Blending Newsletter February/March 2015

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 1 - YEAR 5 | PALAZZI/FUA | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

UPCOMING APICIUS FOOD & WINE STUDIES CONFERENCE

by Blending Staff Photos by Gabriella Ganugi

Food and wine experts, students, enthusiasts, and appreciators, mark your calendars for a unique opportunity to interact with industry professionals.

Apicius, the hospitality division of FUA, will be hosting a one-day conference in Florence on April 11th , 2015 entitled “Teaching Traditions: Teaching Methodologies in Hospitality and Food and Wine Studies.� Special guest speakers include academic

figures from highly regarded universities and professionals representing quality Italian food producers, wineries, and hotels who will share their perspectives and ref lect on how Italian hospitality and gastronomic culture are impacting education

and industry today. In addition to the lineup of special speakers, the conference program also includes a cooking show and tasting panels, guided by Apicius faculty and student chefs, featuring a carefully edited selection of Italian cuisine

and products. The conference is open to both the general public and the FUA student and faculty community.

Please contact academics@fua.it for further details and to RSVP.

ART

PROBABLY UNCONSCIOUSLY INSPIRED: JEAN MARC MONTEL

by Michaela Bubier

Photos by Spencer Sisselman

Wednesday, February 18th was the gallery opening at Ganzo for Jean Marc Montel’s exhibition of Probably Unconsciously Inspired.

As the curators of the show, we found Montel to be a joy to work with and his lively personality came through in his paintings, filled with bright, vivid colors of horses and poppies.

Along with this joy, Montel also picks up on the fears, hopes, and anxieties of the horses in his work, all of which we found to mirror the innocence of childhood that we all once had. Through our interactions with the artist, we came to realize that his passions are actually quite simple. Montel told us that he does not have a specific reason for why he paints horses. He simply enjoys painting them, as he sees them as man’s natural companion. We found that Montel is most expressive in his ideas, thoughts, and emotions when

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using his hands through activities such as his painting, carpentry, and even fencing. You can see this in the exhibition in both his paintings, as well as his “Flower Panel” pieces, which were painted on recycled wooden palettes. His passion for painting these flowers, on the panels and in the poppy paintings, is also simple: He loves to paint them because they are beautiful.

And they are. When viewing Montel’s work, one can pick up on the fact that color speaks to the artist, and he views horses and poppies as purely beautiful things to paint and interact with.

Student Curators: Michaela Bubier, Julia Ennis, Jacqueline Krigbaum, Emily Junker, Alyssa Severe

NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR Fulbright Scholar Jessie Chaffee is working with Florence University of the Arts as the writer-in-residence while conducting research for her novel.

by Jessie Chaffee

Searching for Saints: Santa Reparata, the Buried Saint For the Spring 2015 semester, Fulbright Scholar and FUA Writer-in-Residence Jessie Chaffee presents a monthly column featuring female saints, an important element of her upcoming novel set in modern-day Florence.

Photo by Federico Cagnucci

Santa Reparata is a part of Florence’s invisible history. Like the remains of her church, now buried beneath the Duomo, the virgin martyr’s history is half-hidden. She is said to have been born in Caesarea in Palestine. From there, her story’s shape shifts according to the teller—she was killed for her faith at age 11 or 15 or 20; she was burned alive, beheaded (a single dove springing from the wound), or set adrift in a boat that carried her to Nice.

She arrived in Florence in a roundabout way: On her feast day in the 5th century AD, Roman Florentia defeated the invading Ostrogoths. Santa Reparata was credited for the victory and officially adopted as the city’s co-patron saint (along with San Zenobius). Her church remained the center of worship until the 13th century, when it was absorbed into the Duomo’s much larger footprint. The saint was unseated as the Cathedral and the city were re-dedicated to new patrons: Santa Maria and San Giovanni.

