Best events in Florence this September

CHARITY/ Corri la Vita

September 27

 

 

 

The 18^th edition of the run to raise funds for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer is a special one. Taking place during the European Week of Sport, this edition won’t see thousands pounding the pavement of a pre-established route, it will instead be a more individual affair; your family and friends cheerleading you from wherever you choose to run. There will still be plenty of comradery, however, as participants can join together via the Corri La Vita Facebook and Instagram at 9.30am, 12, 3 and 6.30pm. The charity recently made an extraordinary donation of 200,000 euro to support Careggi Hospital during the ongoing health crisis. This event, however, returns to their traditional focus on the fight against breast cancer, specifically to support Ce.Ri.On, the ISPRO-LILT Oncological Rehabilitation Center of Villa delle Rose with LILT, the Italian League for the Fight against Cancer Florence, and also SenoNetwork Italia Onlus that brings together the Italian Breast Units and FILE Italian Foundation of Leniterapia Onlus. The funds raised will also go towards the EVA Project, supporting women with health issues linked to their treatments. The bio-compostable military green t-shirts were designed and donated by Salvatore Ferragamo and wearing one will grant you access to more than 30 cultural destinations for free. Graphics to promote the event show Agnolo Doni, a Florentine merchant and patron, as painted by Raffaello Sanzio, chosen on the 500^th anniversary of the artist’s death. Unable to participate? Donations of 10 euro will see the official t-shirt delivered to your home, anywhere in Italy. Additionally, on September 25 and 26, the Ispro mobile unit will be set up in piazza della Signoria to perform mammograms, (based on prescription and a paid ticket). Melanoma prevention visits will be carried out for free by LILT. Reservations for both can be made by calling 055 576939.

 

 

 

EXHIBITION/ MeDisProject photography – A Pandemic Diary

Until September 13

 

 

 

The quarantine experience might be blissfully fading into memory for some, but there are certain elements we shouldn’t forget. A beautiful lockdown diary charts the quarantine experience of a couple and their toddler, documenting the moments that took on magnitude. The artists are family and portrait photographers, Dovile Bruzaite and Matteo Baldini of MeDisProject Photography who were prompted to create the works so their two and a half year old would have something to remember the experience. The exhibition takes place as part of the Chille de la Balanza festival and will be held at San Salvi, vividly bringing to mind the sense of apprehension yet tenderness in family life during a pandemic. Admission is free, reservation required for festival events (closed Monday 7).

 

San Salvi,

via di San Salvi 1-9, Florence

 

 

 

SPECIAL EVENT/ 27th Fabbrica Europa Festival

Until October 8

 

 

 

Reshaping the contemporary landscape, the avant-garde performing arts event series pushes boundaries and brings audiences on an explorative journey. Prepare to be surprised by impactful exhibitions, performances and other works. Highlights include the Ode to Beauty by Enzo Cosimi, involving those marginalized. Music and dance come together with Cristina Donà, Daniele Ninarello and Saverio Lanzain performing a dialogue between song and dance titled “Silent Protest #1”, created during quarantine (Teatro Studio September 17-18).An immersive video-mapping installation compiles contemporary dance from over the past twenty years in a piece titled Dance Wall curated by Tommaso Arosia in collaboration with local video artists. Also not to be missed, is Trilok Gurtu, the renowned musician who blends Western and Indian techniques to create a truly original sound. (Teatro Puccini, September 10). Workshops and classes also take place as part of the festival. Tickets range from 5-12 euro and are available via www.ticketone.it. 

 

PARC Performing Arts Research Center,

Piazzale delle Cascine 4/5/7, Florence and other locations

 

 

 

MUSIC/ Festival au désert Florence

September 5-10

 

 

 

The multicultural music project has brought African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and European music to Florence since 2010. Formed due to a collaboration between the Festival au Désert in Essakane (Mali) and the Fabbrica Europa Foundation, the festival hosts some of the best names in world music and brings contemporary cultures closer together, sharing ideas and communities, all linked by sound and rhythm. 

