Music school alumni and students celebrate 70; Dance group marks 45 years
The Emīls Dārziņš High School of Music celebrates its 70th birthday Saturday with an anniversary concert featuring its famous alumni as well as currently studying prodigies, both in solo performance, chamber ensemble and symphony orchestra frameworks. Come check out the already shining and still-rising stars from the E.Dārziņš’ School.
Another school celebrating a birthday this weekend is the Dance School ‘Ritms’, which will host a 45th anniversary show at the VEF Culture Palace Saturday. The diversity of dance styles is sure to dazzle, with fiery Balkan, wild African, elegant French, exotic Chinese and Indian and other dances, mixed in with choreography showcasing contemporary, Broadway jazz, stylized folk dancing and other genres of dance. Special musical guests will enrich the choreographic extravaganza for aficionados of the kinetic arts.
Plays galore
Drama enthusiasts can choose Friday night between traveling to the far ends of the land to see some provocative theatre.
At the Daugavpils Theatre at 18:30 on April 17 the tragicomic treatment of three Latvians and their similar yet contrasting characters depicting the national mentality. Written by Agnese Rutkēviča and directed by Paula Pļavniece, the play is called “Strangers’ Party”.
Meanwhile in Liepāja Russian playwright and director Konstantin Bogomolov has produced his own “My Blaster Lost its Charge”, made up of twenty fragmented scenes depicting everything from daily life to eternal questions, all in all “an out-of-the-ordinary look at the human condition.”
But Riga’s Dirty Deal Teatro will show the black comedy “Beards”, written by Jānis Joņevs, recipient of the Latvian and EU literature awards last year and making his debut on the theatre stage. The clean-shaven need to beware the ubiquitous bearded conspiracy, hints the promotional blurb.
Metalists audition for Wacken Open Air fest line-up
On Friday night at the Melnā Piektdiena (Black Friday) club the Wacken Metal Battle will hammer out which regional bands will keep competing to showcase their heavy sounds at the Wacken Open Air 2015 festival in Germany this year. Only two will win admission to the fest after the final showcase on June 6, but metal freaks can begin their preliminary preparations already tonight. Check out the cheerfully named participants from Turkey – Moribund Oblivion.
Artists shoot hoops
On Sunday afternoon at 14:00 the artsy will show off their athletic side at the Daugava Sports Hall in Riga, where the 34th annual Arts Days Basketball Tournee will take place. This year the theme is dedicated to Latvia’s EU Presidency and host of the European Basketball Championship.
