Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava EXHIBITION: WORKS BY Michal Studený, a member of the last century’s ‘forgotten generation’ which tried continually to redefine the function of a piece of art, are on display at the Bratislava City Gallery under the title I Am a Child of the 1960s. Studený was one of the first to have used objet recherché (sought-after object) rather than objet trouvé (everyday object), when he made a collage of four-leaf clovers in 1968. Later, nature became a fundamental part of his paintings and has been Studený’s source of inspiration ever since. The exhibition is open daily, except Mondays, from 11:00 to 18:00 at the Mirbach Palace, Františkánske Square 11, until February 22 for €3.32 (Sk100). More information can be found at www.gmb.sk.

Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Zwiebel Quartet – The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the Slovak National Gallery have prepared a concert soirée with compositions by Beethoven, Webern and Grieg.
Starts: Feb. 3, 19:00. Admission: €4 (Sk120.50). SNG’s Vodné Kasárne, Rázusovo nábrežie 2. Tel: 02/5920-8233, www.filharm.sk.

Bratislava
DANCE: Carmen – The popular Nová Scéna Theatre premieres a new dance performance directed by Ondrej Šoth, one of the most noted Slovak choreographers.
Starts: Feb. 4-7, 19:00. Admission: €5.97 (Sk180). Nová Scéna Theatre, Živnostenská 1. Tel: 02/5292-1139, ww.nova-scena.sk.

Bratislava
DANCE: Oriental Hafla – This show, subtitled “One Hundred and One Belly Dancers”, takes the audience to the mysterious Orient.
Starts: Feb. 7, 18:00. Admission: €5.30 (Sk160). Istropolis Culture Centre, Trnavské mýto 1. www.studiomafra.sk.

Bratislava
TENNIS: Fed Cup – Slovakia and Belgium, two of the few countries that can boast victory at the Fed Cup, the largest annual team competition in the women’s game, meet once again.
Runs: Feb. 7-8. Admission: €5 - €7 (Sk150.63 - Sk210.88). Sibamac Arena (National Tennis Centre), Príkopova 6. Tel: 02/4920-9890, www.ntc.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Circles on the Water – The most successful works of the 5th Craft Design Competition are on show.
Open: Mon-Fri 12:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:00, until February 14. Admission: free. The ÚĽUV Gallery, Obchodná 64. Tel: 02/5273-1344, www.uluv.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Pictures from Germany – The Osterkreuz Agency presents a collection of original photographs.
Open: Tue-Sun 13:00-18:00, until February 15. Admission: €0.66 (Sk20). The Central European House of Photography (SEDF), Prepoštská 4. Tel: 02/5441-8214, www.sedf.sk.

Trenčín
LIVE MUSIC: Trenchtown Battle – Five promising bands from Trenčín perform to win over the audience in a subsequent vote. The most successful ensemble will play at the 2009 Topfest Music Festival.
Starts: Feb. 6, 19:00. Admission: €2 (60.25). Piano Club, Pod Sokolicami 12-16. Tel: 032/ 7445-081, www.pianoclub.sk.


Central SLOVAKIA


VrátnaSKIING:ALL FANS of skiing, snow and good fun are invited to join the Snowboard Europe Cup at Vrátna Free Time Zone ski resort from February 6 to 8. Organised by the Slovak Skiing Federation, the event will start with a thrilling snowboard-motocross show by an international line-up of top freestylers and motorcycle riders. Other snow-shows and live performances by popular musicians and DJs will also be available throughout the whole weekend, for free. The competition will take place in Starý Dvor – Paseky. For further information, go to www.vratna.sk

Žilina
LIVE MUSIC: Concert Session – Dope Aviators, Hugo D’Gen and Biba_FM perform ‘psychedelic strange pop’.
Starts: Feb. 4, 20:00. Admission: €3.50 (Sk105.44) in advance, €4 (Sk120.50) at the door. The Stanica Žilina-Záriečie Culture Centre, Závodská Cesta 3. Tel: 041/5623-564, www.stanica.sk.

Donovaly
DOGS: International Dogsled Racing Championship – One of the most prestigious dogsled racing events in central Europe with a number of accompanying events.
Runs: Feb. 6-8. Admission: free. Park Snow Ski Resort, Donovaly. Tel: 048/4199-942, www.donlyklub.sk.

Banská Bystrica
EXHIBITION: Rules and Exceptions – Professor Ľudovít Hološka and his students present numerous paintings, trying to point out common features in seemingly different pieces.
Open: Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00, until March 15. Admission: free. Central Slovak Gallery, Praetorium Exhibition Hall, Štefan Moyzes Square 25. Tel: 048/4701-615, www.ssgbb.sk.


Eastern SLOVAKIA



Čaňa
SPORTS: Best of the Best – All fighting fans are invited to see this European Mixed Martial Arts Championship, followed by an attractive after-party.
Starts: Feb. 2, 19:00. Admission: €7 (Sk210.88). Čaňa Energy Music Hall (near Košice). www.energymusichall.sk.

Spišské Podhradie
FOLKLORE: Shrovetide Pig Killing – Traditional pig killing under the Spiš Castle on the occasion of fašiangy, or Shrovetide.
Starts: Feb. 7, 12:00. Admission: free. Spišský Salaš, Levočská cesta 11. Tel: 053/ 4541-202, www.spisskysalas.sk.