Western Slovakia
Trnava
ORGAN FESTIVAL: Trnava Organ Days - Trnavské organové dni – Between July 28 and September 10, the 22nd year of this international organ festival will take place in the impressive space of St Nicolas’ Basilica, on the organ made by Valentin Arnold in 1783. The opening concert will feature Corinne Sertillanges (soprano, FR) and French organist Jean-Pierre Griveau. On August 6, Olimpio Medori of Italy will play, and his countryman Stefano Pellini will perform on August 13. The next Sunday, Xavier Deprez of Belgium will play with Moyomo Kokubu (Belgium/Japan). On August 27, Arnau Reynés Flori of Spain will come to the Basilica, followed by Ines Maidre-Aarvik of Estonia on September 3. The US organist, already well-known to the Slovak public, David di Fiore, will play on September 10, with the programme completed by Slovak actor Kamil Mikulčík reciting poetry. Starts: July 28 (Aug 6, 13, 20, 27, Sep 3 and 10), 20:00; St Nicolas’ Basilica. More info: www.regiontirnavia.sk/podujatia/top-podujatia/trnavske-organove-dni-2017.
Trnava, St Nicolas' Basilica. (Source: Sme)Nové Mesto nad Váhom
JAZZ FESTIVAL: OpenJazzFest 2017 – The popular open-air jazz fest celebrates its10th anniversary with two days of varied Slovak and foreign musicians and bands: Kenny Garrett, Ľudové Mladistvá, Rosario Smowing, China Mo-ses, Linda Oh, Cha Bud, Ján Berky Mrenica & Friends – featuring Stochello Rosenberg (SK, PL, NL, F: Martin Valihora, Eugen Botoš, Eugen Vizváry, Peter „Piťu“ Luha, Barbora Botošová, Marek Konček, Janka Orlická, Anita Soul and Jozef Merstein Jochymczyk) and the swing big band, Original Vintage Orchestra from the Czech Republic. Guitarist Stochello Rosenberg, a Dutch native, now performing in France, is perceived as the main star. Starts: July 28-29, 18:00; Zelená Voda resort, Nové Mesto nad Váhom. Admission: €25 (one day)-€40 (both days). Tickets: www.ticketportal.sk. More info: www.openjazzfest.sk/sk; www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Jazz-Fest.
Nitra
CONCERT: Theatre and Musical Sundays – Part of the Cultural Summer in City Park are Sundays bringing theatre performances and concerts. On July 30, young Slovak singer Ester Wiesner will perform her music, mixing jazz with Slovak folk, Brazilian music and songs. Starts: July 30, 18:00; city park Na Sihoti (At Sihoť). More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
L-R: Erik Rothenstein, Ester Wiesnerová (Source: Courtesy of Bratislava City Library)Trnava
JAZZ FESTIVAL: Trnavský Jazzyk – The first weekend in August will host international jazz stars in the city amphitheatre. Top performers from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Tunisia and the USA (Carpet Cabinet-SK, CZ); Michal Bugala Group (SK); Dhafer Youssef, Aron Parks, Matt Brewer, Ferenc Nemeth (TUN, USA, HUN); Nat Osborn Band (USA, PL); Radovan Tariška Radio Band & Peter Lipa (SK); Jon Cowherd Quartet feat Steve Cardenas, Chris Tomas, Jeff Boudreaux (US) will play various genres, from classical mainstream through fusion, funk, soul, world music to contemporary jazz at open-air concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Starts: Aug 4-5, 19:00; City Amphitheatre. Admission: €7.50 (for pensioners, handicapped, etc.- on the site)-€15 (one day)-€10-€20 (both days). More info: www.regiontirnavia.sk/podujatia.
Radovan Tariška (Source: Sme)Nitra
EXHIBITION: Tomáš Klepoch – The Cabinet of Banalities – the young Slovak visual artist in his newest project presents his “collection of trivialities” – common waste, civilisation trash or DIY still-life and landscapes presented in surprising combinations and forms, in artefacts and woodcut prints, curated by Omar Mirza. Open: Tue – Fri 10:00 - 18:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 - 18:00 until Aug 13; Salon of the Nitra Gallery / Nitrianska galéria, Župné Square 3. Admission: €3. More info: www.nitrianskagaleria.sk.
