Original sound movie in Florence

APRIL ’09 Cinema Odeon CineHall – Via Sassetti, Florence, Italy.

Th 2 The International (USA/GERMANY/G.B. – 118’) by Tom Tykwer - Berlin Film Festival Opening film - with Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, James Rebhorn
SHOWS: : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Mo 6 The International(USA/GERMANY/G.B. – 118’) by Tom Tykwer - Berlin Film Festival Opening film - with Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, James Rebhorn
SHOWS: : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Tu 7 The Reader (USA/GERMANY-124’) by Stephen Daldry - Berlin film Festival - WINNER OSCAR 2009 BEST ACTRESS Kate Winslet -With Italian Subtitles - with Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz.
SHOWS: : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Th 9 Easy Virtue (G.B. – 96’) by Stephan Elliott - With Italian subtitles - with Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon.
SHOWS: : 4.30 – 6.30 – 8.30 -10.30

Tu 14 Eden a l’Ouest ( FRANCE/ ITALY/GREECE- 111’) by Costantin Costa Gravas - Berlin Film Festival - with Riccardo Scamarcio, Juliane Köhler, Ulrich Tukur, Anny Duperey, Antoine Monot Jr. - ORIGINAL FRENCH VERSION -
SHOWS: : 4.00 – 6.10 – 8.20 – 10.30 pm

Th 16 Valkyrie (USA/GERMANY – 120’) byBryan Singer with Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson - With Italian subtitles –
SHOWS : : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Mo 20 Gran Torino (USA - 116’) by Clint Eastwood -With Italian Subtitels - with Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Austin Douglas Smith.
SHOWS : : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Tu 21 Frozen River (USA – 97’) by Courtney Hunt - 2 NOMINATIONS OSCAR 2009 - with Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott, Mark Boone Junior, Michael O'Keefe,
SHOWS: : 4.30 – 6.30 – 8.30 -10.30


Th 23 Milk by Gus Van Sant (USA – 128’) - WINNER 2 OSCAR 2009 BEST ACTOR SEAN PENN and BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY with Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Victor Garber.
SHOWS: 5.00 – 8.00 – 10.30 pm - with italian subtitles -

Mo 27 What Just happened ? (USA – 107’) by Barry Levinson with Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, John Turturro, Robin Wright Penn, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Stewart, Michael Wincott, Bruce Willis
SHOWS: 4.00 – 6.10 – 8.20 – 10.30 pm

Tu 28 Marley &Me (USA – 120’) by David Frankel with Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner, Alan Arkin.
SHOWS: : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

Th 30 Duplicity (USA- )by Tony Gilroy with Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Wilkinson -With Italian Subtiles -
SHOWS: : 3.45 – 6.10 – 8.20 -10.30

I love shopping at THE MALL!

Last sunday I went with a friend of mine to THE MALL, the big outlet in Valdarno area, not far Florence (it takes about 30 minutes by car to get there, it's very close to the highway A1 exit "Incisa").I wasn't looking for something special... just to go and see what they have.

When my friend Enrica decided to enter to Ferragamo I was not sure to go inside... I know things are very expensive there! But when I saw the last pair of a lovely brown boots for just 99 euros I couldn't believe to my eyes. I tried them on. Perfect.
In origin they cost 383 euros!

Besides the boots I bought also a pair of marvellous red Ferragamo shoes for only 55 euros (unbelievable!).

After that we decided to enter also in Gucci Store. It was very crowdy! Full of japanese! The prices were higher, but I fell in love with a pair of high heel black shoes, and I had to buy them!

Thery were 50% off: instead of 350 euros, I payed just 150 euros.

I really enjoyed my afternoon at the Mall, maybe my Visa didn't :)

See also the post about Barberino Outlet

Florence Tango festival 2009

The 7th edition of FIRENZE TANGO FESTIVAL is one of the most attended yearly tango events for tangodancers in Florence, Italy.

