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Here’s our round-up for March 23-30
Spring has sprung and there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of the season. Put on your walking shoes and check out the numerous ways to get outside and enjoy the weather this week. Or if you’re clinging onto the winter blues, there’s something in store for you too.
Join the Donna Vita Libertà group of Florence as they mark Nowruz, the Iranian/Persian New Year, amid a time of continued turmoil for the country’s women. Activities involve discussions, musical performances and more.
Cinema Astra presents blockbuster movie screenings this week. The beloved Marcel the Shell (voiced by Jenny Slate) hits the big screen and local audiences can follow his great adventure. The much anticipated Babylon starring Margot Robbie will also be coming to the cinema. The screenings will be in English with Italian subtitles.
Also screening at Cinema Astra is the documentary Amante Sponde by Egidio Eronico. This film is without words, only using imagery and music.
Buy your tickets
In celebration of Capodanno Fiorentino, Florence organizes a weekend of activities for the community. Treasure hunts, Pinocchio-inspired workshops and guided tours are only some of the events participants can expect. These initiatives are perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Everything is free to participate, but reservations are required.
Book your spot
Killer Queen is Italy’s first Queen cover band, shredding since 1995. They now join the Hard Rock stage for a night of live music as they play all of the classic Queen favorites. Pair the performance with a meal from the special menu inspired by the band or choose a la carte. It’s also possible to make donations to the International Women’s Month campaign, promoted by the Hard Rock.
Book your table
A festival dedicated to drawing and sketching. The events will be filled with workshops where participants take their sketchbooks and spend time sketching iconic areas of the city and strengthening their skills.
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March 25-26
Fai is an initiative that allows for various places in and around Florence that are usually inaccessible to the public become available for people to come and view. There will be 31 places opening up in Tuscany and among the places open in the Florence around include the Bank of Italy, Villa Schifanoia, and Villa Montavo.
Find out more
March 26
Meeting point: in front of the Villa Medici di Castello, having taken the T1 tram from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Rifredi or the bus #28 to Castello. Our walk begins with a tour of the stunning Villa Medici di Castello gardens before continuing up the hill for a picnic lunch (bring your own panino!) with views over the Florentine countryside. We’ll visit some Etruscan tombs dating to the 7th century BCE, admiring several beautiful villas before arriving at Villa Medici Petraia, the residence that King Vittorio Emanuele’s wife, Rosa Vercellana, fell in love with. We will walk around the secret garden and visit the inside of the villa with an Italian-speaking guide. Bring good walking shoes, something for lunch and a bottle of water.
Book your spot
March 26
Two sustainability institutions in Florence come together for an exciting event surrounding artisans, apiculturists and world healing. Lady Ripple teams up with BioRitmo sound specialists who create music that harmonizes both humans and wildlife for an educational event about bee communities and their importance in ecosystems. This event at Chalet Fontana will also entail an interactive seed-planting activity where participants can plant flower seeds that will attract bees.
March 26
An afternoon dedicated to young artists and emerging bands from the ‘School Rock’ directed by Massimo Dattoli. Students will perform covers from AC/DC, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, The Cranberries and more.
If you’ve been in Florence long enough, you may have already gotten the privilege of taking a whimsical taxi ride with Aunt Caterina, or at the very least have seen her colorful taxi riding around the streets. What you may not know is that the superhero behind the wheel, Caterina Bellandi, also gives hospital rides to pediatric cancer patients who she adoringly calls her little “superheroes”. She has created a dreamy oasis in the back of her taxi complete with games, books, costumes, and even funky lighting, all to provide children with a bit of magic in their day as they battle their ailments. Bellandi is being recognized as an everyday hero by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. In honor of this achievement, 25hours hotel is hosting a fundraising dinner in her honor. The cost of the event is 100 euro and all proceeds will go directly to Aunt Caterina’s initiative.
To book a spot, please call +39 055 29669 55 or send an email to restaurant.sanpaolino@25hours-hotels.com
Book your spot
Dutch illustrator Ineke Goes presents her first self-published comic book Pezzettini. In it, she reflects on her experience of living in Italy as a foreigner, something she has been doing since 2018. The book is in Italian and depicts little slices of life seen through the eyes of an artists. Many of the tiny episodes in the book are related to both Italians and anyone who has spent a substantial amount of time in Italy.
Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-Ho visits Florence for the Florence Korea Film Fest. Mastermind behind thrillers such as Parasite, Mother and other noteworthy films, this is Bong Joon-Ho’s first trip back to Florence since 2011. Events will welcome a lineup of other directors, actors and film powerhouses to participate in this fest dedicated to contemporary South Korean cinematography.
The Italian League for the Fight against Cancer organizes meetings (in Italian) throughout the month aimed at individuals who are looking to quit smoking. Led by psychologist and psychotherapist Claudia Bricci, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the many risk factors associated with smoking as well as coping mechanisms to quit the habit.
Find out more
New York-based band GIFT takes their tour global with a date in Florence. Combo Social Club hosts the psychedelic rock band for a concert of good tunes and even better hair.
Visit the Hard Rock for a night of swinging southern fun. Dance your shoes off with live music from the SWING ME TRIO playing all of the jazzy classics. Once you’re ready to get off of your feet, continue the prohibition-style fun (with alcohol this time) as Jack Daniels will be flowing at the bar with special cocktails to pair with southern-style food being served throughout the night. Guests are welcome to dress in theme and the cost of the special with a Jack Daniels cocktail is 39 euro.
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The Biola University Choir from La Mirada, California and directed by Shawna Stewart comes to Florence to perform a choir concert. Joining them is the all-female youth choir Menura vocal ensemble directed by Edoardo Materassi. Entrance is free for the event, however reservation is highly encouraged.
Book your spot