Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIA Bratislava EXHIBITION: The Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava begins a new programme on June 2 at 18:00 when it offers in-depth artistic insights and experience in the English language. The sessions will introduce permanent and current exhibitions and will be followed by informal discussions. The first Thursday Art Talk is focused on The Last Classic / Ernest Zmeták, Artist and Collector – one of the most significant Slovak painters of the second half of the 20th century.

It takes place at the SNG, Esterházy Palace, Ľ. Štúr Square (2nd floor). Admission is €4.70; for more information call 02/2047-6270, go to www.sng.sk, or email marcela.lukacova @sng.sk.

Bratislava

LIVE MUSIC: E.ON Jazz Night 2011 – The third jazz night in Design Factory will bring DJ C.O.D.E, Yvonne Sanchez from Cuba, Pedro Tagliani and Luis Ribeiro from Brazil, Nicola Conte Jazz Combo from Italy and en.dru and Jirka Vidasov from the Czech Republic; as well as DJane Lady Smiles (Austria) at the after-party.

Starts: June 3, 19:00-4:00; Design Factory, Bottova 2. Admission: €15 (in advance), €20 (at the door). Tel: 02/5020- 1717; www.designfactory.sk.

Bratislava

FOREIGN TALKS: Language Café – A chit-chat in “your favourite language” while sipping coffee, this time highlighting Japanese. The event is organised by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre and the cultural institutes of the embassies of Japan, Germany, Hungary, Austria, UK, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday in each month.

Starts: June 1, 17:30; Café Studio, Laurinská 13. Admission: free. More info: www.sk.emb-japan.go.jp/event_language_cafe.html.

Bratislava

LIVE MUSIC: Joe Cocker – The legendary rock musician with the husky voice returns to Slovakia to perform his recent songs as well as all-time favourites.

Starts: May 31, 20:00; NTC Sibamac Arena, Príkopova 6. Admission: €50-€80. More info: www.eventim.sk.

Bratislava

EXHIBITION: All Inclusive - Marcin Mierzicki – The young Polish artist works with objects and installations in a way that involves the active perception of the visitor. Each of his exhibitions is created individually for the specific space.

Open: Mon-Thur 10:00 -17:00, Fri 9:00-15:00 until June 17; Polish Cultural Institute, SNP Square 27. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5443-2014; www.polinst.sk.

Trnava

LIVE MUSIC: Sólo - Iva Bittová – The Czech (Moravian) singer, composer, violinist and actress, an outstanding representative of the Czech alternative scene, gives a solo concert in Slovakia.

Starts: June 5, 19:00; Synagóga – Centre of Contemporary Art, Halenárska 2. Admission: €10 (in advance), €12 (on the door). Tel: 033/5341- 261, or 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk.

Štúrovo

HAPPENING: AquaPhone – This event combines books, music, puppets, an art exhibition, local delicacies and drinks, and the documentary movie “Hranica” by Jaro Vojtek. The performance, organised by the town of Štúrovo and supported by the Swiss Embassy, commemorates the time before the Maria Valeria Bridge connecting Štúrovo and the Hungarian town of Esztergom had been built – when trans-Danube communication was much harder.

Starts: June 4, 11:00-22:00; several venues in Štúrovo. Admission: free. More info: www.sturovo.com.

Piešťany

COMPETITION: THE 20TH year of Zlaté stuhy (Gold Ribbons) / Concourse d’ Elégance, a parade of more than 40 antique autos will take place on Piešťany’s Spa Island between June 2 and 4. There will be competitions for best car from before 1918, best car after 1919 as well as best matching historical garb by a crew. Admission is free. The parade of historical vehicles will begin on June 4 at 10:00 as part of the "Opening of the Spa Season", offering a colourful and varied cultural and entertainment programme. For more information, visit www.spapiestany.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Banská Bystrica

CHILDREN’S OPERA: Ferdo Mravec – A popular character from children’s books, an adventurous ant, has been made into an opera for children by Jiří Pauer, directed by Dana Dinková and conducted by Igor Bulla.

Starts: June 1, 17:00, State Opera, Národná 11. Admission: €3-€5. Tel: 048/2457-120; www.stateopera.sk.

Lučenec

LIVE MUSIC: IMT Smile - After a tour of acoustic concerts, one of Slovakia’s most popular bands makes its only solo performance in Lučenec.

Starts: June 4, 19:00; Sports Hall. Admission: €12. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice

LIVE MUSIC: Hrana Tour 2011 Oskar Rózsa - Tribute to Marek Brezovský – Hrana (The Edge) is the project of versatile musician, composer, conductor and producer Oskar Rózsa that commemorates the talented Slovak musician Marek Brezovský, who died tragically young. It will visit six Slovak cities and towns.

Starts: June 2, 20:00; Ka-sárne / Kulturpark, Kukučíno-va 2. Admission: €15. Tel: 055/ 6854-299; www.kulturpark.sk, www.eventim.sk.

Prešov

ASTRONOMY/MUSIC: Hud-ba pod hviezdnou oblohou J. M. Jarre / Music Under the Starry Sky – The music of famous French artist Jean-Michel Jarre, under an (artificial) night sky.

Starts: June 2, 18:00; Observatory, Dilongova 17. Admission: €2. Tel: 051/7722-065; www. astropresov.sk.