Once a year on her feast day, October 8, Santa Reparata emerges from obscurity and is recognized with a historical procession. She can also be spotted to the left of the Duomo’s main door, where a 19th century statue of this once-celebrated saint watches the crowds come and go.

FOOD

by Emily Purcell Photo by Federico Cagnucci

THE PERFECT MIX: A REVIEW OF AMALO CAFÉ Chocolate and pretzels. Burt and Ernie. Contrast coming together in perfect harmony: that is the best way to describe Amalo.

The small café declares itself as a gelato shop, but also serves a variety of coffees and pastries, including croissants and crepes. The atmosphere is incredibly warm and inviting. Even on a cold, overcast day, the large sliding door to the shop is open, calling in passersby.

The variety of textures, accents of warm pinks and whites and warm lighting keep the cold outside. Amalo’s interior features exposed brick, wood and stone, creating a vintage feeling to the décor, while the menu, counter, and typography add hints of modernity.

A mix of American and Italian music

engages the ears. Some visitors stay and enjoy their purchases on the wooden bench or one of the few tables offered for seating, while others take their treats to go. Many who stay often take advantage of the free WiFi, though plenty of others add laughter and conversation to Amalo’s ambiance. But Amalo is much more than its comfortable atmosphere, as it offers a variety of gelato and sorbet, both of which are made in-house. The gelato is thick and creamy and available for purchase in three different sizes of cup or cone. Gelato can also be served on a warmed waffle, with or without

toppings. A decorated chalkboard suggests a weekly “gelato della settimana,” if you need help picking from the many flavors. Croissants come plain or with cream, chocolate or Nutella and can be served warm upon request. Adding to the variety of edible options are Amalo’s crepes, which have the same filling options as the croissants. All of these tasty treats can be served with a variety of coffee drinks, including cappuccino and americano. Whatever drink and food combination you choose, it is sure to be an enjoyable one at Amalo.

Piazza G. Salvemini 2/3 – www.amalo.info

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TRAVEL

THE ART OF VENETIAN CARNEVALE COSTUMES

by Erin Nicolai Photo by the author

The carnival or “Carnevale” which translates to “farewell to meat” in Italian, is a celebration in Venice which takes place the ten days prior to the start of Lent every year.

Although there are many different carnivals celebrated throughout Italy, Venice is one of the most famous and more popular ones. During the Carnevale in Venice, the streets are filled with hundreds of people dressed in elaborate costumes and masks. Originally, the idea behind these masks was to hide the owner’s identity and social status from others

allowing them to interact with different social classes that they normally would not be in contact with. Each mask represents a specific occupation. So although you could not see who was behind the mask, you knew a little something about them. For example, the one with the long nose, called “The Plague Doctor Mask” was meant for a doctor in the hope of protecting themselves from diseases while treating their plague patients. Another unique mask is the “Moretta” which was worn by women to show off their unique feminine 4

features. It was made to be worn by the maid servants, however, this mask has not been worn since about 1760. The mask is just one part of these elaborate costumes. The outfit itself has even more details and is usually designed with many bright colors, like gold and silver, and is immense. I went into the Antonia Sautter costume shop where I talked with one of the employees and asked her questions about the costume making process. She said that the costumes are all handmade and cost about 400 euros to rent for 24 hours. You could also purchase these costumes, but the price would vary depending on how detailed the costume you wanted was.

To make these costumes, they take a stamp made of wood, such as the one above, and go over it with a sponge and the desired color. Then they proceed to hammer it over the fabric to create the elegant patterns. The shoes are another crucial part of the costume and are made with rubber bottoms that are stitched together with yarn. Although the rubber these designers use is not recycled like most materials in Italy, it is important for the soles of the shoes to indeed be rubber considering they don’t leave any marks on the gondolas. Since the gondolas play such an important role and are important to the city of Venice, it is important to remember and always be wearing an outfit that is chic and stylish, but yet respected in your area. According to a former fashion designer and one of my professors at FUA, “the celebrating of costumes does indeed influence the fashion world.” The big costumes help to spark ideas and the exceptional details on each of the costumes worn at Carnevale show just how important the role of a fashion designer really is. These costumes take many months to create, but with hard work and dedication, they seem to come out extraordinary.