The main tango nights begin on Friday 24.April with the Tango-Show “Colores de Tango” on the stage of the Saschall Theater. The protagonists of this show will be Hyperion, orchestra of 7 elements and the five dance couples of the Festival.
After the Show will be opened the big tango ball. The theatre with its 400 m of dancing floor in less than half an hour will be transformed into a typical Milonga where you will dance until morning to live music. At the same time you can dance in the “Ridotto” of the Theatre (the smaller dance floor) where tangonuevo lovers can dance to alternative music selection by dj’s “Los Pelos Locos” . The tangolounge will be opened also on Saturday night.
The highlight of the tangonight of Saturday 25 april will be the performances of the dance couples at circa 1.00 in the night. Music by Dj Super Sabino TangoGroove Master.
Teachers and Dancers:
Damian Rosenthal & Celine Ruiz, Andrea Reyero & Sebastian Missè, Andrea Missè & Javier Rodriguez, Laura Melo & Riccardo Barrios, Thierry Le Cocq & Alessia Lyndin, Alberto Muraro & Marta Lorenzi
Program of Firenze Tango Festival:
Tuesday 21st april 2009
h. 20,00 Free lesson for absolute beginners "first steps" at Tangoclub, Via Gemignani 1/A – Firenze – ONLY WITH RESERVATION
Wednesday 22nd april 2009
h.21.00 Free lesson for absolute beginners "first steps" at Tangoclub, Via Gemignani 1/A – Firenze – ONLY WITH RESERVATION
Thursday 23th april 2009
From h 22.00. Welcome Milonga
Circolo Andreoni presentation Festival’s teachers, dj Gibo “The Voice” (only with reservation, eccept for tangonightspasckage owners)
Friday 24th april 2009
- from h 12.00 opening festival office
- from h 12.00 to h 20.00 workshops
- h 20.30 Theatre-Show "Colores de Tango" with: Orchestra Hyperion, A. Castelli, R. Mazzi, dancers: Melo & Barrios, Reyero & Missè, Ruiz & Rosenthal, Missè & Rodriguez, Hilliges & Panero
- from h 22.30 Gran Milonga with live music Orchestra Hyperion and dj Felix Picherna. At the same time "Tangolounge" the alternative milonga with dj’s Los Pelos Locos
Saturday 25th april 2009
- from h 12.00 opening festival office
- from h 13.00 to h 20.00 workshops
- from h 22.30 Gran Galà, dj Supersabino Tangogroovemaster with live cortinas played by “Swingingtango Duets". At the same time "Tangolounge" the alternative milonga with dj’s Los Pelos Locos
- h 1.00 Teachers Performance: Melo & Barrios, Reyero & Missè, Ruiz & Rosenthal, Missè & Rodriguez, Lecocq & Lyndin
Sunday 26th april 2009
- from h 11.30 opening festival office
-from h 12.00 to h 20.00 workshops
At the same time at hotel “Together Florence Inn” in Bagno a Ripoli:
from h 13.00 - 17.00 “Pratonga-Brunch” (Practica-Milonga with very rich brunch open from h 11.30-15.00)
from h 17.00 - 18.00 Free lesson for absolute beginners
from h 20.00 Menu Tanguero for dinner before and during Tangonight
from h 21.30 MILONGA with music selection by Tangoclub Dj’s. Performance of Marta Lorenzi and Alberto Muraro in "Canyengue e non solo".
More info: http://www.firenzetangofestival.com

Spot of Tuscany

Images like a dream, the lands around Siena, the natural hot springs, the centenarian olive trees, the grape press, the sea. This is an unknown Tuscany for tourists, travelers or simply people who love our life style. Enjoy!

This is the spot tv that Tuscan Region is showing now>>

A tribute to Ireland

Every spring Ireland in feasts comes back to Florence. From Tuesday March 17th to March 21st at Sashall, you can taste Guinness and Murphy's and listen to Irish music or stroll in a small market.

