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Taormina Congress Hall, Wednesday 27th December 2023 @ 7.00pm
Music by Verdi, Lehar, Bernstein, Vivaldi, Bach and Christmas Carols
MORE INFO
Orchestra Mandolinistica Gioviale > www.facebook.com/mandolinisticagioviale
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
From December 26th 2023 to January 7th 2024
Parrocchia Sacro Cuore di Gesù –Trappitello, Taormina (ME)
Free Entrance
During Christmas time in Italy, you are bound to come across cribs in homes and piazzas all over the country. Many cities also have a living crib, or a living nativity scene. It is thought that St. Francis hosted the first living nativity scene in 1223, sparking a tradition that continues in Italy to this day. Beginning on Christmas day, and running until January 6th, towns throughout Italy hold pageants to re-act the night of Jesus’ birth. Actors portray Mary, Joseph, the three Magi and other biblical figures from the gospel.
In Trappitello, peripherical area of Taormina, every year in Chrismas time, a Living Crib with more than 200 “actors” and “walk-ons” is organised. It is one of the most appreciated living cribs of Sicily counting 22.000/25.000 people visiting the event every year.
The location set is the huge garden of the old small church of Santa Venera with impressive old buildings such as an oil mill, a millstone, a mallet and a windmill. While in a secluded and evocative place the Capanna della Natività is located, where the Holy Child is welcomed and warmed by the love of his parents, Maria and Giuseppe, and by a docile ox and a tender donkey.
In fact there are many and various animals “working” as extras in the crib – among which a majestic camel stands out.
On January 6th, according to tradition, the Three Wise Men (the Three Kings) will enter “Bethlehem”, bringing their gifts to Baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
At the exit of the Living Nativity there is the possibility to visit the ancient Church of S. Venera, admire a rich exhibition of Holy Jesus and taste typical products of our tradition.
Opening hours
– 26 December – 5.00 pm / 8.30 pm
– 27 Dicembre – 6.00 pm / 8.30 pm
– 29 Dicembre – 6.00 pm / 8.30 pm
– 30 Dicembre – 6.00 pm / 8.30 pm
– 1 January – 6.00 pm / 8.30 pm
– 2 January – 5.30 pm / 8.30 pm
– 3 January – 5.30 pm / 8.30 pm
– 5 January – 5.00pm / 8.30 pm
– 6 January – 5.00pm / 8.30 pm
– 7 January – 10.30am /12.30 – 4.00pm /7.00pm
MORE INFO
How to get there: Motorway A18 Messina/Catania, exit Taormina, Direction SS. 185 (statal road, blu sign), 500 metres from the motorway exit.
More info: T. +39 0942/50210 – M. +39 339/8320324 and +39 379/2077738 – presepetrappitello@gmail.com
FB: www.facebook.com/presepetrappitello
#presepetrappitello
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Church of Santa Caterina, Friday 15th December 2023 @7.00pm
The Tetra Kordes Quartet is composed of four young virtuosos of the plectrum instruments, trained at the Conservatory A. Scarlatti in Palermo: Jona Patò and Riccardo Lo Coco on the mandolin, Francesco Tralongo on the mandola, Domenico Pecoraro on the guitar.
MORE INFO
Taormina Plectrum Orchestra > www.facebook.com/orchestraaplettrocittaditaormina
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Congress Hall, Monday 11th December 2023 @ 8.30pm
Free Entrance
Music by Verdi, Lehar, Christmas Carrols
Conductor: Maestro Leonardo D’Agostino
MORE INFO
www.facebook.com/mandolinisticagioviale
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Taormina Congress Hall, Sala B – December 10, 2023 @ 4.00pm
Genre: Musical Clown, puppetry
Audience: Suitable for everyone
Duration: 55 mins.
Graduated from the Universidad Externado de Colombia in 2004 and since then has intertwined her life as a lawyer with the juggling
art she learned in Spain in the 90s, up until 2007. She became one of the pioneers in bringing circus arts to Colombia as an urban practice, beyond the traditional tents, and introducing it to the university at the Externado de Colombia.
Her fundamental pillar is the audience, as she firmly believes in exploring emotions and human relationships to find a point of connection that links the audience to each of her wonderful works that have been showcased in many parts of the world.
The Band’ Animal explores and experiments with the universe of musical clowning. It is the search for visual and auditory poetry within chaos. Beauty within what is labeled as trash. It is a participatory concert realized alongside the audience, an essential element of the entire performance.
The protagonist is Maestra Divarius, an eccentric character, animal-loving philanthropist, dedicated to her project of socio-human-animal inclusion and rehabilitation.
This particular group of plastic animals transforms into music stars. There are 18 plastic toy animals, including five pigs, a seal, a dog, a cow, a goat, a chicken, a duck, and a sheep. They discover their true talent that gives meaning to their lives through music.
The life stories and triumphs of these small animals move and inspire, inviting playfulness and highlighting the simplicity of life, taking the audience on a journey of absurdity and surprises, almost leaving them in stitches from laughter.
“Laughter is what I take most seriously,” says Paula Malik.
(Source: https://fincfestival.com)
>> International Comedy Festival – Full calendar <<
TICKETS on ticket.it
Adults: € 12,00
Under 18 and Over 65: € 8,00
MORE INFO
Paula Malik > www.paulamalik.com
FINC Festival > https://fincfestival.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Taormina Congress Hall, Sala B – December 9, 2023 @ 8.30pm
Title: Un’improbabile Storia D’Amore
Genre: Visual Comedy – Clown
Audience: suitable for everyone
Duration: 70 mins.
When a cabaret star, incredibly elegant and refined, crosses paths with a sweet but clumsy individual, everything becomes possible.