Venice is just one of the major cities of Italy that continues to influence the fashion world through its traditions and events such as Carnevale.

NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

CARNEVALE THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE

by Abbey L. Murphy Photos by the author

The first evidence of Carnevale dates back to the year 1162. Initially, the festival lasted for 6 weeks. Today the festival is shorter, only lasting for about a month.

Despite the difference in length, many traditions remain unchanged.

After speaking with Florentines about my Carnevale experience in Venice where I learned to appreciate the beauty of the city rather than revel in extravagant festivities, I began to gather that the coastal Tuscan town of Viareggio is another exciting Carnevale destination in Italy. I had to check it out, and I was able to participate thanks to a tip-off from a FUA professor. I observed many passersby in Carnevale gear from the moment I got off the train. As we walked from the train station to the seashore, the celebration gradually began to pick up. When we finally reached the coast, the street was packed with people and bursting with energy, music, floats, and confetti. The parade, the key event, began at two in the afternoon and we arrived with enough time to grab lunch. Street food abounds in Viareggio during the festivities, so it is best to bring your appetite. We tried cecina, a type of chickpea flatbread that is out of this world, and sampled freshly caught and fried seafood sold directly from a fishing boat. The parade features approximately 12 massive paper mache floats that are made at Viareggio's La Cittadella del Carnevale, a sort of citadel where floats are developed and constructed throughout the year. Each float expresses a political allegory, and is an ironic, playful, and reflective representation of the public’s opinion. The floats are aesthetically amazing and reflect the spirited nature of Carnevale that I was hoping to see. The enthusiasm and passion for the festival did not falter throughout the duration of my stay in Viareggio. Citizens both young and old threw candy and confetti, happily posed for pictures, and at the end of

Photo by Isabella Martini

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the parade allowed my friends and I to climb aboard a float. My experience in Viareggio made me feel like an active participant in a local Italian tradition.

Overall, both Venice and Viareggio offer unique Carnevale experiences to visitors in Italy. Venice's celebrations focus on elaborate masks and costumes, while Viareggio's highlight definitely comes in the form of the satirical parade floats. I would recommend both celebrations to a Carnevale-goer, but one may be a better choice than the other depending on what type of experience the traveler is looking for. Since Carnevale extends throughout the month of February, why not go to both?

FASHION

STEPPING INTO STYLE FLORENCE SHOE SCENE

by Chandler Viox and Lindsay Keaton Photos by the authors

Chandler and Lindsay, FUA Fashion Communication Interns, will be reporting regularly for Blending's fashion section. Watch out for future “Stepping into Style” pieces throughout the semester.

In the leather capital of the world, one of the industries that thrive here in Florence is none other than the footwear industry. With a plethora of materials readily available and at-market prices that can’t be beat, some intriguing styles are created. When walking around the city, it’s hard 6

to ignore the unique footwear that roams the sidewalks.

Shoes are a great way to express personality and make a statement with each outfit. Throughout Florence we have spotted some amazing styles on the fashionable residents and we couldn’t resist sharing.

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FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

Bree, 20, is rocking a pair of edgy, glossy black high-heeled booties from Aldo Milano. “I really love these shoes because the chunky heel makes it easy to walk around Florence’s cobblestone sidewalks and their edginess matches my style and persona. The rubber material is great also, because they are waterproof!”

Shawn, also 20, is wearing a pair of gray suede and leather sneakers. He loves them because they match perfectly with skinny jeans and a flannel or sweater, “These shoes are really versatile; I can wear them out at night or causally during the day. I can’t help but check out my feet all the time.”

