Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava
DANCE: THE WELL-ESTABLISHED folklore ensemble SĽUK presents Výber z tvorby / Selection of Works, a programme of its most successful dances, songs and music, on January 18 at 19:00 in the P. O. Hviezdoslav City Theatre, Laurinská 19, Bratislava. Tickets cost €7 and €9 and can be bought through www.ticketportal.sk. More information can be found at www.sluk.sk, and www.mestskedivadlo.sk.

Bratislava
MARATHON: Prvý zimný MTB maratón s behom / 1st Winter MTB Marathon & Running Trophy – The first cycling marathon of the year has been enhanced with a run, and the venue moved from Marianka to nearby Železná studnička for capacity reasons. For bikers, a 20-kilometre track awaits, while runners compete on the 9.7-kilometre circular route Snežienka-Kačín-Rotunda-Snežienka.
Starts: Jan 21 (cycling) and 22 (running), 11:00; Cesta mládeže-Snežienka, Železná studnička. Admission: €16-€25 (for competitors), free for visitors. Registration: Jan 20, 15:00, Železná studnička. More info: www. stupavskymaraton.sk.


Bratislava
FOLKLORE DANCE: Lúčnica - môj život / Lúčnica - My Life – This programme, dedicated to the 85th birthday of Štefan Nosáľ, choreographer of the famous 62-year-old professional Slovak folkdance troupe, showcases the best of his work.
Starts: Jan 18, 19, 20, and 21, 19:00; Istropolis, Trnavské mýto 1. Admission: €15-€25. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk, www.lucnica.sk.


Bratislava
BALLET/MODERN DANCE: 3Balet – This collection of three shorter performances, choreographed by three artists – Šárka Ondrišová, Stanislava Vlčeková and Mário Radačovský – presents a view of modern dance and its perceptions.
Starts: Jan 21 and 22, 19:00; Nová scéna Theatre, Živnostenská 1. Admission: €14-€19. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www.ticketportal.sk, www.baletbratislava.sk.


Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Nulté roky - Od Priestoru po Beskida / Zero Years - From Priestor to Beskid – This exhibition strives to present Slovak visual art between 1999 and 2011, as seen by four curators: Juraj Čarný, Gabriela Garlatyová, Richard Gregor and Mira Sikorová-Putišová.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 until Jan 27; Dom umenia / House of Arts, SNP Square 12. Admission: free. Tel: 02/2047-1217; www.nocka.sk.


Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Mikuláš Klimčák - Selection of Works – An overview of the sacral works of this Slovak painter, sculptor and illustrator, who turned 90 last November. Apart from his secular works, he also created decorations for several Greek Orthodox churches, e.g. in Bačkov, Ľutina and Ľubica, the Via Dolorosa in Humenné and the oil painting in Bratislava’s Catholic Calvary Church.
Open: Around evening services, or by arrangement, until Jan 31; St John the Evangelist Chapel of the Franciscan Church, Františkánske Square 1. Admission: free. Tel: 0910/966-778.


Piešťany
JAZZ MUSIC: Swingless Jazz Ensemble – This jazz big band from Nitra presents a concert complete with dance in the style of the 1940s. Compositions by renowned musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, and others are included.
Starts: Jan 20, 20:00; Muzik Pub boathouse, Ná-brežie Ivana Krasku. Admission: €7 (€5 for those who show up in period clothing). Tel: 0910/151-052; www. musicpub.sk, www.jazz.sk.


Central SLOVAKIA



Banská Bystrica
BALLROOM DANCE: Bri-liantový ples - zimná roz-právka / The Brilliant Ball - A Winter Tale – This elite ball, aside from presenting La Gioia (bel canto), the Jagermeister dance school, the Orchester Gustava Broma big band, and more, aims to raise money for abused children through a diamond ring auction and voluntary donations.
Starts: Jan 21, 20:00; Štiavničky Hall, Cesta na štadión 28. Admission: €75-€150. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk.


Brezno
DISCO MUSIC: DJ Antoine – For the first time in Slovakia, the famous house DJ from Switzerland offers his music, including hits like Ma cherie, Sunlight, and others.
Starts: Jan 20, 21:00; Sirius Club, Nábrežie dukelských hrdinov 4. Admission: €14-€20. Tel: 0911/922-944; www. siriusclub.sk.


Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice
CONCERT: NORWEGIAN trio Hurra Torpedo, who somewhat improbably rose to fame by playing kitchen appliances in tracksuits to the beat of Bonnie Tyler’s hit Total Eclipse of the Heart, have since developed an entire genre of off-beat cover-versions of famous songs by the likes of Lady Gaga and Pixies, while also composing their own songs and albums. They give a concert in Košice’s Tabačka Kulturfabrik (Gorkého 2) on January 21 at 20:20, with tickets priced at €13 (in advance) or €15. For more information, please visit www.tabacka.sk. Photo: Courtesy of Hurra Torpedo

Košice
MUSICAL: Matúš Čák Trenčiansky – Matúš Čák Trenčiansky is a Slovak rock musical written by Ľubo Horňák and Dodo Gombár, and directed by Peter Weinciller. It is inspired by the turbulent life of the famous Great-Hungarian nobleman Matúš Čák and also touches on the history of Košice in the 14th century.
Starts: Jan 19, 20 and 21, 19:00; Divadlo CASSIA, Masarykova 2. Admission: €5-€7. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk, www. divadlocassia.sk.


Poprad/Starý Smokovec
LIVE MUSIC: Tomáš Hulka - Flamenco, španielske piesne, svetové evergreeny – A ‘chamber’ concert by singer-guitar player Hulka brings the flair of Flamenco, Spanish songs, and ‘evergreen’ world melodies.
Starts: Jan 21, 19:00; Café Hoepfner, Starý Smokovec. Admission: free. Tel: 052/4425- 191; www.vysoketatry.sk.