Western Slovakia
Nitra
THEATRE FESTIVAL: V4 Festival Stretnutie, Setkání, Spotkanie, Találkozás – The 19th year of the festival of theatre academies and theatres from the Visegrad Four (Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland) countries brings performances not just from these four states but also from Croatia. Academies from Bratislava, Banská Bystrica (both SVK), Prague (CZK), Wroclaw (PL), Budapest (HU) and Osijek (CRO) and theatres from the Slovak cities of Bratislava, Nitra and Topoľčany, Czech Brno, and Hungarian Győr will give performances. The accompanying programme includes the opening of the exhibition, concerts and films on puppetry, as well as programme of celebrities reading books for children in public. Starts: June 6-9, Staré divadlo Karola Spišáka / Old Theatre of Karol Spišák, 7. Pešieho Pluku Stret. More info: http://sdn.sk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/stretnutie_A6_2017_web.pdf.
Nitra
FOLK: Lúčnica – The Ceremonial Programme – This evening is a selection of the most successful pieces of the folk troupe Lúčnica, also presenting the most typical folk regions of Slovakia. Dramaturgy strives to capture various art features of the folk tradition in dance, music and costumes, from gentle female dances through couples to energetic male dances. It is choreographed by the group's head, Štefan Nosáľ, to the music of Svetozár Stračina, Tibor Andrašovan, Miroslav Šmíd, and Juraj Farkaš, with costumes by Šarlota Kiššová and Dagmar Roháčová. Starts: June 11, 18:30, Andreja Bagara Theatre, Svätoplukovo Square 4. More info: www.lucnica.sk, www.kamdomesta.sk.
Lúčnica folklroe troupe (Source: TASR)Trnava
FAMILY: The Toddler Race Slovakia 2017 (Preteky lezúňov Slovensko 2017) – The eighth year of this race invites parents and their children under 12 months of age to compete in crawling 5 metres on all fours, while parents can motivate them in any way whatsoever. As the races take place in several shopping centres around Slovakia, not just the quickest toddler in Trnava but also the quickest one in the whole country will be given prizes: stays (weekend or a whole week) in the Sobota Hotel in Poprad, supplies of nappies, packages of cosmetics and the Slovak winner will also get €500, a Mercedes Benz electrical children’s car, a baby bed, and more. Starts: June 11, 14:00; shopping/entertainment centre Max, Ferka Urbánka 11. More info, registering: www.pretekylezunov.sk.
Modra/other places around Slovakia
EVENT/GARDENS: Garden Open Day – Gardens, parks and yards will open this weekend, including public and private gardens around Modra – but also the Kysihýbeľ forest arboretum in Banská Štiavnica, the Mlyňany Arboretum of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Borová Hora Arboretum of the Technical University in Zvolen (on June 17-18) and the highest-altitude arboretum in central Europe, in Liptovský Hrádok, the natural gardens in Ivanka pri Dunaji, Dlhá nad Váhom, Pažiť and the Kubra fruit farm near Trenčín, as well as the renewed botanical garden in Tatranská Lomnica and sites in Spišská Nová Ves including the city park and the historical park in Markušovce, the Madaras park, the Art Garden at the Gallery of Spiš Artists, the ZáZeMie community garden, the Jewish cemetery and the Sans Souci summer residence. Other sites include the castle park in Hlohovec, the Holá Hora Eco-park in Prešov, the Budatín Park in Žilina, the Botanical School Garden in Trnava, the Arboretum in Kráľová pri Senci, the Land Park in Topoľčianky, the Historical Park Budimír, the Csáky Mansion in Hodkovce, the Park of Slovak Revivalists in Revúca, the City Museum Garden in Sereď, the Hunyady Park in Mojmírovce, the Historical Park in Lednické Rovne, the Villa Dominik Skutecký Garden in Banská Bystrica, the castle park, Dal’s Gallery of Naive Art and the Church Kindergarden Garden in Liptovský Hrádok. Starts: June 10-11; Modra and other sites around Slovakia. More info: www.vopz.sk.
The main season at Mlyňany Arboretum begins in May (Source: ČTK)Nitra
EXHIBITION: Dolls from Various Corners of the World – This exhibition represents the collection of writer/traveller Jaroslav Burjaniv, of more than 100 dolls, clad in typical national costume and symbolising the country of their origin – from Japan through Wales to India, Russia, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Mexico, Vietnam, Belgium, Spain, Egypt and other countries. Open: weekdays 8:00 – 11:30, 12:00 – 16:00, Sun – until July 14; Zlaté moravce town museum, branch of the Ponitrianske Múzeum, Miggazzi Mansion, Andreja Hlinku Square 1. Admission: €0.50-€1. Tel: 037/6321-470; www.muzeumnitra.sk.