STREET STYLE

by Cliodhna Joyce-Daly and Erin Nicolai Photos by the authors

The Italian fashion designer, Miuccia Prada once said, “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world… Fashion is instant language.”

To some, especially Prada, fashion is a piece of art. And this art can transcribe itself into a wool coat, silk scarf, or diamond necklace.

To Italians fashion is everything; whether it is going out to eat or walking through the cobblestone streets, you will never see an Italian dressed in anything less than chic.

And as a city in one of the most fashionable countries of the world, Firenze, makes no exception to the rule.

As the sun beats down on the Duomo, it is not surprising to see men and women set new fashion trends everyday as they walk the streets of this quaint city.

Women Black is the new Black.

It is no surprise while walking along the river Arno, you can spot relaxed and bustling Italians sporting the color…… black.

So what makes this color so spectacularly “in”?

For one, it’s a very

slimming color, but for Italians that’s not a problem.

Well, according to Christian Dior, “Black is always in,” and it can go with almost anything.

The success these three women pictured, prove the color can be worn with any color and still look fashionable.

The two navy coats display a more casual daytime look, the all-black outfit can work for either an evening look or walking daytime wear.

Men Chic, Comfortable & Clean-Cut: The perfect combination for a look that will leave you feeling and looking great while walking through the streets of Florence.

Although men’s fashion has really transformed, it still can be tough to fight the urge to throw on sweatpants and a t-shirt when running out for a quick bite to eat. So what makes this stylish individual stand out on his lunch break?

His success in putting together an 7

outfit and matching every last touch, from his necklace to shoes, help him to create a unique look. His first fashion staple is the layering of his shirts. Having a collared shirt underneath a sweater helps to create a balance between “the casual, out to lunch” look and “ the professional businessman” look. Guys, just like this one, wear clothes that are more tailored to their body type creating a look that is clean cut and elegant. His tighter slightly cuffed ripped jeans help to effortlessly show off his shoes. He incorporates something into his style that both genders in Italy can appreciate: leather. Both his shoes and belt are the same chocolate brown color, which help to complete his chic look. Although both of these articles are very simple, they help create a balance between fashionable and comfortable.

His outfit is finished off with a unique necklace, circular sunglasses and a pea coat.

So, what is it that makes this guy a trendsetter? His exceptional style and eye for coloring. The key to a successful outfit is matching accessories and combining neutral colors.

Just take a quick walk along the streets of Firenze and see what this fashion capital has to offer.

STUDENT VOICE

BUILDING FLORENCE

by Zachary Hammer-Macias Photo by Christina Garcia

The streets were nearly empty, except for the other few people walking home just as I was. The air was crisp and I could see my breath each time I exhaled. My friends headed towards their apartment as I headed in the opposite direction towards mine. I knew where I was. It was late and all I wanted to do was head straight for my bed.

Turn after turn every sight became new. These grand brick buildings built up in front of me and the streets no longer became familiar. With every step I became more lost. It was as if Florence was being built right in front of my eyes. Although for me it was being built; It was building into my memory.

The streets grew a lane and the buildings grew few. There were more plants growing from the ground. The cold air grew less of a concern as I wandered farther away from the city.

There were many castle-like structures, brick-layered symmetrically from the ground up. The colors of the city began to slightly disappear. The buildings were more often brown or grey. I had wandered my way back to the Fiume Arno but about two miles north of the city center.

This was a whole new side of Florence.

The bricked streets disappeared and were replaced with dirt pathways and areas of patchy greenish-brown grass.

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The path was pretty wide and I was the only one on it. The only sound was the river rushing by and my feet as they shuffled through the dirt. The area was unkempt but the view of the lights in the distance, glowed brightly guiding me home. The few domes erected up

above the highest building.

A cat jetted across my feet leading me to a small closed down carnival.

There were bumper cars, a small roller coaster, swings and little game booths.

All of it looked so out of place. Just plotted right next to the river with

NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

no gates enclosing it. It just existed.

