Our Blogger: Jona

Even if the concert is held on Friday the 8^th of October 2010, for sure you are able to hear U2’s most famous song “Sunday bloody Sunday”. The Irish rock band which has sold more than 170 million albums and won 22 Grammy Awards. And that is more than any other rock band has achieved. Not only the selling records will guarantee you an unforgettable evening at Olympic Stadium.

 The road to world wide success has been long. Everything started in 1976, when none of the 4 members were very good musicians. Years went by, and they got better. Everything changed in 1987 when they released hit record The Joshua Tree. U2 has all these years made lot of charity work and helping people with groups like:  Amnesty International, Make Poverty History, the ONE Campaign, Live Aid, Live 8, Bono’s DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa) campaign, and Music Rising.

Tickets can be bought online: www.ticketone.it and prices are very reasonable because 85% of all tickets cost less than 95€, the ones for the field in front of the stage cost 55€ and at least 10.000 tickets cost 30€.  

Our Blogger: Vanda

It begins on February 4 the fith edition of Equilibro, festival of contemporarydance, that from the stage of the Auditorium Paco Della Musica  will open a window to the multiform and fascinating universe of contemporary dance.

Music

It will be also naturally of scene the great Italian music, with Carmen Consoli (before absolute and preview of the new album), Claudio Baglioni,Enrico Rava, Cristiano De Andrè, Paolo Fresu, Gino Paoli, Gianmaria Testa, Danilo Rea, Gabriele Mirabassi, Elio e le sotrie  Tese, Giovanna Marini, Bandabardò, Ludovico Einaudi, Fortunate Mesolella Mimmo Epifani, Actores Alidos.

Numerous the great scheduled musical events. As usual, the season will be studded with international concerts. Here are some proposals: Philip Glass (world preview), Lou Reed, Joss Stone, Tori Amos, Devendra Banhart, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Mark Knopfler, Bobby McFerrin, Sonny Rollins, Daylight Krall, Peter Hammill, Paco De Lucy, Tuck & Patty, Jamie Cullum, Allen Toussaint, Ralph Towner, Aires Tango and Javier Girotto, Brad Mehldau, Uri Caine, Richard Galliano, William Parker, Marc Ribot, To the of Meola, Alvin Curran, Jack DeJohnette, Bobo Stenson, Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, John Mc Laughlin, Anthony Placer, Radiodervish, Manu Katché, Kocani Orkestar, Abida Parven, Alim Qasimov.

Performances

Equilibrium, in this sixth edition will be directed  by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. It will be he choreographer and dancer to inaugurate the festival with the new choreography Orbo Novo.

Both the initiatives will promote the young creativeness in the dance and in the theatre  awarding  two prizes: the winning artists will take home, respectively, 10 thousand and 20 Euro.

Culture

Appointments to theme, reviews devoted to the history, to the poetry, to the book industry, to the sciences, to the journalism, with the share of exponents of the world of the culture coming from about ten countries, that weave artistic experiences.

Among the guests: Peter Ludlow, Ilaria  Capua, Robert Caillau.

The theme of this year of the History’sLessons is “Crisis and revolution.” Prestigious historians will speak of the great transformations that have changed our past Journalists as: Paul Mieli, Peter Angela, Roberto Napoletano, Gianni Mura, Natalia Aspesi.

Art

Will begin in 2010 and will also continue in the 2011 Fluxus Biennal, the review curated by Achille  Bonito Olive, one of the most influential art critics in Italy.

To know more about the festival you can visit the official website and if you’re looking for the place to stay, the Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel are the perfect hotels in a perfect area!

“Equilibrium. Festival of the new dance.” Rome, Auditorium Parco of the Music, up to February 26. Next shows “Namasya, contemporary solos” of Shantala Shivalingappa, 22 and 23; and “Opening night” de Les Slovaks Dance Collective, 25 and 26.

Our Blogger: Marcelo

“Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit.”

-Horace

From the 24^th February the exhibition ‘’ I Giorni di Roma: L’età della Conquista, Roma e il mondo greco’’ will allow you to explore the classic art even deeper into its roots and learn more about the cultural influence that Greece had over Rome, because as the Roman poet Horace said (and that’s the quote we’re using for this entry): “Captive Greece took captive [with its culture] her uncouth conqueror“.

The Capitoline Museums, placed in the legendary Capitoline Square (designed by

Michelangelo, no less) is the location chosen for this event. The decision is more than natural since the Capitoline Museums (the first public museum in history) are thematic-centred in the classic period.

