CHARITY/FILE Florence Vintage Market
April 13-14
Serre Torrigiani, via Gusciana 21, Florence
Wardrobe could use a spring refresh? Rifle through the vintage-filled racks at Serre Torrigiani, where for the second time palliative care organization FILE will host an open-air market for a fine cause. (Last year, the market raised some 18,000 euro to support their work assisting palliative care patients and their families.) Expect a plethora of coveted designer merch and one-of-a-kind pieces, all generously donated; garments, accessories and jewelry for men, women and children will be up for sale. Beyond the bargain shopping, enjoy live music, children’s activities curated by the Labsitters group and an ample selection of street foods from Terra Rossa, the outfit usually set up in the Parco della Carraia, moonlighting at Serre Torrigiani for the occasion. For more information, see www.leniterapia.it.
DANCE/Isadora Duncan and Italy
April 13-September 22
Villa Bardini and Museo Bardini, Florence
Acclaimed French-American dancer and preeminent bohémienne Isadora Duncan is the subject of Villa Bardini’s and Museo Bardini’s spring show, A passi di danza. Isadora Duncan e le arti figurative in Italia tra Ottocento e avanguardia. Paintings, documents and photographs—some of them never before displayed publicly—will be spread across two floors of Villa Bardini, while Museo Bardini will host a sculpture section for a combined total of 170 pieces. The common thread in all of the works is their reflection of Italy’s unexpected connections to Duncan, who pioneered academic theories of dance and developed her own take on the unique movement of feminine bodies and their relation to space. For more information, see www.villabardini.it or call 055 20066233.
FAMILY/Firenze dei Bambini
April 12-14
Various venues in Florence
What do little ones have to learn from Leonardo da Vinci? What don’t they have to learn from this titan of creativity, science and innovation is the better question. Florentine children’s festival Firenze dei Bambini joins the ranks of Leonardo da Vinci-themed events as the world marks 500 years since the multitalented master’s death. In line with past editions, the festival is open to a broad range of ages, from true tykes to tweens, and a variety of institutions will put on their kid-friendly hats for the weekend: the Biblioteca delle Oblate, Le Murate, the Istituto degli Innocenti and others will host workshops, musical events and entertainment. Organized by Mus.e Firenze, the full program is on www.firenzebambini.it.
LIT/A Medici in Love: Francesco I in Renaissance Florence
April 16, 6.30pm
Paperback Exchange, via delle Oche 4r, Florence
Author Stefano Corazzini and translator Lori Hetherington pair up to discuss the research, writing and translation of Corazzini’s latest work, A Medici in Love: Francesco I in Renaissance Florence. Of the Medici men, Francesco I is less a household name than, say, Cosimo the Elder or Lorenzo the Magnificent (around Florence, anyway). But his “passion for alchemy and Bianca Cappello” and the many unsolved mysteries surrounding the pair’s death are all themes worth probing, which Corazzini does deftly in his work.
PLUS
Join us at chic new downtown food court Godi Fiorenza on April 17, 9.30am-noon. Info
The Children’s Lending Library is hosting its annual family-friendly community Easter party on April 13 (4-6pm), complete with crafts, games, baked goodies and a raffle. 3 euro/members, 5 euro/non-members. Info and address