Without the lights on, the place seemed dull. Nothing was moving, no one was around, it just sat there. Everything was so small. There was one path through the center with a game or ride on either side. I could picture the lights and rides all turned on. Kids screaming, parents chasing them. I could sense the life it

brought during the day into the early evening. I could imagine the fun. The colors of the light bulbs and the designs that filled up the empty metal spaces of each ride, when lit, brought life to the quiet area. It eventually ended and I quickly crossed over the street at the end of the carnival and the atmosphere changed again.

Two elderly men were leaving the city after a night out on the town.

The streets were bricked again and the city began to be rebuilt. I could hear the hum of these men’s voices as they swiftly spoke, passing me by.

The buildings grew before me and the streets began to narrow again. I was on the right path home.

FINDING A STORY IN FLORENCE

by Maggie Schutz Photos by the author

I am the girl sitting at a library table completely oblivious to everything but her book. The world's most famous actor could stroll up to my table bearing his most charming smile, and I would continue reading unaware. My friend tries to get my attention; finally I process her question: “Are you ready to go?” Nodding my head absentmindedly I linger over the last paragraph before letting the cover fall back onto the pages. As a lover of stories, I am constantly looking for characters to befriend, places to imagine, and adventures to unfold; yet when I close my book and say goodbye to fictional friends, I know it is time to start work on my own story.

The early years of adulthood made me terrified of the abstract idea of “growing-up.” I didn’t want to give up my daydreams and assume financial responsibility. Fortunately, my imagination refused to entirely leave me. I discovered that everything in life, whether it is mundane or extraordinary, has a beautiful human story behind it. In quest of finding my own story, I wanted to detach myself from comfortable routines and habits, instead discovering the different ways others have created stories throughout the existence of humanity. I came to Florence hoping to uncover as many stories hidden within historical buildings as I could, but after living here I realized that it is the locals who pass me everyday who give life to the hidden gems.

As I was walking down the streets studying the buildings I turned onto Via Guelfa and saw the Monastero di

Sant’Orsola, with a bunch of paper hanging off it. I walked closer and noticed fake money hanging from the walls. Taking one in my hand I read a stamped inscription, “Fabulously wealthy. The wealthy. Top 2-20%.”

Away from the Duomo and the David, tourists don’t flock to this area, yet here stands an incredible masterpiece: a

meeting point in time between modern society and historical Italy. This old, run down, and abandoned monastery was given life by the public demonstration.

I found an intertwining of two stories. The building’s story wheezes amongst crumbling foundation as the counterfeit money infused a protesting voice into the warn walls.

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Florence is not a city intended for people to find themselves. While it is great to see famous and wellrespected works, there is no divine power that will magically give viewers the answers to life. This city, however, carries a rich history throughout the beauty and ugly.

The monastery helped me realize that my story doesn’t have to stand alone; it can weave amongst others change direction whenever.

Stories are not clean-cut lines, but raw diamonds thrown across the ground scattering light everywhere.

Simply stepping over to the right gives a complete new perspective.

Don’t focus only on single pieces, but randomly follow the light throughout the city. The protestcovered monastery is one diamond in Florence I have found, but it is only one part of my great story.

FACES & PLACES

SECRETS IN THE STREETS

by Lauren Fromin Photos by the author

Living in Florence can be overwhelming at first, with all of its narrow streets weaving and winding their way to unfamiliar places. Without even realizing it though, once we familiarize ourselves with our paths through the streets, we become accustomed to seeing details, objects, and structures – without realizing their meaning and history. Florence’s streets are filled with the secrets of the city’s history waiting to be told to those that wander. Perhaps these pieces to a very old puzzle are one of the most interesting characteristics of Florence. Practically every street offers something unique that can easily be overlooked. There are even secrets lurking in the halls at FUA. MUSEO DEL BARGELLO The Bargello is a museum situated at the corner of Via Ghibellina and Via Proconsolo, housing sculptures and other art from some of Italy’s greatest artists. However, after it was built in the mid-thirteenth century, it was converted into a jail. In fact the word “bargello” is Italian for chief of police.

