What's On Today: Saturday, July 04, 2009

Annual re-enactment of the Siege of 1499 in the town of Mignano, (AR). Medieval processions, mock fights, street markets and entertainment. See website for full program. For further information contact: Cavalieri di Matilde on tel: 0575 799928 - 334 3141349 or email: segreteria@cavalieridimatilde.it

Nancy T. de Grummond, Florida State University's M. Lynette Thompson Professor of Classics, and her students have uncovered artifacts that seem to indicate ancient Etruscan artisans believed that their artistic endeavors would be more successful if they worshipped their gods near their work areas and made food offerings to specific gods. This summer in Italy, the public will have a chance to see the rare find of a cooking pot that, according to laboratory analysis, had been filled with chickpeas, and was the centerpiece of a votive ensemble, along with other discoveries at the Sanctuary of the Etruscan Artisans exhibition. It will include some of the most important archaeological finds from Cetamura, an Etruscan and Roman archaeological site in the Chianti region of Tuscany and include” : pottery, metalwork, coins, gems, rings and even food offerings to the gods. Exhibition hosted at the Casa di Masaccio in San Giovanni Valdarno. Open Tuesday - Saturday 16:00-19:00, Sundays 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-19:00 with opening reception on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at 17:30. At the Museo Casa Masaccio, Corso Italia, 83 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno (Ar) Tel: 055 912 6283 or email: casamasacciosgv@val.it

A host of classics performed in various stunning locations throughout Tuscany including the Boboli Gardens, Florence; San Galgano Abbey, Siena; Montecarchi, Arezzo. For full programme, pricing and starting times see website.

Annual festival with classical music, jazz and cinema in Fiesole. For full programme and tickets see website or contact the Teatro Romano on tel: 055 596 1293.

Permanent exhibition at Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma, 3 Piazza Baccarini, Grosseto (GR). Opening times: May to October from Tuesday to Friday 14:00 -20:00; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 - 13:00 and 17:00 - 20:00. November to February: Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 - 13:00; Saturday and Sunday 09:00 - 13:00 and 16:30 - 19:00. March to April from 09:00 - 13:00 and 16:30 - 19:00. Tickets cost €5 full price and €2.50 reduced. For further information and booking contact tel: 0564 4887 50/488 752 or fax: 0564 488 753 or email: maam@gol.grosseto.it

Antiques market held every third weekend of month at Giardino della Fortezza de Basso. Tel: 055 270 5233

Meetings in English on Tuesdays from 13:30 until 14:30, Wednesdays from 19:00 until 20:00, Thursdays from 13:30 until 14:30, Fridays from 19:00 until 20:00 and Saturdays from 17:00 until 18:00. All meetings are held at St James American Church at 9 via B. Rucellai, 50123 Florence. Tel: 055 29 44 17.

Offers a program of recovery from compulsive overeating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. Weekly meetings from 14:00 until 15:00. Meetings are held in the Undercroft of St James American Church, 9 via B. Rucellai, 50123 Florence. Tel: 055 29 44 17.

Series of classes for the preparation of children for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. Classes from 14:00 until 15:00 at St James American Church, 9 via B. Rucellai, 50123 Florence. Tel: 055 29 44 17.

Music every night in Piazza Ghiberti-Largo Annigoni, Florence (FI). Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Dance performances, Milonga. For full details contact the cultural association Effetti Collaterali on: 347 276 0033 or email: las.palmas2009@libero.it

Permenent exhibition so as not to forget. Opened in conjunction with World Remembrance Day 200, the exhibit displays works about Auschwitz, Terezin, Bergen-Belsen, Mauthausen and Dachau. Open from Monday to Friday 09.00 – 21.00; Saturday 09.00 – 14.00. For futher information contact 055 678841 or email info@mandelaforum.it. Entrance is free. At Nelson Mandela Forum, Viale Pasquale Paoli, 3, Florence, 50123 (FI).

Opened on 10th December 2005, a permanent exhibition about Human Rights. Open from Monday to Friday 09.00 – 21.00; Saturday 09.00 – 14.00. For futher information contact 055 678841 or email info@mandelaforum.it. Entrance is free. At Nelson Mandela Forum, Viale Pasquale Paoli, 3, Florence, 50123 (FI).

