Foreigners: Events in Bratislava

Tips for performances, exhibitions and other events in the capital between May 27 and June 5, including a Slovak folklore, premieres and derniere, concerts, party, classical and rock music, design, discussion, exhibitions, festivals and more.

Lohengrin by Richard Wagner (derniere) in SNDLohengrin by Richard Wagner (derniere) in SND (Source: Anton Sládek)

DESIGN: Urban Market 2016 – Spring Edition – The spring edition of this event brings modern design, jewellery, accessories and creativity in many different forms. It takes place during the Bratislava Days of Architecture and Design. Starts: May 27-29; Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak University of Technology (STU), Námestie slobody 19. Admission: free. More info: www.citylife.sk.

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FOLKLORE: The Evening of Authentic Folklore – A night reserved for folklore which is not dead, despite the influence of modern music and culture. Slovak folklore ensembles bring a piece of history from the village of Hrochoť. Featuring Folklore band Pentla, Hrochoťan, Ľudová hudba Paľáčovci, and Ľudová hudba Martina Pecníka with soloist Anna Pecníková. Starts: May 27, 19:00; DK Zrkadlový háj House of Culture, Rovniakova 3. Admission: €10. Tel: 02/6829-9217; www.kzp.sk.

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PARTY: All You Can Eat – The legendary club night with DJ Magálová presents a combination of electro, house, breaks, mash-ups and funky grooves. The crème de la crème of what recent music selection offers. Starts: May 27, 20:00; Nu Spirit Bar, Medená 16. Tel: 0905/865-566. More info: www.nuspirit.sk or www.citylife.sk.

FESTIVAL: Dni starej hudby/ Days of Early Music- The third decade of this festival’s existence as an established international event of the capital. The central topic is devoted to composers, musical and historical events and historical realities. The 21st year of Days of Early Music focuses on two significant European personalities: Czech king Charles IV (700th Birth Anniversary) and William Shakespeare (400th anniversary of his death). The program consists from music of the 14th century from the period of royal courts through the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Visitors can also attend workshops or hear concerts by students of selected basic schools of art and others. Starts: Various dates until June 7; Various places. Admission: €10 (for individual concerts), €15 (on the place). More info: www.earlymusic.sk.

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DISCUSSION: IOKO meets GOUVERNEUR AUGIDIER, FRANCE - Spectacle design from the perspective of the designers of the French company Gouverneur Audigier. A tradition and valuable heritage of glass handicrafts in one of the oldest manufacturers in France is presented. The collections made by the company will be not only possible to see but also to try. Starts: May 27, 18:00; Caffe Berlinka, Square Ľudovíta Štúra 4. Admission: free. More info: www.sng.sk.

GASTRONOMY: Slovak Food Festival - The event calls itself also “The biggest picnic in the city”. As an open air event, the Slovak Food Festival will be this year more intimate and theme-oriented. Each festival day will have own concept: Friday will focus on culture, Saturday on cooking also with renowned TV celebrities and Sunday on blogging. This gastronomic event will be completed by music, a children’s playground, a beer zone, quality wines, confectionery and other domestic products. Healthy zone will bring lectures and discussions about healthy lifestyle. Starts: 27-29 May, 12:00; Bratislava Castle. More info: www.slovakfoodfestival.sk.

DANCE: Bess - A Tribute to Rudolf Laban - Premiere - Eurokontext.sk will feature the premiere of a staging inspired by the life and work of Rudolf Laban – his contribution summed up by the initials BESS (Body, Effort, Shape, Space) – choreographed by Šárka Ondrišová. The staging is a tribute to one of the greatest dance reformers in the world. A native of Bratislava, dancer, choreographer, teacher and dance theorist Rudolf von Laban (1879 - 1958) is a major reformist figure in dance of the 20th century. Laban, the inventor of the movement which is named after him: Labanotation, comprehended and studied dance in its broader context, from kinetics through philosophy. Written, choreographed and directed by Šárka Ondrišová, Performers are Matej Lehotský, Rado Piovarči, Róbert Kováč, Magdaléna Čaprdová. Starts: May 27, 19:00; historical SND building, Hviezdoslavovo Square 1. Tickets: €6-€16. Tel: 02/ 2047-2299; www.snd.sk.

