Page 348 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

346  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS
ENTERTAINMENT IN ROME

There is a particular excitement attached to Unexpectedly, given the general
Roman entertainment. Soccer and opera, for shutdown among stores and restaurants,
example, are both worth experiencing for the summer remains Rome’s liveliest time
sheer atmosphere alone, whether or not you for live music, and other cultural events.
are a fan. The jazz scene is especially good, Rome’s graceful Renaissance squares, vast
with international stars appearing alongside parks, villa gardens, Classical ruins, and
local talent. And concerts and movies take other open spaces host various major arts
on an added dimension when performances festivals. For those who prefer sports, or
take place beneath the stars in the many want to try out some Roman nightclubs,
open-air arenas spread across the city. there is plenty available too.

Punctuality is not what Italians
are renowned for, so don’t be
surprised if events start later
than advertised.

Buying Tickets
Reserving in advance is not part Many restaurants and bars have live music
of the Italian lifestyle, though
this is slowly changing. Two days before the performance.
ticket agencies that will reserve It is usually easier (and also a bit
tickets for some performances cheaper) to get tickets for the
Saxophonist at Planet Roma (see p350) for you (for a small fee) are outdoor summer performances.
Orbis, and the Internet-based The Teatro dell’Opera box
Practical Information
TicketOne. Rome’s Tourist Info office (see p349) handles face-
A good source of information Line also helps visitors reserve to-face and online sales for both
about what’s going on is tickets for various events. Many summer and winter seasons.
TrovaRoma, the weekly Thursday theaters do not accept phone Tickets for most big rock and
supplement to La Repubblica reservations – you have to visit jazz events can be bought at
newspaper. It has a day-by-day the box office in person. They Orbis and at large book and
rundown of what’s on where, will charge you a prevendita music stores such as the Torre
and covers music, exhibitions, supple ment (about 10 percent Argentina branch of Feltrinelli.
theater, movies, guided tours, of the normal price) for any If you are trying to get hold
restaurants, and children’s tickets sold in advance. The of a ticket for a performance
entertainment. Daily newspapers price of a that has already sold out, you
like Il Messaggero, Il Manifesto, theater ticket are unlikely to be able to obtain
and La Repubblica usually list can be one from unofficial sources –
that evening’s entertainment, anything there are very few ticket
but only in Italian. between scalpers in Rome, except at
The magazine Wanted in Rome, €8 and €52. major soccer games.
found at Via Veneto newsstands Tickets for
or English-language bookstores, classical concerts
provides less detailed listings in are usually sold on Member of contemporary
English, while the monthly the spot, and are dance group Momix (see p349)
Where Rome, available from sometimes for that
reception desks of four- and night only, an
five-star hotels, is a good source arrangement
of information and up-to-date
listings. Also worth getting hold
of is L’Evento, a free booklet
available from tourist information
offices around the city (see p369).
Published every two months, Discount Tickets
it gives details in English of
classical music, festivals, theater, that favors the last-minute Theaters and concert venues
exhibitions, and more in the city decision to go. Opera is the tend not to offer discounts
and surroundings. Up-to-date exception. Tickets are sold directly, although there is a
information can also be found months in advance, with just centralized service (Last Minute
on various websites. a few held back until two Teatro) offering up to 50 percent

US_346-347_EW_Rome_US.indd 346 15/03/17 4:22 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm