Category Archives: Things to see and do

Come Dancing…Northern Soul in Bagni di Lucca

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The Heart and Soul Weekender is the brain child of Catherine Clift, an enthusiastic resident of Bagni di Lucca.

Her love of Northern Soul, a British subculture centred on a particular style of fast-tempo, obscure American soul music, mostly from the 60s and early 70s, has inspired her to bring an event to Bagni di Lucca. Northern Soul dancing is energetic, with complex footwork and high kicks.

The movement emerged from the British Mod Scene, with venues in Northern England and the Midlands. Iconic venues like the Twisted Wheel, the Wigan Casino and the Blackpool Mecca were crucial to the Northern Soul scene.

Northern Soul has seen a resurgence in recent years and Catherine and a group of like minded friends are bringing it to Bagni di Lucca in September. It has taken more than a year to bring everything together for what is going be a wonderful weekend of music, dance and fun!

On Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of September a music festival will be held with DJs from England, Jersey, Ireland and Italy. They will play vinyl records from the 50s to the 80s…Motown, Reggae, Rhythm and Blues, Ska, Latin and Mod music. Expect to hear The Kinks, the Isley Brothers, PP Arnold and so much more.

Bar Italia, the casino in Ponte a Serraglio (the first purpose built casino in Europe) and the Piaza Jean Varraud in La Viila will host more than 200 people travelling from all over Europe for the first event of its kind in Bagni di Lucca.

On Friday 12th September the event will kick off at Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio from 4.00pm and move to the casino where the music and dancing will continue until 2.00am.

Saturday 13th September will see the same programme.

On Sunday  September will see the fun move to La Villa to the Piazza, Antico Caffe del Sonno and Bar Roma. There will be live music with local performers Polly Haardon and Barbara.

Expect to see people dressed for the occasion. The original Northern Soul aficionados wore in Mod style, baggy trousers, long skirts, vest tops and leather brogues. The right footwear is essential so the dancer can slide with ease on the dance floor.

The Italian Mod scene became prominent in the mid 80s and was centred around Rimini. It involved a vibrant subculture focussed on fashion, music, scooters and social gathering. Vespa and Lambretta scooters became a symbol of Soul. Expect to see colourful scooters at the casino.

I’m sure the Heart and Soul Weekender is going to be a huge success…perhaps it will become an annual event.

People are coming to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide for the event. Please book if you wish to attend and make sure you book accommodation.

For more information please contact Catherine at cathymckee21@gmail.com or telephone 0044 7398208731

Poetry and sculpture in Montefegatesi

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Montefegatesi is hosting an exhibition of poetry, sculpture and painting in collaboration with the Borgo Degli Artisti. The inauguration will be in the Ermete Zacconi Theatre on Monday 4th August at 6.00pm.

On the following Sunday, 10th August, also at the theatre, there will be a concert to honour Bagni di Lucca’s poet, Mario Lena. The event begins at 6.00pm. Thank you Morena Guarnaschelli for the information.

Explore the Rocca di Lucchio

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On Monday 28th July it will be possible to see some of the excavated items from the Rocca of Lucchio, followed by a visit to the site. There will be 2 shifts, the 1st at 5.00pm and the second shift at 6.00pm.

No reservations are required, be at the beginning of the trail towards the Rocca at the appointed times.

I have no more information than this. If I was in Bagni di Lucca I would definitely be there to do this fun activity.

Things to do

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On Saturday 28th June in Montefegatesi will be Ballo con Ciao in the Montefegatesi Theatre organised by the Ermete Zacconi Society.
There will be pizza, dessert and dancing. (You don’t have to eat pizza)

Call 331 738 4968 for information.

On Thursday 3rd July at 9.00pm in the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio there will be a fashion show with vintage fashion in collaboration with Auser.

In Benabbio there Philharmonic Society of Benabbio will have a series of readings every Thursday in July at 6.00pm in the Public Garden of Benabbio.

The opening of the exhibition of Laura Balloni will be held at the gallery of Borgo degli Artisti.

Bagni di Lucca gin

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Two young local men have developed a very special gin. Leonardo Vitali and Federico Monterastelli, while sitting at a restaurant in Casoli, decided to conceive and design their own gin.

They didn’t know much about making gin so they studied, researched and took a master distiller course and started experimenting. After testing more than 50 herbs spices to flavour the gin they chose 11, including lemon balm, peppermint, angelica, rose, acacia and licorice for 2 types of gin.

They chose the name Realia for its meaning, authentic things. Every aspect of the production has been thought out carefully by the 2 young men, leaving nothing to chance.

It is possible to taste Realia gin at Bar Roma, La Cantabruna and Tenuta La Fratta farmhouse. Bottles can be purchased at Nonsolovino wine shop in Bagni di Lucca Villa.

It is excellent to see young people doing innovative things in Bagni di Lucca! I wish them success for the future.

Catene Cafe in Fornoli

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We are very lucky in Bagni di Lucca to have many wonderful bars to choose from. Catene Cafe in Fornoli is a favourite. It has recently had a make over and is better than ever. Congratulations to Paolo, Yanima and the team.


Catene Cafe serves deliciois pastries, sandwiches and coffee and the service is great. They do an excellent aperitivo in the evenings.

Drop in for aperitivo.

Bagni di Lucca event information

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A new website has been created by the Comune to inform people about what is happening in Bagni di Lucca.

https://www.bagnidilucca.info/tutti-gli-eventi-a-bagni-di-lucca/

Events for the summer 2025 are shown, concerts, gastronomic events, nature walks annd cultural discoveries, all in beautiful Bagni di Lucca…over 100 events. The site will be updated daily.

Each visitor will receive a business card with the QR code to access the program directly.