Skip to main content

UMBRIA JAZZ TOP GIGS 2011

It's called Umbria Jazz, and in fact Ahmad Jamal, Herbie Hancock and Branford Marsalis are there for a reason. But the most expensive concerts are the ones of Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Liza Minnelli and the artist formerly known as Prince - or is it just Prince again? 

Whatever his name he is scoring the highest ticket price - 75€, right before Carlos Santana - 51€. If you wonder whether Liza is still going strong (or going strong again) you can get a cheap seat for 23€. And as every year we are treated to a Latin night with some of the Brazilian big shots: Gilberto Gil and Sergio Mendes - cheapest tickets 18€. See you there!
If you come, come early. Lots of free live music during the day and great atmosphere. Umbria Jazz - one of the few things you can't get in Tuscany. 

Popular posts from this blog

WINE AND ARCHITECTURE: PETRA WINERY BY MARIO BOTTA

Southern Tuscany is home to a handful of wineries, which are often described as wine cathedrals.  The Petra vineyard near Suvereto (by architect Mario Botta) is an interesting example of this new approach in winery architecture. At Petra the world-class architect went beyond designing an impressive wine cellar, but also included the outlay of the vineyards in his aim to form a contemporary agricultural landscape.  Main building of the Petra Winery in Suvereto If it is true that the way to good wine starts in the he vineyard, it is also true that only the quality of the cork,  the design of the label,  and the beauty of the bottle shape will bring the consumer's experience to full circle.  Taking this thought further it's obvious that the birthplace of a good or even fantastic wine, is yes the vine and its grapes, but also the winery building in particular and the whole estate in general.  If you know any of Botta's works,  you'll recog...

TUSCANY'S BEST RESTAURANTS: MICHELIN STARS 2015

Chef Roberto Rossi at Michelin starred restaurant Silene in Seggiano If you ask my Tuscan native about memories of his best meal at restaurant Silene - the latest arrival among southern Tuscany's Michelin starred restaurants - he won't recite the dishes of an epicurean tasting menu but deliver the account of an epic football game right after his best friend's wedding lunch.  C hallenged by a group of local teenagers during a post wedding cake cigarette break, my Tuscan native and friends were  drunk and stuffed with Roberto Rossi's gourmet food, but must have managed to look smart nevertheless when entering the village's football pitch in their designer suits . Legend has it that team Armani managed to battle off the assault of the sober 17-year-olds, but seemed on the verge of a break down when o ne of the wedding guests summoned for a penalty had to excuse himself behind the goal post to throw up a mix of vintage Brunello, wedding cake and homemade tagl...

Storytellers at the Todo Modo bookshop in Florence

I may not be religious, but I totally worship the Todo Modo bookshop in Florence for its beautiful interior design, central location - a ten-minute walk from the station and Ponte Vecchio - and the cafè hidden among shelves and plants hanging from the roof. UqBar serves some of the best lunches to be had in Florence - especially for people who'd love to forego the usual Tuscan fare for a delicious miso soup . But Todo Modo does another thing well. The shelf-filled spaces in the back can be turned into a small theatre which makes for a great event space among all the books. I had my Across the Big Blue Sea book presentation there and was back last month for a Storytellers night - the first event of a great new series.   Linda and Steve, the team from the The Beehive Hostel in Rome have decided to take their storytellers nights to Florence, and Todo Modo has agreed to host them. Whether residents or just travelling through, English speakers will have great fun...