Veneto Region

VICENZA

26th Straguadense Walk

Jan. 6, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., San Pietro in Gu` (Padova)

Green walking route of 6 km, yellow walking route of 11 km and red walking route of 20 km. Register no later than Jan. 5 at Palestra Comunale (Municipal Gymnasium), Via Asilo. Cost €2.50.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Through Jan. 27, Christmas on ice at Piazza Biade, Vicenza.

Monday through Thursday, 3:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday, 3:30-11 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to midnight

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-10 p.m.

Nativity Scenes in Vicenza 10th Edition

Through- Feb. 2. Free entrance to admire nativity sets at the following locations:

Cathedral, Piazza Duomo

S. Michele ai Servi Church, Piazza Biade

Santi Felice e Fortunato Church, Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato

Sacra Famiglia Church, S. Lazzaro, Via P.L. Da Palestrina

Maddalene Church, Strada Maddalene

S. Croce dei Carmini Church, Corso Fogazzaro

Cuore Immacolato di Maria Church, S. Bortolo, Via Medici

S. Maria Ausiliatrice, Viale Cricoli

Chiesa di S. Lucia Church, Borgo S. Lucia

S. Giuliano Church, Corso Padova

S. Pio X Church, Via Giuriato

S. Maria Assunta Church, Strada di Casale

Monte Berico Church, Viale X Giugno

Music Events at Vicenza Theater

Teatro Comunale

All of the following events will take place at Viale Mazzini, 39, Vicenza. Tickets online at www.tcvi.it (click on biglietteria):

• Jan. 9, 8:45 p.m., piano performance by Filippo Gamba, 32 sonatas for piano by Beethoven, to include Appassionato and Waldstein. Cost: €22 adults, €16 seniors over 65, and €12 for under 30.

• Jan. 14, 8:45 p.m., piano performance by Andrea Lucchesini for the Turin Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Giampaolo Pretto. Lucchesini will play Serghej Rachmaninov Concert nr. 2. and Dvoràk symphony nr. 7. Cost: €22 adults, €16 seniors over 65, and €12 for under 30.

• Jan. 15, 9 p.m., piano performance by Ilya Kondratiev, in partnership with the London Keyboard Trust Foundation, will play Chopin and Bach. Cost: €25 adults, €20 teachers and seniors over 65, and €12 for under 25.

• Jan. 22, 7:45 p.m., La Dama Di Picche, opera by Tchaikovsky, livestream from the Royal Opera House, with the Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra. Cost: €12 adults, €10 over 65 and under 30.

• Jan. 24, 8:45 p.m., concert dedicated to Holocaust Remembrance Day by Scharoun Ensemble Berlin, from the Berliner Philarmoniker. They will play Brahms, Henze and Beethoven. Cost: €22 adults, €16 senior over 65, and €12 for under 30.

• Jan. 26, 8:45 p.m., and Jan. 27, 6 p.m., ballet Carmina Burana, by Ballet du Grand Théâthre de Genève, directed by Philippe Cohen. Cost: €36 adults, €31 senior over 65, and €20 for under 30.

• Jan. 30, 7:45 p.m., La Traviata, opera by Giuseppe Verdi, livestream from the Royal Opera House, with Plàcido Domingo and the Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra. Cost: €12 adults, €10 over 65 and under 30.

Conservatorio A. Pedrollo

Vicenza High School Music

Vicenza, Contrà San Domenico 33

The following classic music performances take place on Tuesdays, at the Conservatorio Concert Hall. Entrance free and free parking in the yard. For more information: call 0444.507551 or go online at www@consvi.it.

• Jan. 8, 6 p.m., piano performance of Mozart, Weber and Strauss by Ulysse Bonaventura

• Jan. 15, 6 p.m., piano performance of Chopin Nocturnes by Marco Tezza

• Jan. 22, 6 p.m., piano performance by Andrea Miazzon and violoncello by Piero Bonato

• Jan. 29, 6 p.m., concert of Missa in Tempore Belli by Hayden for Holocaust Remembrance Day

Thiene @ Opera

Thiene Auditorium Fonato

Jan. 20, 5 p.m., Thiene, Via C. del Prete 37, La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi. Tickets are €10. For more information and reservations, visit cultura@comune.thiene.vi.it.

