Whether or not you like his films, Franco Zeffirelli is one of the most famous names in Italian cinema, and this exhibition currently showing in the Sala d’Arme in Palazzo Vecchio in his home city of Florence pays tribute to his career. Included amongst the 100 displays are a large number costumes from his films, such as those worn by Maria Callas and Anna Magnani and from the celebrated ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’. Opera is another field in which he is prolific and sketches and designs from such productions as ‘Aida’, Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘La Traviata’ are on display.
Archive for November, 2008
LA2000
Los Angeles’ official millennium celebration at the Coliseum will begin with an Olympic-style opening ceremony and culminate in a 20-minute firework display and laser show, with some fireworks designed specially for the event. The day-long, family-oriented show will continue with performances by 3000 musicians, including the USC Trojan Marching Band, joined by a 700-member drill team and pep squad from the Los Angeles Unified School District, a 1000-member choir and a 600-piece Millennium Show Band from southern Californian high schools. As the minutes tick down to the new millennium, the Coliseum will be transformed into the world’s biggest millennium clock. Tickets cost $55, $135 and $150, and the event will also be broadcast live by KLSX 97.1 FM Talk Radio. The Coliseum show is one of three major events that make up the Los Angeles Millennium Show, which also includes a street festival, live entertainment stages, games, food booths and dancing. For information on events at Exposition Park and the Sports Arena contact Visitor Information Centres on 1-213 689 8822/1-213 689 8822.
Freddy Cole Quartet
He may be the brother of Nat ‘King’ Cole but he is his own man, as his long and distinguished career as a pianist and jazz singer proves. This one-off concert by Cole and his quartet – guitar, double bass and drums as well as Freddy’s piano – also features as special guest Cedar Walton, another jazz pianist who is best known for his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. It promises to be an enjoyable evening for musicians and audience alike.
Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
One of the most popular post-Christmas events is the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition at the RDS. Over two days, some 10,000 people visit the exhibition, which showcases the invention and innovation of over 600 school kids. Scientific discoveries on display include tracking the possibilities of success at monopoly, mud as a beauty balm, and more serious topics. As entertainment for some of the thousands of kids who visit the event, the exhibition itself will feature its own radio station and a newspaper office run by students.
Treasures of the Last Russian Emperor
Over 400 priceless Russian artifacts are on display at the legendary Queen Mary ocean liner. It’s a rare opportunity to view some of Romanov Dynasty’s greatest cultural treasures, valued in the tens of millions of dollars. These include precious jewellery, silver statues, costumes, figurines, priceless weapons, garments woven of pure gold and encrusted with jewels, religious relics, historic photographs and ceramics. Take the expanded Shipwalk Tour and see restored areas that have been under wraps since the ship’s final voyage in 1967. You can also spend the night in the original First Class Stateroom or board the Russian submarine, Scorpion.
Pastis
Keith McNally has for some time had his finger on the pulse of Manhattan’s eating and drinking preferences, having brought the city Odeon, Café Luxembourg, Lucky Strike, Pravda and Balthazar, to name a few. And if he’s still on the money with his latest venture, the city is suddenly taken with what the New York Times calls the new faux-hemia: upmarket venues that carry a veneer of bohemian pretension. Pastis attempts to capture the ambience of a Parisian bistro in the Henry Miller era, full of faux authenticity but with a menu that more than compensates. For the late-night party kids (read Leonardo DiCaprio) there are burgers, steak frites, omelettes and delicious soups and desserts, but the roast lamb, the skate, the seafood stew with chorizo, braised veal and more make for an excellent dinner. Or at lunch you can simply do the très Parisien croque monsieur or even a simple but tasty fish and chips. Brasseries are suddenly all the rage in New York, and Pastis leads the pack. Dinner will set you back $30-$40 (£18-£24).
Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film
Film premières normally lead corpulent cretins to squeeze themselves into tuxedos but it is measure of how unorthodox this festival is that it will begin with a body painting competition. After such a trashy entrée, the films on offer seem positively high-brow, featuring such celluloid milestones as ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Frankenstein’ and ‘Shark Skinman and the Peach Hip Girl’. There will also be a restrospective of works by off-beat Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto, a ‘movie gimmick show’ with 3-D monsters and the ever-popular Vampires’ Ball.
Fin de Sicle Dinner
Every Friday for a limited period of time, indulge in a nine-course dinner featuring dishes by Auguste Escoffier and inspired by such Belle Epoque luminaries as Sarah Bernhardt, Gioachino Rossini and Nellie Melba. Between courses, the Animali Musicali ensemble will be performing the Offenbach operetta ‘Ba-ta-clan’. The cost is (hold onto your coat-tails) 200 guilders.
