As we unpack our beach bags and ease ourselves into routine, these top events keep the holiday feeling going.
SHOW/ Hershey Felder’s George Gershwin Solo
September 14, 9pm
Ph/ Marco Badiani
The much-loved Canadian pianist, actor and producer gears up to perform his George Gershwin Solo in the historic location of Fiesole’s Roman theatre. Felder brings the premiere of his first ever show in Italian (the songs will be in English with Italian subtitles) to the remarkable setting as the closing night of Estate Fiesolana. The evening explores the great American composer’s best-known works such as Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris. Tickets cost 20/28.75 euro and can be purchased at the Teatro Romano ticket office (+39 055 5961293), www.estatefiesolana.it and www.bitconcerti.it.
Teatro Romano,
via Portigiani 1, Fiesole
MUSIC/ Fondazione Mascarade Opera concert series
From September
The frescoed halls of the Fondazione
Top class music in a stirring setting is just the ticket this September. Musicians from the Mascarade Opera Studio, the Associazione Musica con le Ali and the Royal Academy of Music serenade audiences in the idyllic Corsini gardens with time to wander among the statues and sip a glass of Querceto di Castellina wine. The events take place three times a month from September through December, with the gardens opening at 6pm and concerts at 7pm. Little ones will be delighted by the KNOCK KNOCK children’s workshop running through September, bringing kids closer to art with hands-on activities that blend music and choreography.
Palazzo e Giardino Corsini,
via il Prato 56, Florence
PERFORMANCE/ Genius Loci: discovering Santa Croce
September 23-25
Ph/ Eleonora Birardi
International artists, musicians, actors and writers perform in the cultural treasure trove of Santa Croce. The fourth edition of the festival that focuses on exploring the genius in the “spirit of places” sees entertainment with a contemporary flair, creating an extraordinary series of events that ranges from concerts to talk shows in mesmerizing locations such as Brunelleschi’s Cloister. Guided tours form part of the line-up and events run through the night until dawn, with the closing concert taking place at 6am. See www.controradio.it and www.santacroceopera.it.
Santa Croce basilica complex,
piazza di Santa Croce 16, Florence
LISTEN/ Fortissimissimo Firenze Festival
September 13 – October 5
Quartetto Werther serenade you with their strings
Talented Italian performers under 35 are brought together under the artistic direction of Andrea Lucchesini in the fifth edition of the popular music fest. Supported by Amici della Musica, the programme features Quartetto Werther, who will perform works by Mahler, Huber and Strauss on September 13, and the duo made up of violinist Ivos Margoni and pianist Giulia Loperfido, playing Beethoven, Pilati and Grieg on October 1. Tickets can be purchased on the night or pre-booked via TicketOne.
Conservatorio Cherubini di Firenze and Auditorium Folco Portinari, Florence
VINO/ Vernaccia di San Gimignano nell’anno di Dante
7.30pm, September 2
A venue with a view like no other
Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine is celebrated with a theatrical show by the Compagnia delle Seggiole on the spectacular terrace of Forte Belvedere. A tasting of the first Italian wine to obtain the DOC label in 1966 is one of the delights on offer, along with offerings from the Consortium of Tuscan Prosciutto DOP, and Finocchiona IGP. At 9pm, the Compagnia delle Seggiole will stage their poetic interpretation of the drink and its story, with references to Dante and the role of wine in the Divine Comedy. Tickets cost 20 euro, with info and reservations at caffèdelforte@gmail.com and 3938137277.
Forte di Belvedere,
via di San Leonardo, Florence
CHARITY/ Corri La Vita
September 26
Get moving for charity
For the first time ever, the annual charity event will involve all of Tuscany. There are plenty of ways to connect as you undertake an outdoor sporting activity, wherever you’d like. A livestream warm-up session will be hosted by trainers from the Wellness Firenze Marathon gym, with a special guest tuning in to officially launch the event. Access to over 100 cultural destinations all over Tuscany is free for those wearing this year’s Corri la Vita t-shirt. All funds raised go towards fighting against breast cancer and assisting cancer patients.
Various locations
MELODY/ Argiano Baroque Music Festival
September 3, 10 + 17
Concerto di Margherita Ensemble
Music soars through the Montalcino countryside as the centuries-old Argiano property is the picturesque setting for 18th-century compositions. Under the artistic direction of Antonio Artese, a musical smorgasbord of respected artists from across Europe perform Baroque masterpieces, with the La Ragione e la Follia Ensemble on September 3, the Concerto di Margherita Ensemble on September 10 and the Ensemble Zefiro on September 17. A pre-concert aperitivo adds to the sense of occasion, featuring a tour of the remarkable venue, and an exclusive dinner with the artists catered by a Michelin-starred chef. Find out more here.
Argiano,
Sant’Angelo in Colle, Montalcino
DINE/ Italian Chef Charity Night
September 7
Image from a previous edition
The fifth edition of the noted charity event brings together the signature dishes of 16 Tuscan chefs, with funds raised going towards the Montedomini project by the non-profit organization ‘Il cuore di Firenze’, dedicated to the construction of homes for the elderly in need. Indulge in a buffet dinner for a good cause, with dishes by chefs such as Marco Stabile (Ora d’Aria), Filippo Saporito (La Leggenda dei Frati) and Silvia Baracchi (Il Falconiere), with each chef assisted by a student from the Cordon Bleu cooking school in Florence. The event is open to the public, with a minimum donation of 25 euro requested. Info and reservations by calling +39 393 8137277 or by emailing caffédelforte@gmail.com.
Forte Belvedere,
via di San Leonardo, Florence
SPECTACLE/ Cirk Fantastik!
September 9-19
All kinds of antics
The contemporary circus festival is an 11-day extravaganza in the Cascine Park that ranges from shows and outdoor cinema to workshops and talks on the history of the circus, all of which are bound to put a smile on your face. The fun-for-all-ages fest celebrates all things avant-garde, with over 60 shows to enjoy.
Parco delle Cascine,
piazzale delle Cascine, Florence
CONTEMPORARY/ Lattexplus Festival
September 3 from 8pm to midnight
Music in stunning surroundings
The open-air event dedicated to electronic music and contemporary arts is a multidisciplinary and international programme that sees meetings on music and technology, video installations, audiovisual performances and plenty of live acts with a focus on eco-sustainability.
Ultravox Arena,
Anfiteatro Le Cascine, via delle Cornacchie, Florence
SCREEN/ FirenzeFilmCorti Festival
September 22-25
The best of short films
The eighth edition of the short film fest organized by the Rive Gauche Association sees a smattering of international films from fiction and animation to documentaries and experimental films, with a competition for the best unpublished screenplays. Special guests from the world of cinema and entertainment are set to make an appearance, with screenings in several spots across the city.
MAD-Murate Art District, Limonaia di Villa Strozzi and Accademia Belle Arti Firenze
SWAY/ Firenze Jazz Festival
September 8-12
Forming part of the line-up is James Brandon Lewis
Five days of programming feature 30 events in 10 different locations, including Ruffino’s magical Poggio Casciano wine estate, with big names in jazz set to perform unforgettable concerts across historic villas, Renaissance cloisters and historic farmhouses. The programme hosts the likes of David Murray, James Brandon Lewis and Franco D’Andrea and Mack.
Various locations in Florence
COMMUNITY EVENTS
The community is back in action with a creative and cultural tour de force after the summer break.
The Cinema Odeon Firenze makes its highly anticipated return with Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster Dune on September 16. The adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel was already brought to the screens by David Lynch in 1984, with the epic adventure telling the story of the talented Paul Atreides’ dangerous journey to another planet now remade with stars such as Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Mamoa and Javier Bardem. From September 30, Bond returns to the big screen with No Time to Die. The 25th 007 film stars Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes, and is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Films are shown in English, with Italian subtitles.
The British Institute of Florence kickstarts this season’s cultural programme at 6pm on September 8 with a lecture on ‘Currency of Diplomacy: Friendship, Propaganda and the Power of Renaissance Portrait Medals’ by Paola Vojnovic. September 15 sees Jason Houston speak about ‘Monumental Dante’, and September 23 will be ‘Pinocchio’s Florence’ by Anna Kraczyna and John Hooper. All Wednesday Lectures will be held both in person and online via Zoom at 6pm.
St Mark’s English Church resume their cultural events, starting on September 10 with Yoga with Kamin every Friday at 6pm, Barre Class with Claire every Saturday at 11am, the Armchair Drama Club at 8pm on September 7, an organ recital by James Short at 6pm on September 23, and the book club will meet at 8pm on September 30 to discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.
Female Arts in Florence host a wellbeing focused event titled ‘The Dimensions of the Self’ from September 12-30, yoga and handpan music (Sept. 26), yoga and live music (Sept. 29), dance therapy (Sept. 12 + 13), holistic song (Sept. 17 + 22), ayurvedic massage (Sept. 19 + 26), herbarium et alimentum (Sept. 28), What to do with your anger (Sept. 30), multidimensional constellations (Sept. 16, 18 + 23), Being present in the here and now (Sept. 13, 20 + 27), BarreAndSì (Sept. 13, 20 + 27) and Tarot (Sept. 18). All events take place at the FAF space in borgo San Frediano 131. Get in touch at gruffofaf@gmail.com or see their Facebook page and Instagram.