A permanent exhibition about Nelson Mandela - the man and his achievements. Open from Monday to Friday 09.00 – 21.00; Saturday 09.00 – 14.00. For futher information contact 055 678841 or email info@mandelaforum.it. Entrance is free. At Nelson Mandela Forum, Viale Pasquale Paoli, 3, Florence, 50123 (FI).

A permanent exhibition at the Mandela Forum about how HIV/AIDS is affecting the lives of young adolescents in South Africa. Open from Monday to Friday 09.00 – 21.00; Saturday 09.00 – 14.00. For further information contact 055 678841 or email info@mandelaforum.it. Entrance is free. At Nelson Mandela Forum, Viale Pasquale Paoli, 3, Florence, 50123 (FI).

Castello di Gabbiano is hosting the vibrant and colourful art work of Susi Bellamy. Susi’s art is a reflection of nature at its best, the direct and sometimes contrasting colours and the vivacity of her paintings give the castle’s ancient structure a new dynamic and vigour. Susi is and English painter who has been living in Florence for the past 5 years. At Castello di Gabbiano, Via Gabbiano 12, Mercatale Val di Pesa (FI). For further information contact Cornelia Reali on tel: 055 821 053 / 3346429535 or email: cornelia.lehner@castellogabbiano.it

Exhibition of art work by renaissance sculptors. Open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00. Tickets cost €5 full and €3.50 in groups. At Impruneta, Piazza Buondelmonti and Basilica and Chiostri di Santa Maria, Loggiati del Pellegrino, Florence (FI). For further information and booking contact Sigma CSC on tel: 055 243 140 or email: prenotazioni@cscsigma.it

An exhibition to mark the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope by Galileo. Open daily from 09:00 to 20:00. For further information and booking contact Sigma CSC on tel: 055 246 9600 or fax: 055 244 145 or email: prenotazioni@cscsigma.it At Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi, 50123 Firenze (FI).

To celebrate 100 years from the birth of one of its most acclaimed citizens, Fuecchio host an exhibition of the works of Indro Montanelli. The exhibition is free to enter and takes place in Fucecchio council. Open daily from 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. See website for full details.

Artist’s Presentation: Friday, July 3 at 16:00. Reception: Friday, July 3rd at 18:00. The SACI Gallery is proud to present the Language of Landscape: Works from Italy, an exhibition of works on paper by American artist Barry Nemett. Of his work, Barry says: "Drawing - so immediate, all you need is paper, ink for your pen, and a point for your pencil - is a form of meditation and freedom for me. It keeps my hand and eye limber; teaches me to see more deeply; allows me to try out new things; be challenged and humbled; wonder visually; dig into life´s thrilling rhythms and rhymes; empathize; document exceptional, commonplace, and fleeting moments; slow down time; be ¨outside of time¨; to have an extraordinary time. "Mine is an additive process; the images grow – which generates a kind of narrative element for me. The locations I portray may piece together dozens of panels based on half a dozen or more sites. Although I work from life, the places I draw and paint do not exist, at least not all at once. I make them up as I go. The challenge, of course, is to make the unraveled story of each landscape that I fabricate look true." BARRY NEMETT, Chair of the Painting Department at Maryland Institute College of Art, received his BFA at Pratt Institute and his MFA at Yale University. His awards include The Hugh Fraser Foundation, Ford Foundation Grant (Italy), MICA Trustee Grant for Excellence in Teaching, Maryland State Arts Council Individual Fellowship Grant, ITT International Travel Fellowship/Fulbright Hays Grant (Spain). Prof. Nemett, has curated numerous traveling exhibitions, and has exhibited his own work nationally and internationally, including National Academy Museum (N.Y.C.); Museum of Art, Rochefort-en-Terre (France); Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art (Japan); ISA Gallery (Italy), Andre Zarre Gallery (N.Y.C.); Atlanta College of Art; Baltimore Museum of Art; College of William & Mary University; Delaware Center of Contemporary Art; Delaware Museum of Art; Goucher College; Haverford College, ICE Gallery (N.Y.C.); Indiana University; Institute of International Education, Loyola College; New Jersey State Museum; Pratt Institute; Rochester Institute of Technology; St. John's University; University of North Carolina; University of Maryland; University of New Hampshire; University of Pennsylvania; Washington County Museum of Art; Wellesley College; Yale University, and numerous galleries throughout the U.S. Prof. Nemett's Lectures and Visiting Artist Residencies include: Bates College; California College of the Arts; Chicago Art Institute; Delaware College of Art and Design; Haverford College; Hood College; Howard Community College; Johns Hopkins University; New York Studio School; Ontario College of Art and Design; Philadelphia Community College; Pratt Institute; Princeton University; Rhode Island School of Design; Salisbury State University; St. John's University; Swarthmore College; Towson University; University of Maryland; University of Pennsylvania; Wellesley College; Woodmere Museum of Art; Alfred and Trafford Klots Residency Program (France); Glasgow School of Art (Scotland); International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture (Italy); Keisho Art Association (Japan); Studio Art Centers International (Italy); and Summer Scholarship Program (Scotland). His publications include: Crooked Tracks, (novel: Barnhardt & Ashe, Publishers, Inc., April, 2007); Images, Objects, and Ideas: Viewing the Visual Arts, (textbook, McGraw-Hill, 1992); articles in Arts Magazine; Museum & Arts: Washington; New Art Examiner; Washington Review; Baltimore Magazine; as well as essays for numerous exhibition catalogues. The SACI Gallery is open Monday – Friday 09:00 to 19:00; Saturday 13:00 to 19:00. Entrance is free. At SACI Gallery, Via Sant'Antonino, 11, Florence (FI). For further information contact the gallery on tel: 055 289948 or email: gallery@saci-florence.edu

