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Entertainment
Guide to Entertainment, Events and Nightlife in Florence
There's always plenty going
on in Florence, especially in the way of cultural and musical
performances.
Music
Florence has a lively classical music scene with productions ranging
from classic opera al fresco to organ recitals in glorious baroque
churches. The main venue for classical concerts and opera is the
City Theatre (Teatro Comunale), though tickets can be hard to come
by, as they're often snapped up by travel agents.
If you're a classical music fan, it might be worth trying to time
your visit to coincide with the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a
festival of classical music and opera that takes place from late
April to early July, with productions at the Comunale, the Teatro
della Pergola and, sometimes, the Boboli Gardens.
Teatro Comunale
Corso Italia, 16 (box office)
Tel: +39 055-213-535
From January to March, the Comunale is the prime setting for
symphony concerts, with the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
based here. At other times of the year the venue plays host to
theatre, ballet and opera. Box office open Tue-Fri 10h00-16h30; Sat
09h00-13h00 and one hour before performances.
Teatro della Pergola
Via della Pergola, 18-32
Tel: +39 055-226-4316/226-4335
Founded in 1656 and reputed to be the oldest theatre in Italy, the
Pergola, whose season runs from October to April, hosts chamber
music concerts and small-scale operas. Some of the world's leading
artists have played here. Box office open Mon-Fri 09h30-13h00 &
16h00-19h00; Sat 10h00-12h30.
Teatro Verdi
Via Ghibellina, 99
Tel: +39 055-212-320
Originally opened as an opera house in the 50s, the 1,500-seater
Verdi now hosts everything from rock and symphony concerts to
musicals and classical ballet. Box office open Tue-Fri 10h00-19h00;
Sat 10h00-13h00.
Associazione Culturale Ambasciata di Marte
Via Mannelli, 2
Tel: +39 055-655-0786
The Associazione Culturale Ambasciata di Marte hosts a wide variety
of concerts and events, from hip hop club nights to Latin music and
rock band nights.
Jazz Club
Via Nuova de' Caccini, 3
Tel: +39 055-247-9700
A serious jazz venue, with live music every night, ranging from the
modern experimental stuff to traditional arrangements. A must for
fans of jazz, the venue draws international performers and
audiences. To enter you need to take out annual membership for EUR6.
It's open Mon-Fri 21h30-02h00, and until 02h30 Sat.
Theatre
Italian theatre has a long and distinguished history, and in the
past, just about every town in Tuscany had its own theatre. Among
Florence's theatres, the Teatro Verdi and the Teatro della Pergola
(see listings above) offer varied dramatic productions - in Italian,
of course.
Opera
Most of Florence's opera programme is performed at the Teatro
Comunale with the main season running from October to December. You
can also see some opera as part of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Festival. Smaller scale operas are also sometimes performed at the
Teatro della Pergola.
Cinema
Florence has plenty of cinemas, with common practice being to show
mainstream American films dubbed into Italian.
An exception is the Cinema Astro, Piazza di San Simone, which shows
English language films six days a week, including recent releases.
The box office opens at 19h00, with films starting at 19h30. Tickets
range from EUR4 to EUR6.
The Odeon Cinehall located in the elegant Palazzo Strozzino shows
the latest box office hits, and films in English every Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday. Tickets cost EUR7.20. Tel: +39 055-214-068.
Nightclubs
Florence isn't well known for its clubs. In true Italian style, the
main evening entertainment is people-watching in one of the piazzas
and it's only when the bars close (late) that anyone seems to think
of going to a club. Bars will normally start closing after midnight
and, while many clubs will close at a respectably early 03h00 or
04h00, some stay open until the sun starts peeping over the horizon
once more.
As you might expect, looking good is de rigueur in Italian clubs and
most clubbers will be dressed to the nines. Music fashion, however,
is less ruthlessly contemporary and in some of the less desirable
clubs consists of rather saccharine euro-pop - which goes some way
to explaining why Italians can on occasion be more reluctant than
even the British to hit the dancefloor.
Jazz is one musical exception and well worth looking out for. The
city's students normally have the best idea of where to head,
although it's not always to the cleanest place - check flyers,
posters and listings for special nights and performances.
A few of the more noteworthy venues are:
Tenax
Via Pratese, 46
Tel: +39 055-308-160
On the edge of the city, Tenax is a large venue that plays host to
live performances and some of the best house DJs in Italy. It
attracts the fashionable and famous, and has a strict door policy,
so dress to impress.
