Saxohpone Syncopators (source: Courtesy of Saxophone Syncopators)
Western Slovakia
Modra
CONCERT: International Guitar Festival Modra – The 9th year of the festival which focuses on professional guitar players and their chamber projects, welcomes guitar masters from Italy, Poland, Great Britain, Israel and Slovakia and will last for a whole weekend at the German Evangelical Church. On Friday, the trio Ben Salfield, lutar (UK), Andrea Dieci, guitar (IT) and Andrzej Grygier, guitar (PL) will perform; on Saturday, Alexej Belousov, classical guitar (ISR) and Guitar Duo Jókaiová Hnat, classical guitar (SK) will play and on Sunday, it will be Radoslav Wieczorek, classical guitar; Quartetto Nero, historical string instruments and Wojciech Lubertowicz, historical percussive instruments (PL). Starts: July 14-16, 19:00; German Evangelical Church. Admission: free. More info: www.kcmodra.sk.
Šamorín
CONCERT/GALLERY: Summer Musical Evening – The Slovak band Longital and Golnar & the Mahan Trio, a grouping of Iranian/Egyptian musicians, will perform their experimental rock/world-jazz music in a former synagogue-turned-gallery. Starts: July 14, 19:30; At Home Gallery, Mliečňanská 5. Tel: 0903/255-681; www.athome.gallery.org.
Longital (source: Ivana Šataník)
Vráble
MUSIC FEST: Rock Show Vráble 2017 – A popular summer music festival that supports young talents returns as a two-day event: on Friday, SmallTownBoy & Band, winner of the TooTooT competition, The Paranoid and INÉ KAFE will play, while on Saturday, Freekies, Everlong, Inside, NoControl, The Cellmates, winner of the TooTooT competition, Metropolis, Richard Müller and Medial Banana will perform. Part of the festival includes competitions for visitors, good meals, and more. Starts: July 14 (17:00)-15 (14:30); Staré ihrisko (Old Playground), 1. Mája Square. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Nitra/Ivanka
CUISINE/FOLKLORE: Naj Guláš – The 10th year of an event combining a competition for the best goulash with performances of folklore troupes draws attention to the village lying close to Nitra. Starts: July 15, 15:00; Dom Matice slovenskej, Dolnočermánska 737, Nitra. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Červený Kameň/Častá-Trnava
CONCERT: Gemini na hrade / Gemini at the Castle – Old Celtic and Irish songs will resound at the medieval Červený Kameň castle, as played by the Trnava-based band Gemini. Starts: July 15; Červený Kameň, Častá, Trnava. More info: http://hradcervenykamen.sk.
Hlohovec
CONCERT: Saxophone Syncopators – The special quartet of saxophone players (Pavol Hoďa – soprano/alto sax, clarinet; Ján Gašpárek – alto sax; Ladislav Fančovič – tenor sax, arrangements; Frederika Babuliaková – baritone sax) who arrange classics, jazz and 1910-1923 ragtime music for four saxophones this summer tour Slovakia, starting on July 16 at a Hlohovec Barbeque. Each concert of Saxophone Syncopators will be different, adapted to the locality, audience and technical equipment. Some will even feature old, silent slapstick comedies accompanied by live music – the way they were screened when they first appeared. Starts: July 16, 14:00; Hlohovec Barbeque, Castle Garden. More info: www.saxophonesyncopators.com.
Malacky
CONCERT: Natalie & Martin Bies – The exotic singer, pianist and composer Natalie will perform with flamenco guitarist Martin Bies. Starts: July 20, 20:00; Pálffy manor-house, Malacky. Admission: free. More info: www.citylife.sk.
Trnava
SPORT: Box Gala 3 – The third year of the box event, both amateur and professional, will bring matches of fighters vying for trophies in the Adults and Youth categories, interviews with Slovak champions (Tomi Kid, Pavol Polakovič, Jan Balog, Attila Vegh) and after the award ceremony also a concert by Slovak rapper Kali and Peter Pan. Starts: July 22, 18:00; summer cinema – city amphitheatre, Halenárska 20. Admission: 10 (in advance)-€12 (on the site). More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Central Slovakia
Orava Castle
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Stará hudba v starom hrade (Early Music at an Old Castle) – The guided tours at Orava Castle will be enlivened by special concerts of early music on replicas of historical instruments. The musical weekend culminates with a concert in St Michael’s Chapel of Aneta Ručková (vocals) and Josef Kratochvíl (organ). Starts: July 14-16; 10:00 (17:0); Orava Castle. More info: www.oravskemuzeum.sk.
Banská Bystrica
CONCERT: Valér Miko Trio & Pišta Szabó, Ján Fiala and Michaela Tercerová – Slovak pianist Valér Miko presents his own compositions in a trio formation (Valér Miko – piano, Tamás Belicza – electric bass, Juraj Raši – drums), sometimes also with guests, guitarists gitaristami Ľuboš Brtáň and Pavol Bereza. The music of the modern piano trio is somewhere between classic and jazz, with improvisation especially in the solo parts. The instrumental duo Ján Fiala (drums / vibraphone) and Štefan Szabó (guitar) play a fusion of jazz and classics, too, and they perform their own compositions as well as the works of contemporary composers. Starts: July 14, 19:00; Záhrada - Centre of Independent Culture (CNK) in SNP Square 16 (Beniczkého Passage). Admission: €5-€7. More info: www.zahradacnk.sk.
