Wait, what? It’s March already? I can’t really believe it either, possibly because I am currently in Rome, coming back later this evening to accept the reality that I have to pay rent and start a new month when February slipped by like a edgy teenager. One consolation prize is that we are itching ever nearer to spring, I hesitate to write that because I’ve become more suspicious like Italians and perhaps just by typing ‘spring’ I have let the groundhog see it’s shadow and we have plenty more of winter left. In more realistic news, let’s check out what interesting events this month has to offer. I’m already getting giddy with excitement for some new art and a taste festival guaranteeing me a lifetime membership at the gym. Let’s see what the lineup has to store for us this 2015. And please let me know if I missed anything. I always add to this list throughout the month so be patient :).

Art | March 1, Free First Sundays at Florence Civic Museums

The first ‘free’ Sunday of every month has now become a ‘Free Museum Sunday’ which means state and municipal museums are free to everyone (this includes the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, the Gallery Academy and the Medici Chapels to name a few). My recommendation is to check out the newly restored Michelozzo Library at the San Marco Museum, a place that is very underrated but absolutely one of my (now thanks to guide Alexandra Lawrence) favorite museums in the city. According to ITALY Magazine ‘Under the reign of Lorenzo il Magnifico, the library became one of the favorite meeting points for Florentine humanists such as Poliziano and Pico della Mirandola, who could easily consult texts there in Latin and Greek. San Marco is also famous as the seat of Girolamo Savonarola’s speeches during his short spiritual rule in Florence in the late 15th century.’

Charity | ‘Women Supporting Women’ on March 8, 12pm–10:30pm Convitto della Calza, piazza della Calza 6 which is near Porta Romana in Florence.

Women Supporting Women unites expat and Italian artisans together to fight against domestic violence.Last year alone Artemisia, the women and children’s crisis center in Florence Italy, assisted approximately 1400 women, and their children, escape domestic violence. This important event on March 8th, International Women’s Day, showcases artisans coming together for a special showing to raise funds to support the very important work that Artemisa does. In the Convitto della Calza they will have a special marketplace selling crafts and at 7pm starts the aperitivo, please join(you can purchase your tickets at the Paperback Exchange and if you can’t come – you can donate here.

Art | Van Gogh Alive, until April 12th, Santo Stefano al Ponte near Ponte Vecchio.

A special multimedia show displays artist’s masterpieces by projecting high-definition images of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces in larger-than-life scale. I think this is totally cool and something I don’t think Florence has done before, I’m excited to check this out likely next week. Organized by grande exhibits, it explores the life and work of the great post-Impressionist painter from 1880 to 1890 during his time in Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, the locations where he created many of his timeless masterpieces. Open every day until April 12, 2015, 12 euro. site.

Food Fair | Sagra of Frittelle in San Donato in Collina, Rignano sull’arno. Until March 29th. 

Every Sat & Sun 9/10am – 6pm is a carnival that is never going to end for us, and we couldn’t be more thankful. Just think frittelle, beautiful fried fritelle and if that isn’t reason to visit San Donato in Collina. I’m not sure what is.

Arts & Craft Fair | Artigianarte. March 1. Obihall, Via Fabrizio De Andrè. (bus 14). From 10am till 7pm.

Search through artisan made goods and antiques at the this annual fair (in it’s 25th year) at the Obihall theater in Florence south. Here you can browse through benches, furniture, vintage toys, handbags, sunglasses, accessories, and especially look out for the vintage postcards, newspapers, books and prints, vintage advertising, photos, labels, calendars, holy pictures, cards and many other small pieces of paper that people have found in the drawers of their grandfather or collected for years. Also take a look out for the cool collection of vintage fans and the ceramics collection of “painters of flowers “Art Nouveau by Richard Ginori.  Just take bus 14A towards Girone and ask the driver to let you off at ‘Obihall), he will know where it is. Full ticket € 3 reduced € 2. Info: tel. 0558979756 to 3483396638

Pre-Taste Events | All over Florence.

