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ONLY BE ROMAN
Only-Be Roman
The best clubs in Rome
The Italian capital, as well as having plenty of history and art, also has an interesting and lively nightlife that will not disappoint even the most avid party-goers ready for a night on the town in the eternal city. When it comes to going out, the locals have a preference for the most fashionable clubs, where they can listen to the latest music on the dancefloor, drinks the most innovative cocktails and, above all, seeing and being seen (don´t forget the Italian obsession with fashion and image). The closing times in Rome range from 3.30am to 4am, which gives you enough time to enjoy the nightlife during your holidays in Rome. If clubbing is your religion, here´s a small guide with the must-go-to clubs during your incursion in Rome´s nightlife. Akab Cave (Via di Monte Testaccio, 68) In Testaccio, one of the liveliest districts in the city when it comes to nightlife, you can find Akab, a club that´s a reference in Rome´s nightlife and has been since the 80s. Inside, you can listen from the best techno to the latest pop music, and their theme nights are legendary. With an elegant design, two private rooms and two bars, this charismatic club is a must. Cover charge is 25 euros. Photo vía akabclub Goa Club (Via Giuseppe Libetta, 13) This club has been at the front of Rome´s nightlife for many years. Avant-garde music, the best international DJs and beautiful people is what´s on the club´s calling card (some of the players of AS Roma, one of the city´s two football teams, are regulars here), as well as a...
Quartiere Coppedé
Quartiere means neighborhood, although the Quartiere Coppedè isn’t exactly a neighborhood. Hidden in the bowels of the city, it is made up of 18 palazzos, noble constructions that are accompanied by other palaces and buildings. Amid these, there is a square called Piazza Minzio unto which the doors of the architectural structures open. It also has a fountain called Fontanna delle Rane (Fountain of the Frogs). The complex formed by these buildings was designed by architect Gino Coppedè, after whom it is also named. Work began in 1913 and continued until 1927, which is when the last of the buildings that make up the complex was completed. This range of years resulted in an mix of architectural styles as they were being built, and you can find a variety of elements from many styles. From the unique, free style of the architect to art nouveau detailing or even baroque art, these all come together in the facades and interiors of these palazzos. This great variety means that no matter how many times you have visit this particular area of Rome, you are pretty much guaranteed to find some detail that you overlooked on a previous visit. And surprises are hidden in every nook and cranny, so it’s easy to miss one or more even after several visits. The most prominent buildings there are the three homes that open to the Fontana delle Rane, especially the Villina delle Fate (Villa of the Fairies), which was built in 1920. The spectacular nature of this area makes it a special place in the Quartiere Coppedè. And while all of this area is...
Lana del Rey in Concert in Rome
Lana Del Rey, the “Anti-Gaga” The success of Lana Del Rey was fairly predictable. She´s strikingly beautiful, with an air of a diva wounded by ill-fated love, alcohol and surgeries, and has a voice that swings from depths of darkness to lightweight neo pop rhythms. Lana herself dubbed the style “Hollywood Sadcore” which soon spread throughout the global village and, of course, all the social networks. She´s also known as the “Anti-Gaga”. Lana Del Rey seeks to move listeners before impact, creating feelings of love before desire. And since she´s very business savvy, this singer is here to stay. © blur95 From her pop music beginnings in Brooklyn and Manhattan, when she was still known as Lizzy Grant, the singer was able to demonstrate her talent for composing and performing her own songs as well as a unique look rooted in vintage film. In her first videos, Lizzy Grant is shown as a battered pop diva, who seems to have emerged out of a movie from the 50s with a heartbreaking voice interspersed with images of cars, cartoons and movies by Stanley Kubrick. This same aesthetic was used for the video for her hit song “Video Games” from the hit album “Born to Die”. Additional hits like “Blue Jeans”, “Born to Die” and “National Anthem” followed. A retouched image? Many questioned whether Lana´s alleged plastic surgeries, the excessive botox on the lips, and her too perfect nose were somewhat synthetic. However, the retouched image of the star, with a tattoo on his right hand that reads “TRUST NO ONE”, allows her to present herself as the accumulation of all the...
