Don't miss the action at Spartak Stadium this Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. both days, nor the going away party for Speeding Lisa lead singer Jen Aucoin at Art Club 44 on Saturday, and more international films come to Kyiv thanks to Scandinavia (at Ukraina starting June 24) and Korea (Zhovten June 28).
: Teen sensation Wayne Rooney and his championship-leading four goals mean England are in and will face hosts Portugal in Quarterfinal 1. In Q-final 2, France will take on surprise qualifier Greece. Q-final 3 will pit Sweden against either Germany, the Netherlands or Latvia (it’s do or die time, boys). In Q-final 4, Pavel Nedved and the Czech Republic will face Denmark.
UT-1, 9:45 p.m. Also visit Kyiv sports bars: O’Brien’s (17A Mykhailyvsky), Planeta Sport (3 B. Khmelnytsky), Eric’s (20A Chervonoarmiyska), Belle-Vue (7 Saksahanskoho), or Golden Gate (40/2 Volodymyrska).
Friday 25
FILM FESTIVAL
Days of Scandinavian Film.
Established film directors from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Finland – including renowned Finn Aki Kaurismaki – present some of their most recent works in this new twist for local film fans. Aside from the Kaurismaki entry “The Man Without a Past,” be sure to check out the Icelandic film “101 Reykjavik,” the story of a geeky homebody who gets seduced by his mother’s flamenco-dancing lesbian lover. The film’s director, Baltasar Kormakur, has been compared to Almodovar.
Ukraina cinema (5 Horodetskoho, 229-6301). Screenings begin nightly at 7 p.m. Tickets Hr 20 to Hr 25. Please see p. 32C for more information.
Friday 25
CLUB EVENT
Opium Beach Club Opens.
Opium Dance Club has closed its doors for the summer and reopened (where else?) on the beach – specifically at the Oasis or Youth Beach at Hydropark. Boasting rain or shine parties till the sun comes up, Opium Beach Club should provide a welcome escape from smoke-filled downtown clubs. Five bars, a pool, a VIP lounge, sports of all sorts and, of course, lounge and house music. Pack your sandals, but leave the sunglasses at home, Chachi.
Opium Beach Club (Oasis/Youth Beach, Hydropark metro, 205-2945). Parties begin at 10 p.m. For more information, see www.opiumdance.com.ua.
Saturday 26
RUGBY SEVENS
IRB World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
Ukraine welcomes some of Europe’s toughest rugby sevens teams, including Spain, Portugal and Georgia, all of whom will be trying to qualify for the 2005 Rugby Sevens World Cup. Be sure to catch the first four matches of the day (at 15 minutes per game, they’ll all be over in the first hour), which will feature each of the tournament’s top teams – and set the tone for the entire weekend. Also, come out for the playoffs on Sunday, which will start at 2 p.m., with the final slated for 8 p.m.
Spartak Stadium (103 Frunze, Lukyankivska metro). Matches begin at 2 p.m. Free admission.
Saturday 26
ROCK CONCERT
Speeding Lisa Says Goodbye to Jen.
The ex-pat rockers are at it again, and bidding farewell to lead singer Jen Aucoin, who’ll be heading to sunny Jordan to start a new life, free of the depraved rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle she’s known since joining the country’s premier cover band. Who’s going to replace Jen? Who cares? It’s her party and she’ll cry if she wants to!
Art Club 44 (44 Khreshchatyk, 229-4137).
10 p.m. Tickets Hr 20.
Sunday 27
GALLERY OPENING
Art-blues.
A new gallery (surprise) opens on Andriyivsky Uzviz. Art-blues, at #38, features two halls, one for paintings, graphics and sculpture, and the other for decorative handicrafts. The gallery directors say Art-blues will offer visitors an immersion in modern art, both Ukrainian and foreign. Also, you want help establishing a private or corporate art collection, big guy? Come to Art-blues. They say they’ll help.
Art-blues gallery (38 Andriyivsky Uzviz, 229-7388). Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday 28
FILM FESTIVAL
Korean Film Festival.
Check out three Korean films, screening at Zhovten cinema in Podil: the drama “The Gift,” the thriller “Free Me” and the comedy “My Sassy Girl.” “Free Me” has won major awards in Korea for its cinematography and special effects, while “My Sassy Girl” has been noted for top performances by its male and female lead actors. See the movie listings on page 32C for the full schedule – and get ready to line up for seats.
Zhovten cinema (26 Kostyantynivska, Kontraktova Ploshcha metro, 201-0101).
Screenings begin nightly at 6 p.m. Admission for first three days of festival by invitation only; final two days free. Please see p. 32C for more information.
Friday 2
SPECIAL EVENT
Afisha Summer Party.
Our sister-magazine Afisha throws another of its super-popular parties, this time in honor of summer. German DJ duo Le Hammond Inferno will headline, but even if (like us) they mean nothing to you, don’t worry – they’re only part of the program. Expect lots of good, wholesome, drunken fun, prizes for lucky partygoers, and, in general, a pretty nice time in Kyiv. Wear your coolest clothes, and maybe you’ll get to appear on the back inside page of the next Afisha issue. (That’ll be us in the Speedos, hiking boots and nipple rings.)
Oranzheria restaurant (4A Baseyna, Mandarin Plaza, 230-9500). 10 p.m. Please contact the restaurant forticket information. Half-price entry for Afisha card holders.
