Rome: 2011 New Year's Eve

Maybe you have already packed the suitcase, and booked a hotel or b&b, and perhaps you are just waiting with a glass in your hands for the new year, ready to celebrate the 31st December. Other people are probably still busy at work, and will have to wait until New year's eve to go to a party. Well, no matter if you are well organized and ready to come to Rome, or you are still undecided, the following guide to the best events in Rome during the 2012 New Year's Day weekend is what you need. A good start for your vacation is the Brown Sisters's show, on stage at the Auditorium Parco della Musica on December 29th, there's nothing better than good Gospel music to get into the Christmas spirit; some of the best Gospel and Spiritual groups from the USA will perform live.

From December 31st the Italian – and international - pop star Laura Pausini will be singing in Rome: five concerts from her new World Tour will be held at the Palalottomatica.

Another great Italian artist, Claudio Baglioni, will perform in the Auditorium Parco della Musica from December 25th to January 4th, 2012; his concert is entitled Dieci Dita (i.e. Ten fingers), because his ten events are totally different one from another, with revolutionary scenes and settings on the stage.

From December 27th to 30th the colorful world of Mimmo Cuticchio will be in Rome, in the Auditorium Parco della Musica; the Sicilian author will sing about Garibaldi and his story, which contributed to the Italian unification.

Aleksandr Rodcenko's art is exhibited in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni until 8th January 2012. The Russian avant-garde art is still protagonist in the same building, thanks to another important exhibition: Socialist realisms (until January 10th, 2012) is the name of this exhibit which shows us the development of Russian socialist art from 1920 to 1970, that is from the last moments of the civil war to Brezhnev's era.

Don't miss the important art exhibition Roma al Tempo di Caravaggio 1600 – 1630 (i.e. Rome during Caravaggio's time 1600 – 1630) open until February 5th, 2012 at the National Museum of Palazzo Venezia; Caravaggio's works are displayed along with the ones of his colleagues, like Annibale Carracci and the Gentileschi. The paintings come from different locations, like churches, museums, private collections, and they are displayed for the first time together here. Here you can also see the famous St. Augustine, which was recently found in Spain, and whose attribution is still uncertain.

Merry Jazzy Xmas is a unique experience which can satisfy all your senses, from the hearing to the taste and the sight. On December 30th, 2011 a historical, restored trolley car will leave from Piazza di Porta Maggiore. Inside the tram – crossing the whole city - you'll find a restaurant and a concert hall, so you can have a wonderful dinner, listening to good jazz music and watching the city from the windows.

On 2011 New year's Eve you can say goodbye to the old year on the famous street via dei Fori Imperiali, watching the concert organized by Negramaro and Giusy Ferreri. If you want to spend this night in an unusual and ironic funny way instead, go to the famous Piper Club, where Cristina D'Avena presents her old cartoons' songs. The Cotton Club is bringing dance music and Italian swing for new year's eve, and here you can also try some tasty international food, and champagne for your midnight toasts of course!

On New Year's Day, 1st January, 2012, the atmosphere will be old fashioned thanks to the New Year's Gala inside the Auditorium Parco della Musica in the hall Santa Cecilia. The Orchestra Roma Sinfonietta will play music from the 19th century as well as popular songs from famous romantic operettas.