55th EXPO Internazionale Canina

International Dog Show

Jan. 12-13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Padova, Via Tommaseo 59. This competition brings together more than 700 of the finest pedigreed dogs from all over the world. Admission fee: €8; reduced €4; free entrance for children under 12.

Motor Bike Expo

International Motorcycle show

Jan. 17-20, 9 a.m.--7 p.m., Verona, Via del Lavoro, 8. Admission fee: €18; reduced €15 for children aged 6-10; free for children under 10.

Sagra del Broccolo Fiolaro

Fiolaro Broccoli Festival

Jan. 11-20, from 6 p.m., Creazzo, sports center, Via Torino 10. The broccolo fiolaro is a typical crop of the Creazzo hills; its name derives from the several sprouts along the stalk of the plant, which in Venetian dialect are called fioi, or offspring. Food booths featuring gnocchi with broccoli, traditional fritola (doughnut) and typical Creazzo dishes.

Prima del Torcolato D.O.C.

Torcolato New Wine Festival

Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Breganze, Piazza Mazzini. The Torcolato is the gem of Breganze's winemaking tradition. It is produced from pressing dried Vespaiola grapes which are hung (torcolate, in the local dialect) on strings from the wooden beams of the attics of farmhouses. At 2:30 p.m., parade and public pressing of this year's grape harvest. Torcolato wine tasting 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; local products exhibit and sale; folk music and dancing.

Il Trionfo del Colore

The Triumph of Color - From Tiepolo to Canaletto and Guardi

Through March 10, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Vicenza, Palazzo Chiericati. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, last admission one hour before closing time. Exhibition of famous painters' masterpieces form the Moscow Pushkin Museum. Entrance fee: €14; €12 for groups, students under 26, and senior over 65; €5 for school groups.

Pordenone Antiquaria

Antique Show and Market at Prodenone

Jan. 13-21, Monday-Friday, 3-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Pordenone, Viale Treviso 1. National show of furniture, paintings, antique artifacts, jewelry and many curiosities and rarities. Admission fee: €10 adults; €5 senior over 65, and free for under 17.

VENETO ANTIQUE MARKETS

Lonigo: Jan. 13, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Via Garibaldi, Piazza XX Settembre, Via Ognibene, about 20 miles southwest of Vicenza (about 100 vendors)

Montegrotto (Padova): Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza 1� Maggio, about 34 miles southeast of Vicenza (about 70 vendors)

Portobuffolè (Treviso): Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Beccaro, about 88 miles northeast of Vicenza (250 vendors)

Vicenza: Jan. 14, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Duomo, Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Palladio, Piazza Biade and Piazza Castello (220 vendors)

Villafranca (Verona): Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Castello (90 vendors)

Verona: Jan. 6, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Piazza S. Zeno, about 38 miles west of Vicenza (200 vendors).

Bassano del Grappa: Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Terraglio.

Cittadella (Padova): Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., downtown squares and streets, about 21 miles north east of Vicenza (about 80 vendors)

Este (Padova): Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Maggiore and Via Matteotti, about 28 miles south of Vicenza (60 vendors)

Godega di Sant'Urbano (Treviso): Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Via Roma, about 78 miles northeast of Vicenza (234 vendors)

Montagnana (Padova): Jan. 20, 8 a.m. to sunset, Piazza Maggiore 150, about 27 miles south of Vicenza (60 vendors)

Padova: Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Prato della Valle, about 24 miles southeast of Vicenza (180 vendors)

Piazzola sul Brenta (Padova): Jan. 27, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Piazzale Villa Camerini, about 20 miles (850 vendors)

Soave (Verona): Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Antonio Marogna and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, about 23 miles west of Vicenza (110 vendors)

TUSCANY

Birrario dell'Anno

National Beer Contest

Jan. 18, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.; Jan. 19, noon-1 a.m.; Jan. 20, noon-10 p.m., Florence, Tuscany Hall (former Obihall) Theatre, Via Fabrizio De Andrè. More than 150 Italian beers compete for the best one; street food and booths feature a great variety of Tuscan specialties; beer tasting from the best beer producers at the new corner Best Off! Entrance fee: €10 (includes a screen-printed glass and � liter bottle of water); €15 three-day entrance.

MiliTOSCANA- Ai piedi della line Gotica (at the Gothic Line)

Military items exhibit and sale

Jan. 19, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Pistoia, via Sandro Pertini. This 14th edition takes place at the exhibition area La Cattedrale (300 meters from Pistoia train station). More than 60 collectors feature helmets, uniforms, military maps and medals from World War I and WWII. Entrance fee: €6; food court and free parking available.