Daily wine-tasting sessions from 10:30 - 13:00 and 15:30 to 19:00 at the organic winery La Spinosa, 15 via Le Masse, 50021, Barberino Val D'Elsa (FI). For further information contact Danila on tel: 055 8075822 or Skype: la.spinosa

Storytelling & Sketching at Palazzo Strozzi, recommended for children ages 7 to 12. STORIES IN THE STARS: TALES OF THE COSMOS THROUGH TIME The constellations have inspired stories for centuries. A changing selection is presented by a storyteller each month, followed by sketching in the galleries. The first and third Saturdays of each month. Programs are free with paid admission. Reservations are strongly recommended. Maximum number of participants is 15. Booking Sigma CSC Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00. Tel: 055 246 9600 or fax: 055 244 145 or email: prenotazioni@cscsigma.it.

A host of classics performed in various stunning locations throughout Tuscany including the Boboli Gardens, Florence; San Galgano Abbey, Siena; Montecarchi, Arezzo. For full programme, pricing and starting times see website.

Underground jazz cellar bar with live music every night from Tuesday through Saturday. At 3 Via Nuova de' Caccini, (just off Borgo Pinti) Florence. Open 21:00 'til late. Tel: 055 247 9700/335 614 6115.

Individual lessons, group lessons and court rental. Minimum age is 10 years old. Open Monday and Wednesday 16:00 to 18:00, Tuesday and Thursday 18:00 to 22:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 13:00. At Nelson Mandela Forum, Viale Pasquale Paoli, 3, Florence, 50123 (FI). For further information contact Aldo Trappolini on tel: 339 1604397 or E-mail: a.trappolini@comune.fi.it; m.binetti@comune.fi.it

Permanent exhibition at Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma, 3 Via Fratelli Cairoli, 58100, Grosseto, (GR). From 1st November to 30 April open Tuesday to Saturday: 9.30-13.00 and 16.00-19.00; Sundays and Public Holidays: 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. From 2nd May to 30th October open Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00-13.00 and 17.00-20.00. Closed: Mondays, Christmas, New Year's day, May 1. Tickets: Adult: € 5.00; University students, under 18s, over 65s, armed forces members, groups (20 people or more), disabled person, Voglio-vivere-così Card: €2.50; Under 6s, school groups, school group leaders, tourist guides, ICOM members, members of the clergy: free admission.

Concerts every night in various locations in the town or Pitigliano, (GR). Aperitivo with live music, open-air jazz and more. See website for full program.