DANCE/THEATRE: Slovak Dances – The Life of Lights – An original dance staging set to 13 orchestral suite dances by New York-based Slovak composer and musician Peter Breiner rooted in Slovak folk songs. This metamorphosis of the many layers in Breiner’s musical language contains elements of jazz, folk and improvisation, is inspired by 16 folk songs – mainly from Eastern Slovakia – and full of colourful contrasts, energy, humour and unusual instrumentation. The piece is choreographed and directed by a young Slovak choreographer already successfully established in Europe, Natália Horečná. Her contemporary choreography offers a new, modern dimension of dance. Conducted by Peter Breiner, performed by Yuki Kaminaka, Samuel Price and Katarína Kaanová. The dance is a part of Eurokontext.sk International Theatre Festival. Starts: May 27, 17:00; New SND building, Pribinova 17. Admission: €10-€20. Tel: 02/ 2047-2299; www.snd.sk.

CONCERT: Valér Miko Trio – The musician and pianist Valér Miko introduces his own compositions in an ensemble of three. The unique sound and variability offers an interesting vision of modern concept of a trio that includes piano. Most songs are composed in romantic and expressive style, on the borderland between jazz and classics. Featuring Valér Miko (piano), Tamász Belicza (bass), Juraj Dávid Raši (drums). Starts: May 28, 20:00; Kafé Scherz Palisády, Partizánska 2. Admission: €4. More info: www.kafe.scherz.sk

FOLKLORE: Deň detí v SĽUKU/ Children’s Day in SĽUK – The Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) together with the Slovak Folk Art Ensemble has prepared an event hailing the International Children’s Day in the well-known Slovak folk ensemble SĽUK. The program consists of the Craft School of ÚĽUV, puppet theatre, singing competition, picnic on the grass and more. Starts: May 28, 13:00-18:00, Theatre SĽUK and Rusovce Park. Admission: from €1. More info: www.sluk.sk.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Eastman Wind Ensemble – The Eastman School of Music resides in Rochester, New York, and is one of the most prestigious music schools in the US. This highly selective school was founded in 1921, while only 15 percent of applicants pass exams. The Eastman Wind Ensemble, American brass octet, gives a concert in the Slovak capital. Starts: May 29, 18:00; Klarisky concert hall. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5910 3133. More info: www.citylife.sk or www.bkis.sk.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Solamente Naturali – The ensemble presents programme Musica Sacra in the Musica Poetica da Camera cycle in the Slovak National Gallery (SNG). The early music ensemble Solamente Naturali which was founded by violinist Miloš Valent in 1995 focuses on the repertory of early music, which also has influence on the number of musicians: Solamente Naturali is a trio, septet or baroque type of ensemble according to the situation. This concert brings the works of Johann Jakob Froberger, Pietro Andrea Ziani, Johann Erasmus Kindermann (all celebrate 400th anniversary); Paul Siefert, Massimilian Neriho (both 350th anniversary); Johann Christoph Pez (300th anniversary of death). Starts: May 29, 18:15; SNG, Ľ. Štúra Square 4. Admission: €2-€4. More info: www.sng.sk.

OUTDOOR/CHARITY: MDD – Na palube jednorožca / International Children’s Day – Onboard a Unicorn – The 5th anniversary of this event takes place in Sad Janka Kráľa park on the left side of the River Danube. Moonlight Camp civic association organises it to support talented children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Starts: May 29, 10:00; Sad Janka Kráľa Park. More info: www.citylife.sk.

PROGRESSIVE ROCK MUSIC: Neil Zaza – This, a native of Akron, Ohio, is a guitarist who can be labelled as playing progressive neoclassical, melodic “instrumentalists – technique”. In 1987 he created the group Zaza, but after splitting in the early 1990s he decided to continue in a solo career. He has performed with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve and Mike Porcaro, Yngvie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, or Andy Summers and played on albums of others. He released three albums with the group Zaza and 11 studio solo albums, as well as two live albums. Starts: Jun 1, 19:00; „Rock in Museum“ – Museum of Trade, Linzbothova 16 (Podunajské Biskupice). More info: www.rockvmuzeu.sk, www.muzeumobchoduba.

THEATRE: Čaj u pána senátora/ Just Another Cup of Tea (premiere) - American and British actors from the Bridgin’ Drama theatre will perform the premiere of Just Another Cup of Tea, which is the adaption of a drama by Slovak playwright and poet Ivan Stodola. The performance will reflect typical Slovak babbittry and political culture. The theatre offers a drama from well-known Slovak authors for the third time. Starts: Jun 2, 19:00 (premiere), V-klub, Square SNP 12 and re-runs: Jun 10 and 25, Studio 12, Jakubovo Square 12. Admission: More info: www.bridgindrama.sk.

STAND-UP: Silné Reči: International Edition #4/ - Silné Reči International is the first regular English-language stand-up comedy show in Bratislava. Lovers of fun can join host Ján Gordulič, along with 7 other comedians: Michael Szatmary – Slovak stand-up comedian and TV personality who does comedy for a living,  Sia/​Siavash Alaghmandan Motlagh - Iranian living in Slovakia who bases his stand-up comedy on the what he has to face every day as a foreigner, Matej Adamy​ – Bratislava-born comedian is a master of one liners and funny host in a night full of English-Slovak comedy, ​Eric – who has lived all around Europe for a long time and has many goofy tales of what hass happened to him during his time travelling this land. Nasi - Iranian student and a part-time stand-up comedian presents her experience on balancing between drinking and studying, Armando – a Brazilian living in Slovakia. He has been living in Europe long enough to tell you all about the amusing struggles of a South-American in the heart of Europe. Martin Hatala is a young writer, stand-up comedian and a full-time geek. Starts: Jun 2, 20:00; Nu Spirit Club, Pasáž Luxor - Štúrova 3, Admission: €10. More info: www.silnereci.sk.

EXHIBITION/COLLECTING: Bratislavské zberateľské dni/ Bratislava Collecting Days – This event is every year the place of meeting of all passionate collectors in the field of philately, filokartie, numismatics, faleristicks, minerals, and small antiques. Visitors will not only see many unique collector's exhibits, but also real European and world rarities of great value. Starts: Jun 3-4. Incheba Expo Arena. More info: www.incheba.sk.

OPERA: Lohengrin – Derniere – Opera by one of the greatest opera composers Richard Wagner, in three acts, in German language, music staged and conducted by Friedrich Haider and directed by Andrejs Žagars. Starts: Jun 5, 17:00; New SND building, Pribinova 17. Admission: €6-€25. Tel: 02/ 2047-2299; www.snd.sk.

DANCE: Zumba in English Every Tuesday – Not a dance lesson, but rather a party which the organisers call the Zumba dance where no one is judging you by your dance abilities, you can just have fun, dance to great music, and burn a ton of calories without even realising it. Katka, the teacher, is a certified Zumba instructor. Organised by Internationals Bratislava, a non-profit organisation that brings people together from all around the world living or visiting Bratislava, regardless of their cultural origin. Starts: May 31 (or every other Tuesday), 17:30; Grosslingova  48, (Primary School of M.R. Štefánik) – second gate on the left. Admission: one-time charge – €4.5, card for three months/12 – times – €39; card for one month/4 times) – €15. More info: www.internationals.sk.  

EXHIBITION/GUIDED TOUR: Sunday Rest in English Language: Anton Cepka. Kinetic Jewellery – Anton Cepka is one of the most famous European jewellers who typically uses materials and craftsmanship as combined with the involvement of motion, the world of technology and unconventional materials. Jewellery-maker and gallery pedagogue, Katarína Defeo Fiúza Siposová will present – in English – the work and international significance of Anton Cepka for applied arts and discuss the technological procedures related to creation of his work. Sunday Rest is the new edition of Slovak National Gallery events which continues in the tradition of the popular Siesta program of bringing attractive but relaxed English language lectures related to the exhibitions. Starts: Jun 5, 16:00. Advance booking is not required. Esterházy Palace, 3rd floor, Ľudovíta Štúra Square 4. Admission: free. More info: www.sng.sk.

EXHIBITION: Stavri Kalinov - The Bulgarian Institute in Slovakia welcomes people who are interested in sculptors and painter, presenting one of them, Stavri Kalinov who works with silk, plaster, bronze, silverware, gold, pottery and glassware. His works are known in the US, Switzerland, Great Britain and other countries. Open: weekdays 9:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 until May 31; Bulgarian Institute of Culture, Jesenského 7. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5441-0140. More info: www.bulkis.sk.

EXHIBITION: Znovuobjavené dedičstvo / Heritage Rediscovered – The Jewish Community Centre which resides in the last preserved synagogue in Bratislava opens its 5th season with an exposition of unknown historical treasures shown for the first time, Judaica objects connected to Bratislava. Open: Fri 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00 except for Jewish holidays, May 26-Oct 9; Jewish community Centre, synagogue, Heydukova 11-13. Admission: €6. More info: www.synagogue.sk.

EXHIBITION: Z jari do leta / From Spring to Summer – A joint exhibition of 25 artists from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Germany is curated by Ľudmila Pašková. Open: weekdays 9:00-18:00, Sat 9:00-13:00 until September 8; Audi Exclusive Gallery, Harmincova 2/B. Tel: 02/3229-2411; www.audibratislava.sk.






 

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