In the Sky, digital print by Heidi Wexelsen Goksoyr (source: Courtesy of SVÚ)
Western Slovakia
Bratislava EXHIBITION: THE EXHIBITION Contact-Kontakt, subtitled Contemporary Norwegian and Slovak Art, presents work by nine Norwegian and 14 Slovak artists. The aim of the project is to present original contemporary Norwegian and Slovak art as it confronts the world's current artistic trends. It is a presentation of paintings, graphic art, sculptures, site installations and video art. The display in the exhibition premises of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts (SVÚ) at Dostojevského 2 will last until September 11. It is open daily except Monday from 12:00 by 18:00. For more information, go to www.svu.sk.ZvolenAIR FEST: THE SMALL village of Očová, near Zvolen, becomes a centre of acrobatic aviation during the final weekend of August as it hosts the Slovak Air Fest. The show is headlined by Kindernay’s Flying Circus from the Czech Republic, which will re-enact military air scenes from both world wars, spiced with pyrotechnic effects and the European premiere of a replica of Bleriot, the airplane flown by Milan Rastislav Štefánik. The list of other performers includes Zoltán Véres from Hungary, Peter Podlušek from Slovenia, and Ali Özturk from Turkey, who will perform his acrobatic flight in his Pitts S-2S biplane (in the picture). Also on hand will be Slovak Očovskí Bačovia, pilots Dušan Šamko, František Pytlík and many others representing Slovak acrobatic aviation. The Slovak army will represent its aviation squad as well. The two-day air show starts on August 30 at 10:00. Tickets cost Sk150 (€4.98) for adults and Sk50 (€1.66) for children. For more information, go to www.airshow.sk. KremnicaFESTIVAL: Kremnica’s Gagy – This festival of humour and satire has an international flavour as about a third of its performers in its 28th edition are from abroad. They include the Czech group Theatre De Facto Mino, English theatre group with their small and large puppets Punch, Judy & Baby, as well as Portuguese Enano. Mime and clown, Paul Clark as Last Gentleman will be one of the top festival productions. The music section features Pressburger Klezmer Band, UMK Bratislava, Barabura as well as jazz musicians Marián Čekovský, Henry Tóth and David Dorůžka. Runs: Aug. 29-31. Admission: Sk70 - Sk400 (€2.32 - €13.28) (individual shows), Sk2,000 (€66.39) (festival pass). Venues of Kremnica. www.gagy.sk. KošiceFESTIVAL: Feman – The ninth edition of this European festival of nations and nationalities takes place featuring folklore ensembles from Turkey, Great Britain, Belarus, the Balkans, and Slovakia. Runs: Aug. 27-Sept 1. Venues in Košice. Tel: 055/6258-888. KošiceFESTIVAL: Western Day – The event brings its attendants back in time into the times of Wild West. Starts: Aug. 30, 11:30. Admission: Sk50 - Sk100 (€1.66 - €3.32). Western City Klatovianka. Tel: 055/6258-888, www.wad.euweb.cz.
Bratislava
OPERA: Nabucco – The opera by Giuseppe Verdi arrives in Bratislava as a spectacular open-air performance featuring artists from Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, Russia, the United States and the Czech Republic.
Starts: Aug. 28, 20:00. Admission: Sk990 - Sk2,990 (€32.86 - €99.25). Bratislava Castle. Tel: 02/5935-6650.
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: T-Com Fiesta – The final two evenings of this outdoor festival offer Brazil Carnival by Bahia Dance Group, Cuban dance and music performed by Cuba Ritmo, hip hop by Jesus BeatBox and Bollywood and classical Indian and Nepalian dance by Sanda Shrest and many others.
Starts: Aug. 28 and 29, starting at 20:00. Admission: free. Main Square and T-Com Beach at the embankment of the Danube River. www.t-comfiesta.sk.
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Uprising Reggae Festival – The first edition of the long-awaited festival focuses on reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, and similar music styles featuring the European reggae Top Zion Train and Macka B.
Runs: Aug. 29-30. Admission: from Sk450 (€14.94). Zlaté Piesky recreation area. www.uprising.sk.
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Festival of Historical Fencing, Music, Dance and Handicrafts – Historical fencing groups re-enacting medieval battles and performances by period musicians will transport visitors back in time.
Runs: Aug. 29-31. The Devin Castle. Tel: 02/5935-6650.
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Days of Masters at the Castle – Visitors of the festival dedicated to folklore handicrafts can buy products and listen to folklore music.
Runs: Aug. 31-Sept.1. Western terrace of Bratislava Castle. Tel: 02/5935-6650.
Piešťany
FESTIVAL: Lodenica (Shipyard) – The tenth music festival focusing on country and folk music is one of the last large open-air festivals in Slovakia this season.
Runs: Aug 30-Sept 1. Admission: Sk650 (€21.58) (festival pass), Sk320 (€10.62) (daily ticket). Autocamping Lodenica. Tel: 032/7773-057, www.lodenica.sk.
Skalica
LIVE MUSIC: Musica Sacra – British organist Greg Abrahams performs within the festival dedicated to sacred music.
Starts: Aug. 31, at 16:00. The Franciscan Church. Tel: 034/6645-341.