Festival of Dance and theatre in Castiglioncello, Livorno. Performances by the following dance companies: Canessa-Manenti, Costanzo-Rustioni, Michele Crestacci, Oscar De Summa, Fagarazzi-Zuffelato Mirko Feliziani, Fortebraccio Teatro, Emanuela Guaiana, Maurizio Lupinelli, Claudio Morganti, Francesco Pennacchia, Mario Perrotta, Alfonso Postiglione-Valentina Capone, Vincenzo Schino–Officina Valdoca, Tony Clifton Circus, Ambra Senatore-Antonio Tagliarini, Brockenhaus, Giovanna Velardi, Gaetano Ventriglia, Valentino Zeichen. Performances have varying starting times. See website for full programme. At Castello Pasquini, Castiglioncello (LI).

Every evening from 19:00 until 23:00 as part of the Livorno Rock festival. Meat of all types cooked on the ber-b-que and "zuppa toscana". At Villa Corridi, Via di Collinaia, Livorno (LI). For futher information see website.

The second edition of this festival bringing together a mixture of events including rock concerts, sports exhibitions, dance performances, singing lessons and much more. Open every day from 10:00 to late. At Parco di Villa Corridi, via di Collinaia, Livorno (LI). Prices vary from €5 to €15 depending on event. Tickets available at Ipercoop "Fonti del Corallo", Coop "La Rosa", via Settembrini; Toto Terzi, Piazza Mazzini; Piccadilly Sound, Corso Amadeo. For full calendar of events see website. For more information tel. 333 308 84 40 / 329 229 98 19

Permanent exhibition of the work of artist Bruno Cordati at the Casa Cordati, Via di Mezzo 17, Barga.

Festival of Jazz music on the city of Barga. Concerts take place in various venues throughout the Barga area. For full program see website. Concert starting times vary. For information and tickets call the Festival Office on 0583 724 418 / 710 44 or email info@bargajazz.it

A month long festival of music, dance performances, children's workshops, puppet shows, art exhibitions, comedians, sports contests. All events are free and take place in various places throughout the town. For full program see website, call 0571 4871 or email: info@estatecastelfranchese.it

Discovered in December 1998, the boat ruins are now on public display - one of its kind in Europe. Open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 15:30. The rest of the week open on booking. At Via Bianchi Bandinelli (previously Va A. Pisano, 56100, Pisa (PI). For further information contact: Tel 055 321 8017 or 050 830 490.

150 works from throughout the life of the great Pisan Galileo. Exhibition in celebration of 400 years since his birth. At Blu Palazzo d'arte e Cultura, 9 Lungarno Gambacorti, Lisa (PI). Open 10:00 to 20:00. Weekend visitors are recommended to reserve. Prices €7 Full; €5 discounted (over 65; students up to 26; under 18). For an extra €2 visitors to the exhibition will also have access to the museum's permanent collection. For booking tel: 050 28 515 or email:info@impegnoefuturo.it Futher information on: 050 500 197 or website.

Exhibition by Pieter de Witte entitled Pietro Candido in the exhibition are of the Palazzo dei Priori, Priori Square, Volterra (PI). Open every day from 10:30 to 18:30 til September then from October to November: every day from 09:30 to 17:00. Tickets cost €8 Full and €5 reduced. For further information see website or email: info@dewitteinvolterra.com

Takes place in piazza Casini, Orentano, frazione di Castelfranco di Sotto, Pisa (PI). Pizzas of all kinds on offer as well as grilled meats and typical Tuscan dishes. Stalls open from 19:30 til 23:00. For further information tel: 0571 4871

Free entry and parking at the children's fun park in Via Sant'Agostino, 50, 56121 Pisa (PI). Payment for rides. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00 from October to February; every afternoon in March and April and every day from May to September from 10:00 til late. See website for contact details and more information.

Year-round selection of exhibits at the Centro per l'Atre Contemporanea Luigi Pecci. Full details of current exhibits on website. Entrance is €5 full, €4 reduced. At 277 Viale della Repubblica, 59100, Prato (PO). Open Monday 10 a.m. to 14:00; Wednesday 10:00 to 18:00; Thursday 10:00 to 18:00, Friday 10:00 to 14:00. Closed from 22 december 2007 to 6 january 2008. For further information tel: 0574 531 842.

