Peter Lipa
photo: ČTK
THE HOUSE OF CULTURE Lúky in Bratislavawelcomes the 15th edition of the Livin' Blues Festival on March 24. The main stage will feature the Žalman Brothers Band from Bratislava, with excellent guitarist Martin Vyboch; Slovak-Czech formation Juraj "Dura" Turtev and Blues Groove, with guitarist Miloš Železnák as a guest; singer/guitarist Ľuboš Beňa; the Hoochie Coochie Band from the Czech Republic; Mojo lead singer/guitarist Juraj "Mojo" Haruštiak; and the group Blues Banda. The Peter Lipa Band, featuring world-class musicians Marcel Buntaj, Martin Gašpar, Juraj Tatár and Michal Žáček will highlight the event, along with legengary Polish group the J.J. Band, which is known for its live concerts. The smaller, second, stage will feature Second Band, an acoustic duo from Trnava, and the jazz-blues trio of Peter Kozma, S.R.O. An amateur video of Rača Blues, a pioneering blues festival that took place 18 years ago, will also be shown. The festival in the House of Culture at Vígľašská 1 starts at 16:30. Tickets bought in advance cost Sk200, at the door Sk250. For more information, call 02/6382-3930.
Western SLOVAKIA
Bratislava
SHOW: Fun is a must - The Mega Transvestite troupe from Prague performs songs by Czech singers Helena Vondráčková and Hana Zagorová, as well as world stars Tina Turner, Madonna, Bonnie Tyler, Ruslana, Kylie Minogue, Marilyn Monroe, Samantha Fox, Abba, Boney M and others.
Starts: March 22, 19:00. Admission: Sk100, Sk390. Istropolis, Odborárske námestie. Tel: 0903/445-719.
Bratislava
CONCERT: Kooperativa Jazz Jakabčic - Jazz guitarist Matúš Jakabčic hosts bassist Juraj Griglák and drummer Martin Valihora in the Madhouse project, and resurrects '80s fusion-pop-jazz formation Stop Time. Featuring guests Matúš Jakabčic, trumpetist Juraj Bartoš, bassist Juraj Griglák, keyboardist Richard Šárközi, drummer Oldo Petráš and pianist Ján Štubniak.
Starts: March 22, 20:00. Admission: Sk129. The Arena Theatre, Viedenská cesta 10. Tel: 02/6720-2557.
Bratislava
PARTY: Oxygen Party - The seventh edition of this program features headliners DJs Umek and Balthazar or Amok, as well as a laser and barman's show and much more.
Starts: March 23, 21:00. Admission: Sk400, Sk550. PKO, (Culture and Leisure Park), Nábrežie Ľ. Svobodu. www.oxygenparty.sk.
Bratislava
COMPETITION: Slovak Bouldering Cup - Top Slovak climbers meet for a bouldering contest.
Starts: March 24, 9:00. Admission: free (for audience). Bouldering Centre, Farského 24. www.boulderoom.sk.
Bratislava
DANCE: In the rhythm of flamenco - Slovak dance ensemble Andalucia performs styles from southern Spain, such as the flamenco, to the melodies of Spanish music and the sound of castanets.
Starts: March 24, 19:00. Admission: Sk250. Astorka Theatre, SNP Square 33. Tel: 02/5443-2093.
Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Hommage a Lucia Popp - Soprano Adriana Kučerová, baritone Pavol Remenár and the Cappella Istropolitana perform works by Mozart, Rossini, Donizzeti and others under the baton of Mário Košík at a concert dedicated to the legendary Slovak opera singer Lucia Popp.
Start: March 25, 18:00. Admission: Sk30-Sk120. The Slovak Philharmonic, Palackého 2. Booking by fax, 02/5443-5956, or e-mail, vstupenky@filharmonia.sk.
Nitra
EXHIBITION: Juraj Bartusz - This selection of works by Slovak painter Juraj Bartusz react to events that affect the thinking and actions of contemporaries.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 until April 15. Admission: Sk30. Nitra Gallery, Župné námestie 3. Tel: 037/6579-641.
Central SLOVAKIA
Žilina
LIVE MUSIC: French Touch Electro - Three projects - Zôl, who plays electro-break-beat; Dj OR D'ouvre, a French master in scratching (drum'n'bass); and AADD - Askwell And D-Drone, an electro-experiment with live instruments - introduce the new scene of French electric music.
Starts: March 23, 21:00. Admission: Sk80/Sk120 (in advance), Sk100/Sk150 (at the door). The Žilina-Záriečie Culture Centre, at the Žilina-Záriečie railway station, Závodská cesta 3. Tel: 0904/047-441.
Eastern SLOVAKIA
Michalovce
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Musical Spring of Michalovce - Piano player Tomáš Nemec performs as part of the 42nd edition of the classical music festival.
Starts: March 22, 19:00. Admission: Sk50. Mestské Kultúrne Stredisko (The Town's Culture Centre), Nám. Osloboditeľov 25. Tel: 056/6424-216.
Poprad
COMMEMORATION: Days of Jewish Culture - To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first transport of young women and girls to Auschwitz, the Sabinov Theatre performs The Shop on Main Street in the Culture Centre (March 24, 19:00) and the Elektráreň Tatranskej Galérie hosts two events: an exhibition of paintings by Tibor Spitz, So it never happens again (March 25, 15:00), and a performance by the Pressburger Klezmer Band.
Runs: March 23-25. Poprad venues listed above. Tel: 052/7721-968.
Košice
COMPETITION: Furča Mara-thon - This marathon, now in its fifth year, opens the marathon season in Slovakia on the first Saturday in spring.
Starts: March 24, 11:00. House estate Sídlisko Dargovských hrdinov. Tel: 0904/246-060.
photo: Reuters
KIM WILDE, the sex symbol of the '80s known for her first big hit, Kids in America, sings from her latest album, Never Say Never, and classic hits in Košice on March 23. The album contains eight brand new songs, as well as arrangements of her six biggest hits. The concert takes place at the Steel Arena at 20:00. Tickets cost Sk590 - Sk990. For more information, call 055/6258-888.
