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Here’s our round-up for March 2-9
This week calls for some extra appreciation for all of the women in your life as we celebrate Festa della Donna. Grab some mimosas on your way to some of these great events happening around the city.
Palazzo Strozzi reopens its doors for the impressive new exhibition titled Reaching for the Stars. From Maurizio Cattelan to Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, which showcases major works by international contemporary artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst, Lara Favaretto, Cindy Sherman, William Kentridge, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Josh Kline, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Rudolf Stingel to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Turin-based Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Collection, one of the most prestigious collections of contemporary art in Italy.
Tickets & Opening hoursEach year on March 8, Italians put their own twist on International Women’s Day, giving fragrant bunches of yellow mimosa flowers to the women in their lives as a sign of sisterhood and support. Beyond bouquets, there are museum openings, mimosa-themed bakes, cocktails and more to mark the occasion.
Here’s our pick of the best ways to celebrate Festa della Donna this yearGADA Playhouse hosts Florentine painter Samuele Alfani for his third solo exhibition. Along with Alfani’s original five paintings that were done over the last year, this show engages audiences with an eclectic program of performances, talks, and live paintings to further the focus on communication and forming bonds.
A double exhibition presents the art of Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti and Argentine-Italian painter Lucio Fontana. These works will create an important dialogue between two international powerhouses of 20th-century art in the stunning Sala delle Udienze and Sala dei Gigli at the Palazzo Vecchio, while the Museo Novecento will host a continuation of Lucio Fontana’s works through September 13.
A cocktail of international and Italian jazz musicians will take the stage for a weekend of performances to tap your feet to in Sesto Fiorentino. A medley of brass players, percussionists and piano players come together for this festival celebrating all things jazz.
The Hard Rock Cafe here in Piazza della repubblica has an impressive calendar to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. Kicking off their events is a live music performance by musical duo Serena Carradori and Davide Gobello on March 3. The set list will include both Italian and International songs for everyone to enjoy. Next in the lineup, the Hard Rock will celebrate March 8 with a performance by Italian Women Tribute. This trio is the first and only rock tribute band that is dedicated to great Italian women’s voices. Segue to March 10 with a performance from the 1980s cover band 80Voglia.
Book nowRevamping the Meet the Author series, renowned British writer Tim Parks joins The British Institute for a presentation of his book The Hero’s Way: Walking with Garibaldi from Rome to Ravenna. Joining director Simon Gammell, this book club-style discussion will allow Parks to elaborate on his insights of life in Italy during the summer of 1849 and more.
March 6 marks Michelangelo Buonarroti’s birthday back in 1475. The Accademia hosts a double celebration for the artist’s special day and the sixth anniversary of the Friends of the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze Association. The festa will include an exclusive visit to the ongoing exhibitions with musical accompaniment by students of the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory.
One of Florence’s chicest bars Irene Bar at Hotel Savoy joins the British fragrance and lifestyle brand Jo Malone for a cocktail hour. On the evening of March 8, expect luxurious cocktails and small bites as well as the chance to discover Jo Malone’s palette of alluring scents. The costs of the event is 18 euro and will include a cocktail and some finger food. As a small souvenir, guests will be gifted a small perfume and a 20-minute massage experience at the Jo Malone store in Florence.
Book your spotMarch brings a new program of performances by Orchestra della Toscana, welcoming several international musicians to the Teatro Verdi stage for the first time. On March 8, conductor Michele Spotti performs Mendelssohn, Benjamin Britten and Haydn with Irish tenor Robin Tritschler, first horn of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martin Owen and ORT’s first viola, Stefano Zanobini. Closing out the month, on March 29, New York City Ballet music director Andrew Litton will be joined by Venetian pianist Alessandro Taverna in a rendition of Concerto No. 1 by Brahms.
Everything tastes better when it’s fried. Visit Bagno a Ripoli for a market dedicated to carnival-style rice fritters, an Italian specialty at this time of the year.
The weather at this time of the year always makes for a perfect movie night. Cinema Astra screens Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes’ film Empire of Light starring Olivia Colman, Michael Ward and Colin Firth. The screenings will be in English with Italian subtitles. Also screening this month is the silent documentary Amante Sponde, which was presented at both the Rome and Turin film festivals. This documentary presents striking geophysical imagery of various parts of Europe, backlit by a dreamlike soundtrack.
Giulia Seri presents her exhibition Amduat at the LdM Gallery belonging to Istituto Lorenzo de Medici. Her works involve fragile and expressive figures that reflect mythological references uncovering the fragility of human existence, while contrasting with the delicate materials and tones used. On Wednesday, March 1, Giulia Seri sits down with Egyptologist Valentina Santini and art curator Spela Zidar to discuss the works.
The tenth edition of this contemporary theater festival is back with a new program of performances. Known for bringing to the stage international artists, award-winning actors and emerging young performers, this festival nurtures the relationship between theater and community. Performances will be held throughout the city with the primary language being Italian.
TicketsCelebrating their 50 year anniversary, the Bandierai degli Uffizi presents an exhibition for guests to take a journey throughout the history of the group. This historical Florentine institution is seen at several local and international events including Calcio Storico. Their intention is to keep the ancient traditions alive all the way down to dressing in traditional 16th century garb. This exhibition will allow visitors to get up close and personal to true Italian history.
This is an exhibition co-produced by MAD Murate Art District and The Recovery Plan. It consisting of four installations by artists Binta Diaw, Nexcyia, Bocar Niang and Lerato Shadi using mediums of performance, sound and traditional art installations. Each of the installations are site-specific and create a cohesive experience for the viewer with works centering around technology, data collection and memory.