Women’s Day is observed in various forms around the world on March 8th. What started in 1909 as a Socialist political movement for women’s rights in the U.S. has evolved into a less revolutionary, more generic celebration of the female sex. In Italy, it’s called “La Festa della Donna,” which literally translates to “Women’s Party” – yeah! Ladies get together for a girls night out, traditionally with no boys allowed (unless they’re entertainment). This Women’s Day 2013 in Florence, besides the popular male striptease, there are a whole lot of festivities to choose from:

1. The Gift of Mimosa

Mimosa flowers for sale | Photo credit: Gonmi on Flickr

A Women’s Day custom enjoyed only in Italy, the Mimosa was chosen as the holiday flower not only because it blooms here in March, but because its inexpensiveness makes it available to anyone wanting to give. The fluffy blossoms looks like yellow powder puffs and smell like springtime. Traditionally, men buy them for women, but I’d say they’d make a just as great of a female-to-female gift.

 

 

 2. Free Entrance to State Museums

Capella Brancacci Firenze
Inside Capella Brancacci | Photo credit: Musei Civici Fiorentini

Musei Civici Fiorentini
For Reservations: info.museoragazzi@comune.fi.it | 055 2768224 or 055 2768558 (9.30 – 13.00, or 14.00 – 17.00)

Being a girl on March 8th gets you into the Palazzo Vecchio Museum, the Stefano Bardini Museum, Museum Salvatore Romano, and the Santa Maria Novella Church for free! And if you make a reservation, you can add Brancacci Chapel and the panoramic Palazzo Vecchio Tower to the list! Visit the civic museum website to check opening times (and how much money you’re saving). Why not visit them all? It’s your day!

 

 

 

 

 

3. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Concert at Half Price

Maggio Musical Firenze Festa della DonnaMaggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra & Choir
Directed by: Andrea Battistoni
Teatro Comunale | Corso Italia, 12

Showtime: 20:30

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is Florence’s musical heart, drawing maestros and talent, from around the globe, to take part in orchestra, choir, ballet, and opera performances in their stunning theaters. Ladies who print the flyer and bring it to the Teatro Comunale ticket office get seats at the March 8th concert for €7.50-€17.50! (Everyone else pays €15-€35)

Ticket Office
Corso Italia, 16
Open Tues-Fri: 10 – 16.30
+39 055 2779 350
biglietteria@maggiofiorentino.com

4. A Special Dinner

Ristorante Santa Elisabetta Firenze Ristorante Santa Elisabetta
Hotel Brunelleschi’s Torre della Pagliazza
Piazza Santa Elisabetta, 3

+39.055.2737607
eventi@hotelbrunelleschi.it

Dinner in a Byzantine tower that used to be a female prison (and is now one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the city) is not only an extravagant affair, but it also kind of serves as a symbolic reminder of the progress women have made throughout the centuries – perfect for this important day. If you’ve been an extra-special women this year, treat yourself this luxurious, 5-course dinner by candlelight, in an intimate setting of just seven tables. Menu (€69): Fried salt cod with aromatic herbs | Octopus roasted with red wine, vegetable Ratatouille | Sea bream ragout with lemon and cherry tomatoes| Sea bass fillet with a tomato, anchovies, and capers sauce | Lemon cake with orange sauce | mineral water; espresso | Wine pairings (included): Kerner, Alto Adige Doc; Gewurtztraminer; Muller Thurgau, Alto Adige Doc; and Muffato Della Sala. 

5. A VERY Special Dinner 😉

YAB Firenze Festa della DonnaYAB Disco Club
Via dè Sassetti, 5r
Dinner served at 21:30
Open entrance from midnight

Information, list, & reservations: 349 0764688 (Alessio) | info@festadelladonnafirenze.com

One of the most popular (and our-stamp-of-approval-good) nightclubs in Florence’s historic city center is throwing a Women’s Day bash that’s “the spiciest of all.” While festivities are dedicated to the ladies, the doors are also open to men – you know, to “make the girls’ hearts flutter” (as if the sexy waiters and male strip show during dinner won’t do the trick). If you actually look down at your plate, you’ll notice there are four courses, including red wine and mimosa cake for the occasion (€20 for the ladies, €25 for men). If you want to make like Cinderella, show up after midnight, when girls on the list get in FREE (sorry guys, you’ve got a €16 cover). And everyone can dance the night away to tune of DJ house music and male strip show round two.

