Going out in Moscow: June 29 - July 1
There is always something interesting going on in the Russian capital. Often the problem is choosing from the long list of entertainments on offer. This weekend is no exception, with most tastes catered for in the wide range of scheduled events.
Festivals.
The major Russian film event of the year, the 29th International Moscow Film Festival, is underway. From June 21 until June 30, about 170 films from more than 20 different countries will be shown. In addition to the main programme, the festival will have a competition for young directors who've made only one or two films. The festival also presents a series of retrospectives, including Milos Forman's early films, and movies by Emir Kusturica.
Meanwhile, Russia's alternative to Germany's Oktoberfest – the Moscow Beer Festival – kicks off on Saturday, June 30, in Luzhniki Olympic Complex. Various activities, including concerts, competitions, sports events, and, of course, beer tasting, have been arranged by the organisers for the nine days the festival. It was first held in 1999, and since then it has gone from strength to strength. It's enjoyed both by beer lovers and those who simply like spending time outdoors in a relaxing atmosphere.
Cinema.
‘35 MM’ is one of the few cinemas in Moscow that regularly shows films in their original language. A double-bill entitled Grindhouse, by Hollywood heavyweights Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, will be screened on June 29-July 1. The horror extravaganza consists of two full-length feature films – Rodriguez’s ‘Planet Terror’ and Tarantino's ‘Death Proof.’
A horror comedy called ‘Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead’ directed by Lloyd Kaufman, is also on at 35 MM this weekend.
Address: Pokrovka street, 47/24. Metro ‘Kurskaya’ or ‘Krasnye Vorota’, tel.917-18-83
The Dome Cinema, located in The Renaissance Hotel near 'Prospekt Mira' metro station, features movies in English with Russian translation either through headphones or subtitles. Adventure and comedy cartoon ‘Shrek 3’ and Steven Spielberg’s action movie ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ will be screened here this weekend.
Exhibitions.
If jewellery is your thing, then you won't want to miss the exhibition of masterpieces brought to Russia by the world-famous French firm Cartier. The Moscow Kremlin Assumption Belfry is hosting the ‘Cartier: innovation through the XXth century’ exhibition.
‘Europe-Russia-Europe’ – an ambitious project organised by the Tretyakov Art Gallery and the European Commission – ends the anniversary programme ‘World Museums congratulate The Tretyakov Art Gallery.’ Around 100 works from 27 EU member countries are exhibited in the gallery hall at Krymsky Val, 10 until Friday, June 29.
Also, over a hundred paintings and watercolours by the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of the last Emperor of Russia, Nicolas II, are on display in the Tretyakov gallery’s building at Lavryshinsky, 12. ‘The August Artist’ exhibition marks the 125th anniversary of the Grand Duchess.
If you prefer modern art, Moscow Central House of Artist presents Oleg Kulik’s ‘Chronicles’ as part of the ‘Moscow Actual’ programme. In 1987, Kulik was one of the first artists brave enough to show his personal viewpoint on what he thought would become the art of the future. Now, 20 years later, this exhibition presents the artistic milestones charting his route to success. In the nineties he shocked people on the streets of Moscow and other European cities. At the beginning of the 21st century he showcased his work at the world's top contemporary art museums, from the Tate in London to the Venetian biennale in Italy.
The Winzavod contemporary art centre, located within the walls of a former winery, offers its visitors a number of shows, among which is ‘Four seasons of Vladimir Putin’. More than a hundred unique B/W snaps by photojournalist Dmitry Azarov give a fresh look at the Russian leader. Meanhwile, the Victory Gallery of the exhibition centre, presents a collection of Soviet Screen magazine covers at the exposition called “The Stars of the Soviet Screen”.
Music.
Electro and techno fans are welcomed in Moscow’s Production Pavilion club on Friday for the ‘MXTronica Live’ festival. Andres Trentemoller and DJ T.O.M. from Denmark, Iceland’s ‘GusGus’, and Belgium's ‘The Glimmers’ will perform on stage at 2300.
Address: Donskaya street, 32. Metro 'Shabolovskaya'
“Aquarium”, legendary Russian rock group, are in Apelsin on June, 29 at 2000. The band’s leader, Boris Grebenshikov, is a cultfigure in Russia, but also no stranger abroad. His albums were recorded and released throughout Europe and North America.
Address: Malaya Gruzinskaya street, 15. Metro 'Krasnopresnenskaya'. tel. 253-0-253
Internationally renowned Ugandan musician Geoffrey Oryema, now living in France, performs at the16 Tons club on June 29 at 2300.
On June 30, DJ Krush, Japan's prominent mixmaster and a heavyweight amongst the international hip-hop set, is in Ikra live/dance club at Kazakova street, 8A. Metro ‘Kurskaya’, tel. 505-53-51
Classical musical lovers are well catered for this weekend. On Friday, a number of events will take place in Moscow’s concert halls in the third and final rounds of the XIII International Tchaikovsky Competition, dedicated this year to the memory of Mstislav Rostropovich. And on Saturday, June 30, the winners will perform in the closing concert at the Moscow Conservatory.
Also on Saturday, Yulia Pirozhikhina and Grigory Cats will play Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Tobias Krebs, Felix Mendelssohn, and Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wely. The ‘Music for oboe and organ’ concert starts at 2000 in the Roman Catholic Cathedral (of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at Malaya Gruzinskaya st., 27/13
Theatre.
The Chekhov International Theatre Festival continues in the Russian capital until July 29. Theatre companies from at home and abroad present works inspired by the celebrated Russian playwright.
On June 29, the Diego Romay Production Company from Argentina performs “Tanguera” (Love and Death in Buenos Aires) in the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre. And the Smith-Gilmour Theatre Company from Canada is in the Meyerhold Centre with its staging of “Chekhov’s Shorts”. Finally, there's a rare chance to see Asian theatre on a Moscow stage this weekend at the Pushkin Theatre in the city centre. Here, the Ju Percussion Group from Taiwan perform “Light after light”.
