The House of Theatres 1 January-30 December 2006 "Casa dei Teatri (The House of Theatres" The Casa dei Teatri is the new Rome venue devoted to live theatre, housing special collections and historic materials. Located in Villino Corsini in Villa Pamphili park, it is a place for meetings, exhibitions and theatre with a multi-disciplinary perspective combining study and training with the "making" and "watching" of theatrical performances. It will host a programme of activities open to research and reflection around the creation of performances on stage. This is a unique venue in Rome, able to fill an important role as a place for meetings and for preparing projects, also for young artists. The evocative 18th Century structure houses the Giancarlo Sbragia Biblioteca dello Spettacolo (performance and entertainment library), the Umberto Barbaro Biblioteca del Cinema (cinema library) and the Carmelo Bene's L'immemoriale Foundation, with intercommunicating areas intended for exhibitions, themed meetings and consultancy services related to the aspects of research, specialised study and cultural investigation. Tue-sun h10-18

Event Details

Starting: 01/01/2005 Ending: 30/12/2006 Price:   Location: Villino Corsini c/o Villa Doria Pamphilj Address: Largo 3 Giugno 1849 - Angolo Via di San Pancrazio (ingresso Arco dei Quattro Venti) Web: http://www2.comune.roma.it/cultura/biblioteche/casadeiteatri/ Contact Email:   Contact Tel: 06 45 43 09 68

Barbaro Cinema Library 1 May-31 December 2006 "Biblioteca del Cinema Umberto Barbaro(Umberto Barbaro Cinema Library)" This library, aimed at the promotion of cinematic culture and activities, is dedicated to Umberto Barbaro, one of the most important cinema critics in Italy. The library contains many materials - about 11,000 books and 5,490 magazines - among which screenplays, specialised Italian and foreign magazines, trade publications, photos and unusual papers and documents. The centre will also host or organise seminars, workshops for people working in the field of cinematic cultural activities, screenings, and the publication of periodicals, film and biographical files. All there is to know about the cinema. Hours: Thu-sat h10-13

Event Details

Theme: Film & Theatre, Library cinema Starting: 01/05/2005 Ending: 31/12/2006 Price: FREE Location: Villino Corsini - Villa Doria Pamphilj Address: Largo 3 giugno 1849 (angolo via di San Pancrazio - ingresso Arco dei Quattro Venti) Web: http://www2.comune.roma.it/cultura/biblioteche/casadeiteatri/#Biblioteca%20del%20Cinema Contact Email: casadeiteatri@bibliotechediroma.it Contact Tel: 06 45 43 07 08

Last Minute Theatre Tickets 30 September-31 December 2006 After New York, London and Paris, finally Rome too has a box office where one can buy unsold 'last minute' theatre tickets reduced up to 50 percent. At a counter located in via Bari, 20 (Piazza Salerno - 'Policlinico' metro stop Line B - buses 490/491/495/61/649) tickets that are still available for that evening's shows in Rome's major theatres can now be bought. The box office is closed July and August. Advance booking charge: €1. THEATRES: Ambra jovinelli Argentina Brancaccio De' Servi Euclide Ghione Gran Teatro Greco India Manzoni Olimpico Quinrino Sala Umberto Sistina Testaccio Valle Vittoria Information on pages 638 and 639 of Rai 3 Comune di Roma teletext Tue-sat h14-20

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Theme: Film & Theatre, THEATRES Starting: 30/09/2005 Ending: 31/12/2006 Price:   Location: Sportello Last Minute Address: Via Bari, 20 (p.zza Salerno) Web: http://www.dlfroma.it/lastminute.php Contact Email: dlfroma@dlf.it Contact Tel: 06 44 18 02 12

Basketball championships 9 October-14 May 2006 "Campionato di basket (Basketball championships)" The Palalottomatica venue in Rome will light up with the fervour of great basketball, one of the most popular sports on the Italian peninsula. The Italian teams, and in particular Rome's 'Virtus Roma' team, will be contending for the Top Division Tim Trophy. The basketball meets of the 2005/06 season will provide an unforgettable sporting experience.

