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Rome Tourist Guide :: Rome Entertainment
Entertainment & Nightlife
Excellent online sources for finding out what's happening
currently in Rome are:
Time Out
Rome
Romac'e'
What's
on When
Films
Some cinemas in Rome occasionally show films in English. These include
the Metropolitan on via del Corso near Piazza del Popolo,
Warner Village Moderno at Piazza della Repubblica,
and Nuova Olimpia on via in Lucina off the via del
Corso.
During the summer there are some outdoor film showings,
one from Isola Tiberina, another in the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (metro
of the same name near to Termini).
Opera
The main opera theatres in Rome are Teatro
dell'Opera on Piazza Beniamino Gigli, and Santa
Cecilia, which is located at Auditorium Parco della Musica
of Rome. This auditorium was designed by the architect Renzo Piano.
Music
Some churches in the centre are known for their occasional choral
and classical musical performances. One is the beautiful,
small, Baroque church of Santa Barbara dei Librai (patron
saint of sudden death) in Largo dei Librai off via del Giubbonari, between
via Arenula and Campo dei Fiori.
The Auditorium Parco della Musica is a spectacular
building and its bars and ambience make it a superb venue for classical
and modern concerts. You can search the calendar for upcoming events
and buy tickets online at:
www.culturalitaly.com
If you're interested in Jazz, la
Palma on via Giuseppe Mirri, 35, is a taxi away (not easy
to get to otherwise) but its complex of different levels of bars, tables
and seating around an outdoor stage make it a really interesting place
to watch bands.
Another famous jazz joint is in Prati, Alexanderplatz,
at via Ostia, 9.
Festivals
Every year there’s a Fandango Jazz Festival
held between June and July shared between la Palma and the Auditorium
Parco della Musica.
Trastevere has its own neighbourhood street festival, The Festa di
Noiantri (“the festival of we others”), for two weeks in
mid-July. It’s held in honour of the Madonna del Carmine, with
processions, a special market and a big fireworks display.
Throughout summer, from June-September, Estate
Romana puts together art exhibitions, opera, ballet, contemporary
dance, theatre, readings, cinema, classical music, jazz and other performances
at indoor and outdoor venues throughout Rome.
January
Epiphany celebrations, nationwide. All cities, towns,
and villages in Italy stage Roman Catholic Epiphany observances. One
of the most festive celebrations is the Epiphany Fair at Rome's Piazza
Navona. Usually January 5 to 6.
Festa di Sant'Agnese, Sant'Agnese Fuori le Mura.
During this ancient ceremony, two lambs are blessed and shorn, and their
wool is used later for palliums (Roman Catholic vestments). Usually
January 17.
February
Carnevale, Piazza Navona, Rome. This festival marks
the last day of the children's market and lasts until dawn of the following
day. Usually February 4 to 5.
March
Festa di Santa Francesca Romana, Piazzale del Colosseo
near Santa Francesco Romana in the Roman Forum. A blessing of cars is
performed at this festival. Usually March 9.
Festa di San Giuseppe, the Trionfale Quarter, north
of the Vatican. The heavily decorated statue of the saint is brought
out at a fair with food stalls, concerts, and sporting events. Usually
March 19.
Easter Sunday (Pasqua). In an event broadcast around
the world, the pope gives his blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's.
April
Holy Week observances. Processions and age-old ceremonies--some
from pagan days, some from the Middle Ages--are staged throughout the
country. The most notable procession is led by the pope, passing the
Colosseum and the Roman Forum up to Palatine Hill; a torch-lit parade
caps the observance. Beginning 4 days before Easter Sunday, which is
April 20 in 2003.
Festa della Primavera, Rome. The Spanish Steps are
decked out with banks of azaleas and other flowers; later, orchestral
and choral concerts are presented in Trinità dei Monti. Dates
vary.
May
Concorso Ippico Internazionale (International Horse Show),
Piazza di Siena in the Villa Borghese. Usually May 1 to 10, but the
dates can vary.
June
Son et Lumière. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum,
and Tivoli areas are dramatically lit at night. Early June to end of
September.
Festa di San Pietro, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.
This most significant Roman religious festival is observed with solemn
rites. Usually around June 29.
July
Festa di Noantri. Trastevere, Rome's most colorful
neighborhood, becomes a gigantic outdoor restaurant, with tables lining
the streets, and merrymakers and musicians providing the entertainment.
After reaching the quarter, find the first empty table and try to get
a waiter--but keep a close eye on your valuables. For details, contact
the Ente Provinciale per il Turismo, Via Parigi 11,
00185 Roma (tel. 06/3600-4399 ). Mid-July.
August
Festa delle Catene, San Pietro in Vincoli. The relics
of St. Peter's captivity go on display in this church. August 1.
Ferragosto. Beginning on August 15, most city residents
not directly involved with the tourist trade take a 2-week vacation
(many restaurants are closed as well). This is a good time not
to be in Rome.
September
Sagra dell'Uva, Basilica of Maxentius, the Roman
Forum. At this harvest festival, musicians in ancient costumes entertain,
and grapes are sold at reduced prices. Dates vary, usually early September.
December
Christmas Blessing of the Pope. Delivered at noon
from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope's words are broadcast
around the world. December 25.
Bars
For a more traditional Italian experience, try a neighbourhood enoteca,
or vinaria, these are basically wine bars, and some
of which also serve excellent snacks.
Two famous haunts in Rome are Bar della Pace and
Harry’s Bar. Bar della Pace has a superb 50’s
décor, and outdoor tables against a vine-covered exterior. It’s
on via della Pace, 5, not far from Piazza Navona. Harry’s Bar
(“legendary”), is the where to be seen spot, with prices
to match at via Veneto, 150, up from Piazza Barberini. Another really
elegant (and high-end) bar is in the Stravinskij Bar
in Hotel Russie, on via Babuino, 9, off Piazza del Popolo and near to
the Spanish Steps. For a more bizarre mix of locals and visitors, there’s
Jonathon’s Angels at via della Fossa, 16, near
to piazza Navona.
Clubs
We asked around all our friends to put together the following recommended
club list (current for March 2005). The area best-known for the density
of its nightclubs is the area called Testaccio. Here
you’ll find Goa , open Fridays, probably the
hippest pure dancing place at via Libetta, 13. There’s also Ketum
Bar, via Galvani, 24, a sushi restaurant (fairly expensive)
which often has Friday music nights. Also in Testaccio, try Cafè
Latino, via di Monte Testaccio, 96.
In Prati, there’s The Place, via Alberico II,
27/29, which has live music.
In the central area around Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori, are
the following:
The Supperclub,
within a 14th century palazzo, is a Friday night out in true Fellini
style. Dinner (around €80 per person) is served to you as you lounge
on giant sofas. There’s live entertainment and a disco bar. You
need to book , it’s on via de’Nari, 14, near to Campo dei
Fiori. La Cabala is good for Friday nights on via dei
Soldati. La Maison is on via dei Granari, and Centrale
is in Piazza del Gesù. Near the Pantheon, there’s Salotto,
a very fashionable cafè-bookstore, at Piazza San Pietra, 42.
In Villa Borghese, there’s Art Cafè on
via del Galoppatoio, and off via Veneto is Room at
via Lucullo, 9, (Saturdays).
For a more mature crowd, Gilda’s on via Mario
de' Fiori, 97, has a piano bar and disco floor. It’s very well
known and easy to find from either via Tritone or Piazza San Silvestro.
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