Auditorium Flog
Via Mercati, 24
Tel: +39 055-487-145
Large, studenty venue that hosts live concerts - including the
"Festival dei Popoli" (Folk Festival). The popular rock, jazz and
reggae nights are held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Admission around EUR5 depending on what's on.
Jaragua Discoteca Latina
Via Erta Canina 12
Tel: +39 055-234-3600
One of the best clubs for Latin music in the city. It also doubles
up as a Latin dance school, so it's possible to practice your mambo
or merengue before hitting the dance floor.
Central Park
Parco delle Cascine
Tel: +39 055-333-055
Large club on the edge of the city, with five rooms including a
dance floor outside. DJs play R&B, house and pop.
Sport
Football
Florence's soccer team Fiorentina plays at the 47,000-seater Stadio
Artemio Franchi (Tel: +39 055-5030-1901). Games are usually played
on Sundays between August to May, and start at 15h00. Ticket prices
range from EUR15 to EUR100, depending on the location of your seat.
Swimming Pools
If the summer heat is getting to you and you're desperate for a
cooling swim, head for Piscina Bellariva Lungarno, Aldo Mono 6 (Tel:
+39 055-677-541), open daily in the summer from 10h00-18h00 &
20h30-23h00. Admission is EUR5.50; members EUR5. It's on bus route
14. Alternatively, try the Piscina San Marcellino, Via Chiantigiana
28 (Tel: +39 055-653-0000), on bus routes 31 and 32. It's open
Mon-Sat 10h00-21h00; Sun 09h30-12h30. Membership is EUR44 per month,
for unlimited access.
Horse Riding
There are opportunities for horse riding at Maneggio Marinella, Via
Di Macia 21, Travalli Calenzano (Tel: +39 055-887-8066), open
Mon-Fri 09h00-13h00 & 15h00-19h00. Rides normally cost EUR10 per
person per hour, but you'll need to phone to make a reservation.
Golf
The nearest golf course to the city is located south of Florence at
Circolo Golf Ugolino, Via Chiantigiana, 3, Grassina (Tel: +39
055-230-1141). Open daily, from 09h00-19h00, the rates are EUR60 for
18 holes or EUR45 for 9 holes. The course is often closed to the
public at weekends for tournaments.
Special Events
February
The coming of spring is anticipated in the festivities of the
Florence Carnival, held each year at the beginning of February.
There are costumed parades, huge waterfights in the streets, a large
amount of confetti and even jousting competitions. Head along to
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, for some of the wildest happenings in the
city.
March
If you are in Florence during Easter, then be sure to make your way
down to the Piazza del Duomo for Lo Scoppio del Carro (the explosion
of the cart) on Easter Sunday. Having been drawn through the streets
by six white oxen, a cart (brindellone) laden with fireworks arrives
in the Piazza del Duomo where it is set alight by a mechanical dove
sent from the cathedral - something that has to be seen to be
believed. The results are guaranteed to be spectacular.
May-July
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino ("Musical May") is one of the oldest
Italian festivals of performing art. Held each year from May to
July, the festival attracts international performers of dance, music
and opera and is held in venues including the Teatro della Pergola
and Palazzo Pitti.
June
Throughout June visitors can admire the blooms of the annual Flower
Display held in the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery.
Starting at the end of June, the three-week Florence Dance Festival
attracts performers from all over the world with productions to suit
all tastes, from classical to contemporary, jazz and folk.
Calcio Storico has been played in Florence for nearly 500 years. A
cross between football and rugby, players dress in period costume,
and parade through Piazza Santa Croce, where play takes place. Today
each of the historic districts has its own team, supported by
hundreds of locals and tourists. The prize is a calf, which is
roasted at the street party held after the tournament on June 24.
June-August
From the end of June through to the end of August each year, the
town of Fiesole, just outside Florence, plays host to the Estate
Fiesolana. The festival includes film, music and drama performances
in the Roman Theatre of Fiesole as well as a number of theatres in
Florence itself.
September
The Festa della Rificolona is held every September in honour of the
Madonna. Celebrations include street performers, parties and a
candlelit procession along the River Arno.
November
Sporty visitors can take in a few of Florence's sights on their way
round the route of the Florence Marathon, which takes place every
November. Even if you're not a participant you can join the
spectators who cheer the athletes on their 42km route around the
city.
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