RIGA - Space:Garage is unlike any of the mainstream bars and clubs that can be found in the Old Town. It's as locally run as a club can be, with friends and supporters doing most of the leg-work required to keep the place open. DJs 's some of whom are quite famous in the world of electronic music 's play free shows here for the sheer joy of the scene.
"It started out as an art gallery," the club's volunteer promoter/assistant manager Inara Kreica, told The Baltic Times. She explained that as the small gallery parties progressed into larger, more involved events, Space:Garage's regulars started to push for the place to open a bar, get DJs on a more regular basis, and transform itself into a club.
Space:Garage now falls somewhere in between art gallery and club. Dmitri Zagga, its art director and owner, has set up a bar that serves some of the cheapest drinks in town 's at least until the alcohol runs out. Revelers stroll among the artworks that line the walls, lounge on the indoor and outdoor couches, and dance to the hypnotic beats of whichever DJ has agreed to come play at one of the weekly parties.
Kreica explained that the club draws not only local stars, but also DJs from Germany, France and other places in Western Europe. Many of the artists, both local and foreign, agree to play at the club for free because they're allowed to play their own choice of underground music. "DJs from Essential are sending me messages asking to come and play here because they can play whatever they want," Kreica said.
Space:Garage pulls in an interesting mix of alternative lifestyle types that would be hard to imagine anyplace else in Riga. A crowd of hippies, punks and electronic music lovers 's both Latvian and Russian 's all mingle and manage to get along surprisingly well. The club also sees a large number of foreigners coming in from a nearby hostel (but categorically not stag partiers).
The art currently on display is a set of photographs by Jelena Spasova and Jelena Glazova titled "Party Hard." The pictures are black and white shots of people at wild parties in London, the Dominican Republic, and Riga. Examples of Spasova's and Glazova's work can be seen at www.jejene.com and www.jelenaglazova.com.
The pictures will remain on display until Aug. 19. On the weekend the photographs are set to come down, Space:Garage has planned a huge party with Selffish, Elmi, DJ Rimi and DJ Andriei Oid gracing the stage on Aug. 17. Aug 18 will see appearences by DJ Ivarzz, DJ Mednis and FFF DJ Team. On Aug. 24 they will also host a special party, featuring German artist Smash TV.
The surrounding area of Andrejsala also plans to open a huge art extravaganza on Aug. 17. There will be six exhibitions featuring a number of international artists from Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Latvia. The festival is named Showroom 6: Matilde, and in addition to the art openings there will be a huge party at four Andrejsala bars.
Events showcasing the artwork will be held from Aug. 17 - 19, and again on Aug. 25. The festival will also be integrated into the Riga city "Svetki" celebrations, held in honor of Riga's 806th birthday. More information about the art opening can be found at
www.andrejsala.lv.
Space:Garage gallery/club
Free entry, photography until Aug. 19
www.fuckforfriendship.com
