KlaIpEda - In Your Pocket

10 summer events
Until August 14
Muzikuojantis Keltas
An interesting and decidedly different take on the traditional
music festival, Muzikuojantis Keltas (Musical Ferry) sets sail
every Saturday evening for the best part of summer 2012 on
board the local ferry Nida from the Old Port Crossing (see p.46),
cruising the Curonian Lagoon to the beats and rhythms of a
wide range of live musical acts. The festival website at www.
muzikuojantiskeltas.lt is for the time being in Lithuanian only,
although the photo gallery and short films on it do give a good
idea of what to expect. Tickets are available in the Maxima
supermarket in Akropolis (see p.50), BIG (see p.50) and several
other locations in and around the city.
Until August 25
Dūdų Vasara
A series of outdoor brass concerts taking place on a classic
bandstand in a park in Palanga (see p.44) every Thursday, Friday
and Saturday evening. Musical styles range from the traditional
to the contemporary. See www.palanga.lt for more information.
July 7
Otilio Castro
The young tenor from the Dominican Republic Otilio Castro
takes to the outdoor stage at the Klaipėda Concert Hall (see
p.11) on July 7, accompanied by the in-house orchestra in an
event called Spanish Passion. No further information was
available at the time of going to press.
July 7
Labas Festas
For those who don’t like tenors, July 7 offers an alternative
in the form of an outdoor festival of local and international
dance music on the beach at Palanga (see p.37) featuring
among others the internationally acclaimed German trance DJ
and musician ATB. More information online at www.festas.lt.
July 12 - 15
Parbėg Laivelis
The bi-annual international folk festival Parbėg Laivelis takes
place in 2012 between July 12 and July 15 near to or on the
water in the city centre. Celebrating folk traditions through
music, dance, crafts and scores of workshops and performances,
limited information in English was available at the
time of going to press at www.etnocentras.lt.
July 13 - August 26
Muzikinis Rugpjūtis Pajūryje
Translating more or less as A Musical August by the Sea,
the 15th annual Muzikinis Rugpjūtis Pajūryje takes place in a
number of venues and celebrates both opera and symphonic
music from home and abroad. Popping up in Klaipėda as well
as Palanga (see p.37), Nida (see p.31), Juodkrantė (see p.5),
Kretinga and Giruliai, find more information online in English
at www.muzikinis-teatras.lt.
July 14 - 21
The Captive Mind
Aka the 16th International Thomas Mann Festival, which this
year adds the fabulous Nida Art Colony (see p.34) to its list of
venues throughout Nida (see p.31). Events are manifold and
often have little to do with the author, and range from music to
spoken word to cinema. The website at www.mann.lt currently
has nothing about the exhibition but should do nearer the time.
July 18 - 21
Omnitel 1,000km Race 2012
As is so often the case with local promotional material, the
official information for this year’s ‘largest motor sport event’
(largest where?) explodes in a firework display of poetry whilst
simultaneously failing to present any useful information whatsoever.
All we can faithfully report is that it’s taking place in
the centre of Palanga (see p.37) and that among other things
there’s going to be a ‘traditional baterry [sic] super sprint,
running mechanics and others’. For more incomprehensible
information, point your browsers at www.racing.lt.
July 26 - August 15
Kuršių Nerija 2012
The 14th International Chamber Music Summer Festival takes
place again this July and August in the fabulous Curonian Spit
resorts of Juodkrantė (see p.5) and Nida (see p.31). Featuring
the Lithuanian National Philharmonic and other classical
ensembles, the festival promises another exciting series of
classical performances. Find the full schedule (in Lithuanian
only) online at www.neringa.lt.
July 27 - 29
Nida Jazz
The now well established Nida Jazz festival takes place again
this year at venues around town. Arguably not as good as the
bigger jazz festivals in the country, Nida (see p.31) is at least
a wonderful place to have a festival. No information in English
at the time of going to press. Keep and eye on www.nidajazz.
lt to see how things progress.
August 3 - 5
Klaipėda Sea Festival
Featuring everything from parades to classical concerts to the
occasional rock opera to spectacular firework displays, this
year’s Klaipėda Sea Festival promises to be bigger and better
than ever. The festival website at www.jurossvente.lt promises
a full schedule in English soon. If you’d like to attend, book a
hotel now or take a tent. There won’t be a spare bed in the city.
August 1 -5
City Birthday
Coinciding with the Klaipėda Sea Festival (see above) the
2012 City Birthday festival is going to try a little harder than
usual due to the fact that 2012 marks the 760th anniversary
of the founding of Klaipėda. Most of the many events, of which
several are genuinely worth attending, focus on the miscellaneous
historical facts and events connected with the city.
See www.klaipeda.lt for more information.
August 10 -12
Satta Outside
Those charming and usually stoned Vilnius ragamuffins at
Satta take over large parts of the resort of Šventoji again
this year for a two-day celebration of underground dance
music, not washing much and getting totally monged. Badly
organised of course, the festival promises several stages
of musical performance, mostly provided by teenage boys
wearing headphones. Joking aside, this is genuinely one of
the top events of the year of its kind in the region. See www.
sattaoutside.lt for more.
August 25
Pūsk, Vėjuži!
Now in its fifth year, the tiny village of Juodkrantė (see p.5) once
again hosts a day-long celebration of folk-themed events from
dancing to singing to traditional fishing. More information (in
Lithuanian only) online at www.lrezoskc.lt.
Klaipėda Carillon Concerts
A series of intriguing and unusual concerts every Saturday
and Sunday at 12:00 played on a large carillon installed in
the city’s Central Post Office in 2006, although the venue to
listening is next door in the garden of the city’s Timepiece
Museum (see p.27).
Klaipėda In Your Pocket klaipeda.inyourpocket.com
For a relatively small city with a culture revolving around
so many working class pursuits, Klaipėda does pretty well
on the cultural front. As well as the theatres, galleries and
other venues listed here, don’t forget to take a look at the
Sightseeing section of the guide for even more cultural
diversions.
Cinemas
Most films are shown in their original language with Lithuanian
subtitles.
Forum Cinemas Akropolis I-7, Taikos 61 (Akropolis),
tel. 1567, www.forumcinemas.lt. Mostly Hollywood
blockbusters. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. A
Concert halls
Klaipėda Concert Hall (Klaipėdos Koncertų Salė)
M-3, Šaulių 36, tel. (+370) 46 41 05 66, www.koncertusale.lt.
The best place in town for serious music concerts,
the innovative people who run this place also nurture young
musical talent, organise festivals and are also responsible for
the carillon at the top of the tower in the city’s main post office.
The large garden at the back has been turned into an outdoor
theatre for summer concerts of every persuasion. Q Ticket
office open 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. J
Švyturys Arena I-8, Dubysos 10, tel. (+370) 640 238
58, www.svyturioarena.lt. Built with EuroBasket 2011 in
mind, this relative new building provides more than just a
place to play and watch sport. As well as being able to handle
several different sports, Klaipėdos Arena also doubles as a
concert venue and exhibition and conference space. Q Ticket
office open 12:00 - 19:00. Also 2 hrs before the performance.
Closed Mon, Sat, Sun.
Cultural centres
Ethno-Cultural Centre (Etnokultūros Centras)
N-8/O-7, Daržų 10, tel. (+370) 46 41 01 08, www.etnocentras.lt.
The spiritual home of the city’s many folk and
folklore societies. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00, Fri 08:00 - 16:00.
Closed Sat, Sun. J
Simon Dach House (Simono Dacho Namai) L-5,
Jūros 7, tel. (+370) 46 31 14 81, www.simonodachonamai.tinkle.lt.
Representing the city’s old and new Germanspeaking
communities, this busy centre organises everything
from German language courses to the annual Day of German
Culture. QOpen 11:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J
Švyturio Menų Dokas (Lighthouse Arts Dock) M-6,
Naujoji Uosto 3, tel. (+370) 685 600 50, www.dokas.
info. A large space close to the docks in a development
that’s so-far failed to develop much. Expect everything from
concerts of all descriptions to exhibitions, dance evenings,
cinema, theatre and special events for children. J
Galleries
Baroti Galerija O-7, Aukštoji 1, tel. (+370) 46 31 35
80, www.barotigalerija.lt. One of the best contemporary
galleries in the city, showcasing work in several media from
a wide selection of Lithuanian and international artists.
QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon, Sun.
JA
KKKC Parodų Rūmai N-7, Didžioji Vandens 2, tel.
(+370) 46 31 44 43, www.kulturpolis.lt. The largest
exhibition space in the western half of the country organises
exhibitions of all types from folk to experimental art, and features
the work of artists from Lithuania and abroad. QOpen
11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon, Tue. J
klaipeda.inyourpocket.com
We’ve got them all covered
Culture
Parko Galerija N-7, Turgaus 9, tel. (+370) 652 111
12, www.parkgallery.com. An interesting little gallery
showcasing locals contemporary art of varying styles in just
about all media. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00.
Closed Sun. J
Pėda N-7, Turgaus 10, tel. (+370) 46 31 02 34, www.
karciauskas.com. A substantial gallery on two floors featuring
the work of the intriguing local artist Vytautas Karčiauskas
(b. 1954). All of the pieces on display are for sale. Look for the
large dragon on the wall opposite. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat
10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. JA
Photography
For an overview of the history of photography in Lithuania
plus information on contemporary photographers and exhibitions,
take a look at the excellent www.photography.lt.
Photography Gallery (Klaipėdos Fotografijos
Galerija) N-7, Tomo 7, tel. (+370) 615 494 70, www.
photoartklaipeda.lt. This fine gallery was recently put in the
hands of a small team of young and energetic locals hoping
to breathe some new life into what’s been up until recently a
rather dreary exhibition space. Check the website for upcoming
exhibitions. The gallery now also has a rather good bar
with outside seating in the park opposite during the summer.
QOpen 12:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J
Theatres
Klaipėda Drama Theatre (Klaipėdos Dramos
Teatras) M-7, Taikos 70 (Žvejų Rūmai), tel. (+370)
46 31 44 53, www.kldteatras.lt. The main theatre in the
city, putting on a wide range of plays alas in the Lithuanian
language only. Q Ticket office open 10:00 -18:00. Sun 2 hrs
before the performance. Closed Mon.
Klaipėda Puppet Theatre (Klaipėdos Lėlių Teatras)
O-7, Vežėjų 4, tel. (+370) 46 23 99 32, www.
klaipedosleliuteatras.lt. Unusual for a puppet theatre
behind the former Iron Curtain, this one was founded long
after independence in 2000. Aimed at bringing traditional
and modern puppetry to a predominantly young audience,
the theatre offers productions as well as workshops and other
activities throughout the year. Q Ticket office open Wed,
Thu 15:00 - 17:00. Also an hour before the performance. J
Klaipėda State Musical Theatre (Muzikinis Teatras)
N-5/6, Danės 19, tel. (+370) 46 39 74 04, www.
klaipedosmuzikinis.lt. Everything from musical shows for
children to the work of Wagner. Q Ticket office open 11:00
- 14:00, 15:30 - 18:30, Sun 12:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. J
June 2012 - May 2013
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