Permanent exhibition at the Prato Textile Museum representing a centre of promotion of the textile production of the Prato district, which comprises 8000 companies employing 40,000 people. Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 18:00. Saturdays: 10:00 to 14:00 and Sundays: 16:00 to 19:00. Entrance is free. Last entrance: 40 minutes before closure time. At 24 Via Santa Chiara, 59100, Prato (PO). For further information and booking tel: 0574 611 503.

Display of the works of art housed in the city's cathedral over the decades. Open Monday to Saturday 09:30-12:30 and 15:00-18:30; Sunday and Bank Holidays 09:30-12:30. Tickets: Full: €5 Reduced: €3. Entrance is free for residents of Prato, children under 3 and tour group guide. At Pizza dell Duomo, Prato (PO). For further information and booking tel: 0574 29339.

Range of exhibitions year round. Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. Entrance costs €5 full price and €4 reduced. For further information see website or call: 0574 5317. At 277 Viale Della Repubblica, 59100 Prato (PO).

Open 09:30 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 19:00 between Nuvember and May and 09:30 to 12:30 and 16:00 to 19:00 from June to October Closed Monday and Tuesday. Entrance costs €3 on weekdays and €4 on weekends. At 74 Via di Galceti, 59100, Prato (PO). For further information and booking contact: 0574 460 503 or Email: info@csn.prato.it

The 10th edition of the Beer Festival in Borgo a Buggiano, Pistoia (PT). Locally made and international beers and ales. Music and dancing every evening. From 18:00 til midnight. For further information tel: 0572 300 75.

"A long summer of great music and evocative atmospheres" describes the XII Music Festival of Montecantini Terme. A host of concerts take place in the Terme Tettuccio, viale verdi, 71, Montecantini Terme (PT). Selection of music from Opera to orchestral works to solos performed. For full program, see website. Tickets available online and prices range from €11 to €25. Block tickets available. For information email: info@estateregina.it or call 347 413 82 08 / 346 018 72 14.

Annual Blues festival attracting big names. This year including Joss Stone and Jon Spencer amongst others. FOr full program and information see website.

A series of musical and cultural events, beginning with the IX edition of the Choral Programme, “Città di Pienza”, and a concert by the “Benvenuto Franci” choir. The “Coppa Volpi” cyclist competition is on June 8th and at Monticchiello, June 6th to 8th, there are theatre workshops. From July 21st to 24th, a convention on private life during the Renaissance, while at the Mario Luzi La Barca Study Centre, July 24th, presentation of the ninth edition of the Quaderni del Centro Studi. In the courtyard of the Palazzo Piccolomini, there are three concerts. Giuliano Carmignola, July 24th , Christophe Rousset, August 14th, and the group Inchanto, September 13th. Finally, September 18th to 20th, “B.Franci”, the first International opera singing competition, with a gala concert on September 20th. For further information tel: 0578 749 905 or see website.

Montepulciano’s Museo Civico presents the less famous art treasures of the town, until 30 August. Thirteen previously unseen works of art have been restored and returned to the community. Among these are masterpieces like Ugolino di Neri’s Madonna from the Santa Maria dei Servi church, Luca Signorelli’s Madonna della Misericordia from the Santa Lucia church, and the wooden Crucifix attributed to the renaissance sculptor Jacopo Sansovino. The exhibition includes the Miracolo di San Gregorio altarpiece from the Gesù church. See websie for full details. For booking and further information tel: 0578 717 300.

Exhibition in Palazzo Piccolomini Via Banchi di Sotto, 52, 53100 Siena (SI). Open 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:30. For booking tel: 05787 48392 or email: info@palazzopiccolominipienza.it

Egyptian Mummy Exhibition at the Civico Archeologico Museum of Chianciano, via Dante, Chianciano, (SI). Open from 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 until November 1st. Open Saturday, Sunday and holidays during November and December with the same opening time. From December 16th 2009 until 6th January 2010 open every day except Monday. Tickets: €5 full, €4 reduced, €2.50 for groups over 20. For further information and booking contact: 0478-30471 museoetrusco@libero.it, museo@comune.chianciano-terme.si.it

A host of classics performed in various stunning locations throughout Tuscany including the Boboli Gardens, Florence; San Galgano Abbey, Siena; Montecarchi, Arezzo. For full program, pricing and starting times see website.