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Theme: Sports, Basketball Starting: 09/10/2005 Ending: 14/05/2006 Price:   Location: Palalottomatica Address: Piazza Apollodoro, 10 (viale Tiziano) Web:   Contact Email:   Contact Tel: 06 36 00 24 39

Erwin Wurm 11 November-31 May 2006 Erwin Wurm" Ervin Wurm is all about conceptual art that is ironic, dynamic, soft and textured at the same time: sculptures that move, 'plump' forms halfway between inspiration and the finished form, the creations of the artist who merges techniques and barriers that traditionally are a mix between photography, video and performances or events. Wurm's inspiration comes from everyday objects such as bicycles, brooms, vegetables, balls and chairs. Tue-sat h9-19; sun h9-14

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Theme: Exhibitions & Fairs, New Art Starting: 11/11/2005 Ending: 31/05/2006 Price: €1 Location: MACRO - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma Address: Via Reggio Emilia, 54 Web: http://www.macro.roma.museum/ Contact Email: macro@comune.roma.it Contact Tel: 06 67 10 70 40 0

Palio of Rome 14 November-31 May 2006 Palio di Roma (Palio of Rome)" Football will invade the capital during the Rome Palio. The third edition of this mega football tournament will feature over 1,600 matches, 376 male teams, 17 female teams, 35 sporting clubs, 94 neighbourhoods, 19 municipalities, and 7,000 non-professional athletes. At the same time the 'Un sorriso per il Palio' (A smile for the Palio) competition will reward the funniest jokes, photos, drawings and texts of any kind sent to the Palio offices. The Rome Palio is an old-style football event promoted by Mayor Walter Veltroni.

Event Details

Theme: Sports, Football Starting: 14/11/2005 Ending: 31/05/2006 Price: FREE Location: Sede ufficiale per iscrizioni Address: Viale Marconi, 437 Web: http://www.paliodiroma.it/ Contact Email: info@paliodiroma.it Contact Tel: 06 55 30 18 91

Aliusmodum 2005 27 November-11 June 2006 "Aliusmodum 2005. Gli avvenimenti. A parti reali (Aliusmodum 2005)" A new season of baroque music concerts. Musical performances that offer an exploration of the evolution of this genre. Harpsichord, cello, double bass, bass guitar, viola, flute, dulcimer, harp and mandolins make up the very rich and varied series of instruments that will be used in this rich series of live performances. Other venues Accademia di Romania, Sala Esposizioni. Viale Belle Arti, 110 Accademia di Romania, Sala Conferenze. Piazza San José, 1 h18,30

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Theme: Film & Theatre, Opera Starting: 27/11/2005 Ending: 11/06/2006 Price: Chiesa All Saints: from €10 a €12; Accademia di Ro Location: Chiesa All Saints Anglican Church Address: Via del Babuino, 153 Web:   Contact Email:   Contact Tel: 06 33 26 99 81

The battle in one room 30 November-4 June 2006 "Austerlitz al Museo Napoleonico. La battaglia in una stanza (Austerlitz at the Napoleonic Museum. The battle in one room)" An exhibition made up of thirty panels that narrate the Bonaparte years 1829-1830. The so-called "battle of the Three Emperors" finds form and image in a panoramic papier-peint that is being shown to the public for the first time. Tue-sun h9-19

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Theme: Exhibitions & Fairs, Art Starting: 30/11/2005 Ending: 04/06/2006 Price: €2,60, reduced €1,60 Location: Museo Napoleonico Address: Piazza di Ponte Umberto I, 1 Web: http://www2.comune.roma.it/museonapoleonico/ Contact Email:   Contact Tel: 06 68 80 62 86

Stagione Organistica 10 December-2 April 2006 "XII Stagione Organistica Internazionale" 10 Dec (Chiesa di Monserrato, via Monserrato, 115): Artesenc Choir from Catalunya and Joan Casals perform '20th century spiritual Catalan music'. Conductor: Pere Soldevila Direttore Pere Soldevila 18 Dec: The inter-university Choir of Rome and Juan Paradell Solé in the Christmas Concert. Conductor: Massimo Palombella 22 Jan 2006: Gabriele Terrone performs music by Pierné, Franck, Reger, Brahms and Dupré 12 Feb 2006: Concert for organ and trio of strings with Stefano Vasselli 19 Mar 2006: Jean-Paul Imbert performs music by Bach, Cochereau, Prokofiev and Dupré 2 Apr 2006: Concert for organ and trio of strings with Bernhard Gfrerer

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Theme: Film & Theatre, Clasic Music Starting: 10/12/2005 Ending: 02/04/2006 Price: FREE Location: Chiesa di San Paolo entro le Mura Address: Via Nazionale (angolo via Napoli) Web:   Contact Email:   Contact Tel:

Concha Bonita 21 February-12 March 2006 "Concha Bonita" A musical that tells the story of Concha Bonita, former footballer and former man. Concha left Argentina as Pablo and was transformed into a woman, Concha Bonita (her second name was picked because it means beautiful and seductive) in Paris. It didn't take long for Concha to be surrounded by admirers, money and a beautiful life, but then along comes a woman called Myriam, one of Pablo's former girlfriends, with their adolescent daughter Dolly, who can't wait to meet her father….. A concert that ranges from rock to tango in style, from melodrama to rumba, from zarzuela to mambo, and a story that is half fable and half comedy. Directed by Alfredo Arias

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Theme: Film & Theatre, Musical Starting: 21/02/2006 Ending: 12/03/2006 Price:   Location: Teatro Politeama Brancaccio Address: via Merulana, 244 Web: http://www.politeamabrancaccio.it/ Contact Email: info@politeamabrancaccio.it Contact Tel: 06 47 82 48 93

Chiostro del Bramante 15 March-11 June 2006 107 oils and temperas, 38 charcoals and other drawings, 9 draft plans for large-scale works, 40 photos (that have never seen before) by the painter and a film, "Il Mistero di Galatea" (The mystery of Galatea) shot by the artist, form the nucleus of this retrospective dedicated to Giulio Aristide Sartorio. The exhibition looks back at the career and pictorial evolution of this artist. Orari e prezzi da definire

Event Details

Theme: Exhibitions & Fairs, Exhibitions Starting: 15/03/2006 Ending: 11/06/2006 Price:   Location: Chiostro del Bramante Address: via della Pace Web: http://www.chiostrodelbramante.it Contact Email: info@chiostrodelbramante.it Contact Tel: 0668809036

Antonello da Messina 18 March-25 December 2006 "Antonello da Messina" An exhibition that aims to do justice to the vast output of a 15th century artist who is simply not well known enough. Antonello da Messina started his career in the small workshop owned by his family and then arrived in Venice. On show are Madonnas, portraits, crucifixions and the famous 'San Girolamo in his study' lent by museums in London, Washington, New York, Paris, Vienna, Dresden and Antwerp. The Scuderie del Quirinale hosts the prolific creations of an artist whose altars and portraits left an important mark in the artistic scene of his time, a mark made of a balance between light and space, between the natural and the ideal, between Nordic and Southern artistic precepts.

Event Details

Theme: Exhibitions & Fairs Starting: 18/03/2006 Ending: 25/12/2006 Price:   Location: Scuderie del Quirinale Address: Via XXIV Maggio, 16 Web: http://www.scuderiequirinale.it/ Contact Email:   Contact Tel: 06 69 62 70

David Gilmour 26 March 2006 "David Gilmour" David Gilmour discovered the guitar at 13 years of age and started experimenting with a Spanish model given to him by a friend but then he fell in love with what became his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster. David Gilmour, who once declared that he joined Pink Floyd for the fame and the girls, fast became a living legend in the band and within the history of music. The living legend that is David Gilmour will perform live in Rome on March 26.

Event Details

Theme: Live Music, Rock Starting: 26/03/2006 Ending: 26/03/2006 Price:   Location:   Address:   Web:   Contact Email:   Contact Tel:

 ROME DAY SPAS

A day spa, at it's best, should be more than a place to beautify the face and body. It should be a retreat from life, a place to crawl into on one's knees, where the staff all comport themselves like a cross between a trauma therapist and a Jewish mother. It should be a place to relax, a place totally free of stress. We take a dim view of facialists and message therapists who make threatening remarks like, "You really need to get in here at least twice a week until we can get some real improvement in your skin tone." Or who make offers like "I'll put together a package of products for you and leave them at the front desk." We go to a spa and pay lots of money to be treated like the fragile creatures we think we are, not to be pressured into spending more. The spas on these pages have been chosen for their restful ambience, the range of treatments and facilities available, and wherever possible, we have chosen spas where at least some of the staff speak English. Enjoy! You've earned it.
Dok Bua
This day spa calls itself a "city retreat," a haven of serenity in the midst or Rome's tumult. It is also a little bit of Asia in the midst of Europe. The spa has no public areas. There are no communal dressing rooms or saunas. Instead, treatments are offered in six totally private suites, using their own line of natural products imported from Thailand. An extensive list of services includes Aryuvedic, aromatic Thai, and Lomi Lomi massage, Reiki, reflexology, lympho-drainage, and Shiastu (€30-60). The spare, Asian decor, soft music and perfumed air make for an atmosphere of total relaxation. Pilates and yoga classes (Kundalina and "contemporary") are also available.
Via Flaminia, 495/a (affliated with the new Hotel River Chateau) tel. 06.333 9059 (Flaminio)
Exedra Wellness Center
In the luxurious Exedra Hotel overlooking the fountains of Piazza della Repubblica, the spa includes a fitness center, Turkish bath and hydromassage. All of the traditional treatments are offered along with the newly-popular stone massage. If you've never tried this, it's a treat. Smooth river rocks are heated and used to massage the body, relaxing the muscles. A fifty minute massage (€90) can be extended to include a fifteen-minute Turkish bath and/or hydromassage with light therapy (€20 additional). The intriguing speciality here is the chocolate massage. Chocolate, minus milk, sugar, hazelnuts, etc. is said to benefit the body when applied to the outside. Special two-hour day spa packages are offered each month throughout the year. For example, October's package included Turkish bath, hydromassage, stone massage, manicure and pedicure (€170).
Hotel Exedra, Piazza della Repubblica, 47 tel 06 489 38044