 

Cascine Park, Florence

 

 

 

CHEERS/ Florence Cocktail Week

September 21-27

 

 

 

Time to explore some of the best bars in Tuscany with a week dedicated to barista brilliance and some of the top-quality cocktails emerging from the city’s hot spots. With masterclasses, aperitivos, and delectable drinks to enjoy, both Florence Cocktail Week (September 21-27) and Tuscany Cocktail Week (September 14-20) feature well-known Italian and international guests who display their flair from some of the most picturesque terraced bars and atmospheric settings, allowing you to explore parts of the region you might never know otherwise.

 

 

 

SPORT/ Mugello Grand Prix

September 13

 

 

 

For the first time ever, the Mugello Circuit will host part of the Formula 1 World Championship, and it’s an important event for other reasons too as Ferrari’s 1000th race takes place in Tuscany. Owned by Ferrari since 1988, the Mugello Circuit has been assigned the ninth round of the season, the GP Toscana Ferrari 1000. Sitting between the hills of the municipality of Scarperia and San Piero a Sieve, just 35 km from Florence, the challenging 3.3 mile track will see drivers display their best skills as they swoop along, dipping through the natural topography.

 

 

 

TEA/ British Experience at Villa Castelletti

September 20

 

 

 

Picnics, croquet and 5 o’clock tea, all things quintessentially British come to Villa Castelletti for a day dedicated to English country living. With vintage cars and poetry readings (in Italian), the words of Samuel Coleridge and John Keats will fill the idyllic surroundings of the former home of the illustrious Cavalcanti family, for a day-long tribute to the United Kingdom. A ploughman’s lunch gives sustenance while Pimm’s will be in plentiful supply. Free guided tours of the villa will depart hourly. Finishing off the festivities, a competition for the most original lady’s hat will rustle excitement. Phone 055 0763602 for more.

 

Villa Castelletti,

via Castelletti, 5, Signa

 

 

 

MOVEMENT/ Florence Dance Festival

Until September 16

 

 

 

Elegance, energy, finesse and fire, the Florence Dance Festival showcases dancers from the Florence Dance Center, Kinesis Dance Company, the Oniris Dance Lab and others.  Normally held in July, this edition also sees a change in venue from Santa Maria Novella to Teatro della Compagnia. The line-up features a piece titled ‘Caravaggio: Amor vincit amnia’, choreographed by Alberto Canestro and performed by the Lyric Dance Company on September 3 at Teatro della Compagnia, via Cavour. All performances start at 8.30pm. Purchase tickets (costing 15 euro, children under 10 free) here. 

 

Teatro della Compagnia,

via Cavour 50/r

 

 

 

ARTISAN / Artigianato e Palazzo

September 17–20

 

 

 

This annual market-showcase presents the crème de la crème of local, national and international craftsmanship. In the lush Corsini Gardens, the 26th Artigianato e Palazzo will spotlight numerous master artisans, many of whom offer live demonstrations of their techniques. This year’s show will be dedicated to the memory of Princess Giorgiana Corsini, who passed away this summer. To view details and purchase tickets, visit the website.

 

Corsini Gardens,

via della Scala 15, Florence

 

 

 

MUSIC & THEATRE/ Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone

5 pm PDT, 7 pm CDT and 8 pm EDT, September 13

 

 

 

Following the success of two previous live-streamed musical events, internationally acclaimed artist Hershey Felder’s new arts broadcasting company, Hershey Felder Presents – Live from Florence next production, Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone, will stream live Sunday, September 13 from Teatro della Pergola at 5 pm PDT, 7 pm CDT and 8 pm EDT. Directed by Stefano de Carli and Felder, Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone tells the story of America’s great composer, who with the groundbreaking “A Rhapsody in Blue”, made a “Lady out of Jazz”. Tickets are 55 dollars per household and can be purchased here. A ticket not only grants you access to the live stream, but can also be viewed for an additional week. Proceeds will benefit theatres and arts organizations throughout North America and Europe at this critical time in history, in addition to a generous donation to The Florentine. Read more about the event here. 

 

 

 

BLOOMS/ Firenze Flower Show 

September 12-13

 

 

 

Following the success of the first edition last year, scents and blossoms return to Giardino Corsini in a spectacular gathering of rare and unique plants. Floral enthusiasts and all lovers of blooms will undoubtedly be dazzled by nature’s masterpieces over the weekend dedicated to greenery and gardening. 60 of the very best producers and collectors bring their botanical beauties to the stunning gardens. Breathe in deep and savour the scents. 

 

Giardino Corsini,

via della Scala 115, Florence