SuperStar finalists record CD
THE WINNER of the hugely popular reality show SuperStar will be known by the time you get to read this issue of The Slovak Spectator, on April 15.
Meanwhile, all 11 finalists meet to record a CD.
The two remaining contestants, Katka Koščová and Martina Šindlerová, sing You Had Me by Joss Stone and Stop by Sam Brown, respectively. Among others, Peter Konček sings I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly, Samo Tomeček performs The Calling's Wherever You Will Go, and Zdenka Predná covers Alicia Keys' Fallin'. The CD also includes the two SuperStar "anthems" composed by Paľo Habera, Daniel Hevier and Georgio Babulic.
"The interest in this CD is huge. During its first days on the market it's expected to break all possible sales' records," said Dušan Hladký from SONY BMG. The CD will be in shops all over the country from April 18 and its retail price will range from Sk279 to Sk299 (€7.6).
Hip-hoppers off on pioneering tour
EGO, Rytmus and Aneš, three controversial figures on the Slovak hip-hop scene, collectively known as Kontrafakt, set off on the road to promote their debut album, E.R.A.
Their Murdardo Mulano Tour 05 will take in ten stops around the country and is the first such tour in Slovak hip-hop history.
The performers promise a show with a live band to accompany their jarring rap and beatboxes, as well as several guests, including breakdancers Allstars. Laser effects and screen projections will amplify the visual experience.
The first concert starts at 19:00 on April 20 at Nitra's Stará Pekáreň. Throughout April, Kontrafakt will stop in Prešov (21st), Košice (22nd), Lučenec (23rd), Žilina (27th), Zvolen (28th), Trstená (29th) and Prievidza (30th). The band's tour will culminate May 5 in Bratislava (Babylon Club) and May 6 in Šaľa.
Exotica off to foreign climes
SLOVAK pop-rock band IMT Smile started a four-month tour celebrating its latest album, Exotica, the winner of the 2004 Aurel award for best album.
The tour will take in venues in London, Dublin, Moscow and Prague, as well as around Slovakia. It started in Bánovce nad Bebravou on April 8 and will end on August 12 at the Duchonka recreation area near Topoľčany. The band will also feature trumpeter Pavol Jeňo.
Mojžišová takes the world to the road
ZUZANA Mojžišová, who used world music influences to record her 2004 album Zuzana Mojžišová, hits the road this month.
The album, produced by Oskar Rózsa, won two Slovak Aurels in 2004. Based on its success she is going on the road in Slovakia and the Czech Republic with the musicians who helped in the recording.
The traditional folk songs are given modern arrangements, creating a fusion of folk music with rock, pop and jazz.
Joining Mojžišová on the tour bus will be drummer Martin Valihora, guitarist Juraj Burian, violinist Stano Palúch, pipes' player Rasťo Andris, keyboardist Ľubor Priehradník and bassist Oskar Rózsa.
The tour stops off at nine venues and starts on April 19 at Košice's Club and make stops at Liptovský Mikuláš, Bratislava, Šaľa, Moravany nad Váhom, Zvolen, Ostrava and Brno, culminating in Prague on April 28.
University library reopens its doors
"WE are opening a new library," said Tibor Trgiňa, a director of the Bratislava University Library. The reconstruction of the building of the former Hungarian Assembly and House of Leopold de Pauli started two years ago.
The 30,000 metres of books and all library departments have been put back and the doors reopen April 19.
The rebuilding cost almost Sk500 million (€12.8 million) and according to the architects it will enhance the appearance of the capital's historical centre.
The library is furnished with most modern technologies. Visitors can use 50 new computers in the study rooms and search the library's catalogue on 36 computers placed in the entry hall.
The first phase of the project was the rebuilding of Klarisky, which will house the oldest and most precious documents, which the readers can see under supervision.
The central building, the Hungarian Assembly during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, will serve as a workplace and reader rooms will be in the House of Leopold de Pauli.
Liszt's Garden will be finished by the end of 2005 to serve as archival space. In the evenings it is expected to host concerts.
Prepared by Spectator staff from press releases
