PRAGUE - In Your Pocket GmbH

12 CULTURE & EVENTS
Puppet theatre
Prague is famous for puppets, and these shows make a
great night out as language is not usually a barrier.
Divadlo Minor I-4, Praha 1, Vodičkova 6, tel. (+420)
222 23 17 02, www.minor.cz. Tickets 30-80Kč. QOpen
09:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 20:00.
Říše loutek D-2, Praha 1, Žatecká 1, tel. (+420) 222
32 45 65, www.riseloutek.cz.
National Marionette Theatre D-2, Praha 1, Žatecká
1, tel. (+420) 224 81 93 22, www.mozart.cz.
Theatre
Divadlo Alfred ve dvoře I-1, Praha 7, Fr. Křížka 36,
tel. (+420) 233 37 69 97, www.alfredvedvore.cz. A
small theatre specialising in moving, visual and experimental
theatre and dance, with several performances that can be
enjoyed by non-Czech speakers. Ticket office and bar opens
an hour before each performance.Q All performances are at
20:00 unless specified otherwise. Advance bookings at Praha
1, Celetná 17; BIO OKO Bar, Praha 7, Fr. Křížka 15 & Praha 2,
Polí pět, Dittrichova 13. Tickets 150/90Kč.
Divadlo Archa J-3, Praha 1, Na Poříčí 26, tel. (+420)
221 71 61 11, fax (+420) 221 716 666, www.archatheatre.cz.
Affectionately known as the “alternative
National Theatre,” Archa has done wonders for Prague’s
cultural scene. It’s not necessarily an “English” theatre,
however their eclectic line-up often transcends language
barriers. Check their website - you never know what additional
items of interest, including concerts, they’ll have
on tap. All shows at 20:00 unless otherwise listed Q
Performances start at 20:00 unless stated otherwise.
PTAEGKW
Divadlo Hybernia F-3, Praha 1, nám. Republiky 4, tel.
(+420) 221 41 94 12, www.divadlo-broadway.cz. Dating
back to the reign of Charles IV, this building was recently
refurbished and now provides a home to Golem, a musical
of the Jewish legend, which plays daily with English subtitles.
NB Rows 1-6 & 32-33 are not good for viewing the subtitles.
Q Tickets 599 - 799Kč. Box office open 10:00 - 02:00. Performances
at 19:00. 15:00 & 19:00 Sat & 15:00 Sun. PA
Divadlo na Prádle B-4, Praha 1, Besední 3, tel. (+420)
257 32 04 21, www.napradle.cz.. Small theatre space with
rather good cafe that hosts the Prague Fringe and others.
Divadlo Ponec Praha 3, Husitská 24, tel. (+420) 222
72 15 31, www.divadloponec.cz.
Laterna Magika C-4, Praha 1, Národní 4, tel. (+420)
222 22 20 41, www.laterna.cz. Laterna Magika developed
a new way of combining theatre, dance, music and film for
the 1958 Brussels Expo, and was doing multi-media performances
before the word even existed. All productions are
visually orientated with no spoken Czech - ideal for foreigners.
Q Performances start at 20:00. Tickets 735Kč.
National Theatre C-4, Praha 1, Národní třída 2, tel.
(+420) 224 90 16 68, www.narodni-divadlo.cz. Prague’s
most beautiful riverside building hosts a wealth of performances,
mostly concerts and opera. Find the booking office
in the modernist glass building next door. Q Booking office
open 10:00 - 18:00; Sat, Sun 10:00 - 12:30, 15:00 - 18:30.
Švandovo divadlo Praha 5, Štefánikova 57, tel. (+420)
234 65 11 11, www.svandovodivadlo.cz. Local and
international plays, both classic and contemporary; always
something interesting going on at Švandovo. They offer
English subtitles on screens above the stage, so your best
bet are seats in the balcony. We’ve listed the plays going on
in February, but visit their website for other dramatic and
occasionally musical interests. All shows at 19:00 unless
otherwise listed.
The Duncan Centre Conservatory Praha 4, Branická
41, tel. (+420) 244 46 13 42, www.duncanct.cz. Contemporary
dance theatre and school.
Exhibits
Jan Šerých: Ano
Through 8 November
This young Prague conceptual artist puts on a one-man
show at the Old Town Hall. Known for his blurring of
geometric tendencies, his work is an abstract construction
of symmetrical typographic shapes. This exhibit is being
described as “mathematical sets made up of elements
of emotion.”
Where? City Gallery Prague, Old Town Hall, Praha 1,
Staroměstské náměstí 1, 224 48 27 51, www.ghmp.cz.
Closed Mondays.
Georg Baselitz
Through 6 December
Experimental German painter Georg Baselitz’s work can
be seen in the fabulous Rudolfinum space right now. His
compositions are curious; and this exhibition displays a wide
view of his work from 1960-2008. A changing perception,
while attempting to hold on to reality is evident in this
painter’s style. His creativity of style and technique breathes
new life into the art of “painting.”
Where? Galerie Rudulfinum, Praha 1, Alšovo nábřeží 12,
227 059 205, www.galerierudolfinum.cz. Closed Mondays
Entropa
Through 4 January
The art exhibit that sent shock waves through Brussels
during the Czech Republic’s European Union presidency is
now on display in Prague. Local bad boy David Černý is known
for his controversial art displays, so it should have come as
no surprise when he revealed this installation. Supposedly
designed by 27 artists, each representing an EU country, and
meant to challenge the stereotypes associated with each
particular country; it was actually conceived by Černý and
some of his friends. The problem? Some of the countries
took offense as to how their state was portrayed, including
Bulgaria, whose portion of the exhibit was covered during
the installation’s stay in Brussels. Go see for yourself if it
was worth all the fuss.
Where? DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Praha 7,
Poupětova 1, 774 14 54 34, www.doxprague.org. Closed
Tuesdays.
Tickets
www.inyourpocket.com
Bohemia Ticket International F-3, Praha 1, Na
Příkopě 16, tel. 224 21 50 31, www.ticketsbti.cz.
QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 17:00, Sun 10:00 -
15:00. Also at (E-3) Praha 1, Malé nám. A
Ticket Art I-4, Praha 1, Politických vězňů 9, tel. 222
89 75 52, www.ticket-art.cz. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00,
Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Ticketpro E-3, Praha 1, Rytířská 12, tel. 296 32 99
99, www.ticketpro.cz. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00. A
Ticketstream I-6, Praha 2, Koubkova 8, tel. 224 26
30 49, www.ticketstream.cz. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sun. A
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
Happenings
Strings of Autumn Music Festival
Until 20 November
Jazz & classics; traditional & experimental; you’ll find
it all at this diverse festival. Organisers strive to bring
together seemingly incompatible musical styles, and it
always works out well. The festival began as a series
of programmes back in 1996 and has since grown
to be a major festival on the city’s cultural calendar.
Strings of Autumn often commissions new work and
with their three themes being “Inspiration,” “Crossover”
and “Luminaries” all attendees are sure to discover
something rousing this season. Tickets can be bought
online at the festival’s website, www.strunypodzimu.
cz, or in person at the National Theatre’s ticket office,
Praha 1, Ostrovní 1, 224 901 247. Book in advance; they
sell out quickly.
Venues: Czech Museum of Music, Praha 1, Karmelitská
2; Rudolfinum, Praha 1, Alšovo nábřeží 12; Prague
Crossroads, Praha 1, Liliová entrance is from Zlatá street;
Estates Theatre, Praha 1, Ovocný trh 1; La Fabrika, Praha
7, Komunardů 30, Trade Fair Palace, Cinema ARTminus,
Praha 7, Dukelských hrdinů 47. For more information visit
www.strunypodzimu.cz.
8 October: Echoes of Home; Czech Museum of Music, 19:30
15 October: Ondřej Pivec; La Fabrika, 19:30
21 October: Gil Shaham; Prague Crossroads; 19:30
31 October: Cassandra Wilson; Rudolfinum; 19:30
4 November: Enoch Arden performed by Michael York & Libor
Nováček; Rudolfinum; 19:30
10 November: 415 versus 422; Rudolfinum; 19:30
15 November: Astillero Tango; Estates Theatre; 19:30
20 November: Ludovico Einaudi; Rudolfinum; 19:30
Four Days in Motion International Theatre Festival
9-16 October
Now in its 14th year, Four Days in Motion presents
contemporary and innovative theatre projects with
theatre troupes from around the world. Known not only
for their theatre work but also the unique locales where
they choose to show that work (think former sewage plant
one year, factory another year); this year they’ve added
the former Parliament Building to the list. Four Days in
Motion is an anything goes avant-garde mess of a week.
We love it! This year you can experience a pop opera from
prague.inyourpocket.com
CULTURE & EVENTS
New National Museum Building
In August, the National Museum opened a new building;
right next door to their current digs at the top of Václavské
náměstí. What was originally built to house the Federal
Parliament in 1966 became the home of Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty in 1993. Barricades and security
guards were a constant presence; but now that RFE/
RL has moved to new digs in Prague 10, the space is
opened up and free (mainly to traffic.) It’s quite a contrast
to its 19th century sister building, the massive icon of
Prague. You can see this important bit of Czech history
and architecture thanks to guided tours currently running
all day, every day. They are in Czech but most of the
guides should speak English, and an English audio guide
is available as well (included in the admission price.) The
museum shop and café is partially furnished with original
Parliament furniture, so sit back with a cuppa and state
a new law. Currently, the building is nameless; it’s being
referred to either as the former Federal Parliament
building or the new National Museum building. However,
excitement is in the air, as the naming of the new building
was left up to public suggestions. Museum officials said
they had received more than 600 proposals, but haven’t
chosen one yet. Supposedly, the “finalists” will also be
chosen by the public and the new moniker is set to be
revealed in November.
Where? Vinohradská 1, Praha 1, 224 497 430, www.
nm.cz
Guided Tours: The museum is open daily from 10:00-
18:00. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, tours are
held every 30 minutes; Monday-Friday tours are every
hour. You can reserve a spot for an 11:00 or 15:00
tour only, by phoning or emailing at least three days
in advance: 224 49 74 30, info@audioguide.cz. Cost
is 80 Kč.
Belgium as well as performances from Israel, Mali and
New Zealand. For specific shows and more information,
visit www.ctyridny.cz.
Where? Five venues: Divadlo Archa, Praha 1, Na Poříčí 26,
archatheatre.cz; La Fabrika, Praha 7, Komunardů 30, lafabrika.cz,
Alfred ve dvoře theatre, Praha 7, Františka Křížka 36, alfredvedvore.
cz, Former Federal Parliament building, Praha 1, Vinohradská 1,
www.nm.cz and Hala Alta, Praha 7, U Výstaviště 23.
Guitar Across Styles
18 October – 28 November
An International Acoustic Guitar Festival – in its 12th year in
Prague! Had no idea, did ya? Well, strummin’ fans; this one
is definitely for you: all genres, played on all acoustic guitars;
by guitarists from all over the world. There’s no one venue;
concerts are scattered in venues around Prague and indeed
the country. But for a different evening of musical enjoyment,
this is definitely your best bet.
Where? Concert halls across the city; check www.
kytaranapriczanry.cz for more details or email: standa.
barek@volny.cz.
Prague Accordion Days
29 October – 1 November
Guitars not your style? No worries; the international festival
for harmonica and accordion ensembles and orchestras
is playing this month too! Amateur ensembles, orchestras,
accordion and harmonica friends from around the world are
here to entertain.
Where? Concert halls across the city; check www.accordion.
cz for more details or email: cta@iol.cz.
October - November 2009
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