The Master of Venetian Painting: Titian, in the Scuderie del Quirinale
The exhibition of the works of Tiziano Vecellio, which runs until June 16, concludes the work that the Scuderie del Quirinale began a while back to analyze the artistic production of Venetian painting and the role it has played in the renewal of Italian and European culture. Before Titian, one has been able to admire the works of painters of the modern pictorial revolution, artists like Antonello da Messina, Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto and Lorenzo Lotto, at the Scuderie. Now it’s Titian turn. His works bear witness to what an important figure his was in the world of painting. The exhibition presents the highlights from the Italian artist’s unstoppable rise, from his beginnings under the guidance of Giovanni Bellini and Giorgione to his being recognized as an artist of international fame. Many of Titian’s works were commissioned, and not for just anyone but for the most important figures of that period, including Charles V (during his coronation in 1530), and his son Philip II, future king of Spain. The exhibition portrays not only his work as a religious painter, but also the difficult job of being a portraitist for the nobility of the time. The exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale is accompanied by scientific studies that have analyzed the entire production of this artist. These studies, conducted by the Ateneo Center for Visual Arts at the University of Bergamo, have managed to make fine distinctions between the works of Titian, from those developed at the beginning of his career in small workshops to the evolution of his own techniques. You have April, May and part of June to visit...
‘Art in Japan 1868-1945’ Exhibition in Rome
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Culture Institute in Rome, known as the Japan Foundation, the Galleria Nazionale d´Arte Moderna and the Museum of Modern Art of Kyoto are organising a large exhibition dedicated to 20th century Japan, the first one ever in Italy. The exhibition encompasses a period of intense transformation without exploring that goes from the restoration of the Meiji Emperor in 1868 to the Second World War. The exhibition includes a total of 111 paintings and 59 works of decorative art from the main museums and private collections in Japan. For preservation reasons, due to the particular sensitivity of the materials, the exhibition is divided in two different exhibition phases, with an almost-complete substitution of the paintings and a partial one of the decorative art, in accordance with the following calendar: The first exhibition is from the 26th of February 2013 to the 1st of April 2013; the second exhibition is from the 4th of April 2013 to the 5th of May 2013. The curators of the exhibition are Masaki Ozaki (director of the Museum of Modern Art of Kyoto) and Ryuichi Matsubara (Head of Investigation of the Museum of Modern Art of Kyoto). The commissioner of the exhibition is Stefania Frezzotti (curator of the National Gallery of Modern Art of Rome). The exhibition takes place at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art of Rome (Galleria Nazionale d´Arte Moderna e contemporanea) on Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, Rome. The opening times are from 10.30am to 7.30.pm (last entry at 6.45pm). Ticket prices are 12€ and 9.50€ for concessions. On July 8th 1853, four...
Rome and the Gattare
If you have visited Rome, at least once, perhaps you notice the important role that cats play in the Roman society. That is why the Gattare (cat ladies) are essential to maintain equilibrium in the streets of the capital of Italy. Although there are men doing this work, the name of this job has a feminine connotation due to the high number of female voluntaries. Gattare’s most symbolic place of action is located at Largo Argentina, specifically at the archeological zone of the sacral area, which is ideal for cats to take refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is also a place full of history, where Brutus stabbed Julius Caesar. Located in the heart of the city, Largo Argentina hosts many cats that actually seem to be happy. Those who love animals can perfectly distinguish when an animal suffers a lack of food or love. A day in the life of a Gattare begins at 8 am in Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, where they have to clean and disinfect cages, as well as litter boxes of cats that are under special care, because they just had surgery. At 11 a.m starts the food distribution. The Gattare should perfectly know which animals have specific dietary requirements. From midday hordes of tourists arrive. During the Afternoon there is a medical treatment session, as well as a second round of feeding and cleaning. Lia and Silvia are the creators of this interesting place, which was conceived in 1994 with the idea of offering shelter to over 100 abandoned cats that hided among the ruins. After hard work, Lia...
