It will be Rod Stewart's first show in the Baltics.
For Baltic entertainment this upcoming week, it’s all about the Rod. At least in Lithuania — he won’t be in Estonia until the next weekend, and Latvian fans will have to drive north or south to see Mr. Stewart in action.
Besides the Rod, Lithuania has an exhibition about life for women under the Soviet system and on the other side of the spectrum its biggest national beauty contest, the Miss Lietuva contest.
In Latvia things are getting rough with Fight Club, a heavy metal concert from an ex-member of Korn and Koreans making music with knives, while in Estonia it’s the usual odd hodgepodge with puppets, chick DJs and the Grand Prix.
For one of the few weekends of the year the weather’s predicted to be sunny and warm in all three capitals, so consider spending time outdoors boating, sunbathing or whatever. Have fun!
LITHUANIA
Who will win the crown this year?
June 4, 7 p.m.
Miss Lietuva 2010 finals
Congress Concert Hall, Vilnius
Yes, it’s in Lithuanian but if you’re going it’s not to listen to anything, but to watch. Besides, if you’ve been to a beauty contest before, it’s probably best not to understand what the contestants are saying. Expect cheesy music, wannabe glamor and perhaps Europe’s next top model. Tickets: 22-52 litai (€6-€15) in advance, 40-100 litai (€11-€30) at the door.
Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra
June 4-6
Vilnius Festival Concerts
Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Vilnius
The international jazz and classical concert series that started last Friday continues this weekend with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra on Friday, Bosnian multi-instrumentalist Edin Karamazov playing Bach on Saturday.
The best day will be Sunday, though featuring the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra with Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan, led by Chinese conducter Chen Zuohuang playing a selection of Bach, Tchaikovsky and Woo. Tickets: 32-72 litai (€9-€20)
Jazzu
June 5, 7 p.m.
Leon Smonov and Jazzu
Friedricho Pasažas, Klaipėda
Having achieved a big regional hit with their sleek “Tik Pasilik,” which sounds like an unused gem from Massive Attack’s classic “Protection” disc, Leon Smonov and Jazzu will do a set of their jazzy, melodic downtempo electronica in Klaipėda.
It’s easily the best evening action happening on the Lithuanian coast this weekend. Tickets: 43-63 litai (€12-€18)
Here’s “Tik Pasilik” if you’ve never heard it.
Rod Stewart
June 10, 9:30 p.m.
Rod Stewart
Vingio Park, Vilnius
Do ya think he’s sexy? Probably not anymore unless you’re getting over 50, but regardless the Rod is still a superstar and easily the biggest act coming to the Baltics this year.
He’ll be belting out “Maggie May” and other classics in Vilnius’ iconic Vingio Park amphitheater before heading to Tallinn a couple days later, skipping Riga, the usual Baltic concert destination. However, Latvian fans can get a ride and ticket package here. Tickets: 119-700 litai (€35-€200)
"Morning" by Ksenija Jaroševaitė. 1979.
Until Sept. 5
Woman’s Time: Sculpture and Film
National Art Gallery, Vilnius
An examination of the lives of women during the Soviet era, the exhibit uses sculpture and films by Lithuanian women from pre-1991 and is divided into three parts — the prologue (ties with the early 20th century and the interwar period), the main plot (the Soviet heritage), and the epilogue (the modernization processes of the late Soviet period). Tickets: 6 litai (€1.70), 3 litai for students and seniors, free admission for children under 7
www.ldm.lt/NDG/moters_laikas_en.htm
LATVIA
Ulikhanyan Quintet
June 4, 7 p.m.
Ulikhanyan Quintet
Godvil Klubs, Riga
Armenia’s Ulikhanyan Quintet is in town to do their instrumental blends of jazz, Armenian folk and progressive music. A bit eastern, a bit classical, a bit jazzy, a bit out-there — they sound unique.
Quite an established act in the Caucasus, it’s their first concert in Riga and perhaps not the last. Tickets: 5 lats (€7.50)
www.bilesuserviss.lv/eng/concerts/gimenei/muzika_un_teatris/?concert=67145
Aki Onda, a Japanese DJ that will perform
June 4, 7 p.m.
“Precious Moments” electroacoustic music festival
Nabaklab Club, Riga
Located on the University of Latvia campus, the student-run Nabaklab Club will have a major electronic music event on Friday with the “Precious Moments” festival, which features a long list of DJs from the U.S., Japan as well as homegrown. Tickets: 2.50 lats (€3.50)
June 6, 8 p.m.
WFCA Fight Club Vol. 11
Faraon’s Nightclub, Riga
WFCA Baltic, the local version of UFC will hold the usual brawl of the beefcakes Saturday but in a surprisingly small venue. It’ll be a long lineup of kicks, punches and grunts. Tickets: 5 lats (€7.50)
Brian "Head" Welch
June 7, 8 p.m.
Brian “Head” Welch
Melnā Piektdiena Music Club, Riga
What happens when a Korn guitarist discovers Christ? Well, he makes head-banging sludge with “positive, spiritual messages.”
While clearly not as cool as an actual Korn show and be warned, he won’t play any Korn songs either, Brian “Head” Welch will do a set of very similar-sounding music, so if “Follow the Leader” is in your top 5 albums of all time, blow off some steam off in the pit at this intimate club gig. Tickets: 10 lats (€14) in advance, 15 lats (€21) at door
Here’s an example of Head’s new sound, replete with anti-drug messages straight from a D.A.R.E. advert.
www.melnapiektdiena.lv/events/07062010
June 9, 7 p.m.
Cookin’ Nanta
Riga Congress Center, Riga
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. A mixture of the Food Network and Blue Man Group, this troupe of Koreans perform a humorous instrumental music show playing cooking utensils. It’s gotten rave reviews as it’s played everywhere from New York to Bangkok to Edinburgh.
Listen to them chop, slice and stir-fry away. Unfortunately, no Korean food is served afterward, though. Tickets: 8-15 lats (€12-€21)
Here’s an example of what you’ll see:
www.bilesuserviss.lv/eng/concerts/muzika/tautu_muzika/?show=16949
ESTONIA
Dave Benton
June 4, 7 p.m.
Dave Benton, Tallinn
Dave Benton won Estonia the Eurovision Song Contest but like the president isn’t actually Estonian but originally from Aruba before emigrating to the U.S.
Estonians haven’t lost any love for Benton since the 2001 win, and he’ll be doing a show of classic pop and R&B for those who love Eurovision-type music.
www.tallinnconcerthall.com/?evt=109&evtt=2010-06-04
June 4, 11 p.m.
Odnokla88niki
Club Urban House, Tallinn
A bit a fashion and fun with the Odnokla88niki party. Four different DJs spin dirty house while the scantily-clad Viki Models strut down a catwalk. Bound to be fun.
Tickets: 125 krooni regular 300 krooni VIP in advance (€8-€20), 150 krooni regular 350 krooni VIP at door (€10-€22).
www.piletilevi.ee/eng/tickets/muusika/muu/?concert=67834
Old Town Days
June 4-6
Old Town Days
Old Town, Tallinn
Tallinn’s Old Town days continues into this weekend with a long list of family-friendly outdoor events in the Estonian capital’s medieval center such as children’s activities, choir performances and puppet shows.
Events go continuously from noon to 9 p.m. each day, and each is free.
June 5, 12 p.m.
Grand Prix 2010 Rally Legends
Laitse Rally Park, Tallinn
The elder statesmen of Estonian rally racing will relive their past on Saturday, doing one-on-one races in old Ladas and other racing competitions during this day-long event. If you’re into auto racing, this is the place to be in the Baltics this weekend. Tickets: 100-1,500 krooni (€6-€95)
June 5-7
Tallinn Treff Festival
Estonian State Puppet and Youth Theatre, Tallinn
Family-friendly but engaging for adults, a group of puppeteers from the Netherlands and Russia will be putting on a series of shows starting Saturday. Yes, one is Punch and Judy but most of the offerings will feature intense (for a puppet show) special effects.
www.nuku.ee/eng/treff/62-main-programme.html
Rod Stewart. Blinking flip, I can’t believe how much fuss they’re making over him here in Vilnius. Back home in England he’s seen as a bit of a joke really. I mean, come on, he’s an over-paid, over-coiffured, past-his-sell-by-date, pint-sized pratt. Don’t waste your money – go and see someone much fresher, more talented and infinitely more interesting and pay much less to do so!