Nardi Day Spa
Nardi has long been the chic hair salon for signore in the upscale Parioli district. And with its English-speaking staff and proximity to the official residence, it has attracted the wives of the last and present American ambassadors. It is now a full service day spa on two floors, including a small coffee bar, boutique on the ground floor, and massage, makeup and hydromassage facilitiies up the winding glass staircase. The spa specializes in a variety of mechanical treatments to tone specific body areas, promote drainage of the lymph nodes, untangle knotted muscles and eliminate cellulite. Aveda products are used for most treatments. A dietician is available on Mondays and Thursdays. The signature novelty treatment involves a bed of hypo-allergenic hay which has been infused with therapeutic aromas. A number of package treatments are on offer. The two-hour treatment includes massage, facial and makeup (€96,50). With four hours you also get a hydromassage, hair-styling and manicure (€153.) And if you can treat yourself to a full seven-hour day of beauty, you'll get a hydromassage, body peel, steam bath or "waterfall" an oil massage, lunch, face peel, facial, manicure, makeup and hairstyle. or face peel and oil massage or facial, plus hair style, makeup and manicure (€329.) There are also packages for expectant mothers and brides-to-be. Two locations, both in the north end of Rome. The Via S. Costanza spa also has facitlities for men, a solarium and Roman bath.
P.zza Ungheria, 6 tel. 06.855 15 97
Via di S Costanza, 2 (Piazza Istria) tel. 06.854 90 79
 
Paradise Spa
This spa services guests at the Alelph Hotel, but welcomes day visitors, as well. Like the hotel itself, which was designed by Adam Tihany, the spa's decor combines humor with sleek functionality. The hotel was once a bank, and the spa is located on the lower level, which housed the bank vaults. Tihany has retained some of the vault furnishings in his design. Facilities include a relaxation room, thermal pool, Turkish bath and gym, as well as the traditional range of treatments. A day pass to the spa and gym facilities is available (€35). A classic relaxation massage costs €90.
Via San Basilio, 13 ( Via Veneto) tel. 06.422 90075
 
Hotel de Russie
The Russie offers one of Rome's most luxurious spa facilities, including a hydropool, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi and gym. Non hotel-guests can use the gym, relaxation area, Turkish bath and pool for an entry fee (€35). In addition to classic massage treatments, the de Russie offers Rolfing and deep tissue massage (€90), reflexology (€44) and Watsu (€120). Watsu (water + shiatsu) is an incredibly relaxing experience, in which the therapist cradles the client in a warm water pool. Manicure (€25-40) pedicure (€25) and waxing treatments (€50) are also available.
Hotel de Russie, Via del Babuino, 9 tel. (Piazza del Popolo)
 