Foro Italico in Rome
Foro Italico in Rome (not to be confused with the Roman Forum from imperial times) is located on the outskirts of the Eternal City and is part of the sport facilities of the University for the Studies of Rome “Foro Italico”. It is accessible to the visitors and constantly holds tennis tournaments and athletic races. The swimming facilities are located in a building right next to it. Foro Italico was built between 1928 and 1938 and it followed the architecture aesthetics promoted by the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. This construction is adorned with Art Deco sculptures, which was the dominant artistic style at the time. Fascist Architecture Without going into political, ethical or humanistic issues about what the fascism represented in arts, Fascist architecture, has a very high aesthetic quality. Hitler and Mussolini, as other totalitarians did not hesitate to promote the burning of books and paintings (sometimes even people) in an effort to erase parts of history. But that doesn’t mean that, in some way or another, both regimes promoted highly effective artistic interventions. And as an example we must highlight the rallies of Nazi propaganda in Germany and executed beautiful buildings erected in Italy, especially in the north, because of the Duce, Benito Mussolini On that historic, ethical, social and cultural involution of the time, it was believed that there was no better time than the one of the ancient Rome Empire (in Italy) or the pure Aryan tribes (in Germany). With both of these, it was intended to resume some values from the past (from more than 2000 years before them!) and inculcated them in their...
Vermeer and the Golden Age of Dutch Art
When it comes to visiting Rome, the possibilities for entertainment and pleasure are unlimited. Of course, what you´ll have most at hand is art and culture in this great Italian city, and when it comes to art there´s nothing better than a visit to the Scuderie del Quirinale. Here is where the exhibition Vermeer: Il Secolo D´Oro dell´Arte Olandese (Vermeer: the Golden Age of Dutch Art) will be taking place, an important exhibition that´s the first one to be carried out in Italy of this great master of 17th-century Dutch painting. The exhibition not only has some of the most representative paintings by Johannes Vermeer but also thirty paintings by some of his Dutch contemporaries. This way, those who explore this valuable exhibition for the first time and don´t know anything about Dutch painting will not only have a direct perspective with the work of this unique artist but will also be able to contrast his work and that of his most famous fellow Dutch artists. It´s worthy of a reminder that Vermeer´s work, albeit a brief one since he only has 33 to 35 paintings to his name, is highly important in the famous Golden Age of Dutch art. This era was also shaped by an important economical and political change, which allowed for the patronage that Vermeer, of course, took part in. Vermeer´s painting is mainly of traditional style of historical character, since it vividly portrays scenes of everyday life and reality with amazing realism. It´s important to highlight the significant work that Vermeer did with light and the shadows in his paintings, one of his main talents....
5 music bars in Rome
Rome has a wide range of musical entertainment big enough to fulfill the demands of any live music fan. From jazz and blues to rock, ethnic music and Latin rhythms, the Italian capital offers all kinds of live music in the most diverse venues. If you want to join the Romans and enjoy a good live show you cannot stop visiting these 5 bars during your stay in the city: Alexanderplatz Located near the Vatican, the Alexanderplatz is the oldest jazz club in Italy. Its Stage usually receive great international artists of the genre, they do not leave without signing the legendary walls of the room, filled with the names of the renowned musicians who have played there. The restaurant is known for its warm atmosphere, in addition to its cuisine, which focuses on Mediterranean food. Definitely a place that jazz lovers should not miss during thier visit to the city. You can check the concert schedule on its website: http://www.alexanderplatz.it/PROGRAMMA3.html Address: Via Ostia, 9 La Palma Club Founded in 1966, the Palm Club is another jazz referral in Rome. You can listen to live music while enjoying some of the delicious dishes the prepare, or you can also visit the gallery to find some of the usual exhibitions of art, photography, etc.. Address: Via Giuseppe Mirri 35 Big Mama Open since 1984, the Big Mama is considered one of the best places to hear live music in Rome. Best-known for its performances of blues ,it also offers jazz, rock, songwriters or ethnic music. In recent years it has been a platform for new talents, which today have successful...
