WELCOME May is one of the best times to be in Florence. The rain finally leaves, but the weather is not too hot and the gardens are spectacular. Music fills the air throughout the city. There are more events happening than we could possibly fit into one newsletter, but we have done our best to cover the highlights! Take in the spring blooms, honour the women who take care of you for Mother’s Day, and enjoy the sunshine together while there is still a cool breeze. With best wishes from SUZANNE, CORSO, BEI, LESLIE, VANNI, ANNA PIA, RAFFAELLA, AND MARISA. JUMP TO YOUR FAVOURITE SECTION PITCHER AND FLACCOMIO PICKS BEST OF THE REST EXHIBITIONS DANCE AND THEATRE FILMS, LECTURES, AND PRESENTATIONS MUSIC NETWORKS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS OPEN MIC NIGHTS EXHIBITIONS OUTSIDE OF FLORENCE FUN, FESTIVALS, AND FOOD OUTSIDE OF FLORENCE !1 Pitcher & Flaccomio Newsletter Copyright 2017 Direttore responsabile Raffaella Galamini - Pubblicazione con iscrizione n. 5697 del 23\01\09 presso il Tribunale di Firenze. Pitcher & Flaccomio - Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia 30 - 50122 - Florence - Italy • Phone +39 055 2343354 • Fax +39 055 5609916 Office Hours: 9am - 5pm (+1.00 GMT) PITCHER & FLACCOMIO PICKS FOR MAY BEST SPRING GARDENS FOR MAY: INTERNATIONAL IRIS GARDEN AND THE ROSE GARDEN, Until May 20 The Iris is the symbol of Florence, the deep red of the Giglio di Firenze! Until May 20, you should spend part of every day in the Iris Garden above Florence, breathing in fresh air, avoiding the crowds and restoring your spirits. Expect beautiful flowers, meticulously refined over generations by the careful hands of their keepers. Even if you're not passionate about flowers, it is a refreshing splash of early summer colour in a beautiful city. While you are so close, it is the perfect time to visit the stunning Florence Rose Garden. Open all year around, the roses are in full bloom throughout May, and with over 350 different types of roses to enjoy, this is a heavenly treat for your senses. The scent of roses and their velvety bursts of colour are a great backdrop to enjoying the view of the city, or taking a book to enjoy on the grass. Also in the rose garden are sculptures by Belgian artist, Jean Michael Folon, which sit against the Florence city backdrop beautifully. There is also a Japanese Garden with a waterfall and tea pagoda that was a gift to Florence from the city of Kyoto. Iris Garden: Piazzale Michelangelo, Cnr of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo Opening Hours: Daily 10am-12.30pm & 3pm-7pm, Web: www.irisfirenze.it Rose Garden: Piazzale Michelangelo, Viale Giuseppe Poggi, Opening Hours: Daily 9.00 - Sunset BEST P&F RENTAL: LIVE WITHIN THE FAMOUS PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA IN AN ELEGANT APARTMENT ON THE NOBLE FLOOR OF A HISTORIC BUILDING This apartment has one of the most impressive locations in town, but at the same time, is totally quiet. Piazza della Signoria has been the political heart of the Florentine city since the middle ages. The piazza is extremely centrally located, within a few minutes` walk from the Duomo cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio and all of Florence`s major museums, historical sights, bistros, bars and restaurants. The exquisite Rivoire Caffe Pasticceria, is 50 meters from the apartment. It is a wonderful location for shopping and sightseeing, with the main post- office and the Central Market of San Lorenzo less than 15 minutes away. For more information and photographs, see the website here. !2 Pitcher & Flaccomio Newsletter Copyright 2017 Direttore responsabile Raffaella Galamini - Pubblicazione con iscrizione n. 5697 del 23\01\09 presso il Tribunale di Firenze. Pitcher & Flaccomio - Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia 30 - 50122 - Florence - Italy • Phone +39 055 2343354 • Fax +39 055 5609916 Office Hours: 9am - 5pm (+1.00 GMT) BEST EVENT: NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND THE HISTORIC FLAG THROWING CONTEST May 1 It’s the Labor Day holiday in Italy and across Europe, in honour of the workers of the world. Italians will be enjoying the day off, and there will be less buses and trains than usual. But there’s no reason to stay home, because there is the incredibly exciting flag throwing competition, where expert flag throwers compete for the Marzocco Trophy! The Marzocco is the heraldic lion that represents the free Republic of Florence, with the most famous Marzocco located in Piazza della Signoria where the contest is being held. The original statue was created by Donatello in the 15th Century, and is now housed in the Bargello, while a copy rests in its place in the piazza. The lion is carved with his paw placed protectively over the symbol of Florence, the red lily. The flag throwing demonstrates extremely talented choreography, creating a stunning visual effect as the flags twirls and fly through the air. The performances are accompanied by live music, and the whole