The program is underway Winter Caves 2018, the calendar of events promoted by the Castellana Caves srl, under the patronage of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, in collaboration with Hell in the Cave and World Dance Movement, as part of the Crossing Arts project.
A month of events, excursions, shows and initiatives at 70 metres depth (and not only) with the programme that includes appointments in the Grave of the Castellana caves (Ba), at the Franco Anelli Speleological Museum and in Piazzale Anelli (always at the Castellana caves), but also in other places in the city of Castellana Grotte.
Three main concerts (always in the splendid setting of the Grave, the entrance cave to the karst complex of the Castellana caves). We begin Tuesday December 18 with the piano solo show of Raphael Gualazzi, one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters and pianists on the international scene, but also a composer and producer with a very personal style, already winner of the Sanremo Festival in 2011, second at the Eurovision Song Contest in the same year and at the Sanremo Festival in 2014, Concert Master of the Notte della Taranta 2017, protagonist of live performances at the most important jazz events in the world.
The central event will be held, instead, Friday December 21 when, after a year full of successes all over the world, the Emotional Tattoos tour of the PFM will stop at the Castellana Caves for a real “best of”, bringing to Grave the greatest hits from their vast repertoire and some songs from the new album of the same name.
Closing, finally, Thursday 27 December with the concert of The Harlem Voices feat. Eric B. Turner: American gospel enters the caves of Castellana and floods the splendid scenery of the Grave with sounds and spirituality.
All concerts will start at 21pm (box office opens at 20pm – descent to Grave from the elevators near the Anelli Museum at 20,30pm – concert starts at 21pm).
Presale on ticketone.it and at the Castellana Caves ticket office.
More info at Castellana Caves Secretariat by calling the number 080.49982211 (every day, from 9am to 13pm) or by writing via email to segreteria@grottedicastellana.it.
Three appointments with Hell in the Cave – verses dancing in the dark air, a re-enactment of Dante's Inferno 70 meters underground. On Saturday the 15th, Sunday the 30th, and Saturday the 12th, the actors, dancers, and acrobats of the world's largest underground aerial show will return to animate the stalactites and stalagmites of the Castellana Caves with the only permanent show in Puglia.
Two, instead, with Speleonight, the exclusive nighttime visit, to be experienced for long stretches in the dark and for some stretches alone, in small groups, to fully enjoy the emotions of exploring the karst complex of the Castellana Caves: Thursday, December 20th and Thursday, January 10th.
Various initiatives "outside the Caves" promoted by Grotte di Castellana srl as part of Grotte d'Inverno 2018: until January 12th in Piazza Garibaldi in Castellana Grotte “Fun on Ice – ice rink”, from 4th to 6th January in Piazzale Anelli the first time of the “Befana at the caves” with concerts, the traditional Befanone, the arrival of the Befana and other surprises, on December 20th at the Irccs de Bellis Congress Centre Christmas Concert by the Metropolitan City of Bari Orchestra, on January 13th the show “Danza di Versi” at the Anelli Speleological Museum and the concert “Mazza che band” in Largo San Leone Magno.
From December 23 to January 6Furthermore, there will be six guided tours of the Castellana Caves: during the upcoming holidays, the entire itinerary up to the White Cave can be done at six times: three in the morning (10 am, 11 am, and 12 pm) and three in the afternoon (14 pm, 15 pm, and 16 pm). Until December 23rd and after January 6th, however, visits will always be possible at the two morning times of 10 am and 12 pm. Finally, as usual, the Castellana Caves will be closed only on Christmas Day (all day on December 25th, 2018) and New Year's Day (all day on January 1st, 2019).
Further information on the events scheduled for Grotte d'Inverno 2018 can be found on Grotte di Castellana srl's Facebook and Instagram social media channels and on the website. www.grottedicastellana.it.
RAPHAEL GUALAZZI, DECEMBER 18, 2018, 35 euros
After his debut with the song “Reality and Fantasy”, his triumphant participation in the 2011 Sanremo Music Festival with the song “Follia d'amore” (first place in the Young Artists category, “Mia Martini” Critics' Award, Radio and TV Press Room Award, Assomusica Award for best live performance and Siae Award for best composer of the year) and in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest (second place and first prize from the technical jury), with three albums under his belt, after countless live performances in Italy and abroad and second place at the 2014 Sanremo Music Festival, Gualazzi returned to the recording scene in 2016 with the new single “L'estate di John Wayne”, which went Gold in just a few weeks, a song that precedes the album “Love Life Peace” and the tour of the same name. In the summer of 2017, Gualazzi was chosen as the Concert Master for the 20th anniversary of "La Notte della Taranta" (the youngest artist to hold this role). Between 2017 and 2018, the singer-songwriter and pianist from the Marche region returned to the radio with "La Fine del Mondo," a song that preceded the international release of his album "Love Life Peace." He also landed in Japan with the album "Best of," a collection of hits from his three previous albums.
MARCONI BAKER'S AWARD-WINNING CAKE, DECEMBER 21, 2018, €60
To celebrate 48 years of success in Italy and around the world, “TVB – The Very Best” was released on October 19th, a complete remastered collection in 4-CD hardcover format with artwork by Guido Harari, enriched by a 60-page booklet edited by Sandro Neri, featuring a choral interview with the original members, comments by Franz Di Cioccio and Patrick DJivas, and previously unpublished photographs.
PFM Premiata Forneria Marconi is a highly eclectic musical group with a distinctive style that combines the expressive power of rock, progressive, and classical music into a single, captivating entity. Formed in 1971, the band quickly gained international prominence, entering the Billboard charts in 1973 (for "Photos of Ghosts") and earning a gold record in Japan. They continue to be a benchmark to this day. Last year, PFM was honored with the 50th place in the Royal Rock Hall of Fame's list of the world's 100 most important artists, and in 2018, they received the prestigious "International Band of the Year" award at the UK Prog Music Awards.
THE HARLEM VOICES FEAT. ERIC B. TURNER, 27 DECEMBER 2018, 15 euros
The Harlem Voices was founded in 2015 in Harlem, New York, by musicians who had spent years working and touring extensively with prominent gospel groups. Eric B. Turner, Pastor of the Worship Center Church of Harlem and Professor of Performance Psychology at the prestigious New York University, took the reins of the group and made it an important figure within the Harlem community, supporting local needs through a series of benefit concerts. Artistically, The Harlem Voices are known for pushing the boundaries of gospel music, infusing it with nuances of R&B, soul, and funk. They also love dancing and creating impressive choreography. All band members have over 20 years of musical careers behind them, having played in some of the most prestigious gospel groups and performed on stage alongside world-class artists.
