Pedal power at Aristo's for Energy Saving Day

Today the 13th February is National Saving Energy Day in Italy organised by the radio program Caterpillar on Radio 2, where people try out various systems that visibly show that they are attempting to save energy. This evening the lights that normally illuminate many national monuments in Rome and Milano will be switched off to “highlight” this attempt at saving energy on a large scale.

Here in Barga, for the third year running, Aristo’s bar joined in and switched off their lights for the evening and instead turned to candle power to keep the dark at bay. A team of cyclists took turns to mount and pedal a fixed bike connected up a  number of dynamos which supplied, faltering at times, a light source to keep everybody in sight.

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A rigorously acoustic only concert by the Aristo Swing Band – regular readers to barganews (articles here ) will be aware that they have been practising every Sunday night for the past few months – this evening they finally got to show to a larger audience just what they were capable of.

Keane on Irish drum providing a strong rhythm background for Fabio Guazzelli on guitar, Alessandro Rizzardi on mandolin, Luca Giovacchini on guitar, Andrea Guzzoletti on slide whistle, Geoff Collins-White on guitar, Rita Regoli and Cinzia Lenzarini on vocals. A great time had by all as they wove their often Django Reinhart based music tapestry by candlelight.

Click on the link below to hear the Aristo Swing Band in action

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