Mon May 12 - San Marco, Fortuny Museum, Venice Jazz Club

Marian, Harry & I were up fairly early.  We decided to walk over to San Marco plaza before it gets totally crowded with tourists.  (Toby wasn't interested - she's been there before.) I'm so glad we did that because by the time we left it was really crowded. 



We listened (on our phones) to Rick Steves' audio tour of the area which was really interesting because there is a lot there to see -- the basilica (church), bell tower, offices, doge's palace, and more.  The plaza is 2.5 acres - very spacious.  

Then we walked back home.  On the way stopped for a capucino (and bathroom).  Here, it's cheaper if you stand at the bar which is what we did and what other people do as they get their coffee and usually a pastrie/croissant for breakfast (they don't eat big breakfasts here - no eggs or the stuff we USers eat for bfast).

Walking anywhere is an adventure!  Harry is using his iPhone GPS which is very helpful because of all the twists and turns.  I've been having trouble reading the small print on the map I brought (street names) so I bought another map with larger type and it also has maps of Murano and Burano which we did not have before.

Got back home about 11am.  Toby was up, having slept in because she stayed up until 2am watching (live because of the time difference) the Giants v Dodgers game (Giants won - yay Giants).  

Marian wanted to check out the Fortuny Museum which is only open when they have a special exhibition which there is now.  The museum is on San Marco island, north side.

Fortuny was quite an amazing artist.  He did everything - painting, sculpture, architectural modeling, murals, textiles, clothing. 

From Marian:  "Palazzo Fortuny, Venice - This large Gothic palazzo in Campo San Beneto, was transformed by Mariano Fortuny into his own atelier of photography, stage-design, textile-design, fabric and couture design, and painting. The building retains the rooms and structures created by Fortuny, together with tapestries and collections. The working environment of Mariano Fortuny is represented through precious wall-hangings, paintings, and the famous lamps. It was donated to the city in 1956 by Henriette, Mariano’s widow.  

It is now only open during special exhibitions, so we were delighted to be able to spend an afternoon exploring this amazing place. The special exhibits we saw were interesting as well. Particularly, an exhibit of Dora Maar photographs. I was familiar with Maar as Picasso’s lover and muse, but did not know her work. It was very interesting, and there was information about her amazing life as well. There was another photography exhibit: The amazons of photography from the collection of Mario Trevisa, which included work by Julia Margaret Cameron from the 1870s, Margaret Bourke-White, Dora Maar, Lisette Model, Diane Arbus, Nan Golden, Nan Goldin and many more."

Then we split up and did a little separate shopping. 

Tonight's event is dinner and show at the Venice Jazz Club.  Very professional show.  Here, let Marian tell it...

From Marian:  "Venice Jazz Club - We had read about the Venice Jazz Club, and we stumbled on it walking around our neighborhood after dinner the first night. It was only a short walk from our apartment, so we returned on Tuesday night.  They serve a little food (lasagna and salad), and drinks. You could get dinner, wine, and the show, for 30 euros, so we decided to do that. The VJC quartet (regular house band) includes piano, guitar, double bass, and drums. Pianist is the leader, MC, singer, etc. He spoke English, French, and Italian while we were there. There was also a guest drummer, from France, who was pretty spectacular. The night we were there they played classics from Blue Note—Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, and many other wonderful and familiar pieces. We really enjoyed the evening."

Home to bed.  Only two more days here!