Foreigners: Events in Bratislava Read more Central Slovakia
Liptovský Mikuláš
JAZZ FESTIVAL: Mikuláš Jazz Festival – The already established international jazz festival (enjoying the participation of Polish jazz musicians, in particular) offers, for the first time, jazz workshops (led by Nikolaj Nikitin, Robert Pospiš and Martin Sillay). Apart from Slovak and Polish jazzmen, it will also present Czech performers, and apart from jazz there will be fusions with ethno and kelzmer music offered during the last weekend in July. Players include: Kinga Glyk (PL). The Transform Quintet (HU), Ester Wiesner Quartet (SK, AU, DE), Pressburger Klezmer Band (SK), Tribute Ján Cikker (Pospiš, Sillay, Nikitin-SK), Zbigniew Namyslowski Quintet (PL), Ľudová hudba Stana Baláža & AMC Trio (SK), Emil Viklický Trio & Miroslav Hloucal (CZ, SK), and Adam Baldych Sextet (PL). Starts: July 28-30 (14:00 on July 28 and 29, 19:00 on July 30); House of Culture, Osloboditeľov Square. Admission: €13 (one day)-€30(three days). More info: www.mjf.sk.
Pressburger Klezmer Band (Source: Marko Erd)Banská Bystrica
SPORT/EVENT: Parkour Meeting 2017 – The seventh international meeting of parkour fans and activists is the biggest of its kind in this region. The public can join in the warm-ups and exercise under the NSP Monument, as well as watch the performances. Starts: July 27-30, several sites – mostly the aprk under SNP Monument. More info: http://parkourmeetingbb.mozello.com; www.facebook.com/pkmbb.
Žilina
MULTI-GENRE FESTIVAL: Kiosk 2017 – The 20th jubilee year of the mutli-genre festival that explores theatre, dance, music and also other phenomena, like light design, focuses on 15 scenic projects of the works of the new generation of artists who come to the scene, as well as on the issue of the New Viewer (especially in the accompanying programme): who is the new viewer, how artists wish them to be, and how to make audiences interactive and inclusive. Starts: July 27- 30; Stanica Žilina – Záriečie, Závodská cesta 3. Admission: €4-€6 for individual programmes (via https://tootoot.fm/), €14-€18 for the whole festival (in advance, tootoot.fm)-€15-€20 (on the site). More info: www.kioskfestival.sk.
Banská Bystrica
DANCE/MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Legits Blast – The 8th year of the festival of hip-hip and break dance will see performers from 70 countries, with legendary US rap group Onyx being the headliner. Line-up also includes locals, like PJ & DJ FunkDat, Vec, Tono S., Škrupo, Joe Trendy, Supa, Jožis Engerer, Czech Vladimir 518, Slovak rapper Rytmus and US rapper R. A. the Rugged Man. Part of the festival is the Outbreak Europe competition in 1vs1, 2vs2, women 1vs1 and kids battle 2vs2 categories. Starts: July 28-30; Europa Shopping Center, battle of the Top 16 countries – upper parking lot of Europa SC. Tickets: https://goo.gl/47RsWl. More info: www.tlb.sk; www.facebook.com/thelegitsblast; www.instagram.com/thelegitsblast.
Banská Štiavnica/Nižná Boca Liptovský Mikuláš/Skalica
CLASSICAL/SIRITUAL MUSIC: Musica Temporis for Bach – A series of concerts dedicated to the works of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries and successors are presented by the Evangelical communities and the Musica Temporis group: Marta Gáborová – organ, Matej Tkáč – cello, Karin Loudová – sopano. Starts: Banská Štiavnica July 28, 19:00; Evangelical Church; Nižná Boca July 29, 17:00; Evangelical Church, Liptovský Mikuláš July 30, 17:00; Evangelical Church; Skalica (organ recital) Aug 5, 17:00; Evangelical Church. More info: www.musicatemporis.recordlogo.com.