One of the greatest things about the ‘Taste’ Food Fair are all of the events happening beyond it. It can be overwhelming to sift through them all, so here are a few ones that I thought sounded fun next week before Taste actually starts, and you can see the full list here.

• March 3 – 5th th. 6-10pm. 1930’s – 1940’s Aperitivo & ‘Happy Feet’ at the Four Season’s in Florence, Italy. The lobby of the FS Florence became a vintage hotel ballroom for a ‘fuoridifaste’ event. Cocktail Mixologist Luca Angeli will prepare ‘old style’ drinks. For information and reservations: 055 2626450 – 055 2626470 [email protected]. Price: 15 €. Address: borgo Pinti 99, Florence.

• March 5th, 12pm – 3pm.  ‘Formula of Taste’ at the Obicà Mozzarella Bar in Florence, 10 Italian excellences for 10 years of Taste. Obicà, through a special menu, will present 10 outstanding products that each day are always on their menu. The dairy farm Bufalat, Paolo Petrilli, Iasa, Molino Quaglia, Pasta Gentile, Farm Cinzia Ceci, Ancient Ardenga Massimo Pezzani, Salumificio Santoro, Winery Marchesi Mazzei, King Langhe Ceretto Winery for information and reservations: 055 2773526, [email protected], Price: 35 €. Address: via de’ tornabuoni 16, Florence.

• March 5th, 6:30pm.’ Cinta.. Of These Days.’ Special Tasting & Aperitif at Wine Bar Il Santino. The quality and tradition of the Cinta Senese family Renieri to Santino comes together with this interesting aperitif and tasting in a contemporary environment. For information and reservations: Address: Via Santo Spirito, 60r – Florence 055 2302820 [email protected],  www.ilsantobevitore.com. Price: from 6 €

• FREE EVENT: March 5th. Have a drink and learn about the cooking school Food Studio. Food Studio will offer an aperitif with prosecco and samples of products prepared by the chefs of the school. The participants (insiders and not) will be able to visit the space and learn about the events planned for the spring-summer 2015 for information: [email protected] www.florencefoodstudio.com. Via dell’Ardiglione, 39r – Firenze.

Taste Fair | Taste Florence, Mar 7 – 9th 2015. Stazione Leopolda.

The most important taste fair in Florence with all sorts of deliciousness from 320 different participating firms. Over 15,000 people attended last year’s event and I believe that since it is the 10th anniversary, there will be more people clamoring for tasty samples than ever before. Trade members get exclusive access Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 13.30 pm while the public can join after. And what’s almost MORE fun than the taste fair are the many events going on outside it, all during what I like to call ‘the tastiest week in Florence’. From gluten-free street food at Quinoa I kid you not) to tea-infused gelato or a grappa-filled finale. More info here.  Fuoriditaste events here. Address: Viale Fratelli Rosselli, 5, 50144 Firenze.

Crafts | Mostra Mercato at Fattoria di Maiano | Saturday March 14 & Sunday March 15th. 10am – 6:30pm.

Only five kilometers from Florence is a pretty awesome place (reachable by bus) that regularly holds events open to the public. This weekend the Maiano farm is hosting their craft fair on both Saturday and Sunday. Not only can you browse artisan-made goods but there is a pretty spectacular panoramic view of the countryside from their restaurant terrace. You can read more about the place here.

Art | Power and Pathos. Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World, New Exhibit at Palazzo Strozzi.

Art lovers around Florence rejoice, the Palazzo Strozzi is ready for their brand new exhibit from March 14th until June 21st and it’s time to get mad about the bronze. According to the Palazzo Strozzi they will be ‘showcasing some of the ancient world’s most important masterpieces of sculpture with exhibits from leading Italian and international museums. The exhibition uses 50 bronze sculptures to tell the story of the spectacular artistic developments of the Hellenistic era throughout the Mediterranean basin. Under Alexander the Great Hellenistic sculpture saw the birth of a genre known as “portraits of power”, but at the same time it also revolutionized the style of Classical art by imbuing its figures with pathos, or expressiveness.’ €10.00 Full price (reduced prices for over 65+ and students). Open Monday to Friday, 9.00-13.00; 14.00-18.00, Tel. +39 055 2469600, [email protected].

