Out & About in Italy

By Margherita FrassonJanuary 16, 2019

Buti's Race
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Motorcycle Expo
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Get out and enjoy some fun and cultural activities in Veneto and Tuscany.

Here are some ideas:

VENETO

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 Municipal Theater

Teatro Comunale

The City of Vicenza and Palladio Orchestra will host "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi, a concert performed by the Orchestra Andrea Palladio, Jan. 20, 8:30 p.m. The event is open to the public. Purchase tickets online at https://toptix4.mioticket.it/TCVI/it-CH/events/l'orodellaserenissima/2019-1-20_20.30/teatrocomunaledivicenza-salamaggiore.

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

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

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

• Feb. 5, 6 p.m., harp and drum performance by P. Boniolo and G. Facchin, music by L. Lombardi, G. Facchin, R.M. Schafer, A. Talmelli

• Feb. 12, 6 p.m., concert O Vive Rose Ensemble, performed by soprano I. Brigitte, mezzo-soprano A. Coppo, viola played L. Cescotti, and lute and theorbo played G. Zanin. Misuc by J. Dowland, T. Hume, C. Monteverdi and H. von Bingen

Palazzo Chiericati Musiche per un Viaggio (Music for Travel)

Vicenza, Piazza Matteotti, Chiericati Palace. Each performance will be followed by a toast with artists. Entrance is free, but donations are welcomed:

• Jan. 19, 6 p.m., four hands piano performance of "A Travel among the Eastern Winds." Music by J. Brahms, A. Dvorak, B. Smetana, S. Rachmaninoff, A. Katchaturian

• Feb. 16, 6 p.m., piano, violoncello and soprano performance of "A Travel to the Land of Memories" by V. Lyamina, P. Guiotto and A. Petrella

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.

Palladio Olimpico Project (POP)

Vicenza Olympic Theater

Through April 19, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Sunday, Vicenza, Piazza Matteotti. This project is a new initiative to make a visit to the Olympic Theatre memorable and innovative. Guests will enjoy a narrative method that will take them to a virtual journey to discover stories, voices, videos and images of the theater. During the 45-minute interactive visit, visitors will be given a tablet for simultaneous translation. Tickets cost €7 and may be purchased 15 minutes before the visit at the IAT Information Office, near the theater entrance. Free tickets for U.S. Soldiers and under 18; must show ID card. For more details, visit http://www.teatrolimpicovicenza.it/ and click on POP visits.

Motor Bike Expo

International Motorcycle show

Through Jan. 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

Through Jan. 20, starting at 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 local dialect) on strings from 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

Through Jan. 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.

Fiera del Turismo in Movimento

Itinerant Tourism Fair

Feb. 1-3, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Padova Fiere, via Tommaseo 59.

The 3rd edition of Itinerant Tourism Fair, a display of all the most up-to-date equipment that may be needed for itinerant tourism. Parking area and camper services are provided for public use. Entrance fee €10, students, under 17 and over 65 €8, free under 11. For more information visit www.itinerandoshow.it .

Elezione del Papà del Gnoco

Election of Papa Gnocco

Feb. 10, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Verona, Piazza delle Erbe. This carnival is one of the oldest in Europe. Its symbol is Papa Gnocco (gnocco is an Italian traditional first course made of potatoes): a man with a long white beard who wears a red cloak and holds a large fork topped by a big gnocco as his scepter. Candidates try to buy people's vote by offering them gnocchi and wine.

Veneto Antique Markets

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

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.

Mostra del Disco e del Fumetto

Records and Comic Books Exhibit

Jan. 26-27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Arezzo, Via Spallanzani 25.

An exhibit with more than 70 vendors for a unique comic books show. Collectors may sell, buy or exchange comics and discs. Entrance fee: €5; €4 for senior over 60 and under 14. For more information, call 051.0037306 or visit http://www.kolosseo.com/arezzo-disco/.

Sagra della fritelle

Frittelle (fried dough) Festival

Through 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 domestic animals, the horse, being then the only method of transport, was particularly appreciated. After 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 starting at 10:30 a.m.; closed 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

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

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)

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

MR RAIN -- Jan. 23, Firenze, Flog

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

Luche`-- Jan. 26, Milan, Alcatraz

Tiromancino -- Jan. 28 La Spezia, Civic Theater

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

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 or 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

Editor's Note:

The information on local host nation events is provided through the auspices of the USAG Italy Public Affairs Office. All details provided are for informational purposes only and are a representation of typical events conducted in the local community. The PAO grants no element of exclusivity to any outside agency or business and any reference to commercial or retail activities implies no endorsement or recommendation by the U. S. Army or its agencies. Participation in any event or activity described herein is strictly voluntary and should be done so only after careful advisement and consideration of the safety and security environment at each specific location.

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page