Banská Štiavnica
MUSIC FESTIVAL: Sitno Blues - The cultural-music festival with international participation offers music, workshops, a crafts market, a culinary market, sport and accompanying events – for individuals and families. Line-up includes Dorrey Lin Lyles & Johnie Shepperd Band (USA), Jimi Barbiani Band ft. Pietro Taucher (IT) and Slovak ZVA 12-28 Band, René Lacko & the Downton Band and Kiero Grande on Saturday; as well as a culinary market, crafts market, a culinary show about herbs and spices, a photo-exhibition, discussions and other accompanying programme events on Sunday morning and Slovak and Czech bands Inekafe, Korben Dallas, Medial Banana, Gingerhead, N3O Akustika, and Arzén on Sunday afternoon. Starts: July 28 (17:00), 29 (10:00 markets, 16:00 music)-30 (15:30); Amphitheatre – Počúvadlianske Lake, near Banská Štiavnica. Admission: €10 (one day)-€15 – only for concerts. More info: www.sitnoblues.sk or www.facebook.com/sitnoblues/.
Medial Banana (Source: SITA)Kremnica
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Festival peknej hudby / Festival of Nice Music – The summer festival of classical music features Bratislavské gitarové kvarteto (Bratislava Guitar Quartet – Miloš Slobodník, Yorgos Nousis, Radka Krajčová, Martin Krajčo) at 11:00 and Cellomania (Jozef lupták, Eugen Prochác, Ján Slávik) at 20:00. Starts: July 29 – 11:00, Baroque Chapel of Sv. Anton manor house; 20:00 Knight's Hall of the Old Castle in Kremnica. More info: www.fph.sk.
Žilina
MUSEUM/CASTLE GAMES: Budatín Castle Games – The Považské (Považie region) Museum in Žílina has organised a Sunday journey in time, to the times of Budatín Castle owner, Count Géza Csáky – to the first half of the 20th century, including a vintage car show, a period fashion show, artefacts on display, and workshops and lectures (in Slovak) by museum staffers. There will also be re-enactment guided tours of the castle, as well as a programme in the castle park. Starts: July 30, 11:00 (guided tours from 9:00); Budatín Castle. Admission: €1 (visitors in period costumes free). More info: http://pmza.sk/budatinske-hradne-hry.
Terchová
FOLKLORE FEST: Jánošíkove Dni – The traditional festival of folk music, dance, traditional crafts and meals will feature six phenomena from the UNESCO heritage list: local traditional music (including the final wagon parade) Terchovská muzika, the fujara instrument and bagpipes, also South-Moravian dance, Verbunk and two Macedonian ones – the kopačkata dance and the vocal tradition of the Tetovo region. The festival also hails the 70th birthday of folklorist František Mucha and offers insight into the key slogan of this year’s – the 55th – edition, „exchange”, meaning creative confrontation, inspiration and convergence. More than 1,300 performers from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Macedonia, and Poland are expected. Starts: Aug 3-6; various sites in Terchová. More info: www.terchova.sk/podujatia/janosikove-dni/2017/.
