Spring has definitely sprung in the hills around Siena and so has the city's cultural life, which sports a weekend of concerts, cocktails, exhibitions and clever arty events.
FRIDAY, 3rd of MAY 2013
Start off the evening with a guided visit to the rediscovered crypt below Siena's cathedral. Hear about its amazing history, have a look at the amazingly well kept frescoes and Caravaggio's painting of Saint John the Baptist.
Afterwards enjoy the view onto the tourist free square in front of the cathedral, sip a glass of Prosecco and taste your way through the buffet. Tickets for visit and aperitif 13€. From 7.30 pm (also on the evenings of May 10, 17 and 24).
After the medieval treat jump forward in time at Un Tubo, Siena's new night club close to piazza del Campo. Order a cocktail or rather - a glass of Brunello (the owner has her own winery in Montalcino) and listen to Italy's jazz meeting funky New York: Simone Graziano quintet presenting their new album FRONTAL. Simone Graziano (electric piano), David Binney (sax - electronics), Dan Kinzelman (sax), Gabriele Evangelista (double bass), Stefano Tamborrino (drums).
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MAY 3/4
Siena is hoping to become one of Europe's two cultural capitals in 2019, an initiative supporting the city's necessary mutation from gothic dream to a lively home for its 21st century inhabitants.
The project is presented to Siena's population with a mobile tent, which will be put up this weekend in the residential area around piazza della Costituzione. It's a 10 minutes drive from the historic town center, but the events, participating artists, live music and activities for kids may make it worth hopping into your car, so as to get an idea of the creative future of the city.
On the same note, two inspiring art projects, which are supported by #Siena2019, are taking place in the historic town center on the weekend.
The Siena Art Institute presents the works of L'Arte Nasce Camminando, a student art project called Art is Born Walking. Italian artist Bernardo Giorgi has guided the students in their creative mapping out of Siena. As a walking and map lover I enjoyed looking through the pages of the blog that has been put up on purpose of the project: Mapping and Archiving the City.
The works of the 13 international students will be on show at Galleria Didde on Friday (from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Saturday (from 11 am to 5 pm). Via del Poggio, close to the Cathedral. Entrance is for free.
Last but not least, an interesting new approach to art shows has been started by Fuoricampo, a young art gallery in Siena. The concept of RSVP is to give you and me the chance to look at contemporary art in some of Siena's most beautiful buildings - privately owned, they are normally not accessible to the public.
The opening of the first show of the project is this Saturday with Sienese artist Serena Fineschi who exhibits her work at Galleria FuoriCampo (via Salicotto 1/3, from 6 pm). The RSVP opening will continue in the beautiful private setting of Casa Piccolomini (via Piccolomini, 27 - you will be accompanied there by staff from the FuoriCampo gallery). Serena Fineschi's works can be seen at Galleria FuoriCampo until the 18th of June.
FRIDAY, 3rd of MAY 2013
Start off the evening with a guided visit to the rediscovered crypt below Siena's cathedral. Hear about its amazing history, have a look at the amazingly well kept frescoes and Caravaggio's painting of Saint John the Baptist.
Afterwards enjoy the view onto the tourist free square in front of the cathedral, sip a glass of Prosecco and taste your way through the buffet. Tickets for visit and aperitif 13€. From 7.30 pm (also on the evenings of May 10, 17 and 24).
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| Caravaggio and drinks: guided evening visits and aperitifs, May 2013 |
After the medieval treat jump forward in time at Un Tubo, Siena's new night club close to piazza del Campo. Order a cocktail or rather - a glass of Brunello (the owner has her own winery in Montalcino) and listen to Italy's jazz meeting funky New York: Simone Graziano quintet presenting their new album FRONTAL. Simone Graziano (electric piano), David Binney (sax - electronics), Dan Kinzelman (sax), Gabriele Evangelista (double bass), Stefano Tamborrino (drums).
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MAY 3/4
Siena is hoping to become one of Europe's two cultural capitals in 2019, an initiative supporting the city's necessary mutation from gothic dream to a lively home for its 21st century inhabitants.
The project is presented to Siena's population with a mobile tent, which will be put up this weekend in the residential area around piazza della Costituzione. It's a 10 minutes drive from the historic town center, but the events, participating artists, live music and activities for kids may make it worth hopping into your car, so as to get an idea of the creative future of the city.
On the same note, two inspiring art projects, which are supported by #Siena2019, are taking place in the historic town center on the weekend.
The Siena Art Institute presents the works of L'Arte Nasce Camminando, a student art project called Art is Born Walking. Italian artist Bernardo Giorgi has guided the students in their creative mapping out of Siena. As a walking and map lover I enjoyed looking through the pages of the blog that has been put up on purpose of the project: Mapping and Archiving the City.
The works of the 13 international students will be on show at Galleria Didde on Friday (from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Saturday (from 11 am to 5 pm). Via del Poggio, close to the Cathedral. Entrance is for free.
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| Sienese artist Serena Fineschi |
Last but not least, an interesting new approach to art shows has been started by Fuoricampo, a young art gallery in Siena. The concept of RSVP is to give you and me the chance to look at contemporary art in some of Siena's most beautiful buildings - privately owned, they are normally not accessible to the public.
The opening of the first show of the project is this Saturday with Sienese artist Serena Fineschi who exhibits her work at Galleria FuoriCampo (via Salicotto 1/3, from 6 pm). The RSVP opening will continue in the beautiful private setting of Casa Piccolomini (via Piccolomini, 27 - you will be accompanied there by staff from the FuoriCampo gallery). Serena Fineschi's works can be seen at Galleria FuoriCampo until the 18th of June.