Live Performance entertainment in Europe
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Mariinsky Theatre
Home to the world-famous Kirov Ballet and Opera company, a visit here is a must, if only to delight in the sparkling glory of the interior. Use the website to book and pay for tickets in advance of your visit to the theatre and to the acoustically splendid new concert hall, which is nearby. The theatre-themed souvenirs are for sale in the Mariinsky gift shop. None of it is cheap, but where else can you get a ‘Property of Kirov Ballet’ T-shirt?
reviewed
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Monroe’s Tavern
Often photographed for its classic, world-weary facade, Monroe’s delivers traditional music and ballads, plus it remains the only pub in the city with regular Irish dancing. A pizza joint buried within turns out good pies.
reviewed
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Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
This is a true rags-to-riches story: BGWMC was on the brink of bankruptcy, its working men about to become destitute and pintless, until a clever promoter spread the news of trashy burlesque nights taking place in the club’s main hall – sticky carpets, shimmery stage set ‘n’ all – and (literally) overnight, half of London stormed the venue, making it one of the most successful and popular clubs in the capital. There are regular burlesque bonanzas in addition to tassel-twirling contests, alternative Eurovision nights and many more sweet selections. Check the website for what’s on when you’re around.
reviewed
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Arena
A former slaughterhouse turned music and film venue, Arena is one of the city’s quirkier places to see live acts. Hard rock, rock, metal, reggae and soul (along with cinema) can be seen on its outdoor stage from May to September; over winter bands are presented in one of its two indoor halls. ‘Iceberg’, a particularly popular German-British 1970s new-wave bash, is held here once a month.
reviewed
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Tonhalle
The imposing domed Tonhalle, in a converted 1920s planetarium, is the home base of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker (Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra).
reviewed
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Moreška Sword Dance
Every visitor who happens to be in Korčula from June to September inevitably winds up at the Moreška sword dance. Performed in Korčula since the 15th century, the dance is one of the island's most colourful traditions. Although probably of Spanish origin, Korčula is now the only place in which it is performed. It tells the story of two kings - the White King (dressed in red) and the Black King - who fight for a princess abducted by the Black King.
In the spoken introduction the princess declares her love for the White King and the Black King refuses to relinquish her. The two armies draw swords and 'fight' in an intricate dance accompanied by a band. Enthusiastic town…
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Auditorium Parco della Musica
Architect Renzo Piano’s auditorium is just as audacious as his Pompidou centre in Paris. Three scarab-shaped buildings squat around a 3000-capacity amphitheatre, looking like alien spaceships landed in a northern Rome suburb. An amazing 2.5 million spectators flocked here annually, making it Europe’s most popular arts centre. It’s super-sleek and uber-chic, yet the excited throng is as wide a cross-section as you’d see on the Metro, a reflection of the democratic pricing (tickets cost from €5), and the programme, which encompasses anything from PJ Harvey to Puccini. Enter any of the halls (the largest is Sala Santa Cecilia, with 2756 seats), with their lipstick-red seatin…
reviewed
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Burgtheater
The Burgtheater (National Theatre) is one of the prime theatre venues in the German-speaking world. Built in Renaissance style to designs by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer, it had to be rebuilt after sustaining severe damage in WWII. The grand interior has stairway frescos painted by the Klimt brothers, Gustav and Ernst. Tours of the theatre are conducted daily at 3pm (September to June; English tours run Friday to Sunday only). Tickets at the Burgtheater sell for 50% of their face-value an hour before performances, and students can purchase tickets for €7 half an hour before performances. Standing places are €1.50.
reviewed
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WUK
WUK (Werkstätten und Kulturhaus; Workshop and Culture House) is many things to many people. Basically a space for art (government subsidised but free to pursue an independent course), it hosts a huge array of events in its concert hall. International and local rock acts vie with clubbing nights, classical concerts, film evenings, theatre and even children’s shows. Women’s groups, temporary exhibitions and practical skills workshops are also on site, along with a smoky cafe with a fabulous cobbled courtyard.
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Wigmore Hall
This is one of the best concert venues in town, not only because of its fantastic acoustics, beautiful art nouveau hall and great variety of concerts and recitals, but also because of the sheer standard of the performances. Built in 1901 as the recital hall for Bechstein Pianos, it has remained one of the top places in the world for chamber music. The Sunday-morning coffee concerts (adult/concession £12/10) and the lunchtime concerts at 1pm on Monday (adult/senior £12/10) are both excellent value.
reviewed
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Theater Bremen
Bremen's main theatre company is Theater Bremen, which performs across three venues. The main theatre, which stages opera, operettas and musicals, is Theater am Goetheplatz, where the famous 1970s film director, Rainer Werner Fassbinder honed his craft with the company. In the attached Neues Schauspielhaus you'll find new interpretations of classics and avant-garde drama, while the Brauhauskeller, the smallest venue, is used for anything from Elvis musicals to Edward Albee.
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Café Santa Cruz
Few cafes in Portugal offer such an atmospheric backdrop. The interior, set in a dramatically beautiful high-vaulted former chapel, features stained-glass windows and graceful stone arch, while the outdoor patio area affords one of the city’s best vantage points over the popular Praça 8 de Maio. Popular with tourists and locals alike, the cafe periodically hosts free evening music events and talks. You’ll pay a bit extra here for the atmosphere, but it’s worth it.
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Au Lapin Agile
This rustic cabaret venue was favoured by artists and intellectuals in the early 20th century and chansons are still performed here. The four-hour show starts at 9.30pm and includes singing and poetry. Some love it, others feel it’s a bit of a trap. Admission includes one drink (€6 or €7 subsequently). It’s named after Le Lapin à Gill, a mural of a rabbit jumping out of a cooking pot by caricaturist André Gill, which can still be seen on the western exterior wall.
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Koko
Once the legendary Camden Palace, where Charlie Chaplin, the Goons, the Sex Pistols and Madonna have all performed in the past, Koko is keeping its reputation as one of London’s better gig venues – Madonna played a Confessions on a Dance Floor gig here in 2006 and Prince gave a surprise gig in 2007. The theatre has a dance floor and decadent balconies, and attracts an indie crowd with Club NME on Friday. There are live bands almost every night of the week.
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Collegium Ducale
Spend a perfectly enjoyable evening in prison with this six-member chamber orchestra, whose grace notes in Bach and Albinoni performances escape through the high, barred windows of the converted cell. Opera singers occasionally perform arias with the group, which can get loud in the reverberating stone chamber; ears not trained by blasting MP3 players might prefer concerts in nearby Chiesa diSanta MariaFormosa, where the acoustics are kinder.
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Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is one of the best places for catching world-music artists and hosts the fantastic Meltdown festival. It reopened in Summer 2007 after two years of renovations. Allies and Morrison architects worked on the £91-million renovations by using the existing 1950s materials – concrete, leather and wood – to superb effect. The sound is fantastic, the programming impeccable and there are frequent free gigs in the wonderfully expansive foyer.
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Künstlerhauspassage
A glass box beneath the Künstlerhaus, Künstlerhauspassage is a refuge for Vienna's art scene. Spoken word performances, films, live music and DJs take turns entertaining a thoroughly alternative crowd; 'Icke Micke' , every Friday night from August to September, tops the bill with progressive techno and electronica from the next big names in the DJ business. The adjoining outdoor ampitheatre is a perfect escape from the sweaty dance floor.
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Chiesa Santa Maria De' Ricci Concerti
Although they can be a little cheesy, the concerts of baroque and classical music staged in this church (the proceeds go, in part at least, to the church's restoration), may be your only chance to sample a little musical culture while in Florence. Quality is variable, but on the whole a night of favourites (such as The Four Seasons, a little Bach or Paganini) can make for a pleasant evening out. Arrive a little before showtime to get your ticket.
reviewed
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Tablao Nervión
For very tourist-oriented flamenco, this place has unbeatable offers. Come along to the second show at midnight and the only obligation is to have a drink for €6. If you come at 11pm, you pay €12 for the show and a drink (beer or sangría). Or you can do the whole dinner and show thing from 10pm. This place believes in participation, so you can organise stag and hen’s nights where you, too, can have a twirl with the dancers.
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Concert de Carilló
Some 5000kg of bronze in 49 bells (a carillon) swings into action for monthly ‘concerts’ in the seat of the Catalan government, allowing spectators a rare chance to get inside. In the pretty Gothic Pati dels Tarongers, an internal terrace lined with orange trees at the heart of the building, the audience is treated to a midday performance of just about anything, from classical through bossa nova, all with bells on. There are no reservations.
reviewed
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Teatro Palladium
Once at risk of being turned into a bingo hall, the wonderful Teatro Palladium was rescued for the residents of Garbatella and has been beautifully renovated. The 1920s interior houses an eclectic, fascinating program of classical music (including the Roma Tre Orchestra), contemporary theatre, children’s films and plays, and it’s one of the venues for the Autumn RomaEuropa festival (www.romaeuropa.net).
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Interpreti Veneziani
Everything you knew of Vivaldi from elevators and mobile ring-tones is proved fantastically wrong by Interpreti Veneziani, which plays Vivaldi on 18th-century instruments as a soundtrack for living in this city of intrigue – you’ll never listen to The Four Seasons again without hearing summer storms gathering over the lagoon, or echoing footsteps hurrying over footbridges to a late-night winter rendezvous.
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Konzerthaus
The Konzerthaus is a major venue in classical-music circles, but throughout the year ethnic music, rock, pop or jazz can also be heard in its hallowed halls. Up to three simultaneous performances, in the Grosser Saal, the Mozart Saal and the Schubert Saal, can be staged; this massive complex also features another four cocert halls. Students can pick up €14 tickets 30 minutes before performances; children receive 50% discount.
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Fasnachthaus
Every four years, Imst plays host to a Shrovetide festival, the Schemenlaufen (ghost dance); the next takes place on the 15 February 2009. The highlight is the vibrant parade of ghost-like characters, from hunchback Hexen (witches) to impish Spritzer that squirt water at spectators. To learn more about this age-old tradition, visit the Fasnachthaus, which exhibits many of the handcarved ghost masks.
reviewed
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Hakametsä Ice Stadium
Tampere has two ice-hockey teams in the national league - Ilves and Tappara - both of which are among the best in the country, and the city is generally regarded as the home of the sport. Finland's first artificial hockey rink was opened here in 1955. The Hakametsä Ice Stadium, about 2km east of the train station, is the venue for matches on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from September to March.
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