Jazz in the Villa Medici

Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome, is hosting a small jazz festival this week as part of Estate Romana (June 24-26). While we missed the first two nights, Friday night's program is sure to be a great crowd-pleaser with Daniele Scannapieco on sax. The performances are outside in the Villa's famous gardens. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 9:00. You can buy a reduced ticket with your RomaPiu pass!

Estate Romana 2009 Calendar is On-Line

At long last, the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) calendar of events is live. Go to en.estateromana.commune.roma.it for all the details on summer concerts, exhibitions, and performances in Rome-many of them FREE!

Estate Romana 2009

More concert dates have been announced for Estate Romana 2009. Lauryn Hill (July 3), Burt Bacharach (July 24) and Tracy Chapman (July 27) will be performing in Rome-get tickets and details at www.romeguide.it. Stay tuned for the Estate Romana 2009 website.

Estate Romana 2009

Hard to believe it, but summer is almost here. And summer in Rome means the festival of Estate Romana-music, performances, exhibitions and special events all over the city from the beginning of June through the end of August and even into September. Already on the calendar are Lenny Kravitz (June 5), The Killers (July 14), and opera performances in the Baths of Caracalla (Carmen
and Tosca!). The official calendar has not yet been published, but check out some of the preliminary engagements at romeguide.it (you can purchase tickets there too). Stay tuned for the official Estate Romana 2009 calendar and all the exciting details!

Madonna in Rome September 6

As part of Estate Romana (Roman Summer) and the Sticky and Sweet tour, Madonna will be performing in Rome at the Piazzale Stadio Olympico on September 6. Gates open at 7:00 pm! Buy tickets here (starting at 69 Euros).

Roman Nights at the Theater of Marcellus

As part of Estate Romana (Roman Summer) the Theater of Marcellus is host to a number of theatrical and musical performances. This week you can hear Liszt, Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Chopin and Brahms all performed live starting at 8:30 pm. If you arrive at 8:00 pm you will receive a tour of the archaeological ruins of the Theater as well. See the website for details. Tickets are 15 Euros for the concert and tour.

Guided Tours of the Stadium of Domitian by Night

Underneath Piazza Navona are the foundations of the Stadium of the Emperor Domitian. These foundations actually provide the racetrack shape of the present-day piazza. On Sunday, August 24th, you can go beneath the piazza and see the remnants of the stadium for yourself. This rare guided tour begins at 8:00 pm and costs 5 Euros. To reserve tickets individually or for groups call 06 4391597; 339 1998481; 349 7820922 or email artable@libero.it. The tours meet at Piazza di Tor Sanguigna 13. See the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) website for more details.

Jazz on the Appian Way

As part of the Estate Romana festivities, a free jazz festival is taking place from July 10 through August 10 at the Ristorante Giuda Ballerino near Largo Appio Claudio (Via Marco Valerio Corvo 135). The festival is kicked off by Pasquale Iannarella on saxophone. Call 06/71076070 for more information.

Things To Do For Free in Rome

The print version of National Geographic Traveler has a fantastic article on Rome this month. While the full article in not available on-line, their website does have some fun Roman features that will help you plan your trip and save money. Free Rome details various monuments, sites, entertainment and even food that costs niente. Included in the extensive lists are walking tours of the Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica, free drinks and/or appetizers at various restaurants and festivals such as Estate Romana and the Isola del Cinema film festival on the Tiber Island. There's also a slide show to get you excited about your trip!

Estate Romana 2008: "Roman Summer" Entertainment

Every summer Rome comes to life with a festival of music, performances, sports and exhibitions. Most of the events are outdoors and often feature famous performers. This summer Ben Harper, Duran Duran and Madonna will all be making appearances in Rome at various venues. Classical music is also a big draw, with opera performed at the Baths of Caracalla and other sites. Estate Romana (Estate means "summer" in Italian) takes place from June 1st through September.