Venice -Entertainment
Off the carnival peak, Venice may look extinct after dark. The calendar of events, however, is often very rich, and cultural events have the advantage. The program of films and concerts can be found at Un Ospite di Venezia, while events outside the serious current of culture are announced on posters.
Music and theater
Venice specializes in classical music concerts, and rock bands come to Padua more often. They have the most elegant concert halls: La Fenice opera (Field S. fantin, Saint Mark; 5210161; close. VIII) and Teatro Goldoni (Calle Goldoni, Saint Mark; 5205422; cash desks in both rooms 9.30-12.30 i 16.00-18.00). La Fenice is not that expensive, like other operas, but it is also not in the top ten in Europe. Tickets cost from 15 OOOL upwards and they are redeemed very quickly. Music performances at Goldoni are a bit less frequent, and the repertoire is not strictly classical and jazz concerts are often organized here.
Classical music concerts are also held at the Palazzo Prigione Yecchie, Grandę School of St. John the Evangelist oraz w kościołach St. Stephen, The Friars and La Pieta. In addition, concerts are recorded for state radio at the Palazzo Labia, for which you can reserve free tickets (716666).
Some bars also host music bands, although of course the music they present is lighter and more popular. These include Paradiso Perduto (usually jazz), To the Rowers (live dance music) and Da Codroma, whose addresses are given above. Free entrance, but there is an increase in the price of drinks in the bar during the show, which is dedicated to the fee for the team.
Discos
In the center of Venice, discos lovers can only go to one place, The Souk in Corfu Street (two minutes from Accademia). 9.00-20.00 there is the "Pub American Bar" (close. sb. afternoon and sun.), a 22.00-4.00 there is a disco (close. nd.). Entrance fee 14 OOOL (including the first drink), but only those are allowed in here, who will appeal to the "goalkeeper."”. If you don't like purple rugs and tinted glass mirrors, there are several others in Mestre and the Lido, rather expressionless discos.
Exhibitions and Biennale
In addition to exhibitions organized by museums, There are many exhibition halls in Venice, of which Palazzo Grassi is the most energetic, owned by the Fiat group. In addition, the Venetian Biennale of World Art, organized for the first time in 1895 r., takes place in even years from June to September. Its permanent seat is in Giardini Pubblici, where the pavilions are located 40 countries (the largest one is for Italy) and an additional showroom for international review exhibitions. This central part of the Biennale is complemented by an exhibition of works by younger and less recognized artists, the so-called. operto, which is often more interesting than the main exhibition. The individual Operto exhibitions are organized in different locations throughout the city, e.g.. at Zattere's salt warehouses or at Corderie at the Arsenal. Moreover, the Biennale is accompanied by (especially at the beginning) not directly related performances, exhibitions and opening ceremonies of various venues.
A ticket for the entire Biennale costs money 10 OOOL, but you can also buy tickets for its individual parts. Exhibits from previous years and an extraordinary collection of brochures and catalogs from around the world are kept in the archives of the Palazzo Corner della Regina (near Ca'Pesaro; Free entrance).
Holidays
Venetians celebrate many holidays with great enthusiasm, which are either not celebrated elsewhere in Italy, or they are celebrated there with less sumptuousness (e.g.. carnival). Even though they have gone through various ups and downs throughout history, their present form closely follows the tradition.
Carnival
The Venetian carnevale takes place during the ten days leading up to the beginning of Lent, and ends with a masked ball for the rich and dancing in the Piazza for the rest. It was reborn spontaneously in the seventies and three years later gained the support of local authorities, which are currently organizing various competitions and performances (details at San Marco tourist office). Besides, the main motive, whom it prompts to participate in the carnevale, there is a desire to show yourself and see others. During the day, people put on their costumes and go to the Piazza, to be photographed. Parents dress up their children, and businessmen go shopping in classic clothes, which consists of a white mask, a black cloak and a three-square hat. In the evening, the assemblies move to other squares, and you, who spent literally hundreds of thousands of lire on their costumes, they sit in Florian's windows and pose.
Masks are on sale all year round, but during the carnival, new mask and costume shops pop up, a tent is being built on Campo San Maurizio, where mask shows are organized and you can buy various patterns.
The Sensa
The La Sensa celebration takes place in May, on the first Sunday after Ascension Day, when the doge took part in the wedding of Venice to the sea. This ritual has recently been revived, albeit in a rather forced form: the mayor with a retinue of dignitaries board the today's equivalent of Bucintoro (state barge) and set sail for Lido.
The Vogalonga race on the same day is more interesting ("Long trip”). Any type of rowing boat can take part in this 32 km race from Bacino di San Marco to Burano and back. Participants arrive at the mouth of the Grand Canal in the hours 11.00-15.00.
Saint Mary of Health
It's an ancient celebration, whose name derives from the Church of Salute, takes place from the moment the devastating plague of years ceases 1630-31. The church was built in gratitude for being saved from the plague and every year since then, 21 November, the Venetians took part in the procession on the pontoon bridge through the Grand Canal to express thanks for their health and to intercede to Mary for sick friends and relatives. Only then can you see the church like this, what it was supposed to look like according to his architect's plans: the main door is open, and hundreds of believers are gathered around the church and on the steps.
The Feast of the Redeemer
It is another festival dedicated to the plague, this time the one from the year 1576. They are celebrated on the third Sunday in July in the Redentore church designed by Palladia, which, like Salute, was built in gratitude for saving the city. Arranged boats form a bridge across the Giudecca Canal, by which the faithful can go to church.
On the eve of the celebration, Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians have a picnic on the water, and the final touch of the night is a great fireworks display, after which, according to the custom, you drive to the Lido to watch the sun rise.
Historical Regatta
Annual demonstration of the strength and skill of gondoliers and other experienced rowers, Historical Regatta, takes place on the first Sunday in September. It begins on the Grand Canal with a grand parade of richly decorated historic boats, which crew, dressed in old clothes, present themselves to the city. Spectators are obliged to cheer on the individual participants of the regatta and may even receive flags in the appropriate colors.
Film Festival
The Venetian film festival takes place on the Lido every year in late August and early. September. Tourist office and cinemas, in which films are shown, Cinema Palace (Lungomare G. Marconi) and Astra (Via Corfu), they have the festival program a few weeks in advance. Tickets are generally available, but you have to queue for them on each show day. Outside the festival period, Palazzo and Astra function just like regular commercial cinemas.