The don’t miss list May 23 to June 2,

The don’t miss list May 23 to June 2,

We'll keep you up-to-date on the latest and greatest in culture, music and more English-friendly entertainment here in our Top Picks! Enjoy Florence.   La Fiorita Commemoration of Savonarola's death May 23, piazza della Signoria and parade in historic center, 10am to noon   The

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Thu 19 May 2011 12:00 AM

We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest and greatest
in culture, music and more English-friendly entertainment here in our Top
Picks!

Enjoy Florence.

 

La Fiorita

Commemoration of Savonarola’s death

May
23, piazza della Signoria and parade in historic center, 10am to noon

 

The annual commemoration of Fra’ Girolamo Savonarola’s
death with La Fiorita, a floral ceremony, will begin with mass at 10am in the
priori chapel of Palazzo Vecchio and continue with a traditional costume parade
that will loop the historic center and return to piazza della Signoria at 11am.
After a brief speech on this Florentine tradition, flowers will be left on
Savonarola’s tomb, and the parade will proceed to the Arno, where flowers will
be symbolically thrown into the river.

 

Florence Gelato Festival

May
25 to 29, Florence city center

 

The title says it all: five days, infinite flavors, all your favorite
Florentine gelaterie, as well as
special guests from all over Italy, selling the frosty delight in Florence’s
historic center. This year, stop by the ‘Sammontana village’ (perfect for
families, featuring kids’ workshops) in piazza della Repubblica, vote on your
favorite flavor for each producer with the chance to win a special prize with
your vote, taste a gelato-based drink at the cocktail bar and much more!
Explore the history of gelato before you go: Emiko Davies’ gives readers the
real ‘scoop’ on page 21. For more information, see http://www.firenzegelatofestival.it.

 

Onore alla Fiorentina: Tribute to Florentine Steak

May
22, 12:30pm, Piazza della Repubblica

 

In honor of Florence’s favorite secondo, the City of Florence and
Florence’s master butchers offer a free Bistecca alla fiorentina tasting in
piazza della Repubblica-and with all the pomp and flourishes of an official
holiday. After the parade, religious offering and flag-throwing in the name of
beef, taste a cut offered by a master macellaio in Florence’s historic center.
For more information, see http://www.macelleriefiorentine.it.

 

Water, Stone and Fire: Bartolomeo Ammannati

Until
September 18, National Museum of the Bargello

 

An exhibit dedicated to the sculptor behind the Neptune fountain in
piazza della Signoria (see feature on page 14 for details), Bartolomeo
Ammannati, marks 500 years since his birth. The Bargello is home to a vast
collection of his smaller sculptural works, all of which will be on display.
Ammannati is famous for having sculpted three of Florence’s most famous
fountains, and the exhibition title is dedicated to these: the water within
them, the stone for the statues and the fire to work their bronze. One of them,
which comprises six larger-than-life statues, will be reconstructed in the
courtyard of the Bargello. It was intended for the Salone dei Cinquecento, once
adorned the Boboli gardens, and was since dismantled, stored in the Bargello,
and reassembled for this impressive exhibit. For more information, call
055/294883, or visit http://www.unannoadarte.it.

 

Treasures of the Kremlin

May
27 to Sept 11, Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti

 

In honor of the Russia-Italy cultural exchange this year, some 150
artworks from the collection of the Armoury of the Kremlin, which from the
twelfth to eighteenth centuries served as the Russian czars’ larger-than-life
treasure chest, will be showcased at Palazzo Pitti. The riches on display range
from elaborate jewelry to coats of arms and ornate clothing, some dating to the
fifteenth century, when artistic workshops were set up in the Kremlin,
featuring the filigree at which Russian’s were decidedly best. Concurrently, in
Moscow, treasures of the Medici family will be on display at the Kremlin
Museum. For more information, call 055/294883, or visit http://www.unannoadarte.it.

 

Tea with the Roses

May
21 and 22, 10am to sunset, Candida Bing Garden, via Montepaldi 1, San Casciano
Val di Pesa

 

The perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring in the perfect
location. The gardens feature 500 varieties of roses, which are shown this time
each year during the peak of their blooming. Aside from being able to visit the
gardens andfriendly exhibitors, you’ll be able to buy furniture and other items
on display at reduced prices. For more information, call 360/888253 or visit http://www.candidabing.it.

 

Terra Futura

May
20 to 22, Fortezza da Basso 

 

A vast, exciting, international and informative expo aimed at
guaranteeing the future of our planet. Lectures, interactive booths, exhibits,
concerts, workshops and more, featuring the most cutting-edge in
eco-sustainability in every sector: from food and organic farming to low-impact
travel agencies, from architecture to fashion, and transportation to publishing.
The fair also features excellent workshops for children in the Terra dei
Piccoli area. For more information, see http://www.terrafutura.info.

 

Ruralia

May 27 to 29, Parco Mediceo di Pratolino, via Fiorentina 282

 

Leave the bustling city center to enjoy rural life in Tuscany, and while
you’re at it, feast on local products from the countryside near Florence:
grilled meats, fresh produce and much more. Ruralia gives you the perfect
opportunity to soak up the warm spring sun and taste the best in ‘0km’ foods.
Take time to appreciate the countryside and its agriculture, environment and
even livestock. Ruralia begins at around 11am, and special events continue
until sunset. For more information, see http://www.provincia.fi.it/pratolino/eventi.

 

Jane Fortune To Florence Con Amore 2nd edition

May
25 at 7pm, Ideal, via il Prato 4b

 

The Florentine Press presents the second edition of Jane Fortune’s book To Florence con
Amore. First published in 2009, Fortune, The Florentine’s culture
editor, suggested 77 ways to love the city. The expanded 2011 edition now
includes 90 unsung treasures and fascinating art and cultural gems, as well as
great food and drink to help you best explore the city. The new chapters
suggest thirteen ways to spend an afternoon that you won’t want to miss! Come
meet the author and have an aperitivo in the beautiful historic and restored space of
Ideal. For information, email events@theflorentine.net or call 055/2306616.

 

Cantine Aperte

May
29  in Tuscany

 

Whether you are a wine connoisseur or novice, Cantine Aperte is the
perfect chance to venture out into the countryside and visit one or a few of
the 98 wineries and cellars that will open their doors to the public for
tastings, cooking lessons, lectures, tours and much more. So that you can take
in a view with your vino, we recommend choosing a historic winery such as
Castello di Verrazzano in Greve (http://www.verrazzano.com),
Castello di Brolio in Gaiole (http://www.ricasoli.it)
or Dievole in Radda (http://www.dievole.it),
just to name a few. But if you can’t leave town, Florence offers plenty of
cellars to choose from. For a full list and information, see http://www.movimentoturismovino.it.

 

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SUBMIT AN EVENT

1. Go to
www.theflorentine.net/events/submit.asp

2. Copy  “the info we need”

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3. Fill the fields and send to:

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Publishing is at our discretion.

 

 

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