15th Summer Jazz Festival Under the Rams Jig on down to this much-loved jazz jamboree. This year, echoing the bicentenary of Poland's most treasured composer, the festival will have a Chopin streak. Jazz has a rich tradition here in Poland, and during the late 50s and early 60s, the music achieved cult status. Jazz was celebrated as a form of rebellion against the communist system. Daily concerts can be enjoyed for much of the summer, culminating in the traditional end-of-festival gig in the courtyard of the Pod Baranami palace, bang on the Main Market Square. Check www.cracjazz for a full programme. when - 4th July - 18th August Cracovia Danza - 11th Court Dance Festival Take a trip back in time with this celebration of the art of court dancing. Few Central European cities can boast Renaissance venues of the calibre of Krakow, and the festival organisers will be making the most of them, with performances pencilled in for Villa Decius, the Bishop Erazm Ciolek Palace, and the splendid courtyard of Wawel Castle. More spectacles are planned for the Main Market Square, and there will be workshops if you'd like to take a twirl, old school style. when - 24th July - 1 August Film: Mini Festival of Israeli Films Film connoisseur and bass guitarist Ido Lewit will be drawing back the curtain on what's been going on cinematically in his native Israel over the last few decades. A graduate of film theory and philosophy, he's rooted out a smorgasbord of celluloid for us to savour, taking in mainstream productions, low-budget independents, popular comedies and experimental efforts. The films range from the 60s to the present day. when - 13th - 29th July
where - Various
where - Various
where - Jewish Community Center, ul. Miodowa 24
Jazz Night (17/18 July 2010)
Organised since 2007, Jazz Night has already acquired legendary status. This evening – this year on 17 July – is a real feast, and the only problem for jazz fans is the impossibility of being in several places at once. On the main stage there’ll be extraordinarily interesting events taking place and the theme linking the performances is – how could it be any different – the music of Fryderyk Chopin. We’ll be able to see and hear such artists as Jan Jarczyk and Andzrej Olejniczak in the Chopin&Jazz Quartet; the Beethoven Academy Orchestra together with the Chopin Warsaw Paris Jazz Quintet, and afterwards with Marek Bałata’s group. Another central figure this evening will be Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, on this occasion receiving the Jazz Ram award. The evening on Mały Rynek will last until 11pm.
Find out more at: www.krakowskienoce.pl
Carmen (7, 8 July 2010, 6:30pm)
Who does not know the Habanera or the Toreador Song? We’ll be able to hear them at the Kraków Opera: on its stage one of the opera world’s most famous works – the story of a sensual Gypsy, Georges Bizet’s Carmen.
At the Kraków Opera, we’ll be able to see the show in French (with Polish subtitles), in
a staging by Laco Adamik. The musical direction has been entrusted to Tadeusz Kozłowski, and the stage and costume design to Barbara Kędzierska. Playing the role of the dangerous temptress are – Monika Ledzion and Agnieszka Cz±stka, as well as the famous mezzosoprano Małgorzata Walewska, regarded in 1999 by the American “Time” as “one of the stars lighting the way for Poland into the next millennium”. In 2006, the Gliwice Musical Theatre’s production of Carmen in which she took part was awarded a Gold Mask in the most important category, Production of the Year. The play is accompanied by the exhibition of 40 posters from Carmen performances all over the world. The posters come from Adam Czopek’s collection.
Find out more at: www.opera.krakow.pl/english.php
Crossroads 2010 (Rozstaje) – 12th Festival of Traditional Music
The concert by the group Mahala Raï Banda is the main event in the twelfth edition of Rozstaje (Crossroads) – one of the most important world music festivals in this part of Europe. At this years’ edition of the festival taking place from 25 July to 1 August we will also hear Daniel Binelli – Argentine master of the bandoneon and member of the Astor Piazzolla Sextet.
Find out more at: www.rozstaje.pl
23rd International Festival of Street Theatre Rather than holing yourself up in a gloomy cinema this summer, why not take to the streets and enjoy some open-air shenanigans. Once again, theatrical troupes are set to bring their special brands of fantasy to town, and locals and travellers alike can join in the fun. As always, the festival is being masterminded by Krakow's KTO theatre, a group that's won acclaim on the international stage. Expect many eccentric guests from across Europe. when - 8th July - 11th July
where - Various
15th Summer Jazz Festival Under the Rams Jig on down to this much-loved jazz jamboree. This year, echoing the bicentenary of Poland's most treasured composer, the festival will have a Chopin streak. Jazz has a rich tradition here in Poland, and during the late 50s and early 60s, the music achieved cult status. Jazz was celebrated as a form of rebellion against the communist system. Daily concerts can be enjoyed for much of the summer, culminating in the traditional end-of-festival gig in the courtyard of the Pod Baranami palace, bang on the Main Market Square. Check www.cracjazz for a full programme. when - 4th July - 18th August
where - Various
20th Festival of Jewish Culture
What began as a modest event for Krakow's intellectuals has evolved into a jubilant celebration of all things Jewish, seeing some of the most exciting klezmer bands at large today descend on Kazimierz, the city's historic Jewish quarter. Besides music, visitors can savour everything from film to literature to cookery. Many exhibitions will run throughout July, but for those in a party spirit, don't miss the 'Shalom on Szeroka' street party on Saturday 3rd July.
when - 25th June - 4th July
where - Various
