Welcome and benvenuti to all my followers around the world,
Busy, busy, that’s the best description for the music scene here in Tuscany!
The ‘We will Rock you’ musical by Queen and Ben Elton is currently showing at Teatro Verdi in Florence, fabulous music of course and as a Musical, really entertaining. It’s a great time of year to be in this atmospheric city for concerts and theatre. You can get a last-minute ticket for tonight (Sunday) at Italian Ticket Office
Just a short distance away and closer to us, Dominic Miller’s concert tour hit Empoli last night. Now Dominic has been around for years, a lesser known but brilliant guitarist who is best known for supporting Sting (our neighbour) on many world tours. I have only just spotted this in the paper, so too late for me to go, I am a little annoyed with ‘Bands in Town’ who are supposed to notify me of these events! But anyway, look out for Dominic’s new album being released on the 1st March called ‘Absinthe’. Visit dominic miller he has a fascinating history.
And what else is happening in Tuscany? I hear you ask. Well, whilst enjoying coffee in Fiano this morning, I discovered an article about The Orient Express. Now I never travelled on this rather intoxicating sounding train, I would have loved to mind. But this reminded me of a much more local steam train excursion which takes you through gorgeous Tuscan countryside stopping at towns and villages along the way. You can take a whole day out just indulging in the ride and stopping for events, festas and wine tastings. The train company is based in Siena and is called Terra di Siena Treno Natura and runs between March and October. OK, I have persuaded myself that I will book a trip this year! Why don’t you come with me?
Also in the newspaper, as in most papers around the world, it was addio to that unique fashion designer and celebrity, Karl Lagerfield. As you know, I follow Italian fashion closely, and whilst Karl was based in Paris and associated with Chanel, since the sixties he worked closely with Fendi and became a director of the company, which is based in Rome. Fendi dedicated it’s show in Milan last week to the great man. Well I had best get my orange handbag out again as it is obviously back in vogue!
And staying with the subject of fashion I couldn’t help but fall in love with another Luisa Spagnoli outfit. Clothes should be striking and for me feminine. I have been in business all my life and historically wore smart skirt suits, with understated jewelry and a subtle flash of colourful silk scarf. These days I like to be less formal but with a touch of sophistication. It’s perfectly possible to dress Italian with a girlish edge and still go to business meetings. Good clothes can help one ooze confidence, try it, get noticed, boost your ego! Oh and wear your hair loose!
Meanwhile the sun is shining on our little bit of Chianti, but the biting wind has us scurrying inside and lighting the log fire. February is always an unpredictable month but the promise of spring is on the budding ash tree and the first daffodils are appearing in nooks and crannies.
Well, we are going out for lunch at today and we’ll decide where once we get in the car. It’s very easy to fall into the habit of going to the same place every week. If the people, the ambience and the food all tick the right boxes, it’s tempting not to go any further than one’s local ristorante. February is also a little limited as many restaurants only open in the evenings out of season. Roll on April!
Have a great week and do drop me a line. Send me an email at june.finnigan@virgin.net if you want to be added to my Rock Concert invitation list. The next date is June 21 2019 in Tuscany and personal invites will go out the first week in March!
Salute June x
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