Turecká
CUISINE/COMPETITION: HaluškyFest – The Slovak and European Championship in Cooking and Eating Bryndzové Halušky is an annual event, hailing the Slovak national meal of dumplings with sheep cheese (bryndzové halušky). The event has grown into a two-day feast, offering a craft market, a musical programme, a tombola, a disco party, but – most of all, on the second day – the competition in cooking and eating (both for speed) bryndzové halušky. Starts: July 14-15; centre of the village of Turecká. More info: www.haluskyfest.sk.
Competition in cooking and eating national meal, bryndzové halušky, in Turecká. (source: Sme - Ján Krošlák)
Banská Bystrica
FOLKLORE: Echoes of Old Church Slavonic under Kráľova Hoľa/Echoes from Abroad – The festival of polyphonic religious and folk choir music, Echoes of Old Church Slavonic under Kráľova Hoľa, presents not just Slovak choirs but as part of its Echoes from Abroad feature, also the Czech vocal group Darebnice from Uherské Hradiště, and Божичі/Bozhichi, a mixed group from the Ukraine. Starts: July 14, 17:00 (July 15 – climbing the Kráľova Hoľa hill, 8:00, Municipal office in Telgárt; July 16 – holy mass in Greek-Orhodox Church in Telgárt, 10:00); Stredoslovenské osvetové stredisko (Central-Slovak Education Centre) courtyard, Dolná 35. Admission: 3 €; ticket sale: IC, SNP Square 1. More info: www.sosbb.sk/…/folk/ozveny/2017.
Banská Bystrica
SPORT: Europa Pole Battle League 2017 – An historic first for Banská Bystrica which hosts the Pole Battle League event which strives to support pole dancing and pole sport as serious disciplines and build up a healthy competitive environment. An expert international jury will evaluate the performance of international competitors. Each year takes place in a different country, and this time, it is Slovakia. Starts: July 15, 10:00, Europa Shopping Center, Na Troskách 25. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Banská Štiavnica
LANGUAGE COURSE: Esperanto Summer School of 2017 – The event is meant for both beginners and advanced learners of this international communication language and offers all levels – A1-C2 – of skills to be taught in a week. In its 11th year, it will include about 250 people from 20 countries. Starts: July 15(8:00)-23; Andreja Kmeťa Secondary Grammar School, Kolpašská 1738/9. More info/registration: http://ses.ikso.net.
Brezno
CONCERT: Fernando Saunders – US bass player, long-time band-mate of Lou Reed, who also performed with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, who also released 11 albums gives a concert in the Bombura klub. Starts: July 15, 20:00; Bombura Club, M. R. Štefánika Square 16. Admission: €8 (in advance)-€10. Tel: 0905/347 -415; www.bombura.sk.
Banská Štiavnica
CONCERT: Hrana Live – The Hrana project presents unique works of the late Marek Brezovský, a talented Slovak composer and musician who died young, performed by various musicians led by Brezovský’s friend and band-mate Oskar Rózsa. Starts: July 23, 20:00; Amphitheatre Banská Štiavnica, Novozámocká 20/A. Admission: €19 € in advance (kultura.banskastiavnica.sk –online / Information Centre, Sv. Trojice Square)-23 € (on the site). More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Hrana - 4 filmy o Marekovi Brezovskom, movie by Patrik Lančarič (source: Courtesy of Slovak Film Institute)
Eastern Slovakia
Hrebienok/HIgh Tatars:
CONCERT/EVENT: The International Children’s Violin Orchestra, a popular project of each summer, returns again to Hrebienok – bit this time rather with soloists: Judita Gajdošová – SK, Isabel Valcuha – USA, Flora Kiss – HU, Janka Kormanová – SK, Stefan Valcuha – USA, František Trebuňa – SK, Gabriel Bies – SK, Lucia Lavašová – SK, Nuno Figueiredo – PT, and organiser and concert-master Tereza Novotná – SK, as accompanied by Slovak pianist Zulfizar Zázrivá. Open-air concerts take place daily every week, between 15:00 and 16:00. Funicular train from Starý Smokovec can bring all visitors to the site at Hrebienok. Starts: July 14-16, 15:00; Hrebienok resort, High Tatras. More info: www.vt.sk.