6. A Very Special Dinner in a Very Special Place for a VERY Special Cause

Societa Canottieri Firenze
Now that’s a venue | Photo credit: Societa’ Canottieri Firenze

Societa’ Canottieri di Firenze
Lungarno Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici 8
(green door)

Reservations: 349 2554648  (Cristina)
or 055 50 00 210

If someone let me create my dream Women’s Day celebration in Florence, even I wouldn’t have been able to come up with something this good. Seriously, this is an apericena (buffet dinner) happening at the Societa’ Canottieri Firenze (the Florence Rower’s Society). If that means nothing to you, you know that paradise patch of green on the banks of the Arno, right next to the Ponte Vecchio? THAT’S where this party’s at. The rowers? They’re going to be there – in their designer underwear – putting on a fashion show. Italian actor Gaetano Gennai? He’s coming, too. With a DJ. And the circus. Then, Le Vanita’ perfumery is going to give all the women free gifts. And that’s not even the best part! The real icing on the cake is that this is all for charity. Your €25 minimum donation goes towards the selfless efforts of the ANT foundation. Besides being the geniuses that organized this event, they provide free, home health and social care to cancer patients and their families, in addition to carrying out prevention projects. See you there?

7. A Special Treat For your TASTEbuds

Taste festival florence
Eating and no judgement is everyone Women’s dream!| photo credit: The Velvet Circle

TASTE
Stazione Leopolda; Viale Fratelli Rosselli, 5, Firenze
Information Contact: giulia.bellini@pittimmagine.com

Ladies this is going to be the best day of your life, a dream come true. Not only is this day dedicated to women but Pitti Immagine is having their ninth edition of Taste the same weekend! All the food and wine you can gorge on from 12 different regions of Italy.This event is dedicated to the excellence of taste and food lifestyle. So give yourself and your tastebuds a little gift ( only €15) because you know you deserve it! Event is open to the public from 12:30-7:30 but if you can’t make it Saturday the event runs until Monday (only half of a day).

 

8. Not done tasting? That’s Fine There is More Food

La Donna Dinner at Desco
If this doesn’t yell sophisticated I don’t know what does.

Bistrot Il Desco
Via Cavour, 27, Firenze
Information Contact & Reservations: +39 055 288330|
info@ildescofirenze.it
Lunch Served: (12:30-15:30) 

This great little place located right by the center is having a special tasting menu on this very special day. All for €32 you will get a flute of Prosecco, one anitpasto, one first course, one second course and a desert or you can choose individual courses from the menu which is offering: Bundle of phyillo dough with broccoli and cod (€8); Paccheri delicate red mullet and shrimp sauce (€10.50); Fillet of sea bass with herbs over roasted potatoes and arugula pesto (€16) and of course for desert cheese cake with strawberries(€6).  

 

 

9. Celebrating Women’s Day Wiki Style!

Women and Wikipedia Artist
Writing a post on Wiki, I’ll take it!

Women and Wikipedia Artist
Syracuse University
Piazza Savonarola, 15, Firenze
March 7 @ 14:00-17:00
Confirm in advance to: linda@advancingwomenartist.org 

Hey ladies! Have you ever been interested in writing a wiki entry or editing highlighting the life and works of each artist? Now that’s something cool to brag about to all your friends. Taken place this Friday a marathon of editing which aims to bring together scholars, writers, historians, and just art lovers. These wiki entries are to highlight the achievement of female artist, contemporary and past. The best part of this is that it’s free but just make sure you confirm your attendance ahead of time and bring your laptop and power cords.

 

10. Special Art Exhibition

Art exhibition
Special tribute to Ethel Kennedy

 

Ladies For Human Rights
Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice and Human Rights Center Europe
Via Ghibellina, 12/a, Firenze  
Contact Info: 055.5389250| infoeurope@rfkcenter.org
Open: 9:30-13:30; 14:30-18:30

If your a art lover then this is something you should check out ladies on this day dedicated to you. An art exhibition consisting of 18 portraits of extraordinary women. These women were dedicated to the defense of human rights all around the world. This artist focuses on mixed media using recycled material in a ecological and environmental protection. The exhibit will remain open until April 6th so if you can’t make it this weekend you still have other opportunities.

 

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