There are many infamous stories in Florence’s past regarding prisoners sent here.

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NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

BUCHETTE DEL VINO You may have noticed these tiny looking doors on the walls of certain buildings.

Hundreds of years ago, these holes were used for two purposes. One purpose was the sale of wine, in which the buchetta bridged an easy passage from the street to a cellar, simply needing payment in exchange for it. The other purpose allowed noble families to leave food, water, and wine for the needy as charity.

TABERNACLES It is hard to miss some the paintings found on the corner of streets, many depicting Madonna and child. Florence is known historically as a major city for art, so it almost seems natural to have paintings guiding you down different streets, openly exposed to natural elements. These examples of the city's art history are called tabernacles and there are more than 1,200 in Florence. Some date back more than 750 years ago. Used as protection in general and lit up at night for guidance in the streets as religious struggles took place, these shrines became reminders and protectors of belief. Later on they would continue to act as religious armor during the bubonic plague.

ANELLI PER ATTACCARE I CAVALLI These medieval looking details attached to buildings throughout the city are actually rings intended to tie up horses during visits at many palaces.

L’IMPORTUNO DI MICHELANGELO Known as Michelangelo’s graffiti, etched into the side of Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza Signoria, there are differing stories dealing with this sketch. Some say it was a dare, others think it is the portrait of a man Michelangelo had conflict with. Either way, this is a piece of art by one of the masters you can see for free without a line. Make sure to look closely, or you might miss it.

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SECR ETS IN FUA’S DI VA C A MPUS

MICHELANGELO ROOM One of the classrooms in DIVA is named the Michelangelo room. Have you ever wondered if there was a reason why?

First, DIVA’s building is actually a palace. Palazzo Doni belonged to Agnolo Doni, a banker who married into an extremely important family of the time, the Strozzi family. Second, Michelangelo painted what is considered one of the masterpieces of art in the 16th century for the Doni family, and it hung on the wall in DIVA’s Michelangelo room.

Known as Tondo Doni, or The Holy Family, it is the only painting in Florence by Michelangelo, and you can see it at the Uffizi.

Palazzo Doni photo by FUA photoarchive (composition by Federico Cagnucci)

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NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

FRAGRANT FLORENCE: SQUARES, STREETS, SIDEWALKS

by Emily Spears Photo by the author

I first came to Florence for the same reason many people do, its age and historical significance.

I expected new sights, new sounds, and especially new tastes – this is Italy, after all.

But despite how obvious it seems now, I didn’t expect that the city would have its own scent. Underneath the passing smells of cafés, perfumeries, and cigarette smoke, there’s this one aroma that seemed all-encompassing: I noticed it on the streets, in the air, even in the scarf I bought from a street-vender by the Piazza della Repubblica the first week.

It was a distinct, pleasant scent, maybe the smell of aged plaster (though I don’t know how plaster smells), maybe the scent of old bricks and old stone, or maybe just the fragrance of memory.

I don’t know what day I stopped noticing it. I’ve been in the city just over two weeks now, and at some point in those fourteen days, I stopped being able to pick up that scent.

When I walked the streets this morning, I found that I couldn’t detect the distinct smell of history, but instead I smelled only the aroma of modern life in the city – scents not unfamiliar to me. Included were the mechanical, oily odor of passing cars and motorbikes, the freshly-baked sweets in the bakeries, the unmistakable fragrance of leather in the leather shops. Rather than the perfume of

Florence herself, I’ve begun to recognize instead the scents of the people passing me by, people who live here every day, walking these ancient streets not without thought but without a visitor’s contemplation, without the awe that I came to Florence desperately hoping to find.

Two days ago, I went out to meet a friend for lunch. On the way, I stopped and set my camera on the ground to get a picture of the grooved sidewalk stones: a photo not filled with visitors, but instead the city herself, I thought. The grooves in the stones reminded me of the aroma I caught my first days here. I was taking a moment for my camera to work out the focus, when I heard a woman on the sidewalk behind me stop and say, “This is not Florence!” When I turned, she was pointing to where my camera sat on the ground. “Scusi?” I asked. She pointed to the Duomo, visibly looming several blocks ahead and to the right, its dome pale from the distance and the coming sunset. “That is Florence!

Not this!”

I took the picture anyway. I came here looking for history, and I believe I found it – just not where I figured I would.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

RE-CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR, IN FLORENCE

by Jake Steiner, Teal Cooper, Niki Howard, Sam Ferber, Josh Lerner, Megan Loutsis Photos by Christina Garcia

Thought you were done with New Year celebrations for 2015? Think again! Ring in the New Year on Wednesday March 25th as the festival of the Florentine New Year captivates and enthralls the public with a parade of live music and extravagant archaic dress.

Starting at 9 a.m. in the Palazzo Vecchio, the festival brings together the community as the parade journeys towards the Piazza Santissima Annunziata. People from all walks of life wine and dine while enjoying fantastic and unique Italian cuisine at the outdoor markets lasting from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Following the market, the festivities continue through the night with a concert at 9 p.m. and a chance to take in the magic offered by the frescoes of the Annunciation on display at the church.

The Florentine New Year is based on a medieval tale of an artist - one who was chosen as the Maestro for the Annunciation. As the story goes, he accidentally slept during his painting of the Virgin Mary and finished everything except for the face. He then later awoke to an entire masterpiece, which entertained the thought in his mind that the angels had finished the painting for him. Due to this incident the New Year was, and still is, unofficially observed on March 25th. Come join the Florentines and all other inspired persons on March 25th at the Palazzo Vecchio from 9 a.m. throughout the evening for a truly unique and culturally enhanced Italian experience - it is definitely an event you do not want to miss!

Info: March 25th, 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the night at Palazzo Vecchio, the Church and Piazza SS. Annunziata.

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NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2015

by Sarah Plombon, Shawn Eliav, Marc Tan, Laura Grammes, Veronica Clark, Megan Leysath and Mary-Madeleine Regnauld de Bellescize Photo by David A. Weiss

STAY FIT, JOIN THE PALESTRA

Trying to squeeze into your skinny jeans? Looking to work off all the new foods you’ve been trying?

La Palestra is just what you need! La Palestra, FUA’s minigym, offers workout machines, treadmills and free weights for students to use. If you prefer to exercise in groups, La Palestra also has FREE weekly workout classes to help you stay in shape while in Italy! Classes are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so grab your friends and show up early to reserve your spot!

“Abs and Legs,” offered on Mondays and Thursdays, makes

you feel the burn, while “Hip Hop,” offered on Tuesdays, allows you to shake off that weight. Classes are offered from 15:00-16:00. Gym hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00-18:00, and Friday, 10:00-16:00.

Still not convinced? Check out #FUAFit for motivation and to learn more! Put on those gym clothes and head over to La Palestra on Corso Tintori 21, ground floor.

See you there!

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BLENDING NEWSLETTER

REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD

Supplemento di / Supplement to Blending Magazine

Direttore Responsabile /

Reg. Trib. di Firenze n째 5844 del 29 luglio 2011

Editor in chief

Anno 5 - Numero 1 - febbraio-marzo 2015

Matteo Brogi

Year 5 - Issue 1 - February-March 2015 Caporedattore / Editore / Publisher

Editorial Director

Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore

Grace Joh

Via Alfonso Lamarmora, 39 50121 Firenze

Coordinamento Editoriale / Managing Editor

Sede editoriale /

Federico Cagnucci

Blending is a newsletter created

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with and for students of Florence

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50121 Firenze

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member of Palazzi FAIE.

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