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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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…
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). The Burgtheater also runs the small theatre Kasino am Schwarzenbergplatz theatre and the 500-seater Akademietheater, which was built between 1911 and 1913.
Tickets at the Burgtheater and Akademietheater sell for 50% of their face-value an…
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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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.
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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.
reviewed
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Fana Folklore
If you’re finding traditional Norwegian culture elusive, this folklore show in the Fana stave church may cut through the obscurity. Yes, it’s tourist-oriented, but it’s well done and a healthy proportion of the spectators is likely to be Norwegian. Fana Folklore buses pick up ticket holders at Festplassen at 7pm, returning at 10.30pm; tickets can be bought at the tourist office.
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Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory
The country’s largest music school, named for Tchaikovsky of course, has two venues, both of which – the Great Hall (Bolshoy Zal) and the Small Hall (Maly Zal) – are in Moscow. Once every four years, hundreds of musicians gather at the conservatory to compete for the titles of top pianist, singer, cellist and violinist at the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition.
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Folies-Bergère
If only the walls could talk. This is the legendary club where Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields and Stan Laurel appeared on stage together one night in 1911, and where Josephine Baker - accompanied by her diamond-collared pet cheetah and wearing only stilettos and a skirt made from bananas - bewitched audience members including Hemingway. These days it mounts musicals such as Cabaret.
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Alfabet
Previously the Abyss club, Alfabet has the admiring crowd screaming when Robbie Williams and Tina Turner impersonators burst onto the stage along with fire-eaters and other circus performances. There's a large dance floor and an outdoor chill-out zone. This is one of the biggest clubs in town and has a mix of house, R & B, old school and garage. Look out for foam parties.
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Lost & Found
You can skip the bar upstairs and head down to the dark grotto-like dance floor downstairs that’s decked out in luminescent designs. Still a gay venue (they style themselves as a ‘hetero-friendly gay club’), the tunes are often chart-based, with a sign near the DJ booth ‘Don’t request. I’ll play it eventually’. It’s often the spot for after-parties for big gigs.
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Scharfrichter Kino
This lively cultural centre stages theatre and cabaret, including autumn's Passauer Kabarett-Tage (Passau Cabaret Days), a decades-old tradition of political satire that was sued and shut down by the establishment before the counterculture spurred its revival. It's best appreciated by German speakers with a knowledge of local political nuances and dialect.
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Vanemuine Theatre
Named after the ancient Estonian song god, this theatre hosted the first Estonian-language theatre troupe, which performed here in 1870. The venue still hosts an array of classical and alternative theatrical and musical performances. It also stages performances at its small stage (744 0160; Vanemuise tänav 45) and Sadamateater (734 4248; Soola 5b).
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Olympic/Respublikansky Stadium
All Ukrainian national team matches, as well as most of Dynamo’s European matches, kick off at the larger Olympic/Respublikansky Stadium. Tickets for the stadium’s 100,000 seats are sold at kiosks in front of the entrance gates. This is also the scheduled venue for the final match of the Euro 2012 football championships.
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Enterprise
A weekly writers’ Express Excess session is held at Enterprise. From small beginnings in 1996, the Express Excess evening has since managed to attract top names in British writing (John Cooper Clarke, John Hegley, Will Self and Murray Lachlan Young) to its cosy room at the top of a typically grungy Camden pub.
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Amsterdams Marionetten Theater
Located in a former blacksmith’s shop, the puppeteers put on a limited repertoire (mainly Mozart operas such as The Magic Flute ), but the fairy-tale stage sets, period costumes and singing voices are absolutely enthralling. From June to August the theatre only performs for groups; at other times, check the website for a schedule.
reviewed
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Dynamo Stadium
Dynamo Kyiv is one of the most recognisable names in European football and Dynamo Stadium is the team’s modestly sized home. Ticket booths are out front near the statue of a young Valery Lobanovsky, the late, legendary coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team. There’s also a memorial to WWII team Start.
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Zimbru Stadium
Moldovans are big football fans and Chişinau has three stadiums to prove it. The new Zimbru Stadium is the city's first European regulation football stadium, located in Botanica. Moldovans like football so much, in fact, there's an American football team called the Chişinău Barbarians, who hold occasional matches, in full gear.
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Hotsy Totsy
Iridescent striped wallpaper, velveteen booths and Ella Fitzgerald et al in the background make Hotsy Totsy a favourite haunt on any given night, but it's positively hopping during live sessions (usually at least Tuesdays and Thursdays; gigs are posted on the website). The rear room doubles as a de facto gallery space for local artists.
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Suziecafé
This happy student bar picks up in buzz in the summer months as punters crowd the outdoor tables on the square hidden back a short stumble from the waterfront. Together with the nearby El Chioschetto , it creates a lively summertime corner in Dorsoduro. From May to June it organises occasional concerts of anything from blues to ska.
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Zakk
Parties, concerts, readings, theatre, discussions - the menu sure varies at this well established cultural centre in a former factory. The beer garden is a convivial place to spend a balmy summer night. It's a couple of kilometres east of the Hauptbahnhof; take tram 706 to Fichtenstrasse or the U-Bahn 75 to Kettwiger Strasse.
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