Talk | ‘Women Taking Back the Streets’ MARCH 15th at Le Murate Caffè Letterario, 11am.

A very special event that I am very proud to share is this save the date on March 15 at the Le Murate Caffè Letterario in Florence. Join Molly McIlwrath, Michelle Tarnopolsky, Alice Trippi and the feminist activists and extraordinary women of the 13 Febbraio Pistoia along with writer and political activist, Lorella Zanardo of IL CORPO DELLE DONNE who will give a talk about WOMEN in ITALY, addressing the topic of FEMINISM today and more.

They will also be presenting a documentary (with brand new subtitles in English for a wider public) that the Rete 13 Febbraio made two years ago in collaboration with the city of Pistoia to name three new small city parks after three women in history. Read more about the event (in Italian here) and hope to see you all there.

St. Patricks Day | Irlanda in Festa, Obihall, March 17th.

St. Patty day party at the Obihall – Saschall space on the 17th, the fun starting at 7:30pm. Think Irish music, food, a lot of people and plenty of beer {naturally}. I’ve been a few times and it is pretty fun, you can take the number 14 bus from the city center to get to Obihall. It costs 12euros to get in, and it’s a great excuse to drink beer and pretend you know how to Irish dance. Book your tickets here. Address: Via F. De Andrè angolo Lungarno A. Moro
50136, Florence.

Aperitivo | Juice & Burgers with The Florentine Staff, March 18th. 6:30pm – 8:30pm. The Diner, via dell’acqua 2.

We all love burgers and juice (well I prefer wine but you get my drift) so why not join the fun members of The Florentine staff for a few spring treats including mini-burgers and fresh juices.

Talk | Talking Italy. When? March 18, 6pm. Where? British Institute, Harold Acton Library, lungarno Guicciardini 9, Florence

I spotted this neat via The Florentine “John Hooper, the Italy and Vatican correspondent for The Economist and Southern Europe editor for the Guardian, recently published a provocative book, The Italians. A portrait of a simultaneously fascinating and perplexing culture, the book is making waves in the media for its honest yet affectionate approach. Hooper will be on hand at the British Institute to discuss how he came to write the book.”

Artisan Fair | ARTour-Il bello in piazza, March 21-22, 10am – 8pm. Where? Piazza della Carmine (oltrarno). 

Craft fair in the oltrarno for one weekend in March showcasing local artists selling their work in Florence’s newly pedestrian piazza. I’m happy they are doing this because if this isn’t going to be a parking lot any more, at least they are using it for public good.

Instameet | World Wide Instameet #WWIM11 all over the world (and Italy too).  March 21-22

If you love instagram as much as I do, then you probably might want to take part of a world wide appreciation for taking photos, and ‘gramming’ them. There are meetups all over the country, from Milan to Sicily and you should check out the main site here, to see which one is closest to you. In Tuscany, they are hosting one in Castiglioncello on Saturday, March 21.

Special Openings | March 21-22nd, Spring into Tuscany!

One weekend in March, those in Florence can visit the Marucelliana Library (Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm) and the Corsini Villa in Castello. You can see what else is open this weekend here.

Movies | Original-Language Movies at the Odeon, piazza strozzi, Florence, All March.

Lately Nico and I have been mildly obsessed with the movies, with so many Oscar nominated (and now winners) films currently being shown, how could we help ourselves? So far we have checked out the Imitation Game, Selma, American Sniper and there is no better place (in the world in my opinion) than watching these movies at the beautiful cinema Odeon. Get your overpriced caramel popcorn and the great thing is, you can read the Italian subtitles too. Check out the current showings here.

*Also don’t forget about the Korean Film Fest going on from March 20 -29th, list of events here.