Saturnia Day Spa
The thermal waters that spring from the volcanic ashes at Saturnia in Tuscany have been legendary since the days of the Etruscans. The story goes that the Roman god Saturnia, fed-up with earth's endlessly squabbling inhabitants, threw a bolt of lightening, creating the spring waters to calm them down. Luxury spa resorts have been built around the springs, and the Saturnia spa is now marketed worldwide in the form of a range of products, and in hotel day spas. In Rome, the Hotel Crowne Plazza near the Vatican is the home of an extensive Saturnia spa, offering three and four-day hotel wellness packages as well as a day spa. The facilities include a fitness center, solarium, Roman bath, sauna, Turkish bath, hydromassage, tropical aromatic shower and cold fog bath. In addition to a complete list of all the usual body and facial treatments, the spa offers masks for face and body using the therapeutic Saturnian mud, which is rich in sulfur, hydrogen phosphate and algae. Among the specialities, the Multivitamin Oxygenating Treatment and the Ultrasound Anti-Smog Treatment (€95 each) are particularly intriguing. The spa staff includes a dermatologist offering skin examinations and recommendations and a nutritionist offering diet analysis and advice (€78 each). A variety of day spa packages are available (€86-96). Each includes a fitness or relaxation class, plus treatment and entrance to the Roman bath facilities. Our favorite: the stretch class, gommage or plankton and face mask.
Crowne Plaza Rome St. Peter's, Via Aurelia Antica, 415 tel. 06.664 2740 (Vatican)
 
SALONS
 
Aveda Spa
A lush and relaxing day spa at the top of the Spanish Steps, offers a menu of services, all using the Aveda line of natural products. Choose from a whirlpool bath, Tibetan mud therapy, salt glow body exfoliation, pure plant steam inhalations, facials, makeup lessons, eyebrow shaping, and expert massages by Bangladesh native Tushar, who is trained in the Ayurvedic arts.
Rampa Mignanelli, 9 tel. 06.69924886 (Trident)

Enhancements Nail Spa
If you've been looking in vain for a New York or L.A.-style manicure, look no further than Via Umbria, a small street in the shadow of the American Embassy. Founded by a New Yorker and an Italian, with branches in Rome and Milan, Enhancement is a calm and spacious salon, offering luxury treatments for hands and feet. Pedicures are performed in curtained spaces with whirlpool foot baths and super-comfortable easy chairs complete with personal DVD players stowed in the arm rests so you can watch "Sex in the City" while your callouses are sloughed off. The spa pedicure includes a sea salt foot bath and an almond foot scrub. All the utensils are sterile-packed, the products are top-of-the-line Opi and Essie polishes and Enhancements own line of creams and oils. The spa offers an extensive menu of treatments for men and women, including hand "facials," hot cream and paraffin manicures and curative pedicures for aching feet. A basic manicure costs 29 euro, a spa pedicure 49 euro. Appointments are necessary.
Via Umbria, 13/b tel. 06.420 13496 (Via V. Veneto)
Contesta Rockhair
Something of a rock n'roll hair style empire with shops in three locations in Rome, four in Florence, one in Salerno, and the newest addition, in Miami, Florida, this is a chain of salons for the seriously trendy. Styles include hair coloring in all shades, dreads and extensions. The Rome shop in Monti is a happening place, with happy hour on Wednesday nights, and the salon participates in events at clubs like Gay Village. A friendly crowd. English spoken.
Via Zingari, 10 tel. 06.489 06975
Elleffe
You'll have no trouble getting by on your English in this trendy salon tucked in a corner just behind Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. Elleffe stands for the initials of proprietors Lucia and Fabbio. Master haircutter Fabbio presides over the chairs, which are dominated by a huge rear projection TV screen. You can also get color, a manicure, pedicure, and other services.
Via San Calisto 6/6a tel. 06.5833875 Closed Sunday and Monday. (Trastevere)
Intercoiffeur
Hair stylist to several US ambasssadors, including the current one. Spanish, German and English spoken. (Photo at left)
via Lombardia, 14 tel. 06.482 7328 (Via V. Veneto)
Michele Spanò & Co.
Candles, cushions, incense and Japanese calligraphy create a zen atmosphere in Spanò’s salon, which has been a fixture in the Trident for more than twenty years, styling the hair of Italian film stars and scions of society. He uses a Japanese cutting technique and a hair treatment made with yogurt and fruits. A native of Calabria and former resident of Miami and London, Spanò styles the hair of Italian film stars and scions of society, using a Japanese cutting technique and a hair treatment he makes with yogurt and fresh fruit.
Via Dei Greci, 40-42 tel. 06.360 02325 (Trident)

 
Noi
Southern California transplants Rick and Massimo, who for twenty years had salons in La Jolla and Laguna, run the newly-opened Noi (us), specializing in contemporary styling, color and cut. Decorated in gold-framed mirrors and antiques, wtih a pretty little patio for smokers, it's a charming place. Look for the name on the citofono (intercom/buzzer). You'll find the salon in the back of the building.
Piazza del Popolo, 3 tel. O6.3600 6284