Please check out always the dates and music players because it can be altered.

Tuesday march 17th: 8,30pm CISALPIPERS, at 9.30pm CLIFFS OF MOHER (dance), at 10,00pm PADRAIG RYNNE GROUP, 11,30pm CISALPIPERS.
Wednesday March 18th: at 9pm NUALA KENNEDY, GILLES LE BIGOT, GERRY O'CONNOR, MARTIN QUINN, at 10,15pm MODENA CITY RAMBLERS.
Thursday March 19th: at 9pm NUALA KENNEDY, GILLES LE BIGOT, GERRY O'CONNOR, MARIN QUINN, at 10,30pm WHISKY TRAIL.
Friday March 20th: at 8,30pm NUALA KENNEDY, GELLES LE BIGOT, GERRY O'CONNOR, MARTIN QUINN, at 9,15pm CLIFFS OF MOHER (dance), at 10,20pm DAVIDE VAN DE SFROOS at 12am CAREELON.
Saturday March 21st: at 8,30pm MASSIMO GIUNTINI & BAND, at 9,15pm CLIFFS OF MOHER (dance), at 9,45pm DERVISH
At 10,45pm CLIFFS OF MOHER (dance), at 11,30pm ALTROSUONO, at 00.45am STORY TELLERS.
The price can be different: between €5, 00 to €15, 00. (Reductions are available)

see here then video of last year edition>>

Free tasting at Bardini restaurant and a cheap place to eat

On Saturday March 14 from 11am (for the press) and from 3,30pm (for everybody) there will be an event of TASTE at MOBA, the restaurant of Villa Bardini.

There will be an exhibition and taste with Salemi products at the presence of Oliviero Toscani, creativity councilor and Vittorio Sgarbi, major of the Sicilian town. They will present various products from Salemi, famous for the making of the bread, called Saint Joseph bread (I Pani di San Giuseppe). You can find more info on MOBA blog.

Then, I spoke many times about the Osteria del Santo Bevitore, a nice and traditional restaurant in Santo Spirito area ran by two guys, lovers of good food. Beside the restaurant, they opened a small place called il Santino where you can have food from 10am to 10pm. It is a perfect place for a quick cheap lunch, a break with friends, a snack or an aperitif, tasting different kind of cheeses, hams, sauces but also biscuits, wine, also organic wines not only from Italy but also from France.
You will not find long buffet tables, noisy people and loud music but a place to relax, enjoy food and chill out. I had a plate of anchovies from Viareggio with small tomatoes and big capers, some cheeses and cut meats, and finally a special apple pie with a Passito from Pantelleria!
Il Santino Via Santo Spirito 60/R Firenze.

TASTE, a gastronomic fair

This coming week at the Stazione Leopolda in Porta al Prato there will be TASTE, a gastronomic fair where it is possible to taste various delicatessens as well as taste excellent wines. The news of this edition is called Fuoriditaste, a series of events around the city where restaurants, bars, cafeterias, ice cream shops, wine bars will join the fair: a nice mix between gastronomy and culture.

I would like to underline an event to ‘INO, in via dei Georgofili on Saturday from 12.30pm to 2,30pm. Marca Stabile from Ora d’Aria and Andrea Bianchini of the Bottega del cioccolato (chocolate shop) will be there. Instead at 3pm at Hotel Home in Piazza Piave there will be a free cooking class for children, info 02 8561 2829.
TASTE. Travelling with the diversity of the taste 14-16 March 2009
Florence, Stazione Leopolda- V.le F Rosselli 5
Cost is € 10, 00 for the public - € 5, 00 for the insiders
Hours 10.30am-8.30pm (Monday 9.30am-4.30pm)

Live concert for free

Next Saturday, the 14th, at Leopoldine, Piazza Tasso, 7, the Florentine Association for Music, will be performing a free concert from 9.15 pm.

