Holiday Gig Guide - 2011-12-22

Estonia

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28: Various locations: Concert series “Church Holidays in St. Mary’s Land” high-quality musical performances, aesthetic and historical values and features both professional musicians and starting young performers and boys’ choirs. On Dec. 28 - 29 the festival closing concerts “The Christmas Story with Boys’ Choirs” will bring Schutz’s festive Christmas works “Magnificat” and “Weihnachtshistorie” to churches in Tartu and Tallinn by affectionate musicians: St. Michael’s and Kalev’s boys’ choirs, Corelli Baroque Orchestra on period instruments and soloists. Tickets can be purchased at:www.piletilevi.ee

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31: Estonian National Opera (Tallinn): Everyone is invited to spend the night in the magic atmosphere of the theater – for tonight the theater is transformed into Spain. Let’s fight the cold Northern winter with passionate Spanish zarzuelas performed by the best soloists and let’s dance to the music played by a symphony orchestra! The first part of the evening will comprise a zarzuela program “The Last Romanticist,” but the second will feature a flamenco program “Moon Romance.” More info and program available at: www.opera.ee

Latvia

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25: Kipsala Hall (Riga): Outstanding musicians, wonderful music, favorite songs, popular masterpieces of classical music, as well as new compositions in a special Christmas program of the Riga Christmas Gala “Christmas Stars” concert. The audience will hear classical music pearls by Handel, Rossini, Franck, alongside popular Christmas music such as “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “White Christmas,” “Let it Snow!” and many others. The concert starts at 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 and at 1 p.m. on Dec. 26. Ticket price 4.50 – 11 lats available at: www.bilesuparadize.lv

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31: Bastejkalns (Riga): Thousands of cheerful people, fireworks, songs and dance, live broadcast on TV, beautiful views of the brightly-lit Riga Canal - the celebration of New Year’s Eve at Riga’s Bastion Hill in Riga downtown offers all that and much more! Seeing the New Year here has become a popular tradition. Perhaps that is because this is a special place, where the Old Town meets New Riga. Come and enjoy 2012 bash! Celebrations will begin at 11 p.m.

Lithuania

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25: Cathedral Square (Vilnius): From Dec. 25 – 30 at 5 p.m., 6.20 p.m. and 8 p.m. everyone can enjoy a unique visualization in 4D projection “Miraculous Christmas,” which will be shown for the first time in Eastern Europe. The locals and city guests can watch the Christmas fairy-tale, where fragments from Vilnius’ history will be overlapping with folklore, religious and modern motives. The three-dimensional sight will be enhanced by the special effects, filling up the 4D projection, and the festive Cathedral Square will feel and smell like Christmas by such specially designed effects. Admission is free of charge.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31: Vilnius Town Hall: The program of “Una Palabra” concert will be special and twofold, featuring the works performed in the styles of flamenco, fado and jazz. Romantic purity will twist with the vitality and Spanish temper. On this special evening, arranged author songs and well known melodies will be performed in a different form – that cannot be simply described in words, that must be heard! Concert starts at 5 p.m. Ticket price 43 – 83 litas available at: www. tiketa.lt