Impressive marble statues, fine works in bronze and terracotta sculptures, ornaments and home decor items made of bronze and silver. Everything in order to bring you back in time and portraitf a period during which the ruling elite felt, with increasing awareness, the strengthening of its prestige and expressed it through art.

The conquest of Greece (the decades between the end of the third century BC and half of the first century A.. C)  opens an entire new prospective to the Roman society. The exhibition will focus on this very great moment in Roman History allowing visitors to better understand the strong influence of the Greek culture in Rome.

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Where: Piazza del Campidoglio

From: February 24, 2010
Until:  September 05, 2010

More info: http://museicapitolini.org/ http:// www.beniculturali.it

The Capitoline Museums are located at only fifteen minutes by bus (40 or 492)  from our locations: Hotel Des Artistes (www.hoteldesartistes.com) or Yes Hotel Rome (www.yeshotelrome.com).

Our Blogger: Vanda

From on October 24 up to February 14 th 2010, to the Museum in Rome Trastevere, you can assist to a photographic show from the title “Before and after the Wall.”  The exhibition has the purpose to tell the history of the wall in Berlin through forty photos taken during the last forty years in Berlin, the show it will put in prominence all the changes that this city has suffered from the creation of the wall up to its demolition and its transformation into a ”monument” of a past that cannot be forgotten.

The photographers authors of this interesting show are: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Leonard Freed, Bruno Barbey, Ian Berry, Guy Le Querrec della Magnum Photos, Gianni Berengo Gardin a Mauro Galligani, Giovanni Chiaramonte, Nicola Gnesi e Davide Monteleone and the great French agency Eyedea.

The museum is open every day, except Monday, from 10:00 until 20:00 but the box-office is closes to the 19. Price ticket: 5.50 European (whole) 4.00 European (meeting place). Address: Piazza di Sant’Egidio, 1/b

At Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel we will be more than happy to give you all the necessary information to visit this and many other famous museums in Rome. Make a reservation and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!

Our Bloggers: Michele & Raul

Your father looks like Dante, and your brother like Ariosto.
Tonight, at its usual place, the moon looks strange,
Maybe because I haven't seen you in a week...
(Antonello Venditti, Notte Prima Degli Esami)

You might not know him, but Antonello Venditti is a true Roman Icon.

He is a great supporter of the football team Roma. He even composed a song for them called “Grazie Roma” (Thank you, Roma). And many of his hits are etched into the consciousness of Italy. One of his most famous hits “Notte prima degli esami” (the night before the final exam) talks about the final exam in highschool, a rite of passage every Italian has to go through. The protagonist of Antonello’s song is desparete because he has this very important exam the next day, but he cannot stop thinking about the girl he loves– It must be a common situation, because the song is almost an hymn and the number of times it has appeared in movies or TV shows is impossible to calculate.

Well, if you are going to be in Rome during New Year’s eve you will have the chance to spend a very Roman evening, for Antonello will be the star on the public concert with wich the Eternal City will celebrate the arrival of 2010 .
Your appointment with this true icon of Romanity is at the Fori Imperiali (basically, near the Colissseum) starting at 20:00 P.M. on New Year’s eve. Don’t miss it!

The Fori Imperiali area is easily accesible from Termini. Yes Hotel and Hotel Des Artistes are located only a few blocks away from the station, the perfet location to get the most of Rome! Make a reservation, and have a memorable New Year!

Our Blogger: Marcelo

Lovers of Fantasy are familiar with Mister Michael Ende. His works have been translated into more than 40 languages. Now there is an exhibition in Rome to commemorate the years that he spent in Italy and the thirtieth anniversary of his Masterpiece: ‘’ The Neverending Story’’.

The book describes the world of Fantasia which is being threatened by “The Nothing” an evil force that destroys everything. The story aims to keep us in touch with the imagination against the trend to be only a practical, logical and cold…

The ‘’mostra’’ develops through manuscripts, photographs and different documents, describing the fifteen years that Ende lived in Genzano (about thirty miles from Rome).

We hope you enjoy it and that you also find inspiration in our beautiful City of Rome. Maybe the same inspiration that Michael Ende and other authors have found here, in this eternally- neverending-inspiring City.

Our Blogger: Raul

Thinking about a different way to greet the new year? You will be hardly pressed to find a most exciting city than Rome. The eternal city will offer you excitement, culture, and tons of fun to start the new year with the right foot.

