyu.edu, or call +39 055 5007210.
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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.
Exhibition info