Foreigners: Events in Bratislava Read more Central Slovakia
Zvolen
JAZZ: Erik Rothenstein & Ester Wiesnerová – The Jazz Square presents the band of baritone saxophonist Erik Rothenstein (Vlado Máčaj, Pavol Bereza Juraj Susanik) with young singer Ester Wiesnerová showing the merger of their differing perceptions of the jazz tradition. Rothenstein focuses more on klezmer, while Wiesnerová explores Slovak folk and they both also compose. Before 19:00 – the Zvolen Big Band will play, while afterwards, the Slovak band Balkansambel will play. Starts: June 9, 20:00; SNP Square. More info: www.jazz.sk.
Erik Rothenstein (Source: Courtesy of RealMusicHouse)Liptovský Mikuláš
CONCERT: Eugen Botos Finally feat. Anita Soul – The exclusive club concert of jazz-funk band Eugen Botos, Finally (which gives this performance before a big Japanese tour promoting their album released there, called Final Definition) presents the band (Eugen Botoš, Robert Vizvári, Martin Koleda, Eugen Vizváry, Ladislav Bohunský) with the guest singer, popular Slovak diva Anita Soul. Starts: June 10, 19:30; Route 66, Garbiarska 627. Admission: €15. More info: www.r66.sk.
Banská Štiavnica
FOR CHILDREN: Awakening of the Sitno Knights – The opening of the tourist season at Počúvadlo Lake revives an old legend about the knights from Sitno put under a spell, who can be brought back to life by innocent volunteers. The programme, meant for families with children, mainly includes theatre performances, a circus workshop, competitions with scouts, demonstrations of police work, and other surprises. Starts: June 10, 12:30 – bus leaves to the Počúvadlianske Lake from Mestský úrad (city office) at 11:30, from Banská Štiavnica-VÚLH (pod Kalváriou) at 11:35, from Drieňová (under the hill) at 11:40, from Križovatka (Crossroads) at 11:45; from Štiavnické Bane-OCÚ at 11:55, from Štiavnické Bane- Rybníky (ponds) at 12:00. The bus returns to Banská Štiavnica at 18:00; Počúvadlianske Lake. More info: www.kultura.banskastiavnica.sk.
Počúvadlianske jazero Lake (Source: Sme - Ján Krošlák)Žilina
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Summer Deal of Splendid Music – Within the regular A cycle (season tickets A) orchestral concert, the Slovak Sinfonietta (ŠKO Žilina) will play, as conducted by Russian/French Misha Katz and with Czech Igor Ardašev solo on piano, the Overture Alceste by Christoph Willibald Gluck, Concert No 2 in F Minor, op. 21 for Piano and Orchestra by Fryderyk Chopin, and Symphony No 1 in D Major by Charles Gounod. Starts: June 13, 19:00; Fatra House of Arts, Dolný Val 47. Admission: €14-€18. More info: www.skozilina.sk.
Misha Katz (Source: Courtesy of ŠKO)Žilina
CONCERT: Rodion Sun Lion – Ukrainian bass player Rodion Sun Lion, a universal musician, cooperates with many others across the whole spectre of genres, from intimate contemplative music but also alternative rock, world music and heavy metal. Born in Uzbekistan, he lives and works in Uzhgorod. In Žilina, he will play intimate, introspective compositions from his last two solo albums, The Revival of the Earth and Before I Sleep. In the four pieces, Slovak Peter Kurilla will play as a guest. Starts: June 13, 19:00; Rosenfeld Palace, J.M. Hurbana 28. More info: www.stanica.sk.
Žilina (Banská Štiavnica, Košice)
JAZZ FEST: One Day Jazz Fest – The popular jazz fest defies its name, as it has grown into a several-day event touring, apart form Bratislava, other cities around Slovakia. The New Faces of Jazz programme, offering the Ovsepian/Camarda/Valihora Trio. This grouping represents three schoolmates from the Berklee College of Music in Boston (Vardan Ovsepian, pianist & composer, born in Armenia and currently living in the USA; Daniele Camarda, double bass player from Sicily, Italy; and Bratislava native Martin Valihora on drums) who have embarked on a wider tour. Other stars of the evening in Žilina will be the Eric Harland Trio. The Ovsepian/Camarda/Valihora Trio will also play in Banská Štiavnica (June 17) and the GES Club Košice (June 18). Starts: June 16, 19:00; City Theatre, Horný Val 3. Admission: €18. Tickets: www.ticketportal.sk. More info: www.onedayjazz.sk.