Rome houses one of the most interesting art collections in the world: the Vatican Museums, where you will be able to admire the Sistine Chapel. How’s that for a good way to start your year? Not to mention the Capitoline museums, the Trevi fountain, and of course the Coliseum.

Every year a concert is organized at Piazza del Popolo (subway stop Flaminio) to celebrate the new year. And that night fireworks can be seen at Trastevere and Castel Sant’Angelo. But the Roman tradition is to attend a cenone (litterally, a “big dinner”) at a restaurant to celebrate the new year with your relatives and closest friends. The typical dish on this occasion is the Cotecchino e Lenticchie, that’s, sausage and lentils. Near Yes Hotel and Hotel Des Artistes there are many typical restaurants where you will have the chance to experience a truly Roman New Year’s Eve.

Our hotels are conveniently located, with buses and subway stations at a stone’s throw, and the Colisseum is only half an hour away from us. So don’t hesitate to book now with us your accomodation for the New Year or Christmas, and while you are at that, take a look at our special packages!

Happy New Year!

Our Blogger: Danilo Caputo

Canadian born singer and musician Diana Krall hardly needs introductions: her extraordinary performances of such jazz classics as “Under my skin” and “Let’s fall in love” have made her one of the best known and best selling jazz artists. In “Quiet Nights”, her last album, Diana Jean Krall tackles standards from the Bossa Nova tradition. From “Boy from Ipanema” to Jobim’s “Corcovado”, Diana Krall’s elegant singing style seems perfectly at ease with the sensual melancholy of Bossa Nova. So do not miss her only live date in Rome: she will be performing on November 15^th at the Parco della Musica, Rome’s finest concert hall. Tickets are available on-line at www.ticketone.it (50/90 euros).

Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel are strategically located to make your stay easier. With the Termini station within walking distance, you will be able to reachthe most interesting spots ans cultural venues like the Parco della Musica.

Our Blogger: Arianna

Has started in Rome the opera, drama, and ballet’s season. The Opera House of Rome, located in National street propose various and interesting concerts.

On October 29th in particular will be on stage the Tannhauser, an opera by Richard Wagner divided into 3 acts.

The action takes place on the XIII century, in the area around Eisenach in Germany.Essentially all the opera is about the holy love and the profane love.The main character is Tannhauser one troubadour slave of Venus, who attracts him in a game of carnal love. He doesn’t want to continue to live that way but he wants to reconciles himself with Mother Mary. From this stage starts the aims of the opera. In fact after breaking Venus’ spell, Tannhauser competes in a poetry competition about the 2 types of love.

Attending the competiton there is Elisabeth, Tannhauser’s lover. Of course he can’t tell her about the past time with Venus but during the competiton he ends up telling everybody about it.

Everybody feels disgusted and the only escape for the protagonist it’s the belated repentance for one’s sins in front of the Pope. Unfortunately The Pope denies him the redemption and Elisabeth sacrifices her life to Mother Mary for Tannhauser salvation. And then, when Tannhauser dies during Elisabeth’s funeral, he dies over her body, redeemed by her sacrifice.

The Opera House in Rome is located near Hotel Des Artistes, the perfect base to enjoy Rome!

October 29, 7:00pm

October 30, 6:00pm

October 31, 5:00pm

November 4, 7:00 pm

November 5, 7:00pm

November 6, 7:00pm

In original language with italian subtitles.

More information: www.operaroma.it,

Our Blogger: Wanda

Do you like chocolate? Which one do you prefer? Maybe the black fluid one or the white, the small ones with cream inside or the almond one?

It’s only a matter of choice: at Eurochocolate, to be held at Perugia you will find them all.

Perugia, the city famous for its baci perugina (literally “perugina kisses”, small chocolates with romantic messages which are an institution in Italy) is the perfect location for a chocolate festival. Ten days of exposition, and events, all related to the chocolate world.

Furthermore, like every year, Eurochocolate will offer to its visitors the possibility to learn more about one particular cocoa producing country. The special guest this year is Indonesia, the third country in the world when it comes to cacao production.

And if you are fans of Facebook you can join Faceciock (pronounced “…choc” in Italian) the virtual version of the festival on the popular social network.

On the bazaar in the historical center of Perugia 150 manufacturers of the industry will display its creations for the joy of all the chocolate lovers who will arrive from all around the world.

Enjoy your holidays with a us at Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel and then spend a day to go to the beautiful Perugia city, located only a short train trip away from Rome.