event is a colourful spectacular. An exciting display that can be enjoyed by children and families. Piazza della Signoria at 3.30pm BEST FESTIVAL: FABBRICA EUROPA ARTS AND PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL: 26TH EDITION, May 3 - July 12 For lovers of theatre, dance, contemporary performance, installation, art, and everything in between. This is the biggest international arts festival in town, and the programming is exceptional. The inauguration of the XXVI edition is on Friday 3 May at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, featuring a company that, more than any other ,has marked the historical memory of the festival from 1994 to present: La Fura del Baus. The Festival continues until July involving other locations in Florence and Tuscany. A significant part of the programming will take place at the Teatro della Pergola and in the new spaces of the PARC Performing Arts Research Centre (in the complex of the former Scuderie Granducali). Have fun diving into the full programme of events here. BEST TRADITION FOR MAY: GIORNO DELLA MAMMA, 2nd Sunday in May It is Mother’s Day in Italy, the day to celebrate mothers everywhere or any special woman who raised you. For those travelling with their mother in Florence on May 13th, remember to give her an extra hug and wish her the happiest of days, Italian style of course… with an Aperol Spritz toast, springtime flowers, or an extra-large, double scoop of gelato! BEST EXHIBITION: LAST CHANCE TO SEE ANTONY GORMLEY: ESSERE, AT THE UFFIZI GALLERY, Until May 26 "Can an object be the catalyst for new thoughts and behaviours?" (Antony Gormley) In the Aula Magliabechiana of the Uffizi, this exhibition brings together works of different materials and scales that explore the body in space and the body as space. There will be 12 works on show in the new gallery on the ground floor, where natural light will play into 12 distinct vaulted spaces defined by six stone columns and no internal walls. Two further works will be placed inside the Gallery and another one on the terrace. At the core of the exhibit, there is a dialogue between two sculptures, Passage and Room, realized 35 years apart and both dealing with the space of the body. Tickets and more information. !3 Pitcher & Flaccomio Newsletter Copyright 2017 Direttore responsabile Raffaella Galamini - Pubblicazione con iscrizione n. 5697 del 23\01\09 presso il Tribunale di Firenze. Pitcher & Flaccomio - Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia 30 - 50122 - Florence - Italy • Phone +39 055 2343354 • Fax +39 055 5609916 Office Hours: 9am - 5pm (+1.00 GMT) BEST FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND CRAFTSMEN: ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH THEIR XXV EDITION, May 16-19 ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO celebrates its “vermeil” anniversary, paying tribute to the refined technique of gilding silver with gold, which originated in France in the mid-18th century. This edition brings together, once again, a new selection of approx. 100 master artisans who will not only display their products, but also give live demonstrations of their mastery, revealing the technical secrets that make their work unique. On this “Vermeil” anniversary, gold will be the common theme of the numerous events programmed for the four days of the show. A journey dedicated to understanding, meeting, viewing and tasting, designed to spread knowledge of the roots from which our values originate. 10am-8pm, Giardino Corsini 115 Via della Scala. More information: www.artigianatoepalazzo.it BEST DINING OUT: INDULGE AT PIZZERIA SANTARPIA (From Conde Naste Traveler) Santarpia, one of Florence’s best pizzerias, is housed in a bright, contemporary space just east of Santa Croce, with jazzy custom tiles on the walls. Neapolitan pizzaiuolo (pizza maker) Michele Leo is in charge of the two wood-fired ovens turning out some 150 pizzas a night. All of the ingredients in these authentic Neapolitan pies are carefully sourced—organic tomatoes from Vesuvius, mozzarella from deep in Campania, anchovies from the fishing village of Cetara on the Amalfi Coast—and the dough is left to proof for at least 48 hours, making for a light, crispy, puffy-rimmed base. Desserts, from master pastry chef Luca Mannori, are not to be missed; the celebrated, chocolate-rich Sette Veli (Seven Veils) cake is a masterpiece. There are also gluten- and lactose-free versions of all the pizzas. Drinks include a great selection of craft beers, both by the bottle and on tap. Largo Pietro Annigoni, 9 (Borgo La Croce), website: santarpia.biz BEST OF THE REST SPRING GELATO FLAVOURS AT ALL THE GELATERIE! Now is the time to indulge in gelato, as the spring flavours erupt with flavour. Be sure to choose your gelateria well, as not every store is alike. The number one tip is to avoid any giant piled-up heaps of gelato. No! Gelato or a great sorbet should be so heavy with cream, fruit, and deliciousness, that it could never sustain such a tower.