Martin Valihora (Source: TASR)Banská Bystrica/Horná Mičiná
CIRCUS/FEST: Mičinský Pitvor / Mičiná entrance-hall – The second year of this theatre-musical-circus festival presents the phenomenon of “nee circus” which presents human art and skills rather than animal dressage and taming. The fest includes interactive street performances, concerts, workshops, board and other games, and other activities. Starts: June 16 (17:00), 17 (11:00),18 (18:00), Horná Mičiná near Banská Bystrica. More info: www.micinskypitvor.sk.
Slovenská Ľupča
SPORT: Rodeo Slovenská Ľupča 2017 – Fans of Wild-West shows, horses and good fun can spend a day with a rich programme, climaxing in the evening with a concert. The rodeo competition offers an LCD TV set as the main prize. Starts: June 17, 10:00; Areál škvárového ihriska (scoria playground complex), Hronská. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Rodeo, illustrative stock photo (Source: AP/TASR)Eastern Slovakia
Košice
CONCERT: Gala-concert Slovak Accordion Orchestra – The accordion need not necessarily be just the instrument of folk or classical music; it can have a completely modern sound. The visually impaired Slovak accordionist Vladimír Košík has managed to put together a huge orchestra and dozens of musicians re-arrange Slovak (by Karol Duchoň, Modus band) and global (Astor Piazzolla) hits for this instrument. Some of them join the orchestra at the gig in Košice (and in Bratislava) to sing: Peter Lipa, Lukáš Adamec, Mária Čírová. Starts: June 9, 19:00; House of Arts, Moyzesova 66. Admission: €12-€16. Tickets, more info: www.ticketportal.sk/event.aspx?id=23255.
Peter Lipa (Source: SITA)Prešov
CONCERT: Concert for Organ and Song – Slovak musician Miriam Brandisová (organ, vocals) will perform in the Prešov Cathedral, with Dietrich Buxtehude’s Prelude and Fugue in D Major, J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Antonín Dvořák’s Ave Maria (singing), Ennio Morricone’s Nella fantasia (singing), Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise (singing), Franz Liszt’s Prelude and Fugue on the Name B-A-C-H and Theodor Dubois’ Toccata in G Major. Starts: June 11, .19:00, Con-cathedral of St. Nicolas, Main Street. More info: www.pkopresov.sk.
Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Film Music in Kunsthalle – As the first concert of film music was sold out, a second one has been added, featuring the State Slovak Philharmonic conducted by Karol Kevický playing Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings, James Horner – Titanic, Ennio Morricone – Once Upon a Time in the West, John Williams – Superman March (from Superman) Flying Theme from E.T., Sayuri’s Theme from Memoirs of Geisha, The Shark Theme from Jaws, the Theme from Jurassic Park, the Raiders’ March from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the Star Wars-Suite for Orchestra. Starts: June 11, 17:00; Kunsthalle / Hall of Arts, Rumanova 1. Admission: €7 (in advance - http:///ticketware.eu/p/4RfV or the info-centre Delta in Kasárne/Kulturpark)-€10 (on the site). More info: www.k13.sk.
ŠfK (Source: Courtesy of ŠfK)Prešov
CONCERT/MINORITY CULTURE: Gala-concert for the Day of the Ruthenians – The World Congress of Ruthenians in 2009 determined June 12 as the Day of Ruthenians. In Prešov, the metropolis of the region, where Ruthenians from Slovakia are concentrated, the day of this minority culture will take place, with a gala-concert (including PUĽS, actors of the Alexander Duchnovič, Anna Servická, Anna Poráčová, Marianna Železná, folk ensembles Chemlon Humenné, Barvinok – Kamienka, Kečera – Jakubjany, Labirsky Beťare, Dribna, and children from the Kolysočka – Kolíska civic association as well as others, hosted by Jaroslava Sisáková & Ladislav Ladomirjak) being their culmination. Starts: June 11, 17:00; big hall of the J. Záborského Theatre, Legionárov 6 Sqaure. Admission: €5. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Košice
MUSEUM/EXHIBITION: Butterflies of the Exotic Tropics – The 10th year of the exhibition of live butterflies in the tropical greenhouse Viktória offers more than 3,000 insects of more than 100 species, as well as preserved examples – all from the tropical regions of America, Australia, Africa and Asia. The exhibition also shows some record butterflies, as well as some unique species. Open: Mon-Sun 9:00-15:00 until June 30; Botanical Garden of P. J. Šafárik University (UPJŠ), Mánesova 23. Admission: €1-€2. Tel: 055/2341-667; www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada.
Butterflies in the UPJŠ Botanical Garden in Košice (Source: TASR)