Children's Violin Orchestra, Hrebienok (source: TASR)
Košice/Veľká Ida
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL: X. Ilosvai Festival – The festival with international attendance brings together wine tasting, traditional crafts, folklore performances (live, as well as video screenings), and a gala programme of folk ensembles from five countries – ĽH Juhász folk music from Vojvodina, Muzika Górole of the Czech Republic, students of the art school in Sátoraljaújhely (Hungary), the local FS Ilosvai folklore ensemble, the FS Kis-Balaton folklore ensemble from Balatonszentgyörgy (Hungary), as well as folklore troupes from Veľká Ida and the nearby villages of Bidovce (Slovakia), Hidasnémeti (Hungary) and Transylvania (Romania). Starts: July 14 (19:00), 15 (15:30), 16 (11:00 – ecumenical mass); various sites in Veľká Ida near Košice. Admission: €3 (adults)-€1, €5 (a family ticket). More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
High Tatras
COMMEMORATIVE EVENT/NIGHT RIDE: 75 Secrets of the Aerial Lift – The aerial lift leading from Skalnaté Pleso to the highest-altitude station, at Lomnický Štít Peak (2,634 metres above sea level), celebrates its 75th birthday with a series of night rides (revenues go to an architectural competition for the new use of the building housing the old aerial lift in Tatranská Lomnica). On several dates, there will be night rides offered (with the possibility to include dinner) and to contribute. The original aerial lift – being the first or unique in several parameters at that time – launched operation on December 20, 1941. The start of the ride is at Skalnaté Pleso (where the aerial lift from Tratranská Lomnica ends). The night ride will entice visitors with the beautiful starry sky and views of the lights of Poprad. Also on offer is an exhibition of documentary photographs from the time when the lift was constructed – and the works of architect Dušan Jurkovič – a visit to the old engine house with a guide, and a screening of a brief documentary about the lift. Starts: July 15 (29, Aug 12, 19), 19:00; aerial lift station in Tatranská Lomnica. Tickets: Information Centre Tatranská Lomnica (0903 112 200, info@vt.sk), or at www.gopass.sk. More info: www.vt.sk/zazitky/eventy/75-tajomstiev-lanovky-leto/.
Košice
CONCERT: LVP: Gapa, Mečiar, Jungle Label and Szarvaš – One of the concerts that are part of the Summer in the Park / Leto v parku season brings Prešov-based funky-jazz saxophonist Mário „Gapa“ Garbera with blues guitarist and singer Roman Mečiar – of Bojnice – in the Gapa & Mečiar Blues Connection (at 21:00). Their support will be the funky band from Košice, Jungle Label, (19:45) and the jazz-ethno-pop fusion band Marek Szarvaš Projekt (18:30). Starts: July 15, 18:30; Kasárne Kulturpark, Kukučínova 2. Admission: €8 (in advance)-€10 (on the site). More info: www.k13.sk.
"Gapa" Garbera (source: TASR)
Košice
CONCERT/FESTIVAL: Šengenský Poludník / The Shengen Meridian – The 9th year of the festival of classical music and youth has one extraordinary event, the July 17 concert of the Pacific Boys choir- Academy choir from California, a proud Grammy holder. The 40-member choir was founded 20 years ago in Oakland, and since then, it has toured the world. Their concert in the local cathedral is free for all. Starts: July 17, 19:00; St Elizabeth Cathedral, Main Street. Admission: free. More info: www.sengenskypoludnik.eu.
Košice
ZOO/SAFARI: Offroad Zoo Košice-Kavečany – The Košice zoo offers daily drives among the animals in a special safari vehicle with a guide. The package – for a minimum of four participants – includes a drive, a dinner in Gazdovský dvor Daktari ZOO restaurant (package can be negotiated also without the dinner), the guide, and a gift. Starts: June-September, daily, 15:00, 16:30. Price: 100€ (for 4 people). Booking (daily between 8:00 – 14:00): 055/7968-013, 055/7968-028; propagacia@zookosice.sk. More info: www.zookosice.sk – zážitkové programy.
Zoo in košice-Kavečany (source: TASR)
Košice
SPORT: Beach Plaza Terasa (BPT) Sport Weekends: The daylong sport weekends will include in the summer 2017 season the badminton cup in July 22-23, and the Slovak Championship in beach volleyball on July 28-30. Starts: July 22-23; OC Galéria Shopping. More info: www.kosicezapad.sk.
Prešov
CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL: Artis – The festival of chamber music continues in Prešov, offering two concerts in a short time-span: Saxohpone Syncopators on July 23 and Romantic Soirée on July 26. The special quartet of saxophone players (Pavol Hoďa – soprano/alto sax, clarinet; Ján Gašpárek – alto sax; Ladislav Fančovič – tenor sax, arrangements; Frederika Babuliaková – baritone sax) who arrange classics, jazz and 1910-1923 ragtime music for four saxophones this summer tour Slovakia, making a stop in Prešov. Starts: July 23 / 26, 19:00; Orthodox Synagogue, Okružná 32. More info: www.artis-oz.sk.
Spišská Nová Ves
EXHIBITION: From Naïve Art to Art Brut – The premiere of a unique collection put together over 45 years by Czech collector Pavel Konečný from Olomouc outlines the expressions and interpretations of naïve art, folk art and art brut in the works of 51 marginal, non-professional artists from eight countries: the Czech and Slovak Republics, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Slovak part presents, for the first time within the dramaturgy cycle of exhibitions “The Theme”, about 145 artworks in various genres. Open: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00 until July 30, Galéria umelcov Spiša/ Gallery of artists of Spiš (GUS), Zimná 46. Admission: €1. More info: www.gus.sk.
