Florence’s Fourth of July 2016

Monday, 4: FESTIVITIES FOR THE FOURTH. Acciaiolo Castle gardens, via Pantin, Scandicci. Tram Line 1, Resistenza stop. 6:30 pm– midnight. Hoisting the stars and stripes, the town of Scandicci will be as American as apple pie and the host of Florence’s July 4th celebration. The opening musical set will be provided by the Scandicci Band […]

Corri La Vita Run for Life 2015

Sun. Sept 27: CORRI LA VITA (RUN FOR LIFE). Piazza Duomo. 9:30 am. Registration fee: 10 euro. Going for a jog during the 13th edition of Corri La Vita (Run for Life) will benefit more than just the cardiovascular system, it will also help Florence’s annual fundraiser in the fight against breast cancer. Open to […]

Easy Living, Florence’s Urban Beach

Until Sept. 15: SPIAGGIA SULL’ARNO. Piazza Poggi. Open daily 10 am – 1:30 am. “Summertime/An’ the livin’ is easy:” such is the motto, and mission of Easy Living, Florence’s sandy beach along the Arno. A haven for locals and tourists alike, visitors have almost unlimited options when it comes to choosing afternoon or evening activities. […]

August Doings in Tuscany

A vibrant cultural program complements the beach scene in Tuscany during August, offering art, photography, opera and jazz.  The following is a guide to 2015 events. PUCCINI OPERA FESTIVAL Just a stone’s throw away from the villa he resided in, the annual Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago is a celebration devoted to his artistic […]

Tuscany’s Other Puccini, the Artist

Just a few minutes drive from the Forte dei Marmi train station, the mountains part, funneling rays of sun into a spotlight onto Seravezza’s Medici villa. Two large rectangular towers stand imposingly, joined by an arched doorway and a blue banner heralding the opening of their new exhibition: a celebration of Mario Puccini and other […]

Summer Nights at the Synagogue

July 30:  Balagan Cafe. Synagogue and Museum of Jewish Art and History, Via Farini, 6 starting at 7 pm. Free admission, aperitivo € 10. Cultures collide and faiths unite under the starry sky in the gardens of Florence’s synagogue. Inviting peoples of all religions, the Jewish community will host cultural events and various forms of entertainment […]

Summer Street Theater Treasure: Mercantia

July 15 – 19:  MERCANTIA STREET THEATRE FESTIVAL (Wed. & Thurs. 8 pm – 1 am; Fri. 8 pm – 1:30 am; Sat. 6 pm – 1:30 am; Sun. 6 pm – 1 am). Admission 10 – 20 euro. Dusky summer nights in Certaldo Alto come alive with a dazzling, packed program of performances when […]

Hiromi at the Fiesole Summer Festival

After hosting a month of L’Estate Fiesolana, Fiesole’s Roman Theater is ready for more performances through July 26. Come relax under the stars for an enchanting evening of art. Of the many jazz concerts in the festival, one of its best may have been saved for July 2, though the performer might not admit it. […]

Free Florence Summer Concerts

Until July 6: CLASSICAL & CHORAL MUSIC CONCERTS. St. James American Church, Via B. Ruccellai, 9; St. Mark’s Church, Via Maggio, 16/18; Santo Stefano al Ponte, Piazza di Santo Stefano 1; Church of San Salvatore al Monte, Via delle Porte Sante, 34.  All have free admission. Join Florentine church communities throughout the summer months for […]

An Open Mic Night for Lovers of the Word

Wednesday, July 1: OPEN MIC NIGHT at Tasso Hostel, via Villani 15 (viale Petraca/Porta Romana neighborhood), Florence. 8 – 9 pm. Words are best when shared. Thus, to foster the growth of Florence’s writing and reading community, there will be Open Mic Nights the first Wednesday of every month beginning July 1, 8 – 9 […]