The giant Chromosaur and the “fire animals”; the magician and the illusionist; the ventriloquist and the “sweet fairy,” a lunar character who gives dreams. Plus wild touring bands through the downtown streets, entertainment and mini theater marathon, ancient games and food festival, with “street food” as the protagonist.
From Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28, the historic center of Castelfiorentino (FI) will light up with “In/Songs and Stalls,” an “Open Air” magic festival that will invade the streets, squares and alleys of the historic center through a sequence of performances on fixed or traveling stations, all with free admission (stores open).
The program of the event was presented this morning in the press room of the Regional Council.
As those present reminded, while foodies will be able to delight their palates as early as Thursday 25 with the “Food festival” (open from 6 p.m., accompanied by DJ sets and some preview theater performances), magic will raise the curtain starting Friday evening (May 26, from 9 p.m. 00), through the first “close encounters” with magicians and conjurers, the marching band of an unusual married couple-musicians, the captivating choreography of “fire and dance,” clowns on horseback and some bizarre characters, while those who wish can engage in playful activities or be immortalized in a “minutera” photo, according to the technique adopted by traveling photographers a century ago.
The “Food festival” will also continue (opening at 6 p.m.) with many gastronomic delights representing the best of the Italian food tradition.
On Saturday, May 27, starting in the morning, the streets of the shopping center will be enriched by the craft market curated by Confesercenti with a “themed” set-up, while in Gramsci Square – from 12 noon – the “Food festival” will continue for the entire day. Saturday evening will open with a musical show by the “Slinky Band” (BadaBimBumBand), which among music, dancing and twirling will be interspersed with a giant “chromosaur” that will roam among passersby, and exotic beasts from “Circo Cerini,” the only circus in the world with fire animals: from bioluminescent aquatics to dancing salamanders. In Gramsci Square, the little ones (and more) will be able to delight among more than thirty wooden games and on the marbles track, to relive the ancient folk traditions of fun.
In the upper historic center, there will be room for manipulation, mime, illusionism and pantomime. There will be a chance to run into a magician skilled with cards, or perhaps with the “Stramagante,” a jester who will drag spectators into his ancient world; again, in the game of perspectives of the “Flea Circus,” or watch the “Tango Magic” show by Novas (Italian magic champion in 2010), who tours Europe with his act that can blend the magic, poetry and energy of the tango into a mix of body, enchantment and elegance.
On Sunday, May 28, the day opens with a craft market in the downtown streets and – from 12 noon – the “food festival” in Gramsci Square. Twelve food trucks (from angus burgers to Sicilian arancini, from Neapolitan fried pizza to fagotto di’ Chianti, from Abruzzese arrostici to fried coccoli, etc.) with numerous craft beers (which gluten free) and cocktail bars will delight the most demanding palates. In the afternoon, from 4 p.m., the mini theater marathon will kick off, a traveling circuit consisting of six different theater stations that will repeat every 30 minutes until 6:30 p.m. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., there will be the presentation of certificates of participation to the companies, followed by a short theatrical performance.
Finally, the exhibitions: from the widespread one by Davide Dall’Osso (“Community”) with a series of installations located in the capital to that of Vinicio Berti at the Ridotto of the Teatro del Popolo and at the Oratorio di San Carlo (where, moreover, a “vernissage” is scheduled for Friday 26 at 6 pm. 30); from the one focused on the “fashion day” of the photographic group Giglio Rosso (via Tilli, room 1) to that of “Sei di Castelfiorentino se” in the event space of Corso Matteotti, dedicated to the black and white photos of Stefano Longhi (where the latest volumes of Alessandro Verdiani will also be presented). Finally, for the entire duration of the event, the windows of the stores in the center will be embellished with works created by young people with the “Metamorphosis” project, while the Be.Go. Museum can be visited free of charge.
“In/Canti e Banchi,” observes the mayor, Alessio Falorni, “festival of open-air magic, is also enriched this year with the food festival, where we will be able to range between some dishes that represent the best of the Italian food tradition. For three evenings, we will be able to watch a sequence of performances
surprising and evocative, interpreted by some of the best Italian talents in the field and street bands that will give us moments of music and merriment. There will also be the opportunity to visit some quality exhibitions, such as those of Davide Dall’Osso and Vinicio Berti, and to rediscover the beauty of our historic center. Therefore, I would like to thank Terzostudio, which is in charge of the artistic direction of the shows, Confesercenti for its entry into the event and the many theater companies and associations in the area that collaborate on the program, along with the sponsors who have always ensured their valuable and irreplaceable support.”
In Canti e Banchi is promoted by the City of Castelfiorentino (artistic direction Terzostudio) in collaboration with numerous associations.
Sponsors of the event: Banca Cambiano 1884 Spa, Toscana Energia, Unicoop Firenze, Ati servizi, and also Scotti Ugo, FC Cornici, Dani Marmi, Accademia Italia, Tamburini Srl, Beauty at Home, Lorenzo Ciapetti and son, L’Accento, Assicurazioni Generali, Errebici, Calugi Tartufi.
For detailed information on the program and show times (which you are advised to check out): www.incantiebanchi.it; www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it; and the dedicated facebook page.