This is the program:
A.MARIANO, Briosetta, marcia militare
GEORGE GERSHWIN, But Not For Me (da 'Girl Crazy') - arr. Marco Mangani
SCOTT JOPLIN, The Ragtime Dance - arr. Marco Mangani
G.VERDI , Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio - sinfonia
E. SABATINI, Novara – marcia
RICE –WEBBER , Dont’Cry For Me Argentina
VINCENZO DI LIO, Chiaruccia, marcia brillante
HANS ZIMMER, Pirati dei Caraibi - arr. Michael Brown

What's on in Florence in March

March has finally arrived and here it is some events in Florence during this month:

The most important event is Sunday, March 8th, the Women day, where a lot of restaurants, clubs, and cafés will propose something for all tastes. I will post very soon some events but there some cultural events such as MIBAC that will offer to all women free entrances to all the state museums, monuments, state archives, archeological sites and libraries.

On March 13th there will be a big exhibition dedicated to Galileo Galilei in Palazzo Strozzi. On Thursdays the exbition will be open until late.

From March 14th to 16th At Stazione Leopolda, there will be the fourth edition of TASTE, the tasting fair. Three days of tastings and meetings for those who love food and wine.

From Tuesday march 17th and Saturday March2 1st 2009, at the Saschall there will be Ireland in feast. While you taste some Irish beer and listen to some music you can decide to buy CD, typical dresses and books and during concerts you can also dance.

From march 14th to March 22nd at Fortezza da Basso there will be the antique fair, if you are a lover of antique furniture, prints, jewels, sculptures and paintings.

Alle Murate restaurant reopen in March, 10 with a new dinner menu

Alle Murate restaurant will re-open March, 10 with a new Spring MENU. With breathtaking frescoes showing portraits of Dante and Boccaccio you can experience a modern-tuscan cuisine with an excellent wine list.

HORS D’OEUVRES
Fennels soufflé with Cinta Senese “finocchiona” tartare
Pickled salmon and ricotta cream, ginger and juniper flavours
Warm squids salad with traditional Sarconi beans
Monica Maggio’s special egg with asparagus purée

FIRST COURSES
Black chickpeas soup with sea bass and rosemary
Potatoes and string beans soup with zucchini flowers and parmesan wafer
Endive and Cinta Senese sausage soup
Traditional spaghetti with mussels
Traditional Paccheri with fish sauce
Hand made tortelli stuffed with black cabbage and red snapper sauce
Pappardelle with duck ragout

FISH COURSES
Sole and mozzarella croquette, radish sauce and stuffed tomatoes
Stewed cuttlefish with red peppers
Gilthead seabream fillet with celeriac purée and olives sauce

MEAT COURSES
The lamb:the leg stuffed with black olives; braised shoulder and fried chop
Tripe Florentine style with tomatoes and parmesan, polenta wafers
Stewed baby chicken with caramelized red onions
Traditional stewed pigeon with red chicory
Our interpretation of Fiorentina T-bone steak

TASTING MENU

The most original expressions of our cuisine and the best ways of discovering them: every day we propose a careful selection of dishes from the menu , always closely linked to Italian traditions.

This menu, based on perfumes and flavours interpreted by Giovanna, follows the threads of this tradition.
90,00 per person

TUSCAN CUISINE

Fennels soufflé with Cinta Senese “finocchiona” tartare
Tripe Florentine style with tomatoes and parmesan, polenta wafers
Pappardelle with duck ragout
Traditional stewed pigeon with red chicory
Apple pie with Vin Santo sweet wine cream
90,00 per person

for info and reservations:
silvia@allemurate.it
Alle Murate restaurant in Florence
Via del Proconsolo 16/r (see on Google Maps)
Tel. +39 (0)55 240618
A 14th-century palazzo near Piazza Duomo is the setting for this museum-like restaurant, where you can dine on Tuscan dishes