A record in mass heligonka playing at Jánošíkove Dni 2016 in Terchová. (Source: TASR)Banská Bystrica
ORGAN FESTIVAL: Vivat Vox Organi 2017 – The 5th year of this organ festival presents 12 organists playing 11 concerts in three churches on three different organs, with the staple venue being the St Francis of Xaver Cathedral in Banská Bystrica. The opening concert brings French musician, poet, teacher and composer Jean-Pierre Griveau, the titular organist of the Orléans Cathedral – with soprano Corine Sertillanges. Other concerts offer Slovak organist František Beer (Aug 9, 19:30), Pole Przemyslaw Kapitula (Aug 16, 19:30), Slovak organiser Stanislav Šurin (with Czech actor Vladimír Krátky reciting, Aug 23, 19:30), German Stefan Kagl (Aug 30, 19:30), Austrian Johann Trumer (Sept 6, 19:30), French Geraud Guillemot (Sept 8, Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, Staré Hory – near Banská Bystrica, 19:30), again Geraud Guillemot (Sept 13, 19:30, St Francis of Xaver Cathedral), US organist David di Fiore – who will play his 1,000th concert on Sept 20, 19:30, also in the cathedral), Slovak Marek Štrbák (Sept 27, 19:30), and Slovak Marek Dietrich (Oct 1, 19:30, Evangelical Church, Lazovná Street, Banská Bystrica). Starts: Aug 2-Oct 1; St Francis of Xaver Cathedral in Banská Bystrica, Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, Staré Hory – near Banská Bystrica, Evangelical Church, Lazovná Street, Banská BystricaMore info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
David di Fiore (Source: Courtesy of Church Organ Festival)Kremnica
SUMMER SNOWBOARD/FREESTYLE SKIING: Summer Big Air in the City – The popular project Big Air v meste / Big Air in the City, bringing freestyle skiing and snowboarding to the historical centre of the town of Kremnica celebrates its 10th anniversary with a summer edition, presenting similar disciplines as those seen in winter (races and a show by freeskiers and snowboarders in Big Air – a jump from a huge jump into a pool), as well as concerts (Para, Vec & Škrupo, Joe Trendy, Strapo, Saténové ruky, Haf & Beyuz, N3O Akustika, Malalata, and others), an exhibition of wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (so-called SUP), skimboarding, slackline and more. Starts: Aug 4-6, Kremnica lido, Dolná 95/58. Tickets: www.predpredaj.sk. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Big Air Kremnica, winter edition (Source: Sme - Ján Krošlák)Eastern Slovakia
Košice
SPORT: Beach Plaza Terasa (BPT) Sport Weekends: The daylong sport weekends will include in the summer 2017 season the Slovak Championship in beach volleyball on July 28-30. Starts: July 28-30; OC Galéria Shopping. More info: www.kosicezapad.sk.
Liptovská Teplička/Tatras
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL: Folklore Festivities under Kráľova Hoľa – The folklore festival takes place in potato cellars, fields and barns with views of the High and Low Tatras. The folk troupes and musicians participating are Slovaks, from nearby regions: Šarišan, Zemplín, Hriňovčan, Anna Servická, Ján Ambróz, Jana Ambrózová, Vranky, Temperament Cimbal Orchestra, Izrael, Tepličan, Turnička, Bukovinka, Kýčera, Kochman. Also, photo-exhibitions, an exhibition of folk costumes, woodcarving, a crafts market, and a fun backyard are on offer, as well as an allegoric parade of the villager, holy mass and more. Starts: July 29 (13:00)-30 (09:30), Amphitheatre Liptovská Teplička, Bory, Liptovská Teplička. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Kežmarok/Košice/Smižany
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Le Nuove Musiche: Treasures of the Early Baroque – The group playing early music (Hilda Gulyás (SK)-soprano, Adam Szendrei (SK)-baroque violin, Mateusz Kowalski (PL)-viola da gamba, Hugo de Rodas (MX)-archlute and baroque guitar; and Jakub Mitrík (SK)-theorba and baroque lute will perform the work of Italian Baroque composers from the early 17thcentury, working “in stille modern” – Claudio Monteverdi, Sigismondo d´India and Giovanni Girolamo. Starts: July 28, 18:30, Baroque Chapel of Kežmarok Castle; July 29, 19:00, St Michael's Chapel, Košice; and July 30, 16:00, Smižany manor house. More info: Jakub Mitrík 0904/196-306, jakub.mitrik@gmail.com.
Košice
TOURISM/HISTORICAL TRAIN: With the Train to UNESCO Sites – The third train journey following the UNESCO sites in Slovakia, leading to Dobšinská Ice Cave offers several routes apart from the cave itself: The Pod Ostrou Skalou agro-tourism ranch with horse riding and country works, The Tarzania Rope Park near Ranč pod Ostrou skalou, the Havrania Skala rock with spectacular views, a hike to Palcmanská Maša dam (Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa ice cave – Nižná záhrada – Voniarky – Palcmanská Maša – Dedinky) or to Stratená (Dobšinská ľadová Jaskyňa ice cave – Stratenský kaňon – Havrania Skala – Občasný prameň – Stratená. Starts: July 29, 7:45 (Košice). Booking: rezervaciedzk@gmail.com. More info: www.detskazeleznica.sk.