It’s the beginning of a love story that defies all conventions, between him, awkward, and her, irresistibly self-assured. This tale catapults us into a whirlwind of emotions: from conquest to excitement, from despair to the purest joy.
Gestures speak louder than words, revealing the universal magic of falling in love. Gestures and music are the true protagonists of this show that has toured the world, garnering numerous awards and audience acclaim.
Dandy Danno & Diva G are a comedic duo primarily visual. They share the common goal of introducing the audience to the authentic pleasure of laughter. Silence, the absence of limits and barriers thanks to the universality of body language, draws the audience into constant interaction.
Laughter ensues, allowing oneself to be swept away and actively participating in the performance, which becomes a surreal “bubble” capable of encapsulating, with great purity, actors and spectators.
(Source: https://fincfestival.com)
>> International Comedy Festival – Full calendar <<
TICKETS on ticket.it
Adults: € 12,00
Under 18 and Over 65: € 8,00
MORE INFO
Theatre Degart > https://fincfestival.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Rally di Taormina
Taormina and other locations along the Sicilian Ionic Coast, 9 and 10 December 2023
Two races this year: Rally di Taormina, dedicated to latest generation cars and “Rally di Taormina Legend” with old historic cars that have written the most beautiful pages of the the history of rallies.
Departure @2.11 pm from Piazza Duomo
>> Full Program (in Italian) <<
MORE INFO
Rally di Taormina > www.rallyditaormina.it
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Taormina Congress Hall, Sala B – December 8, 2023 @ 8.30pm
Title: A Life in Her Day
Genre: Physical Comedy, puppetry
Audience: Suitable for everyone
Duration: 60 mins.
Unconventional and extraordinarily entertaining, this award-winning ” A day in the life” is a wonderful blend of physical comedy, clowning, and serious theatre.
What happens when our heroine discovers an “engagement” ring in the cereal box? A one-hour show where a lone woman and a few objects come together in a delightful and wonderful blend of physical comedy and clever humor,” as our heroine contends with a “pretend family” made up of everyday household objects.
The show exhibits moments of profound subtlety, brimming with humanity and humor.
“A Life in Her Day” is an impeccable display of originality and virtuosity in physical comedy, a beautifully constructed and delivered piece of work that is truly international and intercultural.
Directed by Avner Eisenberg, the Guest Star of the first edition of the Finc Festival in Taormina 2022.
>> International Comedy Festival – Full calendar <<
TICKETS on ticket.it
Adults: € 12,00
Under 18 and Over 65: € 8,00
MORE INFO
Hilary Chaplain > https://hilarychaplain.com/
FINC Festival > https://fincfestival.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Taormina Congress Hall, Sala B – December 8, 2023 @ 5.30pm
Title: Nerd Compilation
Genre: Visual Comedy, Contemporary circus, juggling
Audience: Suitable for everyone
Duration: 60 mins.
Nicola Virdis, the Nerd, presents a whirlwind of gags and comedic situations that engage and entertain the audience.
His show is highly original and never the same; in fact, it is the audience that helps and guides the Nerd in building the sequence of gags and collaboratively constructs the performance’s “lineup” on the spot. With his incredible sense of humor, Virdis will showcase stage actions, musical games, and surreal antics using strictly 80s objects and situations. This helps the audience grasp a very original concept: “if you know how to lose, perhaps you’ve already won.”
Nicola Virdis is a comedian, visual comedy performer, juggler, and contemporary circus artist who graduated from the Cirko Vertigo Academy in Turin.
His character, without speaking, achieved great success on Italy’s Got Talent 2019, receiving the golden buzzer and securing third place in the finals. He has also participated in talent shows in Spain, France, Germany, and Romania. His catchphrase “Turn Around” has garnered millions of views on social media and YouTube.
Virdis, through his comedy, conveys a very important concept: “it doesn’t matter what you do, but how you do it.”
>> International Comedy Festival – Full calendar <<
TICKETS on ticket.it
Adults: € 12,00
Under 18 and Over 65: € 8,00
MORE INFO
Nicola Viridis > www.nicolavirdis.it
FINC Festival > https://fincfestival.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
Taormina Congress Hall, Sala B – December 7, 2023 @ 8.30pm
Title: Jump Cut
Genre: Contemporary circus
Audience: Suitable for everyone
Duration: 50 mins.
Founded in 2016 by two acrobats and filmmakers, Summer Hubbard and Raphaël Herault, Double Take – Cinematic Circus is a circus and filmmaking company guided by the exploration and blending of circus and cinema (both on the stage and on the screen).
Combining techniques of both circus and cinema, “Jump Cut” is an acrobatic show built around a story which is the true heart of the performance. Inspired by real events, “Jump Cut” takes you on a journey through time and space, offering a surreal and acrobatic perspective on how Summer and Raphael, as a couple, navigate this life together.
In their living room, which appears to have come straight out of a dream, there is a massive sofa-trampoline, an oversized lamp, and a miniature electric train. It’s a playground full of life, unexpected twists and turns where every moment of life is poetically celebrated, from the most simple to the most tragic.
While giving prominence to visuals and imagery, “Jump Cut” blends various circus techniques which includes: trampoline, partner acrobatics, aerial acrobatics, and floor acrobatics.
Through a unique use of imagery and symbolism combined with innovative set design, the couple have developed a distinctive language that is uniquely theirs, enabling them to tell a story through movement capable of transcending generations.
Intentionally designed to offer various layers of interpretation, “Jump Cut” can be appreciated internationally by audiences of all ages and imaginations.
(Source: https://fincfestival.com)
>> International Comedy Festival – Full calendar <<
TICKETS on ticket.it
Adults: € 12,00
Under 18 and Over 65: € 8,00
MORE INFO
Double Take Cinematic Circus > www.doubletakecinematiccircus.com
FINC Festival > https://fincfestival.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta
