April 2014 in Parma

Spring Has Sprung and Parma Mia is back! It's the season of flowers, traditional festivals, and the time to rediscover the beauty of the countryside and mountains around Parma.

Don't forget to visit our facebook page for additional updates and last minute information, and please share the page on your profile to help us increase our audience!  We welcome your comments, event listings, and suggestions.

Happy Easter, Nawruz, and Passover!




Below: Special Events, Art, Cinema, Courses, English & Other Language Connections, Gastronomic Adventures, Music, Outdoors, Children's Art, Music, Theatre, and Elsewhere

Special events:
March 28 in Fidenza: St. Patrick's Day festival (replete with beer and celtic music);
March 29-30: Orto Botanico of Parma will be open to celebrate the Parma violets and spring;
April 25 -27 in Colorno: "Nel Segno del Giglio" gardening fair the castle park - arrive early;
April 12 weekend in Milan: Salone del Mobile (Design Fair) a chance to see the city at its finest;
Until the end of May: Fly over the Castles of the Duchy in an hot air balloon;
Saturday April 19 - April 21 in the Castles: Easter and Easter Monday events including Easter Egg Hunts;
April 20-21 Fiera dell'Angelo: Traditional Easter festival in Val Tidone;
Aprile 25-27 International Kite Festival in Ferrara;
May Fattorie Aperte 2014 (food, animals, courses)

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Art
Fondazione Magnani Rocca Beautiful Campigli exhibition, beautiful grounds;
Reggio di Colorno March 29 - June 2 From Giuseppe Verdi to Andy Warhol photography exhibit;

For a list of the Museums In and Around Parma Click Here

Cinema in original version (mostly English):
The original ones at Cinema D'Azeglio, English dates TBA
French Films (Godard, Truffaut et al.) at Cinema D'Azeglio, Thursdays at 21:00 until the end of May

There is also an original language movie theatre in Reggio and several in Milan

Courses
April 5 at the Bia Garden Store: Cake Design for Easter;
April 6 at the Bia Garden Store: BBQ lesson;

Look for courses offered by the various communities here under "In Programma"




English & Other Language Connections
German Reading Group on April 8
English Reading Club on April 16
Stendhal Lecture Group (French) Not yet posted
Spanish Group Lectures on April 16

Also on Facebook remember to "Like" the following pages:
-Cours de français Happy Hour Parma (Next Event April 3)
-Parma Internazionale
-ENGLISH EVENTS Inglese PARMA MODENA (drinks and games in English once a week)
-Reggio Emilia, Modena and Parma English Meetup (English language dinners in Parma)
Also:
-Register on Internations (Parma sub-section) for info about monthly aperitivos and more

Gastronomic Adventures
March 27-30 Il Ponte di Sapore, San Secondo: celebrating their spalla cotta with over 100 stands;
April 25 - May 1 Sagra della Fava (Bean) e Pecorino (Cheese), Sarzana (Liguria);
April 25 - May 4 Sagra dell'Asparago (Asparagus), Mesola

-For a comprehensive list of restaurants and trattoria in the area, click here;
-"Like" Bar Teatro Via Bixio 62A on Facebook for weekly invites to "ethnic dinners" in Parma;
-Check out this lovely service "foodie" guide service (and more), run by an American in Parma: http://www.mycousinemilia.com/

Music:
Salsomaggiore Palasport: Ligabue on his Mondovisione Tour April 2

Auditorium Paganini Tutti Per Uno classical music series beginning Dec 13 - May 31;

Nuove Atmosfere, a series of 20 concerts from November to May 2014;
Casa della Musica - Mozart Series April 11 - June 15
Concerti Aperitivi - Fondazione Toscanini to May 2014;
Teatro Regio: Last month of lyrical season
Teatro Regio: Parma Danza in May
MusicEmotion: Cinema Astra

Sports & Outdoors:
Panthers' Home Schedule (American Football Team);
Slow Spring 2014: explore the Po Delta from March to June 22;
Sports in the Appenine

Please check out the Nature section on our website

Children:
Art and Classes for Children
-Moms' Club: Date TBA
-Courses on local farms (agriturismi) for children. Please book in advance.
-Rosalimone: Moving into Parma Retail Center
-Libri & Formiche: Moving! Thanks to the support of the community, they'll be more courses to come!
-Laboratorio Famiglia al Portico: celebrates its 5th birthday on April 6

Film & Theater for Children
-Teatro delle Briciole: Last show on April 11
-Teatro del Cerchio: Last show March 30 "Alice in Wonderland (IT)"
-Europa Teatri: April 13 for "ragazzi"
-Il Regio (Opera) Per I Piu' Piccoli May 20
-Casa della Musica Music in Cinema series for the little ones

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Elsewhere
In Milan this month (Eventful): Tickets for upcoming concerts, festivals, etc.
In Milan this month (CiaoMilano): Find your way around Milan in English. Great exhibitions this month including Kandinsky, Pierre Manzoni, Nude Hero et al. Many exhibits offer "children's tours" for which you need to reserve in advance.
Check out the acquarium, planetarium, and Natural History Museum as well.
For the more design-oriented, there's are often great exhibitions going on at the Triennale as well as installations at Hangar Biccoca.
This month check out the Salone del Mobile (Design Fair) - a great chance to see Milan at its finest.
Buy tickets for June concerts: Ligabue, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam...
In Florence this month: Movies in English, concerts and more
In Bologna this month: Jazz concerts, exhibitions and more
In Bologna this month: Find your way around Bologna in English
Modena in English

February 2014 in Parma!

Please remember that if you or your children are applying to public (and many private) schools, February is the month to do so. For more info, visit: Servizi Educativi

And here's your February update...we welcome your feedback!

Winter Wonderland
Ice skating rink at Euro Torri until mid-February;
Ice skating rink piazza Pellicelli  until mid-February;
Ice Skating rink in front of the Super Conad (Campus) until mid-February;
Inverno Rifugio Lagdei has weekly snow-showing hikes followed by food or drinks.
Please check weather conditions.
Boat rides in the Val Comacchio Park every Sunday (weather dependent, reservation required);
At Monte Schia, children ski for free from Monday to Friday. For more info (and to verify if the ski lifts are open), please click here
Of course, many of you may want to participate in the "settimana bianca" - remember hotels book up quickly in February in Alto Adige and Val D'Aosta (and prices rise too), so if you're planning to go, reserve now!

General "Family" Events for the Family in Parma, Click here
For general Parma Events, Click here and here!

Theater and Cinema for Kids
-Theatro del Vicolo: Feb 9, 16, and 23 fables for children
-Teatro delle Briciole: Feb 9, 16 and 23, for children
-Teatro del Cerchio: Feb 16 and 23 for "ragazzi"
-Europa Teatri: Feb 15 and 16 for "ragazzi"
-Festival Vietato ai Maggiori in Fidenza.
-Castello dei Buratini Marionettes for children
-Il Regio (Opera) Per I Piu' Piccoli

Courses and Art for Children
-Moms' Club: February 3 Biblioteca Ilaria Alpi
-Rosalimone: Dates not online yet
-Libri & Formiche: February 6
-Laboratorio Famiglia al Portico

Carnevale
Programma del Carnevale di Parma 2014    
• 01 marzo 2014 Grande sfilata dei Carri allegorici c/o Piazza Duomo Parma
• 02 marzo 2014 Festa di carnevale c/o Piazza Ghiaia ;
Il Gran Carnevale di Bussetto: February 16 - 23
Carnevale Borgotarese: Beginning February 23
and of course...
Carnevale di Venezia: Beginning mid-February

Cinema in original version (mostly English):
The original ones at Cinema D'Azeglio, February 4 - Nebraska.

Special events:
On Valentine's day, in public museums buy 2 tickets, get one free at Reggio di Colorno.
San Valentino in a Castle
San Valentino out on the town
Knit-Café: February 6 at the Barilla Center

Music:

Auditorium Paganini Tutti Per Uno classical music series beginning Dec 13;

Nuove Atmosfere, a series of 20 concerts from November to May 2014;
Casa della Musica - Parlare di Musica;
Concerti Aperitivi - Fondazione Toscanini to May 2014;
Teatro Regio: Opera in February; Remember that Parma Danza tickets should be available shortly
MusicEmotion: Cinema Astra
Zerbini Jazz Club: Circolo Arci Zerbini
Shakespeare in Live: Different jazz, soul R&B...

Art
Fondazione Magnani Rocca Closed until March;
Ricordiamo perche' non accada piu' (Remember so it doesn't happen again): Reggio del Colorno until February 9

For a list of the Museums In and Around Parma Click Here

Gastronomic Adventures
Valceno in Tavola continues, click here for participating restaurants;
Tanto di Cappelleto, Calestano, Sundays

-For a comprehensive list of restaurants and trattoria in the area, click here;
-"Like" Bar Teatro Via Bixio 62A on Facebook for weekly invites to "ethnic dinners" in Parma! For example, this February 7 there's an African Dinner to try!
-We've recently learned about a lovely service "foodie" guide service (and more), run by an American in Parma: http://www.mycousinemilia.com/

English & Other Language Connections
German Reading Group on February 11
English Reading Club on February 4
Stendhal Lecture Group (French) on Febuary 25
Spanish Group Lectures on January 15

Also on Facebook remember to "Like" the following pages:
-Parma Internazionale (Monthly aperitivo and online community via Internations)
-ENGLISH EVENTS Inglese PARMA MODENA (Wednesday evenings drinks and games in English)
-Reggio Emilia, Modena and Parma English Meetup (English language dinners in Parma)

Elsewhere
In Milan this month (Eventful): Tickets for upcoming concerts, festivals, etc. Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Backstreet Boys...
In Milan this month (CiaoMilano): Find your way around Milan in English. Great exhibitions this month including Faces from the Last Century from the Centre Pompidou, Warhol, Rodin, Pollock (Palazzo Reale). Many of these exhibits offer "children's tours" for which you need to reserve in advance.
Check out the acquarium, planetarium, and Natural History Museum as well.
For the more design-oriented, there's a great exhibition going on at the Triennale as well as installations at Hangar Biccoca.
In Florence this month: Movies in English, Madama Butterfly and more
In Bologna this month: Masterchef & Wine Tasting, Cena con delitto and more
In Bologna this month: Find your way around Bologna in English
Modena in English

For Gourmet Tours and an English Speaker's "Slow Travel" guide to Emilia-Romagna, we recommend this excellent website: My Cousin Emilia

Parma in January 2014

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to Parma & to Parma Mia. As always, we welcome your comments & suggestions as to how to make this blog more useful to you and to the English-speaking community in Parma.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Parma Panthers Under 19 Team for their success in 2013 as well as to BLV Chiropractors for becoming the official team chiropractors for the Professional Parma Women's Basketball Team!

Remember that Monday, January 13 there will be some school and store closures since it's the Festival of the Patron Saint of Parma, Sant'Illario. You'll find his "scarpetta" in the form of a cookie at most Parma bakeries this week. This weekend there will be events for adults as well as for children (including a meeting with Peppa Pig & games galore at Gommalandia). For more info

Enjoy

Winter Wonderland
Ice skating rink at Euro Torri until mid-February;
Ice skating rink piazza Pellicelli  until mid-February;
If it actually snows, there will be weekly snow-showing hikes, skiing and more at Schia;
Inverno Rifugio Lagdei has weekly snow-showing hikes followed by food or drinks.
Please check weather conditions.
Boat rides in the Val Comacchio Park every Sunday (weather dependent, reservation required);

and remember... sales! saldi! saldes! winter sales are here!

Helping Others
This Saturday at the Conad Supermarket in Via Venezia, the Parma City Angels will be collecting food for the homless; please donate.

We'd also like to mention that if you need to drop off at the Enea "Centro di Raccolta" in Via Lazio, there are often people outside the center collecting your used items. While we don't know if they have any official capacity, they would be quite grateful to receive your old pots, pans, broken electronic devices, car seats etc.

Music

Cori in Festa

Auditorium Paganini Tutti Per Uno classical music series beginning Dec 13;
Nuove Atmosfere, a series of 20 concerts from November to May 2013;
Casa della Musica - Suono Occulto Modern Music Series;

Gastronomic Adventures
Valceno in Tavola continues, click here for participating restaurants;
For a comprehensive list of restaurants and trattoria in the area, click here;
"Like" Bar Teatro Via Bixio 62A on Facebook for weekly invites to "ethnic dinners" in Parma!

Cinema
The original ones, movie in original version, Cinema d'Azeglio, waiting for updates

Workshops for Kids

-Workshop and readings at RosaLimone on Saturdays

-Activities at the Laboratorio Famiglia al Portico Program to be updated shortly
-Libri e formiche Events to be updated. PLEASE support your local bookstore!
-Biblioteca Alice celebrates it's birthday on February 13

Theater and Cinema for Kids
-Theatro del Vicolo: Jan 12 and 26, fables for children
-Teatro delle Briciole: Jan 19 and 26, for children
-Teatro del Cerchio: Jan 12, 19, 26 at 17:00 for "ragazzi"
-Europa Teatri: Jan 18 and 25 for "ragazzi"
-Festival Vietato ai Maggiori in Fidenza.
-Castello dei Buratini Marionettes for children
-Il Regio (Opera) Per I Piu' Piccoli

Art
Fondazione Magnani Rocca Closed until March;
The Botero Exhibit continues at the Palazzo del Governatore in Piazza Garibaldi through Jan 26;
Ongoing photo contest in Parma, click here for more info

For a list of the Museums In and Around Parma Click Here

English & Other Language Connections
German Reading Group on February 11
English Reading Club on February 4
Stendhal Lecture Group (French) on January 28
Spanish Group Lectures on January 15

Also on Facebook remember to "Like" the following pages:
Parma Internazionale (Monthly aperitivo and online community via Internations)
ENGLISH EVENTS Inglese PARMA MODENA (Wednesday evenings drinks and games in English)
Reggio Emilia, Modena and Parma English Meetup (dinners)

Elsewhere
In Milan this month (Eventful): Tickets for upcoming concerts, festivals, etc.
In Milan this month (CiaoMilano): Find your way around Milan in English. Great exhibitions this month including Faces from the Last Century from the Centre Pompidou, Warhol, Rodin, Pollock (Palazzo Reale). Many of these exhibits offer "children's tours" for which you need to reserve in advance.
Check out the acquarium, planetarium, and Natural History Museum as well.
For the more design-oriented, there's a great exhibition going on at the Triennale as well as installations at Hangar Biccoca.
In Florence this month
In Florence this month: Fashion Trade Fair, Antique Markets, and Cinderella coming on Feb 2
In Bologna this month: Popular Argentine music, World Jazz Session, Theatre
In Bologna this month: Find your way around Bologna in English

 

Parma In December, 2013

It's Holiday Time in Parma!
Remember to "like" us on Facebook to get your updates.

Christmas events
Dec 8 - Santa Lucia in Piazza Garibaldi (mercatino);
Dec 8, 15, 22, 29 Christmas Carol in Piazza Ghaia;
Natale in Fiera through Dec 12;
Christmas Events in Colorno;
Castello di Babbo Natale a Fontanellato Dec 11;
Parma and Piacenza Castles This Christmas Month - check out the events here - Also noted here are NEW YEARS' EVE events and dinners (reserve in advance!);
Mercantini di Natale a Borgotaro and Compiano;
I racconti di Natale;
Barilla Center Dec 2 -6 visit Father Christmas;
Ice skating rink at Euro Torri open until mid-February;
Ice skating rink piazza Pellicelli open until mid-February.

The Big News is the opening of the Parma Retail shopping center. You'll find lots of your favorite stores from the center under one roof...as well as a lot of traffic on the road to get there!

New Year's Eve
Parma Events (for a younger crowd!);
Parma Events (for various ages!)

Music

Cori in Festa

Auditorium Paganini Tutti Per Uno classical music series beginning Dec 13;
Nuove Atmosfere, a series of 20 concerts from November to May 2013;
Casa della Musica - Suono Occulto Modern Music Series;
Concerti aperitivo - Al Ridotto del Regio
Concerto di Natale - Rocca SanVitale a Sala Baganza (charity concert)

Gastronomic Adventures
See the various Mercantini di Natale;
For a comprehensive list of restaurants and trattoria in the area, click here;
Remember to like Bar Teatro Via Bixio 62A on Facebook for weekly invites to "ethnic dinners" in Parma!

Cinema
The original ones, movie in original version, Cinema d'Azeglio, December 3.

Workshops for Kids

-Santa Lucia is coming! In Parma, children are given gifts for Santa Lucia and the holiday is quite important and there are many events to check out from Dec 11 and 12 including the Casa dei Bimbi in Piazza Garibaldi

 -In Langhirano, a book festival for children and babies. Dec 1 - 13;
-Workshop and readings at RosaLimone on  December 14 (My Very First Christmas Tree) and 21 (Born to Read);
-Activities at the Laboratorio Famiglia al Portico including a tombolata (Bingo) and Christmas parties for our tiny friends
-Libri e formiche workshops and readings including "Storie di Natale" on Dec 17;
-Casa della Musica - events for children
-Incontri d'Autunno - Alice Library
-Prepare for Christmas workshops and snacks

Theater and Cinema for Kids
-Cinema D'Azeglio; Dec 7
-Theatro del Vicolo: Dec 7 and 14, fables for children
-Teatro delle Briciole: Dec 8, for children
-Teatro del Cerchio: Dec 8, 15, 22 at 17:00 for "ragazzi"
-Europa Teatri: Dec 7, 8 and 17 for children
-Festival Vietato ai Maggiori in Fidenza.
-Castello dei Buratini in December (Marionettes for children)
-Il Regio (Opera) Per I Piu' Piccoli

Art
The De Pisis Exhibit continues at the beautiful Fondazione Magnani Rocca until Dec 8;
The Botero Exhibit continues at the Palazzo del Governatore in Piazza Garibaldi through Jan 26;
Silvia Ugoletti Photography Exhibition

For a list of the Museums In and Around Parma Click Here

English & Other Language Connections
English Reading Club on December 17
Spanish Group Lectures on December 18
German Reading Group on January 7

Also, "Like" Parma Internazionale; ENGLISH EVENTS Inglese PARMA MODENA and Reggio Emilia, Modena and Parma English Meetup on Facebook for updates on local Ex-pat and English Language Drinks & Dinners in Parma.

Elsewhere
In Milan this month (Eventful): Simple Minds, Cirque du Soleil, L'Artigiano in Fiera;
Fiera of the Obei Obei (Oh beautiful, Oh beautiful!) - Christmas Fair Dec 5 - 8;
In Milan this month (CiaoMilano): No reindeers: let's run, Filmmaker Alternative Film Festival, Fair Trade Christmas booths,
In Florence this month: Hanukkah in the ghetto, Christmas markets and more;
In Florence this month: Soccer, Circus, a house party and more;
In Bologna this month
Alto Adige: The famous Christmas markets abound!