The hsitorical train Hurvínek (Source: Courtesy of KHKV)Poprad
GASTRONOMY/MARKET: Made in Slovakia – The festival hailing local and national, Slovak products will host about 120 exhibitors – miners, bee-keepers, woodcarvers – including Adam Bakoš, creator of the Tatra Ice Cathedral – but also musicians (Babjakovci, Majk Spirit, Heľenine oči, Beáta Dubasová, Martin Harich or Le Payaco) and cooks. This edition focuses on mining – as it is not widely known that a mine was opened in the Poprad borough of Kvetnica. On August 4, the painting, the Madonna of Poprad, will be shown in front of St Aegid’s Church, a replica of the original from 1484 that was found in that church neglected and damaged. The original is in the Slovak National Gallery. The description will be offered also in German and English. Starts: Aug 2-5; various sites in Poprad. More info: www.premesto.sk/projekty/made-in-slovakia.
Md ein Slovakia, Poprad (Source: Courtesy of Made in Slovakia)High Tatras
FUN FESTIVAL: Medvedie dni 2017 / The Bear Days 2017 – The 10th year of this festival hailing bears brings competition, concerts and events for both children and adults, involving bears in all forms, theatre performances and a lot of accompanying programmes. Starts: Aug 2 (11:00)-6 (9:30 – 16:00); Hrebienok, High Tatras. More info: www.vt.sk/zazitky/eventy/medvedie-dni-2017/.
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Tatras/Štrbské Pleso
FOLKLORE: Lúčnica in Tatras / Lúčnica v Tatrách – After 30 years, the legendary Slovak folklore troupe Lúčnica will perform in high Tatras. On August 2 to 4, it will offer dance course for children within the Bear Days / Medvedie Dni event. On August 3, the main performance under the ski jumps at Štrbské Pleso takes place, with vocal group Strbän of Štrby, Veselička of Liptovské Sliače, children folklore troupe Ďumbier of Liptovský Mikuláš, folklore ensembles Jadlovček of Margecany, Letnička of Poprad and Pramienok of Liptovský Mikuláš as guests. Starts: Aug 3, 19:00; ski jumps at Štrbské Pleso resort. Admission: €9 (€15 on the site)-€45. Tickets: www.ticketportal.sk. More info: www.lucnica.sk.
Folklore ensemble Lúčnica (Source: TASR)Košice
CONCERT: Michal Červienka, Lucia Lužinská – The concert of Slovak accordionist Michal Červienka and – also Slovak – jazz singer/actress Lucia Lužinská with her project of modern, energetic jazz Quintessence (Boris Čellár-guitar, woodpack, Valér Miko-piano, Miroslav Poprádi-saxophone, clarinet), Marcel Comendant-cymbalom, Juraj Griglák-bass, double bass) and Michal Fedor (drums) come to perform in the Summer Park Festival with their programme of songs of Chicka Corea, Tanja Marie and others. Starts: Aug 3, 19:00 (20:30), Kasárne KulturPark barracks, Kukučínova 2. More info: www.k13.sk.
Lucia Lužinská (Source: Sme)Poprad and vicinity
VINTAGE CARS: Tatranský Veterán / Tatra Vintage Car 2017 – The 31st year of the Tatranský veteran event will see more than historical vehicles. European brands – Tatra, Praga, Fiat, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce – but also American legends Buick, Packard, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Ford, will be on display in several cities and towns around the Tatras, during the Tatranský Veterán Car club Poprad meeting. Starts: Aug 4 - 11:00 - 12:30 – Podolínec – Main Square, 13:00 - 15:00 – Stará Ľubovňa, under Ľubovňa castle, 16:00 - 18:00 - Spišská Belá – in front of the Gorál roadhouse. Aug 5 - 9:00 - 11:00 – Kežmarok – Main Square, 12:00 - 14:00 – Levoča – Main Square, 15:00 - 17:00 - Poprad – in front of Satel hotel. More info: www.tatranskyveteran.sk.
