Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

260  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

The Biennale and Music and Theatre
other Exhibitions in Verona
Venice is without doubt one of Verona has two exceptional
the leading art exhibition centres open­air venues for theatre
in Europe, offering shows on and music: the superb Arena
themes ranging from art history (see p197), and the 1st­century
to photography, and frequently Teatro Romano (see p204) on
playing host to the world’s major the far side of the River Adige.
travelling exhibitions. There are The Arena is a popular site
excellent facilities for such exhi­ for rock concerts and is interna­
bitions, and these include the tionally renowned for its summer
Doge’s Palace, the Museo Correr, opera season. The Teatro Romano
the Palazzo Grassi, the Peggy stages a succession of ballets and
Guggenheim, the Querini­ Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi on the Grand drama, including a Shakespeare
Stampalia and the Fondazione Canal in Venice, housing a casino Festival, in Italian translation.
Cini. Un Ospite di Venezia will give Tickets for the Teatro can be
details, as will the tourist office the University Wednesday ordered by post; they are also
and posters around the city. (Mercoledì Universitario) is a sold at the box office at the
One of the best and largest weekly event that takes place Arena. Information about all the
exhibitions is the Biennale, an at F30 in winter, and on the Lido entertainment is given in the
international display of contem­ in summer. Alternatively go to Verona newspaper L’Arena.
porary and avant­garde art which the mainland, where
was first begun in 1895. It is held Mestre has a few discos
from June to September in odd­ to choose from. You Pageants and
Local Festivals
numbered years. The main site is will find these
the Giardini Pubblici (see p125), clubs advertised The Veneto is proud
where the specially built pavilions in the Spettacoli of its traditions, which
represent about 40 different listings in Il are best displayed
countries. Another branch of the Gazzettino. Placido Domingo singing in its local festivities.
exhibition showing the work of at the Verona Festival Marostica hosts a
less established artists, takes place human chess game
around the city in venues such Children in medieval costume once every
as the old rope factory in the If you are travelling with two years, while Montagnana
Arsenale (see p123). The Biennale children, there are plenty and Feltre both hold palios, with
also organizes architecture, dance, of activities to enjoy in Venice their fascinating medieval rites.
theatre and music festivals. and the Veneto, which cater Food festivals also abound, such
to younger visitors (see p270). as a celebration of asparagus in
The mainland in particular has Cavallino and, of course, wine
Casinos, Clubs and Discos promising attractions. Around in the Veneto hills (see pp36–9).
If you want to gamble or play Lake Garda there are various
roulette during your visit to watersports as well as a
Venice, there is a magnificent theme park, Gardaland® Opera at the Arena
casino housed in the Palazzo Resort (see p211). Almost everyone will enjoy the
Vendramin-Calergi on the experience of hearing opera in
Grand Canal (see p65) and you the magnificent open­air setting
can sweep up to the stately of the Arena. Opera buffs should
entrance by gondola. be aware, however, that Verona
Venice Jazz Club in Dorsoduro performances are very much
is the best jazz venue in town, “opera for all”. You should be
with live music five nights a week. prepared for less­than­
Paradiso Perduto and the cosier perfect acoustics, noisy
Bentigodi, both in Cannaregio, audiences and small
also feature live bands. Though children running about. The
discos are a rarity in Venice, opera season runs from the first
week in July until the beginning
of September, and every year
features a lavish production
of Verdi’s Aida. Performances
start at 9pm, as dusk is falling,
and it is customary to buy
one of the little candles
that are on sale. Ten minutes
before the “curtain goes
Giant dragon at the Gardaland® Resort theme park, Lake Garda (see p211) up”, the whole Arena

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