Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava
THEATRE: THE RECENTLY premiered production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker marks a return to the traditional version by renowned Russian choreographer Vasili Vainonen. Choreographed by Rafael G. Avnikjan and Jozef Dolinský Sr and featuring the ballet dancers of the Slovak National Theatre and students of the Eva Jaczová Dance Conservatory, the staging offers elaborate set design and costumes. Tickets for the performance on December 16 and 20 (18:00) as well as 17, 18 and 21 (11:00) in the historical SND building in Hviezdoslavovo Square in Bratislava cost €5-€17 and can be purchased through 02/2049-4290 or www.snd.sk.

Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Hudba pod Hradom / Music under the Castle – Organist Marek Štr-bák will play the works of J. Ch. H. Rinck, Brahms, Max Reger, Jozef Podprocký and Iris Szeghy.
Starts: Dec 22, 16:00; Big Evangelical Church, Panenská Street. Admission: free. More info: www.citylife.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Spojila Nás Pieseň / Song Connected Us – Visually impaired singers Ma-roš Banga (Slovak) and Radek Žalud (Czech) will perform pop songs. Their successful collaboration began in the summer and has proved successful from the start.
Starts: Dec 18, 19:00; V-Club, SNP Square 12. Admission: €5. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www.ticketportal.sk.

Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas Concert – The Slovak Philharmonic (SF) joins forces with the Fragile band, which sings carols a cappella, adapted by Slovak composer Ľubica Čekovská, and Schubert’s Fifth Symphony, as conducted by Peter Valentovič.
Starts: Dec 19 (added concert, 10:30, €6-8), Dec 20, 19:00; Reduta, E. Suchoňa Square 1. Admission: €10-15. Tel: 02/2047-5233; www. filharmonia.sk.

Bratislava
CHRISTMAS LIGHT: Bethlehem Light – The Petržalka Boyscouts will bring the traditional light from Bethlehem, which symbolises Christmas, to the people.
Starts: Dec 20, 14:00-16:30; Local branches of City Libra-ry, Vavilovova 24 and Proko-fievova 5. Admission: free. More info: www.citylife.sk.

Piešťany
GOSPEL: Howard Gospel Choir – This very successful US choir, which has been performing for 45 years, will boost the festive atmosphere with its visit to Slovakia.
Starts: Dec 17, 19:30; Congress Centre, Spa Island. Admission: €10. More info: www.piestanydanubiushotels.sk.

Trnava
ROMA MUSIC/DANCE: Ci-gánski Diabli & Totti Ovidiu – Famous dancer Ovidiu (Cir-que du Soleil) joins forces with a band playing traditional Roma music.
Starts: Dec 16, 19:00; Estrada Hall, House of Culture, Trojičné Square 10. Admission: €20. More info: 02/5293- 3321; www.ticketportal.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Banská Bystrica
THEATRE: THE YEAR celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Theatre/Studio of Dance (DŠT) at Komenského 12 in Banská Bystrica will wrap up with a 2v1 (Two-in-One) Christmas performance with the concert of Czech drummer Pavel Fajt called DrumTrek (combining world music, art-rock and experimental electric music) to which the theatre’s dancers will perform. Tickets for the concert/dance performance cost €4-€7 and can be purchased through 048/4146-540 or www.studiotanca.sk. Fajt will also perform a concert on December 18 in the Museum of Trade in Bratislava (www.rockvmuzeu.sk).

Banská Bystrica
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas Concert – The special con-cert of the State Opera offers operatic and Christmas songs performed by Martina Múdra, Michaela Kušteková, Robert Smiščík, Zoltán Vongrey, Ivan Zvarík, conducted by Ján Procházka and directed by Dana Dinková.
Starts: Dec 21, 19:00; State Opera, Národná 11. Admission: €10. Tel: 048/2457-123; www.stateopera.sk.

Žilina
CHRISTMAS EVENT: Slovensko 2013 Advent – The series of 15 Christmas concerts focuses on 15 projects that make Slovakia a better place. In Žilina, the AMO band will play its experimental fusion of hip-hop and Caribbean rhythms. The proceeds will go to support the reconstruction of the local New Synagogue as a cultural centre and towards the activities of the Truc Sphérique civic association.
Starts: Dec 18, 19:30; Town Theatre, Horný Val 3. Admission: €5. Tel: 0903/510-671; www.divadlozilina.eu.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas Concert – The final concert of the Quasars Ensemble’s Košice residence is dedicated to the works of local composers: Alexander Albrecht, Oldřich Hemerka, František Xaver Zomb and Jozef Podprocký, and French Jehan Alain, as performed by them and the St Cecilia Choir.
Starts: Dec 17, 19:00; Ka-sárne Kulturpark, Kukučínova 2. Admission: €4-€8. Tel: 055/ 6854-299; www.kulturpark.sk.

Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas Concert – The State Philharmonic, conducted by Marián Vach, will perform the works of Samuel Barber, Bach and J.V. Kopřiva, with Boris Bohó on cello, soprano Lucia Knoteková, mezzo-soprano Gabriela Hübnerová, tenor Dušan Šimo and baritone Marián Lukáč with the Collegium Technicum choir.
Starts: Dec 19, 19:00; Concert Hall of the House of Arts, Moyzesova 66. Admission: €8-€10. Tel: 055/6220-763; www.sfk.sk.

Spišská Nová Ves
BENEFIT CONCERT: Peter Lipa – Jazzman Peter Lipa sings for the Náš Dom / Our House social facility to help mentally challenged children and adults and their families.
Starts: Dec 16, 19:30; Redu-ta, Radničné Square 4. Admission: €5. More info: www. kamdomesta.sk.