Sagra delle Frittelle

Frittelle Festival

Jan. 19-March 17, Saturdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sundays, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., San Donato in Collina, Rignano Sull'Arno (Florence). Food booths feature a great variety of frittelle (even gluten-free) traditional deep-fried Carnevale pastries, the famous Vin Santo (sweet wine), and other local specialties.

Marina Abramovi� Contemporary art Exhibition

Through Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Florence, Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza degli Strozzi. This exhibit gathers more than 100 works of the contemporary artist Marina Abramovi� from Belgrade (Serbia). Entrance fee: €12; €9.50 for under 26 or over 65; €4 for children aged 6-18.

Palio di Buti

Buti's Race

Jan. 20, 2 p.m., Buti (Pisa). The first palio, or horse race, in Tuscany every year, the Palio di Buti originates from the religious celebration of St. Anthony, protector of domestic animals. According to a tradition dating back to the 19th century, all domestic animals in Buti were to be blessed by the parish priest. Of all the domestic animals, the horse, being then the only method of transport, was particularly appreciated. After the horses had been blessed, their owners would challenge each other to horse races, which continues today in the tradition of the Palio. The horse race is preceded by dinners in the streets, theatrical performances and a parade in historical costumes at 9:45 a.m.; spectators can follow the competition on giant screens.

Firenze Winter Park - Ice Skating Along The River

Through Feb. 25, Florence, Obihall Center, Lungarno Aldo Moro 7. The ice-skating rink is open from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.; closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. Entrance fee €6; children €5. Equipment may be rented on site for €2; for more details visit http://firenzewinterpark.it/.

TUSCANY ANTIQUE MARKETS

Bolgheri (Livorno): Jan. 12-13, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., downtown squares and streets

Firenze: Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Santo Spirito (about 100 vendors); Jan. 19-20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Indipendenza (about 110 vendors); and Jan. 27, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Ghiberti 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (about 90 vendors)

Forte dei Marmi (Lucca): Jan. 12-13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Dante

Piombino (Livorno): Jan. 13-14, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Cappelletti, Corso Italia, via Fucini, Piazza Gramsci

Pisa: Jan. 12-13, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Piazza dei Cavalieri

Pistoia: Jan. 12-13, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Via Pertini

Siena: Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Piazza del Mercato

Vicopisano (Pisa): Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Piazza Domenico Cavalca

Pontedera (Pisa): Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., main squares and streets downtown

Certaldo (Florence): Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Boccaccio and Via Cavour

Lucca: Jan. 19-20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Antelminelli, Piazza S. Giovanni, Piazza San Giusto, Via San Giovanni, Corte Bertolini (about 230 vendors)

Livorno: Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Piazza Cavour (about 50 vendors)

Marina di Grosseto (Grosseto): Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Via XXIV Maggio

Ponte a Egola (Pisa): Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Garibaldi and Via XXV Aprile

Quarrata (Pistoia): Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Piazza Risorgimento

CONCERTS

ITALIAN & INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

Finley -- Jan. 12, Milan

Riccardo Fogli & Roby Facchinetti -- Jan. 15, Bergamo, Theater

Noyz Narcos -- Jan. 18, Bologna, Estragon

MR RAIN -- Jan. 23, Firenze, Flog

Max Gazze`-- Jan. 24-26, Livorno, The Cage Theater

Davide Van De Sfroos -- Jan. 29, Vigevano, Cagnoni Theater

Luche`-- Jan. 26, Milano, Alcatraz

Tiromancino -- Jan. 28 La Spezia, Teatro Civico

Ermal Meta -- Jan. 30-31, Nizza di Monferrato , teatro Sociale

ABBA DREAM -- Feb. 2, Busto Arsizio, an Abba tribute, Teatro Sociale

SUBSONICA -- Feb. 12, Padova, Kioene Arena

Malika Ayane -- Feb. 14, Padova, Grand Teatro GEOX

Tickets online at www.ticketone.it and www.geticket.it

Find more events for Tuscany at:

www.teamworld.it

www.visittuscany.com

www.firenzeturismo.it

www.turismo.pisa.it

www.tuscany-excellence.com

Related Links:

USAG Italy news site

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy website