The Prodigy
A cult electronic band from Britain, The Prodigy has played in Ukraine twice before. Now they are coming on tour in support of their latest album “Invaders Must Die,” the group’s only record in the last five years and will play in Kyiv on Oct. 7. Formed in 1990 in Baintree, Essex, The Prodigy first became part of the local underground rave scene but quickly moved on to the next level. The trio was soon easily recognized worldwide for their appearance, performances and music. While the main person behind the band is its founder, songwriter and keyboard player Liam Howlett, the best-recognized face of Prodigy is Keith Flint whose punk image of an evil clown is “bad” enough to scare children with. The same could be said about dancer Leeroy Thornhill, who left the band in 2000 and was replaced with Maxim Reality. As for The Prodigy’s music, it evolved from hardcore, industrial and breakbeat into electronic rock and back. The band’s first hit “Charly” came in 1991 and was soon followed by chart-topping singles “Out of Space, “Voodoo People,” “Firestarter,” “Breath,” “Baby’s Got a Temper” and “Smack My Bitch Up” among others.
Gogolfest 2009
Probably the biggest cultural event this year in Ukraine, Gogolfest modern art festival will take place for the third time from Sept. 11 till Sept. 27. Named after the legendary Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol, the first Gogolfest was held in 2007 and offered a range of art events – exhibitions, concerts and performances. Gogolfest 2009 is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Gogol’s birth. The main program of Gogolfest will be presented at Mystetsky Arsenal national gallery and will bring together participants from 15 countries of the world. The list of the events includes a modern art exhibition that will occupy the total area of 12,000 square meters, concerts of classical and modern music from the Ukrainian, Russian, French, Lithuanian, Swedish, Brazilian, and Latvian musicians, orchestras and bands; theater performances by troupes from Germany, Spain, Finland and Switzerland, readings by Ukrainian writers, movies and video art.
Dali, Rodin and Renoir at the Big Antiques Salon
After showcasing the original works of Picasso and Modigliani at Ukraine House in 2008, this year’s Bolshoy Antikvarny Salon (Big Antiques Salon), on Oct. 5-11, will present works of such genius artists as Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali (1904-1989), French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) and Russian-Ukrainian painter and one of the founders of Art-Deco style Alexandra Ekster (1882-1949). The exposition will feature one of Rodin’s world-famous gems, “The Thinker.” A special presentation will be dedicated to the works of Frenchman Georges Braque (1882-1963), sculptor, decorator and graphic artist, who co-authored the doctrine of cubism with Pablo Picasso.
‘Jazz in Kiev’
‘Jazz in Kiev’ festival – organized and led by the legendary jazz connoisseur and concert promoter Oleksiy Kogan – will take place for the second year in a row and will last for three days Oct. 16-18. The festival will be held at the International Center of Culture and Arts a.k.a. Zhovtnevy Palats overhanging Maidan Nezalezhnosti, and will feature Bester Quartet from Poland, American musicians Mike Stern Band with special guest Randy Brecker featuring Dave Wekl & Chris Minh Doky, Spyro Gyra and Steve Gadd and Friends. Ukrainian jazz music will be represented by Dudko quintet and Okean Elzy band frontman Svyatoslav Vakrachuk with his project “Vnochi.”
Engelbert Humperdinck
One of the classical American entertainers likened to Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, the “King of Romance” Engelbert Humperdinck will bring his classical ballads to Kyiv on Sept. 24. Born in 1936, Arnold George Dorsey began his rise to stardom after changing his name to that of a German opera composer Humperdinck in 1967. While the 1960s were known as the psychedelic rock era, it also proved to be a good time for ballad singers. Humperdinck was sometimes compared to Tom Jones, but he demonstrated more easygoing style and casually elegant good looks. He developed a chic, extravagant stage appearance which made him a welcome performer in Las Vegas and similar glamorous venues. Humperdinck was best known for ballads like “Release Me,” “Here Goes My Everything,” “The Way It Used to Be” and other romantic songs which helped him maintain an army of dedicated female fans through the years. Now 73, the veteran star will show if he can still work his magic on women as he did 30 years ago at his concert at Palats Ukraina.
‘The Magic of Flamenco’
Suite Espanola (Spanish Suite) flamenco theater troupe from Madrid will perform its show program “Flamenco al Desundo” which may be translated as “The Magic of Flamenco” or “Naked Flamenco” at Palats Ukraina on Dec. 20. The soloists of the theater are two brothers and a sister – Ricardo and Rosario Castro and Jose Romero. The troupe is composed of 18 different artists: dancers, vocalists, and an orchestra of guitars, violin, cello, flute and drums. Suite Espanola is recognized as the best flamenco troupe in the world and regularly performs in China, Japan, Russia, Great Britain and America.
‘King of Waltz’
The official city orchestra of the Austrian capital, Vienna Symphony Johann Strauss Orchestra was founded 30 years ago by the recognized expert on Johann Strauss music Peter Guth. He still conducts the orchestra while playing a violin at the same time. In Kyiv, the orchestra will present the program “King of Waltz” at Palats Ukraina on Dec. 7. It annually opens world-famous Viennese Ball and gives 300 concerts a year.
PinchukArtCenter Award Shortlist exhibition
In the fall of 2008, Kyiv’s top art gallery, PinchukArtCenter announced the launch of the national award for young artists. It became the first private award in support of the next generation of artists in Ukraine. The jury shortlisted 20 contenders for the main award, including some of the well-known names such as Zhanna Kadyrova, Lada Nakonechna, Mykyta Kadan, Oleksiy Khoroshko and SOSka group as well as lesser known artists and art groups. You will have a chance to view their works at PinchukArtCenter from Oct. 31.
Art-Kyiv Contemporary 2009
The Art-Kyiv Contemporary 2009 exhibition will take place on Oct. 28-Nov. 7 at Ukraine House. The exposition will definitely feature works of the best modern Ukrainian artists. The participants of the Viennesse Biennale of the last several years and representatives of the famed Kyiv galleries are expected among them. Modern artists from abroad – Germany, France, Switzerland and Poland, will also be on display.
Balkanfest
Though Balkanfest is still just a rumor circulating on music-related websites such as last.fm, one certainly likes to believe it is true. It may take place at Palats Sportu on Dec. 4 and feature a lineup of such acts as Romanian gypsy band Fanfare Ciocarlia; New York gypsy-punk cabaret Gogol Bordello fronted by Ukrainian-born Eugene Hutz; legendary Balkan film director Emir Kustrucia and his band The No Smoking Orchestra among others. The festival is listed on the official Gogol Bordello website, www.gogolbordello.com, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.
